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Photos: Nikolsburger Rebbe in Scranton, PA, at Forshpiel of a Son of Rav Avraham Goldstein (JDN)
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The Unknown Amora
A talmid chochom came to Rav Chaim Kanievsky with a manuscript of a sefer that exhaustively traces the generations of the Amoroim, Sevoroim and Geonim according to the various opinions of the Rishonim. After paging through the sefer for a few moments, Rav Chaim asked the author, “Did you mention Rav Amorai here?”
“I never heard of such an Amora,” the author replied.
No one else in the room had heard of him either.
Rav Chaim proceeded to explain.
“The Gemara in Rosh Hashanah mentions the name Amorai, but that’s not whom I was referring to,” he said. “Over there, the Gemara is referring to someone who swims to the depths [of the Gemara, as amora means ‘diver’]… I am referring to someone who was called Amorai.”
Rav Chaim then asked someone to bring him the sefer Seder Tannoim Ve’amoroim, and showed where he had personally added Rav Amorai’s name to the list of names there beginning with alef, noting that the name appears in the Medrash Sefer Habohir.
“Now you have something more to write about,” Rav Chaim said as he warmly wished the author success in his project.
David Steger – Matzav.com Israel
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Rabbi Ari Wolf to Deliver Invocation at RNC
Rabbi Ari Wolf, police chaplain in Cleveland, Ohio, has been selected to deliver an invocation at the opening of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland this week, Matzav.com has learned.
The news follows the revelation, first reported on Matzav.com before Shabbos, that Rabbi Haskel Lookstein, who heads the Manhattan shul that Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner, attend, backed out of the Republican National Convention because his appearance had become too politically charged
Lookstein, via email, stated that “Like my father before me, I have never been involved in politics. Politics divide people. My life has been devoted to uniting a community — Ahavat Yisrael and ahavat ha-adam. In the interest of bringing our community together, I have asked to be relieved of my commitment to deliver the invocation. My request has been honored with the same love and respect in which it was first offered and intended.”
Rabbi Wolf is a talmid of Telshe Yeshiva and a respected ben Torah and askan. He is a beloved member of the Cleveland kehillah, a humble public servant who has expended time and effort for the betterment of the community.
{Gavriel Sitrit-Matzav.com Newscenter}
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Photos: Fire Damages Shaitel Business in Monsey Home
Firefighters battled a working structure fire at a residential house on Calvert Drive in Monsey, NY, this morning.
The structure, a three-story, six-family unit, houses a successful shaitel business.
A large number of stored boxes made it challenging for firefighters from Monsey, Spring Valley, Hillcrest, Tallman and Suffern to battle the blaze, as entry was compromised.
Dozens of shaitel boxes could be seen strewn across the backyard of the property as the firefighters extinguished the flames and inspected the home to ensure that the fire was put out completely.
Boruch Hashem, no injuries have been reported.
The amount of damage caused by the conflagration is not yet clear.
{Matzav.com Newscenter}
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Watch: Cleveland’s Rabbi Ari Wolf Delivers the Invocation Today at the 2016 Republican National Convention
This afternoon, at about 1:05 p.m., as the Republican National Convention kicked off in Cleveland, the invocation was delivered by Rabbi Ari Wolf.
Rabbi Wolf, a noted askan and humble communal servant, is a police chaplain in Cleveland and the Director of Administrative Services of Telshe Yeshiva in Wickliffe, Ohio.
Rabbi Wolf was introduced by RNC Chairman Reince Priebus.
In his remarks, Rabbi Wolf prayed for “G-d’s blessings for our success of our mission.”
“Avinu Shebashomayim, our Heavenly Father,” he said, “we acknowledge Your grace and Your beneficence. We ask for you blessings upon this Republican National Convention and all those gathered here. We ask for Your blessings on our country and our people and we seek Your guidance and continued protection.
“L-rd G-d, we live in perilous and dangerous times. Today, our beloved country is under attack. Our family values, our moral principles and even our very democracy is threatened.”
Rabbi Wolf later recited the words of Birkas Kohanim, concluding his speech: “Yevorechecha Hashem veyishmerecha yaeir Hashem Ponov eilecha vichuneka yisa Hashem Ponov eilecha veyaseim lecha shalom – May G-d bless you and keep you. May G-d shine His countenance upon you and be gracious to you. May G-d lift up His face to you and give you peace in a world of peace. And let us say ‘Amein.’”
