Hashgochoh Protis XXIII - השגחה פרטית: Special boys celebrating special Hashgochoh Protis

There was once a Bochur in Eretz Yisroel who - having finished his Yeshivah learning was looking for a Torah’dige place work in. He noticed an ad offering just such an opportunity, namely a Yeshivah on the French-Swiss border, catering for special boys.
After working there through the whole winter of 5778, he found himself on Purim without a real friend or family member. He walked out of the Yeshivah building onto the street and - reflecting on the time he’d spent at this Yeshivah as a councillor - he realised that he neglected to maintain a Kesher with his Mashgiach of his Yeshivah-years.
Being in ‘Purim mode’ he half-jokingly spoke to his mentor: “If we’re still friends, please send me a message now and here”.
As he finished these words, he noticed a car slowing down, the window coming down and a Frum-looking guy shouted at him “hey Yeshivah-man, what are you doing here on Purim night, out in the boondocks?”.
Turns out that across the border, a pair of friends were looking to spend Purim night in style and set out by car to a town with a Jewish community, only to become stuck in gridlock traffic.
The driver’s companion didn’t like this static situation and showed his driver that whilst Waze reported a solid red line on the route they chose, there was another road that showed a free-for-all ride all the way over the border.
They argued about the pros and cons of having to abandon their plan and drive into the unknown, but in the end the guy in the passenger seat prevailed: they were going to aimlessly drive along the many hamlets and villages until they found a Purim-themed destination.
After driving like this for over an hour, they reached this quaint little French village and saw the most unlikely sight: a Yeshivah boy in full regalia standing outside a neglected building, speaking as to himself.
They slowed down and turned wound the window down, asking him point blank: “hey Yeshivah-man, what are you doing here on Purim night, out in the boondocks?”.
What followed was a spirited schmooze on the significance of this encounter and a night filled with Simchah, surrounded by special boys celebrating special Hashgochoh Protis.

Reb Yochenen Beck A”H - Part II of II

Reb Yochenen Beck A”H - Part II of II

The Lubavitche Rebbe patronised the restaurant and forged a longstanding Kesher with his father, as well as the Rebbes of Wiznits, Dej, Tchakov and other Rabbonim who were involved in Hatzola work, like R’ Yaakov Griffel ZT”L (see: Dateline Istanbul, ArtScroll, N.Y. 1993).  In those post-war days, they all had a lasting impact on the young boy, who reminisced about his encounters with these great personalities at every occasion. 

In 1949 the family moved to Eretz Yisroel by way of Italy and after a short stay at the Atlit absorption centre settled in Jerusalem where the father Reb Mordche Elyokim started his Carmel restaurant anew. 

As the old Knesset building was in close proximity, young Yochenen who was by now a young Bochur, was privileged to serve the Frum dignitaries who served as Shliche deRabonon on behalf of the Mo’etzes Gedolay HaTorah of Agudas Yisroel.  His father used to take the children to visit all the Gedolim he was acquainted with from the pre-war years, when he was active in Vienna at the Kenesyah Gedolah.  This is how young Yochenen came face to face with Imray Emes, the Rebbe’s of the Ruzin dynasty and others. 

His lifelong influence however was no doubt his Rebbe, the Belzer Rov, Reb Aharon ZT”L, whose image he carried in his heart wherever he went.  At every opportunity he spoke about the Rov ZT’L regaling his listeners with stories, anecdotes and Minhogim that he witnessed first-hand or heard from others.  Reb Yochenen was a storehouse of historical facts, especially about Rebbes, Chasidim, Rabbonim and Kehillos of the pre-war years. 

In 1955 they returned to England and arrived in Letchworth and later Reb Yochenen came to London where he davened in Rav Klughaupt and later in the first Bobov shul in Darenth Road which was just a few doors away from their home. 

In 1962 he married his wonderful Eishes Chayil – Hadassah Schachter from Antwerp and they settled in Stamford Hill for the first 14 years where he davened for the Amud on Yomim Noroim in ’Zeirei Aguda - 95’ and then in the Tzcaba Beis Midrash.  In 1977 they moved to Golders Green where he joined the Hager’s Beis Hamedrash as a Ba’al Tefillah on the Yomim Noroim for over 30 years, and served as a Gabbai there for over ten years, he spearheaded the enlargement of the old Shul, demonstrating vision to foresee the fast-paced growth of the Kehillah and the courage to see it through. 

