Aug 4th, 2010
by rabbifink.
This post has been cross-posted to DovBear: Don’t Judge A Group By It’s Extremists
The Westboro Baptist Church practices and preaches an extremely fundamental version of Christianity. They hold that God punishes American soldiers in Iraq because there are “Gays in the military”. They hate Jews because Jews are they killed Jesus and are the cause of fornication. They protest at shuls, Holocaust Museums and funerals of soldiers. They are fundamentalists and like many fundies are obscene, anti-social and hateful.
There are orthodox Jews who practice a very fundamental view of Judaism. They say that God killed (more…)
Aug 3rd, 2010
by rabbifink.
This post has been cross-posted to DovBear: Islamaphobia and Cordoba House
It seems that the Cordoba House in downtown Manhattan has cleared a major hurdle by winning a 9-0 vote of the Landmarks Conservation Commission. (NY Times link)
Conservatives and liberals seem to be at loggerheads on this particular issue. Sarah Palin made headlines with her plea that the center be blocked and fellow right wing pundits have expressed their distaste to the center. They feel it disgraces the deceased by glorifying what they believe to be the religion that caused the tragedy at Ground Zero almost 9 years ago. Liberals, on the other hand, see the center as an olive branch to Islam and think the center glorifies America, not the dangerous form of Islamic Fundamentalism that took down the Twin Towers, 3000 victims and the U.S. economy.
I can’t say whether the center is an affront or not. (more…)
Jul 22nd, 2010
by rabbifink.
An arab man lied to an Israeli woman about his ethnicity. After they “consummated the relationship” she discovered he was not Israeli, he was Arab. He was charged with rape.
He has been sentenced to 18 months in jail. He will appeal.
The headlines are scandalous.
Israeli Arab who ‘raped’ a woman says verdict ‘racist’
Sex with Jewish girl costs Arab man 18 months in Israeli jail
Israel’s Outrageous Rape Case
Over on DovBear (Israeli Court Shames Itself With Idiotic Ruling) there is a fairly predictable post and discussion about the merits of the Israeli court decision. (more…)
Jul 21st, 2010
by rabbifink.
This post has been cross-posted to DovBear: Dancing at Auschwitz
Everyone has been talking about this video.
From the description:
On a recent trip to Europe, a family of three generations (a Holocaust survivor, his daughter and his grandchildren) dance to Gloria Gaynor’s pop song – ‘I Will Survive’ at concentration camps and memorials throughout Europe.
This dance is a tribute to the tenacity of the human spirit and a celebration of life.
Is it appropriate for a survivor and his family to celebrate their survival in this manner? Everyone seems to have an opinion. (more…)
Jul 19th, 2010
by rabbifink.
At sundown this evening, the 9th of Av, Jews all around the world will begin a 25 hour period of mourning. We mourn the loss of the great Temple in Jerusalem, and all that it symbolized. We lament the loss of our national unity and the special Temple connection. We hope and pray for a complete redemption and the messianic era of peace, harmony and sprirituality.
(Read my thoughts on Tisha B’Av from last year: Mourning The Living On The 9th of Av)
Most people are familiar with the custom to fast for 25 hours as a sign of our mourning. We suffer to try and feel what we are missing. For many people, Tisha B’Av is a fast day and nothing else.
That is tragic. (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…)
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…)
May 12th, 2010
by rabbifink.
A very similar post has been cross-posted to DovBear. More discussion there.
Nothing like a Supreme Court of the United States nomination to get me to blog again.
Elena Kagan has been nominated for the SCOTUS. I have no opinion about her. I do have an opinion about some of the people opposing her…
I have been planning a brief series on anti-semitism. This post will be the first of a few that deal with various specifics and nuances of anti-semitism in my opinion.
Have you seen the cries of anti-semitism connected with Kagan? They come from Orthodox Jews who have trouble dealing with their own insecurities. Why? (more…)
May 4th, 2010
by rabbifink.
One of my absolute favorite places in the world is the Library of Congress in DC. The architecture, decor and opulence of the building is stunning and I love it.
There is however one part of the Library of Congress which I vehemently must disagree with.
What part? Stay tuned…
Over on DovBear, there has been a running discussion as to the meaning of the 8th Principle of Maimonidies. (more…)
Apr 19th, 2010
by rabbifink.
Six weeks ago, two well-known journalists, David Horsey and Nancy LeVine popped into the Shul on the Beach. It was Purim and they wanted to take pictures, talk with me and some of our Shul members and join in our Purim Celebration.
Never ones to turn down inviting strangers into the Shul, we welcomed them.
As I wrote at the time, our Purim Celebration was really special as we welcomed anyone and everyone off the boardwalk into our Shul. Read more here: Pacific Jewish Center Purim Celebration Recap February 28, 2010
Nancy took beautiful candid photos and David kind of blended in with the rest of us (more…)
Mar 28th, 2010
by rabbifink.
If you don’t know what those words mean…
…find something else to read.
I suggest this: 300th Post: Some Of The Most Interesting of the First 300
If you do… read my latest on DovBear.
Mar 24th, 2010
by rabbifink.
