ShalomNewYork.com

“Arabs raided the yeshiva of Homesh in Samaria on Wednesday and torched dozens of books of the Talmud and of the Five Books of Moses, leaving behind a pile of ashes. The arsonists ignored personal equipment, including beds, tables and chairs, and concentrated all their energies on Jewish texts. “It was a horrible sight to see dozen of holy books of the Talmud and Bible burned almost completely,” said Rabbi Elishama Cohen, head of the yeshiva that has been the stronghold of the community the past two years. Homesh was one of four towns in northern Samaria that the government destroyed after expelling the residents during the “Disengagement” program four years ago.” more@IsraelNationalNews.com

“The Hasidic section of Williamsburg, Brooklyn — roughly bounded by Division Avenue, Broadway, Heyward Street and the Brooklyn Navy Yard — is an anachronistic pleasure.” more@NYTimes.com

“Some 20 hotels that host vacationing ultra-Orthodox guests sign document detailing modesty code to be kept in order to make sure stringent guests comfortable. Among other things, hotels commit to unplug televisions, disallow looking into pool from rooms, instating modest dress code for female employees. Imposition of code not supported by rabbis responsible for granting kosher certificates.” more@Ynet.co.il

“Russia is showing its contempt and disdain for international law, the American judicial system, and basic principles of fairness and justice,” said Nathan Lewin, attorney for the world-wide Chabad-Lubavitch movement. The remark was in response to Russia’s surprise announcement, filed with the federal court in Washington, D.C. in recent days. In an epic legal and diplomatic contest that dates back to the World War I, Russia is defiantly refusing to release some 381 spiritual manuscripts, 12,000 rare books and 25,000 handwritten archival documents plundered from East Europe from the charismatic Jewish Chabad-Lubavitch movement.” more@TheCuttingEdgeNews.com

“The village is considering a plan to allow a business to build a large slaughterhouse to process poultry on Route 45 bordering New Hempstead. New Square Deputy Mayor Israel Spitzer said the proposed facility would enable a business already in the village to expand - keeping numerous jobs in Rockland. “The applicant is planning to build a better type of plant which is going to be fully automated and up to code with all types of new efficiencies,” he said. The proposed 50,730-square-foot facility would be built in a new industrial park located at the intersection of Route 45, across from Rovitz Place, according to documents.” more@Lohud.com

“A Jew for Jesus who demanded kashrut supervision from the Chief Rabbinate won a Supreme Court decision on Monday likely to spark another confrontation between the nation’s highest legal arbiter and the Orthodox rabbinical establishment.  In its verdict, based on a precedent that found belly-dancing to be unrelated to kosher food, the court ruled that an Ashdod baker’s belief that Jesus was the messiah did not make her baked goods unkosher.” more@JPost.com

“To make one shtreimel can take up to 400 tails of various breeds of mink, sable of fox - the scrap of the fur industry. With only 10,000 shtreimels produced around the world each year, it’s definitely what you call a niche market. But at a cost of up to $4000 each, it can be a profitable one too. “All my furs I source from Europe,” Weiner said. “So hopefully the law won’t affect my business at all.” “more@Brisbanetimes.com.au

“770 Greets New Sefer Torah. At the hieght of Gimmel Tammuz, an Hachnosas Sefer Torah was held in 770. The new Torah, a donation of Rabbi Naftali Astulin, Shliach of the Rebbe Melech Hamoshiach in L.A. was written in honor of the eightieth anniversary of the the Rebbe’s marriage to Rebbetzin Chaya Mushkah A”H.” Chabad.Info

Shmuel 1 11:14

This week’s haftorah shares with us a significant perspective about a Jewish government in Eretz Yisroel. The Jewish people had recently approached the prophet Shmuel requesting the appointment of a king. The prophet acquiesced in their request and transferred the mantle of leadership to the most worthy candidate in Israel, Shaul. Shmuel then proceeded to convey strong words of reprimand to the Jewish people for their request. He reviewed with them his personal service both as judge and prophet and challenged them to find any fault in his faithful service. After they attested to Shmuel’s perfect record of leadership he reminded them of Hashem’s constant favors securing them with perfect leadership at all times.
Shmuel then said “And now here is the king you requested; behold Hashem has given you a king. If you revere Hashem, serve Him and follow His voice without rebelling you and your king will merit the guidance of Hashem. And if you don’t adhere….”(12:14). Malbim understands these passages to convey the following message. If the Jewish people follow closely the path of Torah, Hashem will, in effect, be their leader. But if they don’t they will not merit His guidance and will ultimately be severely punished for their wrong doings. Keep reading →