The dais at the Sh’loshim event

For the last eight years he enjoyed the Shabbos and Yom Tov Tefilos in Khal Chasidim by Rabbi Yitzchok Eliezer Brief Shlit”a.  This is also where he left his precious Sefer Torah he spent many years saving for that was written a few years earlier by the son in law of Rabbi Hager.  Upon retiring he wouldn’t allow boredom creep into his life so he took up the position at the local Seforim shop, where he started a new career as a sales assistant – doubling as a social and Kiruv worker: many unbelievable stories are making the rounds how he saved a Jewish girl from a monastery, how he helped bring about a Shidduch for someone who was given up upon and the person who came from rural England and visited Shul - having been absent for over 50 years – to mention but a few. 

Reb Yochenen also started a shiur for senior citizens in Hager’s under Rav Schmahl and Rabbi Firestone Shlit”a, which - 17 years later - is still going strong. 

His passion for Jewish music and Nusach brought him in contact with many Chazzanim and he liked to teach us the age-old songs that he brought with him from the old world.  His collection of records and tapes attest to the fact that he lived in world of Tefillah and Neginah – he could tell the exact time and place when and where he heard a song for the first time and by whom it was sung. 

His family and friends will always remember his charm and harmless wit, the uplifting smile that was a constant companion and his respect for every human being – no matter. 

He always had Seforim to hand and enjoyed his learning tremendously. 

As Reb Yochenen’s health deteriorated he still went every day to shul with great Mesiras Nefesh and always had a good word or story for young and old with a twinkle in his eye. 

Reb Yochenen and YL”T his wife had an open house where they hosted many Choshuve Rabbonim and prominent guests from overseas and welcomed fundraisers with a compassionate smile many - who became lifelong friends. 

He always carried a smile on his face whatever the situation, generating Simcha with young and old.  He had such a great love for everyone, which went bi-directional: people had a special affinity for him, looking after him as he came and went to and from Shul, lending a helping hand when he too weak to walk by himself. 

For many years he bore all his Yesurim Be’ahavo – with such love towards the Ribono Shel Olam.  His legacy will forever continue and he’ll be sorely missed. 

The Sh’loshim was marked with a Siyum on Shisha Sidrai Mishnah at Khal Chassidim shul, which was attended by over 200 participants.  Droshos were given by the Rabbi Y. M. Rosenbaum the Gerrer Rosh Yeshiva Shlit”a, Rav Brief Shlit”a and by his nephew R’ Menasche (Scharf) Beck of South Tottenham in North London.  May he be a Melitz Yoisher for his Eishes Chayil, daughters, son-in-law and grandchildren.

Reb Yochenen Beck A”H - Part I of II

By Menasche Scharf - Part I

Reb Yochenen Beck A”H- son of Reb Mordechai Elyokim (Getzel Beck) – on his Sh’loshim, 11 Iyar 5778. 

Just days before Pesach, Golders Green lost one of its longstanding Ba’alei Battim, R’ Yochenen Beck Z”L, who lived locally for over four decades. 

R’ Yochenen Beck Z"L

Reb Yochenen was born in Vienna in 1935 and lived in the shadows of the Holocaust as a child refugee, never settling down for prolonged periods of time.  Always on the run, the family outpaced the bloodthirsty soldiers who were everywhere and managed to stay together.  At the tender age of five, young Yochenen walked, ran and hid alongside his parents and older siblings until one day while hiding on a farm in France, three German soldiers appeared and prepared the adult men to be shot in front of the women and children - only to be stopped by a high-ranking general who appeared from nowhere and sent them on their way saying “we could use their muscle power for the war effort”. 

This and other open Nissim were constantly on his mind, as he used to repeat to the younger generation what his Rebbe the previous Belzer Rov - Rabbi Aron ZT”L stated: “every Jewish soul who BeChasdey Hashem was saved during this infamous period had two Malochim (lit. protective angels) at their side”. 

From the Anschluss in 1938 – when Austria was annexed to the German third Reich until the end of the war (when the allied forces marched through the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, August 1944), he had trekked through half of western Europe, passing through Austria, Germany, Belgium, France, eventually entering into Switzerland illegally on a snowy Friday night. 

As soon as the tide turned against the barbarian Germans, the family picked up their meagre belongings and headed back to liberated France and arrived to Paris, father, mother and – by now - six children, which was unheard of in those dreadful days.  Understandably, during this harrowing period there was no real schooling to be had for a Jewish boy his age never mind a child in hiding.  Arriving in Paris they started life anew, opening one of the first Mehadrin Kosher restaurants, which became the meeting point for the many refugees who started arriving to the Pletzl from across the continent. 

