A straightforward reading of the verse (Devarim 11:13) that we read every day in Krias Shema seems perplexing: “if you continually hearken to My commandments that I command you today, to love HaShem…” Is “to love HaShem” the sum total of what HaShem requires of us?  Aren’t there 613 commandments?

King Dovid said “My soul knows very much” (Tehillim 139:14), meaning, the human soul is inherently wise, i.e., it knows HaShem. However, the material element of the body intercepts and hides our inner light. Therefore, HaShem gave us the Mitzvoth, which protect the soul from the impure influence of the material elements.

The Talmud (Shabbos 152b) presents a parable that alludes to this: “A king distributed royal garments to his servants. The wise among them stored it in a chest, whereas the fools wore them while they did their work. Subsequently, the king requested his garments that He had distributed.  The wise ones returned them to him clean, while the fools returned them soiled. The king was pleased with the wise but angry with the fools.  So too, HaShem gives us souls. In the future He will collect them. If we return them clean we will be rewarded, but if we return them soiled they must be purified.

The entire purpose of Torah is to protect the soul so that it remains pure and holy. As long as the soul is protected through Mitzvah observance, it naturally is drawn to its source. Hence, it is filled with love for its Creator, for it was formed from the Divine element.

Now we understand the verse from Krias Shema: if you continually hearken to My commandments that I command you today - the soul will revert to its natural state – to love HaShem. Hence, the fulfillment of all the Mitzvoth awakens love within the soul of man – the very purpose of creation. (Based on Da’as Torah of Rabenu Yerucham HaLevi)

Today: Affirm the natural love of HaShem that rests within your soul.

Copyright © 2010 by Rabbi Zvi Miller and the Salant Foundation

Your weekly “Torah In Ten” videocast -  Parshas Eikev

Brooklyn, NY – Kol Menachem, the organization behind the critically acclaimed series of  English Judaica, is announcing a new venture – Torah in Ten.

In this go, go, go world we live in, it can be difficult to sit down and find time to study the weekly parsha. And when shabbos rolls around, we all wish we had studied more and could contribute to the conversation at the shabbos table. Not to mention our children, don’t we all wish we could provide them beautiful insights into the weekly parsha?

Kol Menachem is launching an online classroom for Jews on the go. Torah in Ten will provide weekly insightful conversations on the current Torah portion. The class will include interesting commentaries from renowned historical figures as well as modern views in addition to thought provoking and inspiring questions. Torah in Ten will take place every week, for ten minutes.  It is as simple as logging on to your computer.

This incredible opportunity will be facilitated by the prominent Editor in Chief of  Kol Menachem,  Rabbi Chaim Miller.

Rabbi Chaim Miller is a leading international authority for interpretation of Jewish Bible and mysticism, specifically the Torah-related works of the late Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson (1902-1994). His scholarly achievement, at the tender age of 37, is substantiated by the vast dissemination of his works, as well as the acclaim they have won him among his colleagues and in the educational and religious communities in which the works circulate.

Born and raised in London, England, Miller studied at the prestigious Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Boys. He began to explore the depth of his religion while at England’s Leeds University through extensive reading and personal introspection.

Fascinated by Jewish mystical teachings in particular, he took a year off to learn at a Lubavitcher yeshiva.

Five years later he was an ordained rabbi practicing in Leeds, running both a synagogue and a yeshiva, and writing in his spare time what would soon become the Gutnick Chumash.

In 2004 Rabbi Miller relocated to the United States with the intention of devoting himself almost entirely to the writing and editing of great Jewish liturgy for Kol Menachem.  Since this time he has completed the groundbreaking Kol Menachem Chumash (Gutnick Edition), the Slager Edition Haggadah — the bestselling work in its genre — and two volumes of a landmark series exploring Rambam’s Thirteen Principles of Faith.

Rabbi Miller’s texts are currently used at some of the nation’s top institutions,  including New York University and Yeshiva University. In addition, over 1,000 rabbis in the United States use Rabbi Miller’s texts to teach their students and prepare their sermons.

Rabbi Miller’s publications have received the attention of community leaders and various persons of note. In 2008, President George W. Bush sent the Slager Edition Haggadah to the troops in Iraq as a representation of the Jewish faith for the United States military. TheHaggadah was a recent recipient of the prestigious Benjamin Franklin Award just this past year, and Miller’s Gutnick Chumash is on display at the Jewish Children’s Museum in Brooklyn, New York. The popular “Dummies” series published The Torah for Dummies in 2008, with author Arthur Kurzweil singling out Rabbi Miller’s Gutnick Chumash and proclaiming, “If I could have only one translation on a desert island, it would be this one.” (source: Torah In Ten website)

Torah in Ten is brought to you by Kol Menachem.

