Jul 15th, 2010
by rabbifink.
Last night I saw an interested post on Gizmodo.com, a favorite technology blog of mine.
Google Maps has sattelite pictures of nearly the entire world. When you take pictures of everything, you’re going to catch some funny things.
Google has satelite pictures and “Street View” pictures which are (the ultimate stalking tool and) depict the view from the street. Most of the wacky Google Maps pictures are Street View pictures.
For a change, Gizmodo found a really cool satellite picture.
A crazy looking plane just above a residential street was spotted.
The street was Rose Avenue. The cross street was Lincoln Avenue. That is exactly where the Pacific Jewish Center Annex is located. (more…)
Jul 12th, 2010
by rabbifink.
This post has been cross-posted to DovBear. Way more discussion here.
I really like the Museum of Tolerance. The overall message of the museum is a message that I wholeheartedly agree with.
Tolerance is a very important value in my worldview and the museum does a super job teaching that message.
(For a more complete review of the museum read my previous post My Visit to the Museum of Tolerance at the Simon Wiesenthal Center.)
There was one thing I noticed, or rather, did not notice that I find necessary to question and perhaps even criticize.
(more…)
Jul 12th, 2010
by rabbifink.
This summer I took a class at Loyola Law School called Hate Speech Seminar. The course was very discussion based with some non-traditional law school reading. We also read the key First Amendment (Free Speech) cases and important Law Review articles on regulating hate speech.
I learned a lot.
Part of the course was a trip to the Museum of Tolerance at the Simon Wiesenthal Center.
I took my tour of the museum today. What follows are some general impressions. (more…)
Jul 11th, 2010
by rabbifink.
Photo: Baltimore Sun
On Friday, my Bubby called me to tell me that I was quoted in the Baltimore Sun.
My math teached, Mr. Paul Miller was officially recognized by the City of Baltimore for his amazing accomplishment of teaching for 75 years, and he’s not done yet!
The Baltimore Sun did a nice write up and I was quoted at the end of the article.
They just lifted some lines from my blog post about Mr. Miller. I was not asked and they did not provide a URL. Is that okay? (more…)
Jul 7th, 2010
by rabbifink.
This post has been cross-posted to DovBear: Rubashkin’s Lawyer On Claims of Anti-Semitism
I was shocked when I saw this.
If you read the frum papers you have been told that Rubashkin was singled out for being a Jew. We call this anti-Semitism.
I have gone on record saying that I don’t see the anti-Semitism here. (Is the Rubashkin Saga / Trial Anti-Semitic? and Are the goyim out to get Sholom Rubashkin?: Why he isn’t a victim of anti-Semitism).
I have been chastised by commenters on this blog and on DovBear. (more…)
Jul 6th, 2010
by rabbifink.
A little while ago I read the unfortunately mis-titled book, Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean.
I say unfortunately mis-titled because the book was excellent but it really was not about Jewish Pirates and certainly was not limited at all to the Caribbean.
The book was good because it tells the story of some of the most famous Converso Jews following the Spanish and Porteguese Inquisition. The well footnoted text gave me a better appreciation for the 15 century Mediterranean Jews, their struggles and their success.
Perhaps above all, as I was reading the book I found myself with a greater appreciation for Sephardi Jews. (more…)
Jul 5th, 2010
by rabbifink.
Head over to DovBear for this post: An Appropriate Maharsha
(If you don’t know who the Maharsha is, don’t bother…)
Jul 1st, 2010
by rabbifink.
By now you have all heard about my math teacher Mr. Miller. (Mr. Miller Was My Math Teacher at Ner Israel)
After being featured on WBAL TV and then (almost) every single Jewish blog, you certainly know about Mr. Miller’s longevity and success as a teacher.
Last week, Mr. Miller was featured in an article in the Baltimore Jewish Times. The BJT is a local weekly magazine / newspaper in Baltimore. If you are under 25 continue reading. If you are older, skip to the next paragraph. What’s a magazine? It’s like an old fashioned blog. Or slow motion blogging. Different people have an opportunity to write their opinions and others can respond via letters to the editor or write their own articles. Pretty neat, huh?
The article is a really nice homage to Mr. Miller. (more…)
Jul 1st, 2010
by rabbifink.
It only took 2 months. But in the time since I wondered on April 16, 2010 if there were any Orthroprax Rabbis (read: Orthoprax Jews and Orthoprax Christians), an Orthoprax Rabbi has come out of the proverbial closet.
Boy did he set off a firestorm. Hundreds of comments on his blog, another few hundred on the other blogs talking about the Orthoprax Rabbi confirm the provocativeness of the idea of an orthoprax rabbi.
I have a lot to say ABOUT the Orthoprax Rabbi and I also have some things to say TO the Orthoprax Rabbi (IF HE IS REAL AND NOT A HOAX). (more…)
Jun 23rd, 2010
by rabbifink.
So we finally made the big-time. Who is we?
I am a student at the (now) well-known Loyola Law School of Los Angeles.
After being featured on the snarky law blogs for a a little while, our curve adjustment made it into “The Gray Lady”. Yes, the New York Times thinks our school’s new curve is news worthy.