His father Reb Mordche Elyokim Beck A”H realised that his three boys will need to catch up on their Torah learning, a luxury that was non-existent in the French capital so he took the boys over to London where they enrolled in Torah-true Mosdos: the oldest son R’ Berel Shlit”a currently in Bene Beraq joined the famous Yeshivah in Staines, headed by Rav Weingarten - the Liege Rov ZT”L and our R’ Yochenen and his younger brother R’ Dovid entered the Ahavas Torah boarding school, which was headed Reb Gedalyah Schneider - a son of Rabbi Moshe Schneider ZT”L, where they spent the next couple of years alongside other refugee and local children. 

For Shabbos they occasionally went to Staines to join their eldest brother and were influenced by the warm Chassidic atmosphere that permeated the whole Yeshivah.

During their stay in London, they were privileged to be in the company of the Rebbe’s of Shatz, Stanislav and others who lived or passed through London. 

When they came home for Yomtef, they Davened in the Shuls of Rabbi Rubinstein ZT”L, Rabbi Feder ZT”L and in other Shuls where many of the generation’s Rabbis and Rebbes were Davening. 

Reb Yochenen fondly recalled the days when he joined his father to be in the company of the Gedolim who were passing by, staying or living in Paris.  Amongst them were Reb Itzikel of Psheworsk and his son in law Reb Yankele, whose son YL”T Reb Leibush - the current Psheworsk Rebbe - was amongst his best friends, and later shared a room in Belz Yeshivah in Katamon and kept their friendship until this day. 

Mayor Meir

Rabbi Meir Soloveichik of YU, who gave the convocation at the GOP convention last August, opened his Shabbos Shuva drashah as follows:

I flew to Tampa, Florida a few weeks ago for the Republican National Convention. When I arrived, I was escorted into a large room where all the Convention speakers of the day gathered along with Congressmen, Senators, Governors and other politicians.

A woman approached me, stared at me, and then asked: "Who are you??" I responded politely, "I am Meir Soloveichik.". "Are you from Florida," she asked. "No," I said, "I am from NY". She looked puzzled and confused, which I found confusing since I figured most people knew there were a lot of Jews who lived in NY.

Anyway, she smiled and walked away. She then approached me again just a few moments later with her husband. She said to me, "Meir Soloveichik -- I'd like to introduce you to my husband, Congressman Walker." The Congressman and I shook hands.

Then the woman asked, "Can you please tell me what city in NY you are the Mayor (Meir) of??"

After the Congregation roared with laughter, Rabbi Soloveichik continued as follows: “And that, Ladies and Gentleman, was the first time in my life that a person was more impressed with my first name than my last name!!!”

Annual Pilgrimage in Karlsruhe

London, 02/05/2012

Preparations are in place for the yearly visit to Karlsruhe, to hold a special Yahrzeit.

This is the final resting place (see picture below) of the "Korban Nesanel" - the revered Rabbi Nesanel Weil ZT"L, who served as Chief Rabbi of the town and the Baden region, during the 18th century.

In the past decade, more people became interested and awareness has grown around this site.  People travelling to Michelstadt, Worms and other ancient Jewish communities try to make a stopover in Karlsruhe, for the sole purpose of praying at this holy men's grave.

A Minyan, headed by Rabbi Dovid Scharf (1937-2015), will depart on Sunday 13th of Iyar from Antwerp in Belgium.  They will be arriving late afternoon around 4:00PM local time, to hold a memorial service and pray for heavenly salvation on behalf of the sick, the poor and the whole of the Jewish people.

Tombstone on the grave of Rabbi Weil ZT"L

The Kehillo in Karlsruhe, presided over by Mr David Seldner also meets at the cemetery in a coordinated fashion, to perpetuate the memory of this revered Rabbi, whom they hold in very high esteem.  Official invitations are sent out the world over, to descendants of the Rabbi, to local dignitaries as well as people who have historical connections to Karlsruhe.  However, as there is a mystery surrounding the actual day when the Rabbi's soul departed from this material world, the local congregation holds the Azkarah two weeks prior, which usually falls at the beginning of Iyar.  

Local and international interest in this historic place ensures that it is well preserved.  Reverend Moshe Chayun, the Chazzan ( = cantor) of the local synagogue, is also acting as a tour guide.  He will show you around the cemetery and other places of significance in and around Karlsruhe.  These tours are by prior appointment only: tourists are advised to plan their visit to the Kever prior to their departure, as access is restricted to specific times.  Police patrols drive by on a regular basis, to check that no one enters the site without prior permission.  

For more details, reply to this message or contact the Jüdischen Kultusgemeinde Karlsruhe.

03/05/2012 J.Duschinsky says: we checked it and the yohrtzeit was 30 Nissan and was then on a Friday!! 