The Boy or Girl Baby Gender Prediction app will help you predict your baby’s gender. Based on the bio-rhythmus of blood cycle’s unique formula, this app help you predict your baby’s gender by specific dates you choose to conceive.

To predict a baby’s gender, simply enter the date you wish to conceive, yours and your partner’s birthday and you will get app’s prediction! You can even share the result with your loved ones.

אפליקציית “בן או בת” תעזור לכם לחזות מה ייוולד לכם עוד לפני הכניסה להיריון !

האפליקציה משתמשת בנוסחה ייחודית של נתוני ביו-ריתמוס עפ”י מחזור הדם , וכל מה שצריך לעשות הוא לבחור את תאריכי הלידה שלכם והתאריך שבו אתם מתכננים ללדת. מומלץ לבדוק לפני זמן הביוץ.

את התוצאה שקיבלתם (בן או בת) תוכלו לשתף במייל עם מי שחשוב לכם באמת.
בהצלחה!

*האפליקציה אינה מהווה תחליף להתייעצות עם רופא ו\או מהווה יעוץ רפואי כלשהו

Compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad

Category: Health & Fitness
Released: 19 June 2010
Publisher:  Mobile1 Cellular Communication
Price: $0.99

English (buy app)
Hebrew (buy app)

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Israel was tied for eighth among the happiest countries in the world,  according to a new survey.  In a Gallup World Poll of 155 nations, the Jewish state tied with Canada, Switzerland and Australia.

Forbes, which posted the list Thursday,  said the richest countries were by and large the happiest.  Scandinavian countries dominated — Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands took the top five spots.

The United States ranked 14th, three spots ahead of Britain,  in a survey that asked thousands of respondents to give a “life evaluation” score from 1 to 10. The survey, taken between 2005 and 2009, catalogued their daily feelings to decide what percentage of people in each country were “thriving, struggling or suffering.”

Israel finished well ahead of its neighbors in happiness, with Jordan ranking 52, Lebanon 73, and Egypt and Syria 115. The Palestinian territories were No. 88.

(for a complete list of countries surveyed, including the percentages thriving and their daily happiness scores click here.)

more at  jewishjournal.com

Avraham Shabshi Hakohen Friedman (born March 22, 1959) better known by his stage name, Avraham Fried, is a popular musical entertainer in the Orthodox Jewish community.

Fried was encouraged towards a music career by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Rebbe of  Lubavitch. Fried began his career with the release of his first album “No Jew Will Be Left Behind” in 1981, featuring the song “Kel Hahodaos”, written by Kol Salonica.

In the summer of 2009, Fried made a concert tour in Israel where he introduced Israeli singer and composer Chanan Yovel and featured the songs Rak T’filla and U’Nesane Tokef.  His first DVD was released in December 2009.

Fried has 6 children and lives in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. He is a Lubavitcher Hasid. His brother is the Hasidic lecturer Rabbi Manis Friedman. His nephew is Jewish singer Benny Friedman.

His music is mostly categorized as pop Jewish music, similar to Mordechai ben David and tends to integrate many styles of popular music, including pop, rock and jazz, with Jewish lyrics and themes.

Album: No Jew Will Be Left Behind
Price: $7.92
Genres: World, Music
Released: Apr 15, 2010
℗ 2010 Sameach Music Inc.

To buy CD/listen to samples click here (iTunes)

“Rabbi Shimon said: When you pray do not make your prayer “set.” Rather pray for mercy and supplicate before HaShem, as it says: “For You are gracious and merciful, patient, and abundant in kindness.’”

Our sages tell us that prayer stands in the “highest heights of Heaven.” Accordingly, when a person prays with sincerity he feels close to HaShem. We feel that since we prayed with concentration, HaShem hears our prayer. Even more, we might assume that the success of our prayer is dependent on the level of intensity that we put into the prayer.

However, the above Mishneh says “do not make your prayer set.” Meaning, do not rely on your concentration but rather on the pure kindness and mercy of HaShem, i.e., “Pray for mercy.”

In light of this, King David said (Psalms 52:10): “I am like a fresh olive tree in the House of  HaShem; I trust in the kindness of HaShem forever and ever.” That is, just as an olive tree keeps fresh leaves throughout the entire year, so too, King David prayer was always “fresh” because he relied solely on the infinite kindness of HaShem.

In addition, the Midrash tells us that HaShem gives great reward for Torah study and the performance of good deeds. However, He gives an even more wondrous reward to those who pray to HaShem and rely totally on His grace, kindness, and compassion.

When we pray to HaShem may we recognize His amazing kindness, as per the prayer, “He is good for His mercy never stops; and He is merciful for His kindness never ceases.” (Based on the commentary of the Ya’avatz)

Today: When you pray rely totally on HaShem’s goodness, kindness and mercy.