Yesterday the NY Times ran this story about our curve and the law school arms race: In Law Schools, Grades Go Up, Just Like That. The story is a slightly sympathetic and certainly more fair than the skewering Loyola Law School got in some of the law blawgs.
Here’s the real story: (more…)
Jun 22nd, 2010
by rabbifink.
Cross-posted to DovBear: Harsher Sentences Are Not The Answer
This is what the shoe feels like when it’s on the other foot.
For decades, right-wing / republican / conservative / Judeo-Christian Valuists have talked a big game when it comes to fighting crime. Running on “Law and Order” platforms and promising harsh sentences for criminals was a sure way to gain support.
On the other hand, bleeding heart liberals have been trying to model the justice system after the softer Euro sentencing structures.
Traditionally, middle class white people support Law and Order style justice. Harsh sentences make them feel safer and they are less likely to know someone who will be incarcerated, thus they are removed from the effects of the harsh sentencing of criminals.
Lower class folks usually support softer punishments. (more…)
Jun 21st, 2010
by rabbifink.
Cross-posted to DovBear here:
There is a healthy nostalgia built into Judaism. “Chadesh yameni k’kedem” – renew our days to the way things were, we say. Of course, like any good thing, too much nostalgia is a bad thing.
After reading the famous case of Brandenburg v. Ohio I find myself pining for the anti-Jewish sentiment as expressed in 60′s as opposed to today.
Brandenburg was a Ku Klux Klan leader in Ohio. At a KKK rally, men dressed in robes and hoods burned a cross and made public declarations of hate.
(more…)
Jun 14th, 2010
by rabbifink.
Yesterday I wrote about my high school. (Mr. Miller Was My Math Teacher at Ner Israel) I went to a pretty well known yeshiva high school but this kind of media exposure for Ner Israel is not too common. Of course I was proud so I told my sister to check out the video and article.
Not to be outdone, my sister told me that her high school was also famous!
It seems that WNET, the New York PBS affiliate, has a segment called “Religion and Ethics. A few weeks back they did a piece on hateful gossip in schools. With the advent of the internet and specifically sites like Facebook, it has become so easy to say nasty things about others and leave a permanent record of the comments. (more…)
Jun 13th, 2010
by rabbifink.
By now, you may have seen the great video and accompanying WBALtv.com article, about my math teacher Mr. Miller. It has been on VIN, Matzav and Frum Satire and I am sure plenty of other blogs as well.
I’ve totally been scooped on this one. But in my defense, I had the link to the video and the article last Thursday I just sat on it because I had so many other things to write about.
The thing is, Mr. Miller was MY math teacher at Ner Israel’s Israel Henry Beren Mechina High School. In fact Mr. Miller has also taught 2 of my 3 brothers and will likely teach the other when he gets to Calculus. Not only that, my FATHER had Mr. Miller when he was in High School. So I am pretty sure I am the first blogger to write about Mr. Miller that actually learned math from Mr. Miller. (more…)
Jun 11th, 2010
by rabbifink.
A guest post by Rabbi Aaron Fink (my father), Dean of Ateres Bais Yaakov in Monsey NY. Part of a weekly Dvar Torah (Torah “Thought”) series.
Parshas Korach
Personal Responsibility
Parshas Korach is famous for its tale of strife, conflict and ambition as the leadership of Klal Yisrael is called into question by Korach and his minions. Corrupted by jealousy they fatally err in questioning the authority of Moshe and Aharon. They are forever known as baalei machlokes – dangerous fomenters of dissent whose ego and pride literally removed them from this world and the next! Ultimately they find themselves swallowed alive to declare forever Moshe emes v’Toraso emes.
Though the machlokes and downfall of Korach is the primary feature of the parsha there are many other iyunim to be studied. One interesting issue to explore is found in the details of pidyon haben reviewed again (more…)
Jun 11th, 2010
by rabbifink.
This week we read the story of Korach and his rebellion. The rebels were unhappy with the distribution of power in the Israelite camp and made their voices heard.
Technically, Korach and his followers were mored b’malchus, they rebelled against the defacto king of the Jewish people in the desert, Moshe. They attempted to undermine Moshe and the system of Kohanim and Leviim as it was implemented in the Mishkan and religious life of the Jewish people.
The roots of their sins are many and the opinions run the gamut of social and religious ills.
(more…)
Jun 10th, 2010
by rabbifink.
Photo: NY Times
Mystery solved?
I have been wondering about this for a while. Follow me on this journey from a 3000 year old story to current culinary trends….
As the Israelites sojourned in the desert for 40 years, the Torah tells us that they ate Manna. It was a food that they were not familiar with as they reacted to the manna by saying “man hu?” what is it?
Reading the text of the narrative in the Torah tells us some very interesting details. Here are some snippets: (more…)
Jun 10th, 2010
by rabbifink.
In today’s LA Times there is a very interesting article about the Hijab and some Muslim women who have put a modern twist on the traditional Hijab.