David Seldner 03/05/2012 says: Regarding the “mystery” concerning the date of the departing of the Korban Netanel’s soul has been clarified. All original sources say it was Rosh Chodesh Iyar (or May 7^th, 1769), a Sunday. The book Zichron Tzaddikim by R. Pinchas Selig Schwatz, Klausenberg 1923, seems to be the first who mistakenly mentions the 15th of Iyyar. Since then, many books, including the well known Melitzei Eish, simply copied the error. Best wishes. David

Kabdehu, Kabdehu Vechashdehu

There I was, holding my suitcase in one hand and my Tallis bag in the other, waiting to embark onto the JetFoil. 

We were queuing slowly towards the front desk, where a lady in uniform was checking the boarding cards.  By now, I was already familiar with the ins and outs of getting the most out of this time saving service.  Back in the nineties, when this was the fastest way to cross the channel, we used to travel with this now-defunct vessel.

I presented my boarding card to the stewardess who stamped my loyalty card and wrote “A’pen” next to the stamp, meaning that my destination is Antwerp (us Antwerpenaren didn’t like this abbreviated form, as it also means “monkeys” in Flemish…).

We all entered the waiting hall and watched as the vessel inched its way towards us, finally docking and letting its London-bound passengers off.  We then proceeded to board the hydrofoil, which was slowly but surely filling up with travellers.  I found my seat at the rear of the cabin, in a row of double seats, with a window view overlooking the sea.  Behind me I noticed two Bochurim, in their mid-teens, who busied themselves with their luggage, familiarising themselves with their new surroundings.  The seat next to me was occupied by an older person, of nondescript appearance.  He wore a cap and a jacket, both of which looked as if they came straight from a second hand shop.  I noticed that he is one of those passengers with whom one could hardly lead a lengthy conversation with.  I decided to keep to myself, leaving him to his own devices – not before giving him an obligatory nod as a sign of greeting. 

The boat started shuddering as the whirring of the main propeller started up, making itself heard over the collective din of travellers’ voices, the captain’s welcome broadcast over the tannoy and other noises emanating from the docks.  Finally, we were seaborne and making good progress towards Oostende, from where I was to catch a connecting train to Antwerp.  The reading material came out – if I remember correctly, it was a computer magazine, which I kept for just such an occasion – and I settled down to spend the rest of the 100 minutes (the amount of time advertised that this journey would take) busy reading.  The guy next to me was looking out through the window, apparently admiring the seagulls arching their way through the sky.  The two Heimishe boys behind were rummaging through their bags rather noisily, making themselves stand out even more than their peculiar appearance. 

No sooner did I make this mental observation, when I felt a jab in my back.  I spun around and saw the younger of the two boys with a pack of nosh in his hand, holding it in front of me.  He offered it to me, as I was ‘one of theirs’ so to speak.  I accepted the candy and then politely pointed out to the man sitting next to me, advising them to also share with him.  The older Bochur piped up: “for this Nazi, why should I bother?!”  I kept my composure and explained to them that they should never make assumptions and regardless of what they think about him, they should offer him the same as they did with me, so as not to upset our fellow passenger.  Accepting my rebuke, they grudgingly offered him a candy, which he declined with a wave of his hand.  However before he returned his gaze to the window, he made a statement which made us three frummers startle as if hit with a broom stick. He told me - in a spicy Yiddish - “zog zay az zey zollen nisht fargessen tzu machen a broche”*.  We were so dumbstruck, that we couldn’t utter a word.  I turned round and gave the two boys a long stare, as if to say “it’s damage-control time”.  The older one recovered first, stretching out his hand with a candy towards my neighbour.  He declined, waving away the gesture and returned to his pensive state.  After a couple of minutes I started up a conversation with him, which I managed to turn into a real schmooze.  Turns out that he is a Yid who lives in Brussels, attends Shul on a daily basis and – as it is when two Jews meet – even knows my wife’s Zeide, who at the time was alive and lived in a little hamlet on the Belgian countryside.  This connection went back some decades, from the time when he used to peddle his merchandise to mineworkers.   My mother in law filled me in with some details, explaining that the Belgian mine labourers spent their days underground in the mines.  When they finished their shift they would emerge from the shafts completely covered in soot.  It was a luxury to encounter a refreshing smell of soap and clean towels, for which they paid handsomely.  This gave them an opportunity to clean themselves and come back to civilisation in a more respectable state.  Zeidy would be on the ready with his wares - soap and haberdashery - which earned him barely enough to put bread on the table.  This was at a time before he had the shop in Schulen - a small hamlet in the Belgian province of Limburg.  My new friend then proceeded to explain how he ended up in Belgium, after spending the war in a forced labour camp, barely making it out alive.  And these boys called him a Nazi!  I was ashamed beyond belief but could only apologise, that their family must also have endured the same hell as he and therefore these boys didn’t know any better: whenever a person didn’t fit their liking, they labelled him as such, without realising the irony of it.  Indeed, when I arrived home (to Antwerp that is) my father confirmed my theory, by filling me in on the background of these youngsters.  It appears that their father married very late in life, having suffered in the war he didn’t feel like starting a family until a Rebbe advised him to stop worrying and to start Shepping Naches.  These two sons of him were born to him when he was already in his fifties, which ensured that their upbringing was full of grandfatherly love and without lacking anything.  Whilst this suited them fine, there may have been some other people who had to suffer the consequences of such a laissez faire Chinuch – our travelling companion being a prime example. 