Copyright © 2010 by Rabbi Zvi Miller and the Salant Foundation

Rabbi Zvi Miller is the Dean of  The Salant Foundation, which was created to disseminate the message and methods of  Rabbi Yisrael Salanter  Mussar teachings. Rav Yisrael Salanter offered a formula for spiritual well-being. The method brings a healing spirit to the heart and the soul. The purpose of the Salant Foundation is to provide the English-speaking world with full access to the wonders of Mussar by disseminating the teachings and techniques of character refinement.

Rabbi Zvi Miller, a renowned Torah scholar, translated and annotated Rabbi Salanter’s works into English. His groundbreaking book, “Ohr Yisrael: The classic writings of Rav Yisrael Salanter and his disciple Rav Yitzchak Blazer” (Targum/Feldheim, 2004), brings the teachings of Rabbi Salanter to the English speaking world.

Rabbi Miller has also written “Living Mussar Every Day” (Targum/Feldheim 2007),  a collection of Mussar teachings for every day of the year; and “Windows of the Soul, A Man’s Practical Guide to Mastering His Eyes” (Feldheim 2009). This highly acclaimed book helps a person deals with the Torah method to protect ourselves from the barrage of improper images prevalent in the world today. Rabbi Miller also authored “Thirty Days to Teshuvah”; and “The Salant Foundation Birchon.”

Rabbi Miller pens a daily Mussar lesson,  called eMussar, which is distributed by email to over 3,000 people (to subscribe, please contact salantorg@gmail.com).

Rabbi Miller also leads a weekly Mussar vaads in many communities throughout US and Israel.

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For further information contact  mussarvaad@gmail.com. Visit our new section Mussar

The heart is our spiritual center.  The Torah instructs us to cut away the barrier of your heart (Devarim 10:16). The Ramban explains: “Your hearts should be open to know the truth…and you should not err to think that there is any benefit in serving intermediate forces, i.e.,  angels,  idols,  planets, etc.”

After Klal Yisrael experienced the miracles of the Exodus from Egypt why would they give any credence to any power other than HaShem, the Master of the Universe?

In this material world in which we live the radiance of Hashem is hidden.  No matter how clearly HaShem reveals Himself, once the revelation has passed, the soul is cast in darkness. The nature of this ‘blackout’ makes it impossible for humans not to err. The heart is vulnerable to all seductions and grasps at any force that seems attractive or powerful enough to help him.

Klal Yisrael, because of the special favor that we found in the eyes of HaShem has been endowed with the clarity to recognize the worthlessness of non-Elokim forces. Despite the deceptive comfort of placing our faith in planets, weapons, or superstars – HaShem has instilled a consciousness within the Jewish soul. We know that all these deceptive powers are unconditionally and totally subject to the Divine Will.

Hence, Klal Yisrael has an inner light, a sensitivity that enables us to distinguish between truth and falsehood. We acknowledge this gift everyday in our morning prayers – “Blessed is HaShem…Who separated us from those who stray from the truth.”

Deep in our soul we know the truth. However, we must open our hearts to connect with this innate awareness. Therefore, the verse instructs us – cut away the barrier of your heart. Meaning, the people of Israel must see beyond the smoke-screen and reject the false persuasions. Then we will be free to embrace the eternal Torah and its everlasting truth and good. (Based on Da’as Torah of Rav Yerucham HaLevi)

Today:  Envision the gate of your heart opening and HaShem bathing your heart in light.

Copyright © 2010 by Rabbi Zvi Miller and the Salant Foundation

Smearing non-edibles on Shabbat is forbidden, including wax,  plaster,  tar,  putty,  clay and creams.

One may not put wax or similar into holes on Shabbat, to seal them.
One may not dab a small amount of the above on a book or wall as a placeholder.
One may smear food; butter onto bread for example.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 80:58, Orach Chaim 321:19

Danny Schoemann (for more visit Danny’ website)

It’s not exactly official, but should also surprise no one: According to a new study the psychological profile of iPad owners can be summed up as “selfish elites” while have-not critics are “independent geeks.”

Of course the “haves” would probably call the “have nots” “cheap wannabes” to which the “have nots” would retort: “FANBOI!!”

Which is why we should stick to the science.

Consumer research firm MyType conducted the study, in which opinions of 20,000 people were analyzed between March and May. The firm’s conclusion was that iPad owners tend to be wealthy, sophisticated, highly educated and disproportionately interested in business and finance, while they scored terribly in the areas of altruism and kindness. In other words, “selfish elites.”

They are six times more likely to be “wealthy, well-educated, power-hungry, over-achieving, sophisticated,  unkind and non-altruistic 30-50 year olds,” MyType’s Tim Koelkebeck told Wired.com.

96 percent those most likely to criticize the iPad, on the other hand, don’t even own one, although as geeks, they were slightly more likely to do so than the average population — and far more likely to have an opinion about the device one way or the other (updated). This group tends to be “self-directed young people who look down on conformity and are interested in videogames, computers, electronics, science and the internet,” said Koelkebeck.

