I considered Zev Chafets a philosophical enemy when he wrote for the Jerusalem Report and practically made it his mission to blast Orthodox Judaism on a weekly basis. Well, since he has begun reporting on non-Orthodox issues, his common sense is truly shining through.
I recommend the whole article, linked to the author's name above. In case you want to know what I'm so excited about, it's the following quote.
"[Bush] insists on talking about 'the war on terror.' But terrorism is a technique, not an enemy, and you don't make war on a technique. You make war on enemies."
He says something that I have been telling everyone for the last two years. I'm glad to see that someone in the press has stated the idea outright. I hope it catches on.
Dennis Miller is so funny. I thought so long before his Republican awakening. I get a kick out of the fact that I am one of the few who gets his jokes. Part of my inherent Jewish elitism, I suppose. The first paragraph alone deserves a Pulitzer Prize, if the people on the Pulizer committee even get it.
I gave a sermon on this topic, made famous most recently by the remarks of my dear friend the Malaysian Prime Minister. Of course the condemnations came quickly. The funny thing is that he was right.
I came to the conclusion years ago that Jews do in fact play a large role in ruling the world. But the explanation is not something that requires vast theories about conspiracies, Freemasons and cloaked elders who meet once a year in an underground cavern. It's quite simple, actually.
Abraham and his heirs have always devoted their lives to the pursuit of Charity and Justice. (Genesis 19) Charity and Justice, to be implemented on a vast scale, require one to care about issues like finance and politics.
Those who care, and think of ideas on how to implement what they care about, will end up playing a role in running communities and non-governmental organizations.
Ben Franklin cared. So he became instrumental in how events in the 18th century played out.
Jews have traditionally cared in greater numbers than their proportion to the world's population, so they have played a larger role.
Now just because we care does not mean that we all agree. The cliche of "two Jews, three opinions" applies. What this means is that whichever side is running the show in any given government or non-profit , Jews are there at the top. So it is the Jews who are at the forefront of encouraging the war in Iraq and it is Jews who are at the forefront of opposing the war. (I'm convinced that Jews would have supported Nazi fascism had Hitler not had this thing about the Jews that precluded their involvement.)
Think about that...
So, you think you want to become a rabbi, huh? But your wife's not interested? Do you think it can be done? Well it can't. Maybe in some of the big super-shtellers in the big city. But not in Yehupitz!
Ann Coulter is a piece of over-rated Republican eye candy.
It hurts me to say it. I am the type to rally for a conservative columnist any day. On most issues, I clearly fall on that side of the fence. But I have just listened to some of her, and watched a short video clip of Katie Couric's interview of her. Nasty conservative eye-candy. I am disappointed in my hungarian friend for thinking so highly of her. Nu, not even he can be insightful 100% of the time...
Well, I told the shul president that I could not function in the shul with a secretary who hates my wife and me. He understood. But he doesn't like to make things too difficult. And hiring and training a new secretary is too difficult at this stage. I understand that. You've got to give a person at least one chance, even if you are pessimistic that she's come through. And given the last few months of tension, I am pessimistic.
So next week, the three of us will meet to discuss the issues. I have no issue besides her animosity. She obviously has issues, many of which have materialized so as to maintain her animosity. I have placed a call to my unofficial rabbinic mentor. I need to know what to say and what not to say next week. Things are going too well here in Yehupitz (more about that later) to be destroyed by one cantankerous part-time secretary.
First Post
The person who I am emulating will get a big ego rush from this attempt of mine to emulate his effort. But no matter. I have wanted to write about my experiences here in Yehupitz for a while now. This forum is perfect for now, until such time as I can publish a real book.
It might be obvious to many of you, but it should be said: Tishrei is EXHAUSTING for a Rabbi. This would be true even without other problems added to the mix. Add a secretary who hates you (and your wife) to the mix and you've got yourself a nasty concoction. I am so exhausted and physically drained that I wouldn't mind going into a coma for a week or so.