Moral of the story: kabdehu, kabdehu vechashdehu – in this order.  Respect him, share with him, and be on your guard nonetheless.  If we instil such behaviour in our offspring, we will surely merit that our children will be Ahuvim lemato and nechmodim lemato amen.

*Tell them not to forget to make a blessing

Historia de Riti Hebraici. Vita e osservanze degli Hebrei di questi tempi

Historia de Riti Hebraici. Vita e osservanze degli Hebrei di questi tempi

Di LEON MODENA RABI H.°da Venetia

In VENETIA 1618 appresso G. Calleoni.

La Historia fu composta su richiesta di Sir Henry Wotton, ambasciatore a Venezia, per re Giacomo I e fu stampata in Francia da Giacomo Gaffarel, più di vent'anni dopo (1637). L'edizione fece temere al Modena che vi fossero state lasciate “cose che non sarebbero state gradite all'Inquisizione”, perciò, prima di procedere all’edizione veneziana del 1638, presso Calleoni, il rabbino si presentò preventivamente all'Inquisitore, che, esaminato il testo, lo rassicurò. Quando il Modena ebbe infatti in mano l'edizione francese, vide che il Gaffarel era intervenuto attentamente sul testo, eliminando proprio quelle “quattro o cinque cose” che avrebbero creato problemi con la censura. Da allora la Historia ebbe molte edizioni e traduzioni.

“Ho tutte l’osservanze de gl’Hebrei d’oggi descritte in brevissimo compendio…L’ho in cinque parti diviso a corrispondenza delli cinque Libri della Legge scritta da Mosè”:

I parte:     vari riti, le abitazioni, le benedizioni, le orazioni, la carità, i sacerdoti…
II parte:   lingua e studi, i rabbini, attività commerciale, voti e giuramenti, alimentazione…
III parte:  le feste ù ebraiche e i loro riti
IV parte:  matrimonio e divorzio, circoncisione, riscatto del primogenito, educazione…
V parte:   confessione e penitenza, morte, oltre la morte.

Il testo rispecchia soprattutto gli usi e i costumi degli ebrei veneziani del tempo, mettendo in evidenza le differenze tra le varie nazioni nel modo di pregare, di vestire e di rispettare le usanze tupiche dei vari paesi di provenienza. 

Evita tuttavia di soffermarsi su alcune tradizioni che, ad occhi esterni, potrebbero sembrare semplici superstizioni, ma è attento anche a evitare argomenti che avrebbero potuto determinare interventi censori da parte dell’Inquisizione: così non parla esplicitamente dei 13 articoli di fede di Maimonide, fondamentali per il mondo ebraico, ma non accettabili dal punto di vista cristiano e accenna solo in chiusura dell’ultima parte alla visione dell’aldilà:

Resta da dire per fine che tengono che vi sia il Paradiso per l’anima de buoni qual chiamano Gan Heden, che beatificati ivi stiano fruendo la gloria solo con la vision divina.

Similmente l’Inferno, che chiamano Gheinam, per gli empij dove l’anime lor siano tprmentate con fuoco e altre pene. Ma qui alcuni siano dannati in perpetuo a penar in quella maniera, ne mai siano per uscirne, altri vi stiano solamente per certo tempo prefisso, e questo dicono esser Purgatorio, non distinguendosi per luogo ma per tempo.

La ressurrettion de morti è uno de 13 articoli del loro credere. E così aspettano che seguir debba al fine de giorni che siano tutti i morti per sciuscitar e esser da Iddio giudicate l’anime e corpi nel giorno dell’universal Giuditio.

 MUSEO EBRAICO DI VENEZIA

יוסף משיתא

"ויגש וישק לו וירח את ריח בגדיו ויברכהו"^(*)

Machete

כגון יוסף משיתא^(**)

יוסף משיתא, בשעה שבקשו שונאים להכנס להר הבית אמרו: יכנס מהם ובהם תחלה,

אמרין ליה: "עול ומה דאת מפיק דידך",

נכנס והוציא מנורה של זהב,

אמרו לו: "אין דרכו של הדיוט להשתמש בזו, אלא עול זמן תנינות ומה דאת מפיק דידך"

ולא קיבל עליו,

אמר רבי פנחס: נתנו לו מכס שלש שנים

ולא קיבל עליו,

אמר: "לא דיי שהכעסתי לא-ל-הי פעם אחת אלא שאכעיסנו פעם שניה?!"