WATCH:
VIDEO 2:
{Gavriel Sitrit-Matzav.com Newscenter}
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Rav Chaim On Accepting Baalei Teshuvah into Yeshivos
Rav Shmuel Boruch Genut, who is close to Rav Chaim Kanievsky, reported in the Israeli Yated Ne’eman that Rav Chaim was recently asked by the director of a cheder in Elad whether he should accept a ba’al teshuvah to teach at his institution. In response, Rav Chaim pulled out a volume of the Rambam and paged to Hilchos Teshuvah, from where he read:
“A person should not think that a ba’al teshuvah is far from the heights of the tzaddikim because of the sins and transgressions he committed. This is not so. Rather, he is beloved and pleasant before the Creator as if he never sinned. Furthermore, his reward is great, for he tasted the taste of sin and left it and conquered his inclination. The chachomim said: The place where ba’alei teshuvah stand, complete tzaddikim cannot stand in, etc.”
Rav Chaim’s intent was clear.
Rav Genut added that he once asked Rav Chaim whether ba’alei teshuvah should be given preference when it comes to tzedokah, for the Sefer Hachinuch (Mitzvah 431) writes of the mitzvah to love the convert that this mitzvah also teaches to have mercy on anyone who is torn away from his birthplace and family.
“If so,” Rav Genut argued, “we should invest more efforts in helping ba’alei teshuvah, who are physically and mentally far removed from their families and friends.”
Rav Chaim agreed, noting, “When one needs to give financial assistance to needy ba’alei teshuvah families, one should give them special help. And sometimes, where relevant, it is worthwhile to even give them precedence to other families.”
David Steger – Matzav.com Israel
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Photos: Rabbinic Delegation to Canada on Mission to Help French Immigrants to Israel
A delegation of rabbonim headed to Toronto today to raise funds for the many French Jews who have immigrated to Israel in recent years so that they will receive a proper education within the Charedi school system.
Rav Dovid Feinstein, Rav Zalman Leib Teitelbaum of Satmar, Rav Aharon Feldman, and Rav Aryeh Malkiel Kotler, along with Rabbi Reuven Schron and his son, Rabbi Mordechai Schron, will be visiting Canadian philanthropists in a joint effort to raise money so that Charedi schools in Israel will be able to absorb the influx of young immigrants who have flocked to Israel to escape the escalating terror attacks in France.
The trip is part of a larger effort coordinated by the Kalever Rebbe, who has been working closely with France’s Jewish community for years in conjunction with the Skulener Rebbe.
An estimated $3 million will be raised for a special fund to bolster the Israeli schools, including Chinuch Atzmai institutions.
PHOTOS BY JDN:
{Matzav.com}
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Photos: Yeshivas Mir-Yerushalayim Annual Lakewood Dinner
Wednesday night, Yeshivas Mir-Yerushalayim held its annual Lakewood dinner at N’eemas Hachaim Hall in Lakewood, NJ.
The guests of honor were Mr. and Mrs. Michael Bauman. Rabbi Moshe Wehl received the Harbotzas Torah Award. Mr. and Mrs. Srully Lieberman received the Kesser Shem Tov Award. Rabbi Shimshon Wulliger and Mr. and Mrs. Ushy Heitner received the Alumnus of the Year Award. The dinner chairman was Shalom Stein. Divrei brachah were delivered by the rosh yeshiva, Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel.
The highlight of the event was a special musical presentation by singers Baruch Levine, Shulem Lemmer and the Shapiro brothers of Acheinu, alumni of the yeshiva, with music conducted by the famed Yochi Briskman. The 25-minute concluding segment began with a new composition, “The Mir Niggun,” about the history of Yeshivas Mir. The group then sang various songs, including Ahallela, Etz Chaim Hee, Ribon Ha’olamim and Ashreichim.
PHOTOS BY JDN:
{Matzav.com}
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BMG Increases Kollel Checks for Yungeleit
In a new initiative, Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, NJ, has, for the second year in a row, raised the bi-weekly kollel check received by its kollel members, Hefker Velt reports.
The increase is part of a plan to raise the check again over the next few years, while at the same time adding new members to the kollel payroll of the yeshiva.