One might expect people with an interest in videogames, computers, electronics, science and the internet to be interested in a device that lets you play videogames, functions like a computer, is made of electronics, relies on science and connects to the internet, which suggests there would be a high convert rate if the “have nots” just went to an Apple Store for the afternoon.

Why does the iPad apparently appeal to self-centered workaholics who value “power and achievement” and tend not to be kind or to help others (iPad owners in the Wired.com ranks notwithstanding)? MyType speculates that one factor could be the device’s high price tag, and because screen-bound workaholics are likely to want another screen with which to stay engaged. The urge to include another screen in one’s life correlates strongly to seeing value in connecting to information in a new way, which is basically a nice way of saying what a lot of people were saying when the iPad was released: What do you need one for, really?

As to the critics-who-are-a-test-drive-away-from-being-fans, the study found that “bashing the iPad is, in a way, an identity statement for independent geeks,” wrote Koelkebeck.

“As a mainstream, closed-platform device whose major claim to fame is ease of use and sex appeal, the iPad is everything that they are not.”

via wired.com

To separate meat product from dairy products is the basis of  kosher nourishment. To fully provide for a proper separation of meat and dairy Jewish law imposes a period of time between diary and meat meals, and vice-versa.

What is more, there cannot be two people who at one table  simultaneously eat diary and meat products.

To make sure that meat and dairy have no contact with each other whatsoever, the meals are served in a sufficient amount of time between one another. For orthodox Jews the time is six hours in case of dairy products to be consumed after meat ones. There are other traditions too. For example one hour of a brake for Dutch Jews or three hours in case of  German Jews. One can come across various customs such as an interval of  four hours after poultry meals, and five hours after beef meals.  There are also many ways of counting the time of waiting. For some it begins just after the last bite of meat and  for others just after the blessing.

The intervals between diary and meat products is a minimal one.  In Chullin 105a we can find a question and answer for that: “How long should people wait between cheese and meat?   And he replied: Nothing at all.” It is common to have at least a bit of  bread (just for the sake of not going into halakhic disputes) or at the bare minimum, to rinse your mouth and wash the hands.  Zohar, the fundamentalist make by Kabbalah,  states that the meat should not be eaten with milk within the same hour. There is a custom within some Chassid groups which generates from this. The custom says that people should refrain from eating meat for up to an hour after having milk. A common and well settled custom is to have a break of  full six hours between consumption of some types of cheese (Swiss cheese, parmesan) and consumption of milk.

Do you need to put down what kind of a meal you have had and at what time you had it? And what if you’ve forgotten? Well – you’re not allowed to forget but, making  a life easier for yourself is not a problem.

In the AppStore you can find two applications which will help you in obeying the right time for meals. One of them is ParveOmeter (read here) the other, new one, is  Basar Vehalav, The Kosher Reminder.

Basar Vehalav – facilitates keeping the right amount of  time between meat and dairy meals.

And how it works?  At the end of your meat meal open the app and type in your name ( in English, Hebrew or any other language that you use on your iPhone), set the timer by tapping on Settings to 6 hours, 3 hours or 1 hour. You can set the timer for up to four people. Press one or more buttons and there you go! You can use your iPhone as normal. The Basar Vehalav works in the background. When you want to eat next meal containing dairy elements, simply check if you are allowed to do so.  Switch the app again and if  chalavi (in Hebrew) comes up on a green button, with a peace of mind you can enjoy your pizza,  ice cream or cheese cake.  If a red button comes up – sadly you still have to wait.

In it general concept, the app is to be helpful in the time control between meat and dairy meals.  If you normally have a break after dairy meals (which is what I personally do) you can go ahead and use the app in the very same way. The ‘chalavi’ sign can be a bit misleading in this particular case, but I hope that this kind of corrections will be taken into account in the next updates.

Simple application with handy Help, not very complicated interface,  in a case which is pleasant to an eye.

Robert Pass (Mati Szmidt contributed to this review)

Developer’s description,  screenshots and download here.

Yehuda Glantz is a true Renaissance man. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he later immigrated to Israel in 1979 where he currently lives with his family.

As early as 5 years old, his talent in music began to blossom. During these years he acquired deep and wide knowledge of music through a number of  instruments. He has mastered 14 different traditional and ethnic South American instruments like charango, siku, pincuyo, guitar, accordion, keyboard, percussion, etc. He also writes, composes, and produces all his own music in his private studio in Jerusalem.

Yehuda Glantz captures the hearts and souls of people around the world with the unique ground – breaking music and through electrifying and colorful performances on stage.

Album: Granite (Live)
Price: $9.99
Genres: Latino, Music, World
Released:Oct 11, 2006 ℗ 2004 jmn

To buy CD/listen to samples click here (iTunes)