מה עשו לו?

Shaving Horse

נתנו אותו בחמור של חרשים^(***) והיו מנסרים בו,

היה מצווח ואומר: "ווי אוי אוי שהכעסתי לבוראי"^(****)

לעניות דעתי השם "משיתא" נתנה לו מאז שנהרג על קדוש השם, ואולי זה גם מקור הכינוי של יקום "איש צרורות" שהכין אבנים (צרורות) שיפלו עליו כחלק מהד' מיתות בית דין.

^(*) בראשית פרק כ"ז [פסוק כ"ז]

^(**) (לפי גרסה אחרת: משיתה) = Machete

^(***) ספסל - דף עבה שמגררים בו הנסרים (רש"י)

^(****) בראשית רבה - פרשת תולדות - פרשה ס"ה

Machete

Kosher Food on the go

Hi,

The Heathrow Express runs between Heathrow Terminals 1, 2 & 3 to Paddington Station, which is about half an hour away from Euston Train station by tube (London underground) or by London bus number 205.  Take the Northern line to Golders Green, Brent Cross or Edgware, where you will find many Shteebels.

Euston to Stamford Hill

From Euston -> Victoria line to Finsbury park (3 stops)

From Finsbury Park -> Bus #106 for 20 minutes, which stops outside Fountayne Road, from where you can walk to the Satmar Shteebel, at 86 Cazenove Road (about ten minutes).

You may need to buy a Day Travel Card, or use your credit card/App; the buses don’t take money at all.

Check out this link - https://www.cheapflights.co.uk/search/flights-to-Manchester/from-Heathrow

For Kosher food:
Sandwiches: Tuv Taam - available in Kosher shops
See also: http://www.ddsandwiches.com

Brighton 

Visit: Kosher Hotel and "Yofi" Restaurant

For the Kosher Food Section at Tesco Superstore in Brighton & Hove - Hove Superstore | Tesco - See: Kosher Section at Tesco

The train Station has lockers to keep your luggage safe.

The train Station is not far from Churchill Square (See: Churchill Square in Brighton)

See: https://www.hullhebrewcongregation.com/kosher-in-hull

For the Kosher Food Section at Waitrose in Hull

See: https://www.totallyjewishtravel.com/Kosher_Tours-TL6654-eastbourne_united_kingdom_uk-Vacations.html

For the Kosher Food Section at Waitrose in Eastbourne

See: https://shulbythesea.co.uk/about-the-shul/moving-here-visiting/

For the Kosher Food Section at Sainsbury's Supermarket in St Anne's on Sea

See: https://swhc.org.uk/shul-shop/

For the Kosher Food shop in Westcliff's Shul

See: https://kosherie.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral

For the Kosher Food shop in Westcliff

See: https://www.lawsynagogue.org/ko-op.html

For the Kosher Food shop in Leytonstone

For the Kosher Food Section at Waitrose in Sheffield

See: http://www.jewishsheffield.org.uk/about-us/visiting-or-moving-here

For a Minyan in the above and other areas, see the separate page "Dive in to Daven"

http://www.findakosherrestaurant.com/kosher-supervision.php

Just see what they call London Jewish Restaurants:

http://hashef.co.il
www.sohars-restaurant.de

http://www.123cacher.com/

http://www.mangercacher.com/

http://www.sephardikashrut.org/restaurant.htm
http://www.bevismarkstherestaurant.com/
http://www.adafina.co.uk/
http://www.mykoshertravel.com/
http://www.foodis.co.il/

http://www.timeout.com/london/search/?tag_id=4256&date=&cuisine_vis=Jewish&cuisine=1245&area_vis=&area=&keyword=Keyword+%28optional%29&postcode=&submit=1

http://www.shabbat.com/

Daf Yomi http://beinenu.com/

See our other Blog pages:

Amazing Kiddush Hashem

This story was posted around May 2015, I thought I’d share something nice for once ;-)

Amazing Kiddush Hashem this week:

Two boys were in Newcastle Station trying to retrieve their tickets they booked via credit card in the ticket machine. With a few minutes to spare until the train was to depart, they started getting a little nervous as the credit card wasn't working. 

A non-Jewish lady standing nearby overheard them getting a little nervous due to their situation. She walked over to them and asked what the problem was. After explaining their dilemma to her and saying they needed £170 for two new tickets and just didn't know what to do, she responded, "No problem, I'll lend you the money and you can pay me upon your return."