The kollel budget has now reached close to $15 million annually.
The yeshiva has not missed a payroll in over 14 years.
The raise is a full extra paycheck per year, which, in total, will cost the yeshiva an additional $500,000.
Beth Medrash Govoah was founded by Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l, who was succeeded by his son, Rav Shneur Kotler zt”l. The yeshiva is led by today by four roshei yeshiva.
{Matzav.com}
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Photos: Rav Yechezkel Roth of Karlsburg Answering Shailos in the Catskills (JDN)
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Photos: At the Bris of a Grandson of the Bobover Rebbe at Camp Kerem Shlomo Bobov in South Fallsburg (JDN)
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Event in British Parliament Launches UK Committee for Har Hazeisim
On a day when the UK was preoccupied with the change of its national leadership, an extraordinary event took place on July 14th in the House of Commons to officially launch the United Kingdom Committee for the Preservation of Har Hazeisim. The host of the event was MP Matthew Offord, who represents the Jewish community of Hendon but the overflow crowd included representatives from all over Europe, the United States and Canada. It was said Chairman Filip Slipaczek, an historic event as something so hallowed as Har Hazeisim was being celebrated in the British Parliament.
To underscore the interest of the Royal family in Har Hazeisim, Prince Charles sent a special emissary to read a letter from him greeting the event. Also in attendance was Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, the granddaughter of Princess Alice of Battenberg, the mother of Prince Phillip and the mother-in-law of Queen Elizabeth. In documents recently discovered, it was found that Princess Alice had hidden three Jewish families in 1943 when she was in Vienna. After her death it was found that Princess Alice left a will asking to be buried on Har Hazeisim and she is in fact interred in thegarden of Gethsemane, the small Catholic cemetery on Har Hazeisim. Prince Philip is said to have made at least one private visit to the grave of his mother.
Included in the crowd of dignitaries were many prominent rabbonim and Jewish leaders from throughout Europe. They included Dayan Yonasan Abraham, Rav Simcha Steinberger, Rav Moshe Israelov, the head of the Bukharian community in Vienna, Rav Avraham Pinter, one of the senior rabbonim in London, Rav Dovid Rose of the Berlin Yeshiva, Rav Herschel Gluk OBE, Head of the Jewish cemeteries in Europe, Rabbi Melvin Hartog, head of the Chevra Kadisha for United Synogagues, Dayan Elimelech Vanzetta who holds a position with CER, Rav Rafael Godlewsky, and Rabbi Grunfeld head of Seed program. A Letter was also read from Israel’s Ambassador Mark Regev. The Ambassador from Azerbaijanwas also there. Other diplomats were there from Poland as well as representatives of the Polish community in Britain.
Rabbi Yosef Deutsch, the First Deputy Mayor of Yerushalayim and the guest of the event, delivered an emotional speech, in which he described how the tragedies of Jewish history passed through Har Hazeisim. The Deputy Mayor made the trip to show his support for the world-wide efforts of Jews to preserve the 3000-yearold cemetery that contains 150,000 Jewish neshomos. The keynote address was delivered by Menachem Lubinsky, the co-chairman of the ICPHH who described the history of abuse and neglect and the dramatic changes that have taken place there in recent months. “Jews are returning en mass to the yahrzeit of their rebbes and simply to visit the gravesites of their loved ones,” said Mr. Lubinsky. He added that “we have a long way to go but we will succeed.” Other speakers included Dayan Abraham, Stephen Pack, the President of the United Synagogue, representative broad consensus of British Jewry about the importance of Har Hazeisim, and Dr. Paul Rosenstock, a member of the ICPHH Executive Committee in New York. Rabbi Jonathan Sigal, the executive director of the ICPHH in Europe, played a big role in organizing the historic event.
{Matzav.com}
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Photos: Catskills Hatzolah Annual Breakfast at the South Fallsburg Hatzolah Garage (JDN)
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Photos: The Aleksander Rebbe of Boro Park Visiting Eretz Yisroel (JDN)
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Photos: A Visit to the Belzer Day Camp in Boro Park (JDN)
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Photos: Pouring Cement for Boros of a New Mikvah in Forest Hills, NY
The mikvah is being built by Mikvah USA. The pouring of the boros was conducted under the supervision of Rav Yizchok Trieger.