The World Celebrates 300 Posts on finkorswim.com
Today we are celebrating 300 posts on my blog. Hence, the fireworks. (To see the picture I DID NOT use, click here.) When I started blogging 15 months ago I never dreamed I would ever have 300 posts or a respectable, regular readership. As you all know, most blogs rise and fall quicker than the President’s polling numbers. A big reason I have been able to maintain this blog because of you the readers. So I thank you.
I have compiled a nice list of posts worth reading. For some of you it will be review, for others it will be interesting to see some of the things you may have missed. As always I welcome feedback.
Enjoy. (more…)
Mar 11th, 2010
by rabbifink.
This post has been cross-posted to DovBear. For more discussion, click here.
Rabbi Steven Pruzansky is making headlines with his front page Jewish Press article in which he thoroughly disposes of Orthopraxy and ousts the Orthoprax from Modern Orthodoxy.
For a thorough fisking of the main parts of the article go to XGH’s blog, this is his area of expertise.
What Rabbi Pruzansky’s article made me ponder is the relevance of Orthopraxy to the average Frum Jew. (more…)
Feb 4th, 2010
by rabbifink.
This post has been crossposted to DovBear. More discussion there.
Since the Earthquake in Haiti many have attempted to figure out “why” the tragedy occurred.
There are 4 prominent versions going around the web right now.
Rabbi Shafran Version 1: God punished the people of Haiti because of evil speech.
Rabbi Shafran Version 2: We don’t know why God punished the people of Haiti but the lesson is that we should learn is not to speak evil speech.
Rabbi Levin: The earthquake and Tsunami and 9/11 happened because of Gays in the military.
Rabbi Feldman: We can’t know why the earthquake happened, but it happened for “a reason”.
What has been missing from this is a more rational approach (more…)
Jan 28th, 2010
by rabbifink.
This post has been crossposted to DovBear.
UPDATE: RETRACTION AND APOLOGY HERE
The most well-known athlete in America might be Tim Tebow.
Tebow is possibly the most celebrated, successful college football player of all time. He was a 2 time national champion with the Florida Gators and a Heisman Trophy winner. His success, as well as his good looks and supernatural physique has made him a household name across the United States. Oh, there is one more thing, Tebow is the son of missionaries who is very religious and (at this point) celibate.
Tebow has used his star power to advocate for Christianity. He spent a couple of summers working with missionaries in the Far East and has always been vocal about his religiousness. Tim Tebow is an athlete who is using his star power to make a difference in the world. We may not agree with his message, but he is certainly a better role model than felon Gilbert Arenas or even LeBron James. (more…)
Nov 12th, 2009
by rabbifink.
That is Sneetches, not snitches. For Jewish snitches you can read my post on Mesira, the Jewish Informant. Sneetches are a Dr. Seuss invention that teach us on of the simplest, yet profound lessons in bias, peer-pressure, segregation and of course capitalism. It is one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books.
Yesterday I wrote about the portrayal of chasidic Jews in The Good Wife.
I cross-posted a portion of the post to DovBear and a discussion developed about the nuanced differences within the Orthodox Jewish community. Different style hats, kippas and other subtle changes within each group exist and commenter G*3 thinks that these differences are like the differences between the sneetches.
I disagree. (more…)
Oct 19th, 2009
by rabbifink.
We took the family to Santa Monica Pier on Sunday and our six year old son proved to be smarter than a Supreme Court Justice!
It is so beautiful to walk along the beach and observe all the excitement along the boardwalk and pier. As always, we had a great time in Santa Monica.
For the last few years there has been a protest / exhibit just north of the pier. The protestors are against war in general, the Iraq war in specific and pretty much the entire defense budget of the United States.
They call it Arlington West and they have set up a faux graveyard in the sand representing the fallen soldiers in what they call a criminal war. (more…)
Oct 9th, 2009
by rabbifink.
Wow, two semi-political posts in a row. For a non-partisan blog that is a lot.
But once again, it would be impossible to ignore this elephant in the room.
Optimistic at best presumptuous at worse, President Obama’s recent Nobel Peace Prize award really pushes the envelope of credibilty. (more…)
Sep 7th, 2009
by rabbifink.
This essay was inspired by a recent post on DovBear. I have cross posted this post there as well. Head over there for more discussion.
What follows is my understanding of The Oral Law and its transmission to us. This article does not attempt to validate or prove its transmission as fact, rather it explains just what is being transmitted when we refer to Torah SheBaal Peh (TSBP).
I am sure there are plenty of maamarei Chazal that are not 100% congruent with this approach. I am also sure that there are many maamarei Chazal that do jive with this approach. I have spent many hours studying and analyzing the concept of TSBP and what follows is what I believe to be a rational, coherent, non-apologetic approach. (more…)
Sep 3rd, 2009
by rabbifink.
A few months ago I wrote a short post about the great Misheberach list in the iPhone Siddur.
Today, on DovBear I wrote a review of a few of the great Jewish iPhone Apps developed by RustyBrick.
Head over there to read the full review.
This post has been cross-posted to DovBear: Don’t Judge A Group By It’s Extremists
This post is really two Public Service Announcements.