When the ticket officer, who was standing in the information desk nearby heard her offer he asked her how she ever planned on getting back that sum of money from two strangers who she never knew. 

By now there was a little commotion in the station and people who were watching awaited her response, and this is what she said:

A few years ago I worked in the Gateshead community for Mr C. L. Gluck and I can tell you first-hand, that Jews are the most honest and reliable people to deal with. I have no doubt that these boys will return the money to me and I'm more than happy to help them out.

The people were amazed as she handed over the money and walked off.

Mi K'amcho Yisroel!

מתפללים סביב השליח ציבור ובימת קריאת התורה

מאת עמנואל ראב"ד

שירה חדשה...  "יחד כולם"! (שחרית לפני תפילת 18)."כתר יתנו... "יחד כולם"! (קדושת מוסף, נוסח ספרד). שירה... קדושה...  ממלכה... וכד' דורשים: "יחד כולם"!

המקור: א. "סביב המשכן יחנו"! (במדבר א:נ, ב:ב). ב. "גובה קול הש"ץ בברכת "מודים": שלפחות 10 מתפללים העומדים "לידו וסביבו" ישמעו גם אם/וכאשר הוא אומר את ברכת "מודים" קצת בלחש"! ג. בימת קריאת התורה, באמצע בית הכנסת, ולפחות 1-2  ספסלי ישיבה בין הבימה והארון! כדי שהקהל יהיה "סביב" הבימה לפחות בזמן קריאת התורה. כבוד ארון הקודש, הבימה, הרב והחזן במשך התפילה דורשים זאת. (או"ח קכ"ד, מ"ב ס"ק מ"א).

הבעיה: כאשר החזן בודד במזרח והקהל במרחק המערב. גם כאשר המניין כשר, חוסר ה"יחד כולם"! זועק לשמים.

סיבת הבעיה:

א. מתפללים המעדיפים לשבת מאחור, בגלל היכולת להשקיף ולראות הכל, למרות שאין בזה כל תועלת.

ב. הרוצים להתפלל במקומם הקבוע, גם כאשר בבית הכנסת  בעל עשרות או מאות מקומות ישיבה, מתפללים כעת רק מניין מצומצם, בגלל המאמר: "הקובע מקום לתפילתו, אלוקי אברהם בעזרו"!

פתרון הבעיה: מבצע לא קל לשכנע לפחות 10 מתפללים, להתקדם לעבר השליח-ציבור ולעמוד קרוב אליו וסביבו. המסר אודות הקשר בין הראש והפדר. מסביר את השכר הגדול המעונק לאלו המוכנים לעבור למשך התפילה ממקומם הקבוע אל המקום שצריכים אותם!

ה"פדר": מהו? מקומו, תפקידו, הקרבתו והמסר?! הפדר הוא אבר קטן, הקיים בכל בעלי החיים ממחלקת היונקים, בעל תפקיד פיזיולוגי בלתי מוגדר, ולכן רוב בני אדם לא שמעו אודותיו ולא מכירים אותו.  

תיאור מיקום ותפקיד ה"פדר" =  אומענטום Omentum - בלועזית.

גוף היונקים מחולק על ידי הסרעפת = שריר גדול ורחב, המבדיל בין חלל הבטן, בו נמצאים הקיבה, המעיים, הכבד, הכליות וכד',  וחלל החזה, בו נמצאים הלב והריאות. הסרעפת מסייעת לנשימה, מעבר לצלעות החזה. כאשר היא נמשכת למטה נכנס אויר לריאות בנשימה, וכאשר היא עולה למעלה היא דוחפת ומכווצת את הריאות ועוזרת ליציאת האויר בנשיפה.

זפק = Peritoneum, מכסה את כל האברים של חלל הבטן.

פדר, (ויקרא א:ח) -Pader = Omentum אבר בצורת סינור או וילון, הקשור רק בצדו העליון לזפק ולסרעפת, וביכולתו לנדוד בחלל הבטן למקום שצריכים אותו בגלל סיבות בריאותיות. מוצאים אותו בכל מקום שיש בו דלקת או כל בעיה בריאותית, לשם הוא נודד כדי להגן ולתמוך בכל אבר הזקוק לו.