PHOTOS BY JDN:
{Matzav.com}
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Shiva Asar B’Tammuz Program Of Inspiration, Sunday, July 24th, Streaming Live Here on Matzav.com
Torah Connections, a Flatbush-based group will offer a series of four chizuk lectures to the public on the fast day of Shiva Asar B’Tammuz, this coming Sunday, July 24th at the Yeshiva of Brooklyn (Boys Division), 1200 Ocean Parkway on the corner of Avenue L.
The program will focus on the challenge of “Finding Meaning in the Three Weeks” from Shiva Asar B’Tammuz through Tisha B’Av when the Jewish nation mourns the destruction of our Batei Mikdash and other related national tragedies such as the Crusades and Churban Europe.
The Kinos will begin with a talk at 3 P.M. by Rabbi Avrohom Schorr, the Rav of Beis Medrash Nezer Gedalyahu in Flatbush. Rabbi Dovid Orlofsky, internationally renowned speaker from Yerushalayim will offer his insights at 4 P.M. At 5 P.M. Rabbi Mordechai Becher, Senior Lecturer at Gateways will address the audience on how to make the Three Weeks more meaningful. Rabbi Ron Yitzchok Eisenman, Rav of Congregation Ahavas Yisroel in Passaic will deliver divrei chizuk at 6 P.M. The program will conclude with Mincha and participants are requested to bring their own siddurim.
The program is open to men and women with separate seating. An elevator is available and admission is $10 per person regardless of how many lectures one comes for. There will be a maximum charge of $25 per any one family. Torah Connections will also be organizing its Annual Tisha B’Av Program also at the same Yeshiva of Brooklyn location on Motzei Shabbos, August 13 and Sunday, August 14.
The program will be broadcast live here on Matzav.com. The online broadcast is sponsored in part by Hindy and Kevin Chorney and Mr. and Mrs. Simcha Ezra Valberg.
For more information please visit TorahProgram.com.
This program and the upcoming Tisha B’av program are made possible by generous sponsorships and donations. To become a partner in these endeavors, please call (718) 998-5822 or visit the donation page at TorahPrograms.com.
{Matzav.com}
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MISAMEACH 72K IN THE NEXT 24 HOURS, TO HELP BRING HAPPINESS TO ILL CHILDREN ACROSS THE COUNTRY
-Communicated- DONATE HERE.
Misameach is an organization dedicated to bringing happiness to very ill children and young adults, through live bedside entertainment in hospitals and houses including music clowns jugglers superstar singers, arts & crafts, make-a-wish programs, multimedia libraries, gifts, Cruises, events and so much more.
“For families devastated by illness, Misameach is a lifesaver.” Said D. Ackerman. “Misameach gave me the opportunity to fight my illness”.
Now’s your opportunity to be there for these children.
For 24 hours ONLY, donations received to our campaign will be QUADRUPLED, maximizing the power of every dollar you give.
Please donate NOW so that we can continue our vital mission.
VIDEOS:
{Matzav.com}
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Video, Photos: Rav Yitzchok Grodzensky Marks Yahrtzeit at Ohr Elchonon
On the occasion of the 75th yahrtzeit of the murder of Hagaon Rav Elchanan Wasserman Hy”d by the Nazis in Lithuania, Rav Moshe Mordechai Chodosh, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Ohr Elchanan, invited Rav Yitzchok Grodzenski, rosh kollel of Toras Avrohom, to deliver a shmuess at the yeshiva bearing the name of Rav Elchanan.
Others participating in the yahrtzeit event were Rav Dov Kreiswirth, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Toras Chaim, and Rav Bentzion Kook, head of the Bais Horaah Haklali of Yerushalayim and a son-in-law of Rav Grodzenski.
Rav Grodzenski, one of the sole remnants of a generation that saw Rav Elchanan, is a son of the mashgiach, Rav Avraham Grodzensky. Rav Yitzchok Grodzensky remembered in his remarks, “I heard the Nazis debating whether to take Rav Elchanan.” He offered personal testimony of those terrible days.
Rav Chodosh is battling serious illness and is in need of rachamei Shomayim. His name is Rav Moshe Mordechai ben Tziviah.
VIDEO AND PHOTOS:
David Steger – Matzav.com Israel
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Photos: Rabbi Makes Most of Tappan Zee Bridge Crane Incident Today to Spread Jewish Love
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