(What is Hijab? click here)
Most of us think of the black, shapeless head to toe covering when we think of the Hijab. According the article, the black color, and amorphous shape is not required in Islamic Law. Hijab is a modesty that requires that the body be covered completely by clothing. It is permissible to add color and style to the Hijab.
The article highlights some locals who are celebrating their personal style within the limits of what is required by Hijab.
I think that is great. (more…)
Jun 8th, 2010
by rabbifink.
[Alternate blog post title: Sex and the City 2 Billboards Are Offensive To Parents With Young Children.]
I love LA.
Living in LA has its perks. You get great weather 300 days a year, really friendly neighbors, not too many bugs, plenty of excitement, just enough peace and quiet, the Lakers, and a Shul on the Beach (with a lucky Rabbi). But like any big city, there are some drawbacks to living in LA. The traffic, superficiality, the helicopters outside my window at 2 AM, the expensive housing, and the schmutz.
What is schmutz? Literally, it means dirt. But in this context it means dirty in a provocative or an overtly sexual manner. (© me this very second) (more…)
Jun 7th, 2010
by rabbifink.
This summer I am taking two classes at Law School that explore many of the issues and themes of racism. I am extremely fascinated by racism, and ethnic hatred. I am still sorting out my feelings on a lot of the issues and I am really happy that I am being exposes to the everything that we are discussing in class.
In Hate Speech Seminar we read a (poorly written, but very interesting) book about the White Supremacy Movement in California through the 80′s and 90′s. (It’s called Skinhead Confessions and you can buy it on Amazon: Skinhead Confessions: From Hate To Hope. Again, not very well written but very enlightening and an important book.)
The question we have been probing is: Where does racism come from? Why do people hate? (more…)
Jun 4th, 2010
by rabbifink.
A guest post by Rabbi Aaron Fink (my father), Dean of Ateres Bais Yaakov in Monsey NY. Part of a weekly Dvar Torah (Torah “Thought”) series.
Parshas Shelach
Dvar Hashem Baza
Parshas Shlach Lecha is filled with lessons for eternity. Nestled in between the chet hameraglim and parshas tzizis is a fascinating phrase with significant halachic impact. The Torah tells us that an individual who transgresses the aveirah of avodah zarah intentionally is chayav kares. The reason given is ki dvar Hashem baza, the idolator has disgraced the word of Hashem.
The Gemara in Meseches Sanhedrin (99a) darshens many halachos from this phrase. One drasha is so extraordinary it seems not to go with the rest, (more…)
Jun 3rd, 2010
by rabbifink.
One of the most famous lines in any movie is uttered by the inimitable Jimmy Dugan, played by Tom Hanks in a League of Their Own. Dugan says to a player of his who is crying (and happens to be a woman) that “There’s no crying in baseball”.
I’ve made a censored version of the video and embedded it below if you have no idea what I am talking about.
I’ve never quite understood why there is no crying in baseball, nor why this line is so famous. It doesn’t even make any sense to me. And yet, here we are. Everyone knows there’s no crying in baseball and no one knows why.
Try telling Jim Joyce and Armando Galarraga that there is no crying in baseball. (more…)
Jun 3rd, 2010
by rabbifink.
Back in November I wrote about our local PBS station, KCET, coming to visit us one morning to be part of their Departures Online Series. (KCET Visits PJC and Interviews Me). At the time, we were told that the project would be online in March or April. Not hearing from the producers since the interview I had a feeling that the project was dead.
I am happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised when I was treated to an email from producer Justin Cram that the Web Series was online and we were part of it! (more…)
May 28th, 2010
by rabbifink.
A guest post by Rabbi Aaron Fink (my father), Dean of Ateres Bais Yaakov in Monsey NY. Part of a weekly Dvar Torah (Torah “Thought”) series.
Parsha Beha’aloscha
Nisunim Nisunim
For three weeks we have been learning of the uniqueness, responsibility and leadership expected from the tribe of Yaakov and Leah’s third son, shevet Levi. The Rambam explains their role in his famous words which conclude hilchos shmitta v’yoveil and teaches us that shevet Levi is huvdal la’avod es Hashem l’sharso . . . as cheil Hashem. Moreover, the Rambam continues not only is shevet Levi so designated but any Yid, who wishes to devote his life to the total service of the Ribbono Shel Olam, is considered an honorary member of shevet Levi as well.
While parshiyos Bamidbar and Naso introduced us to the Levites role and their special tasks of the nosei haMishkan, Bahaaloscha defines their ascent to distinction. (more…)
May 28th, 2010
by rabbifink.
Cross-posted to Frumsatire.net
This week we read Parshas Beha’aloshca. Aside from being the most difficult parsha to transliterate a bit of trivia is present. The famous verse “Vayihi b’nsoa ha’aron” is found in the parsha and in the sefer Torah (and most Chumashim) it is surrounded by an upside down letter nun. One upside down nun before the verse and one upside down nun is after the verse. This strange phenomena needs some explanation.
Here is what it looks like in a Sefer Torah: (more…)
Last night I saw an interested post on Gizmodo.com, a favorite technology blog of mine.