בהקרבת הקרבנות, כתוב בתורה:

1. והפשיט את עור הקרבן,

2. וניתח את הקרבן לנתחים: חלוקת הקרבן לאברים. נותנים כבוד לכל אבר בהקרבתו שלם. את האברים העלו להקרבה על המזבח לפי סדר מתוכנן. האבר החשוב ביותר מובן שיעלה ראשון, וגם ברור שהראש הוא האבר החשוב ביותר לכל יצור. אבל מי הוא האבר השני בחשיבותו, שיעלה להקרבה על המזבח? הלב? הריאות? הכליות? ... מפליא, שהאבר השני שעולה להקרבה, וביחד עם הראש, הוא הפדר! איבר קטן שאין לו מקום או תפקיד מוגדר ורוב בני אדם אינם מודעים לקיומו  וחשיבותו. ומדוע זכה לעלות שני וביחד עם הקרבת הראש? כנראה, בגלל שהוא מוכן לנדוד לכל מקום שזקוקים לו להגנה ותמיכה!!

המסר: חשוב להתפלל במקום הקבוע, כל זמן שאין זקוקים לך במקום אחר. אך כאשר זקוקים לך - ראוי וכדאי לך להיות מעשרה ראשונים ליד וסביב השליח ציבור. ברור, שגם לך כמו לפדר, יעניקו מן השמים כבוד וייקר, ברכה והצלחה על נכונתך זו

שתי דוגמאות של הבעיה:

1.      בית כנסת, במערב מנהטן העליון, שהפך ממרכז יהודי שוקק – לאזור נטוש. 2500 מקומות ישיבה לגברים, 1000 בעזרת-נשים. בקבלת שבת נכחו רק 27 מתפללים כולל הרב והחזן, שהתפרסו במקומות הרחוקים. קשה היה לראות או לשמוע אותם. החזן, בודד במזרח, הרב בודד בדרום-מזרח, ורוב השאר בשורה האחרונה של המערב הרחוק וליד הדלת האחורית.  מבחינה הלכתית המניין כשר, אך חוסר ה"יחד-כולם" היה זועק!

2.      בית כנסת פעיל בבני-ברק. 350 מקומות לגברים, ב-25 שורות. למניין שני בבוקר או למנחה, לפעמים רק: 10-15 מתפללים המתפרסים ברובם ליד הדלת הרחוקה במערב. הש"ץ בודד במזרח, וחוסר ה"יחד-כולם" משווע!

מאת עמנואל ראב"ד © ט' סיון תשע"ו – (15.6.016) © 

תפילה לאישה שעדיין לא התחילה לנקות... Prayer (be)for(e) Pesach Cleaning

תפילה לאישה שעדיין לא התחילה לנקות...

ריבונו של עולם אם נדבר גלויות לפעמים אין לי כוח את הבית לנקות...

אבל מה לעשות עוברים הימים והשעות וגם ברקע יש הרבה שאלות...

וכל מיני קולות "נו כבר התחלת? מה הספקת? לאן הגעת"

וזה מרעיש וזה מלחיץ ונכנס בי הספק...

לא מתוכננת? לא מאורגנת? אדישה? מסריחה? מעגלת פינות? וזה מחלחל...

"מה נראה לך??? תתעוררי את לא תספיקי"...

זאת משפצת זאת צובעת זאת מחדשת זאת מעיפה לזאת יש ממש תוכנית עבודה...

ואני? מה איתי? עוד לא התחלתי אפילו...

ואולי הבעיה אצלי?

ריבונו של עולם עזור לי להישאר על מקומי לא להגדיר את עצמי דרך האישור החיצוני

עזור לי, להאמין בעצמי שאני טובה, נקיה, ראויה ומשתדלת

לא משנה מה תהיה התוצאה

שאדע שאיני תלויה שהקיום שלי לא מותנה

ריבונו של עולם, תזכה אותי לשכן בליבי שמחה ועין טובה על עצמי ועל הנשים הסובבות אותי (אלה שהתחילו לנקות ואלה שלא...)

ריבונו של עולם הגן עליי מפני מחשבות הרסניות, פוגעות ולא מפרגנות שלי כלפי עצמי וכלפי הבית שלי

פקח את עיניי לראות מה חשוב באמת

עשה שאצליח להפריד את העומס והמיותר

ריבונו של עולם

• תן בי כוח לשאת את השאלה "התחלת כבר לנקות"???
• תן בי כוח להישאר רגועה
• תן בי כוח לתקן ולו בעצמי ובמרחב הביתי שלי
• תן בי הכוח לא להתערבב להתעצב ולהתקרבן
• תן בי את הסבלנות לא לצעוק על הילדים על האיש שלי וכל מי שיהיה בדרכי בשבוע האחרון
• תן לי חיוך גם אם לא התחלתי לנקות
• תן לי חיוך גם יום לפני החג לא משנה מה יהיה מצבי

ועשה... בקשה ממך, עשה... עשה שאגיע בחתיכה אחת מחוברת ושמחה לחג הזה

עשה שאצא סוף סוף מעבדות לחירות ממני שעדיין לא התחלתי לנקות