Against the EVIL EYE (Ayin HaRah)

B"H

I went into a Jerusalem spice store in Jerusalem and found this kind of a "funny" way protecting oneself against the EVIL EYE (Ayin HaRah). 

It looks like a mixture of little branches, stones and maybe some spices.

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Link:

How can I protect myself from AYIN HA'RAH ?

The Moroccan MIMUNA

B"H

Hundreds of thousands of Jews of Moroccan origin live in Israel today. Most of them made Aliyah in the 50ies or 60ies and entire Israeli towns got a Moroccan touch such as Beit Shean, for instance. Tonight Israel's Moroccan Jews celebrate their special holiday always taking place right after Pessach: MIMUNA. 

Special Moroccan food is being served (not only Couscous), traditional Moroccan music is being played (today maybe more from modern singers like Kobi Peretz or Sarit Hadad) and, within the past years, MIMUNA has become a day of Israel's politicians. Every high - ranking politician is going to a MIMUNA party no matter if Ashkenazi or something else. Whether Shimon Peres or Benjamin Netanyahu, everyone wants to be at MIMUNA and get some public relations. 

Moroccan Food

I heard that the MIMUNA actually comes from the word Maimonides and is a kind of extension of Pessach. Right after the holiday ends. A Moroccan tradition.

Today 51 % of Israel's Moroccan Jews still stick to their Jewish heritage; meaning, they keep up their traditions such as Kashrut or Shabbat. As a matter of fact, Sephardic Jews are much more traditional than Ashkenazi Jews where the Reform movement destroyed any original Jewish heritage. 

When the Nazis invaded Northern Africa, also Moroccan Jews were suffering from anti - Semitic laws against them. Synagogues were destroyed or Jews were beaten up. 

Today many Moroccan Jews in Israel still feel discriminated because many Israel say that Moroccans brought the worst criminals with them. Best examples are the two mafia families "Alperon" and "Abergel" operating in Israel.

However, Pessach is over but HAPPY MIMUNA to Moroccan Jewry !

Noodles and Soup Nuts "Kasher le'Pessach"

B"H

Not too many years ago, we were complaining about not having noodles during Pessach. As a wheat product, noodles are Chametz and we are forbidden to consume Chametz (forbidden grains such as oats, wheat, spelt, rye or barley) on Pessach. Only dry Mazzot and potatoes, fish, meat, onions, pepper, cabbage and carrots for Ashkenazi Jewry. Sephardi Jews have an easier Pessach, as some of them eat rice (forbidden for Ashkenazi Jews) and Kidniyot (peas, humus, corn or anything made of it). Then the first cakes kosher for Passover were available. Made out of potatoe flour. 

When I went to the supermarket tonight, believe it or not, I saw noodles kosher for Pessach. Noodles and soup nuts ! Some noodles kosher for Pessach are for Kidniyot eaters such as Sephardi Jews but I also saw Pessach noodles without Kidniyot.

Here are a few impressions from the MEGA supermarket branch in Dizengoff Street / corner Pinsker in Tel Aviv:

Kosher for Pessach !

Noodles kosher for Passover

With Kidniyot and made from rice.

Soup nuts kosher for Passover.

Wine for the Seder

Mazzot

Biscuits kosher for Pessach

Photos: Miriam Woelke

No doubt. Pessach is an expensive holiday and many Jewish families in Israel, including plenty of haredi families in Mea Shearim or Bnei Brak, depend on charity organizations handing out food baskets.
One of those organizations is located in Mea Shearim and run by Chassidut Toldot Avraham Yitzchak: "LINAT HA'CHESED". Two years ago, I talked to some of the Chassidim running LINAT HA'CHESED.

Nittel Nacht - Xmas Eve

B"H

Tonight, 24th December 2011 (28th / 29th Kislev), the Christian world starts celebrating the birth of the false Meshiach J. This particular night when J. was supposed to be born, Chassidim call "NITTEL NACHT - NITTEL NIGHT" and keep the custom of not studying Torah from approx. 7pm until midnight. The time when J. was born. See also the "Schulchan Aruch or the Chatam Sofer on this topic.

Most chassidic groups keep the custom of Nittel Nacht and many of them treat this matter very seriously. For instance, the Lubavitcher (Chabad) where the Chassidim play chess until midnight.

Kabbalistically speaking, the false Meshiach J. and his followers may gain special spiritual powers by our Torah studies - according to the 5th Lubavitcher Rebbe Shalom Dov Baer (Rashab), 1860 - 1920. The Rebbe said that we shouldn't waste our time when we don't study Torah but play chess. 

Nevertheless, not all chassidic group keep the "chess custom"; such as Vishnitz. However, chess is having a positive influence on our intellect similar to Torah study.

Links:

Details about Nittel Nacht and its history "Hirhurim".

Chabadnikim playing chass during Nittel Nacht. 

I spoke to a Chabad Rabbi and was told that the custom from refraining from Torah study even applies to Erev Shabbat. An interesting question, however, would be whether the cause may be an evil J. or rather the anti - Semite who, later on spread Christianity: The Apostle Paul.

Shavuot Stories

B"H

Shavuot is ahead and this Tuesday night, thousands of Jews are going to study the night through and thus doing their "Tikkun Leil Shavuot". Shavuot is the Jewish holiday where G - d gave the Torah to the Jews at Mount Sinai (Har Sinai) and our task is to accept the Torah with the same enthusiasm, as our ancestors did. 

The Talmud Tractate Shabbat 88 teaches that, at Har Sinai, the Jews didn't fully accept the Torah but rather out of fear. The moment they fully accepted the Torah was in Shushan when Haman prepared his extermination attempt but the Jews were saved by Esther and Mordechai.

Shavuot is a nice holiday with so much joy and great Shiurim at night. Even in secular Tel Aviv, secular Jews love to participate in the famous "Tikkun Leil Shavuot" and religious lectures will be crowded. Of course, what is missing in the Tel Aviv but Jerusalem easily provides: The walk to the Kotel (Western Wall) at 4am on Wednesday. Thousands of Jews will be going to the Kotel throughout the entire night and pray Shacharit. 

I am not the kind of person staying awake an entire night in order to study. I have done this in the past with the result that my Shavuot was finished. I felt bad, went to bed and hardly got up for a very late Kiddush and lunch. 

A famous Jewish custom on Shavuot is "eating dairy products" such as cheese cake, cheese, milk, yoghurts or even lasagne. But be aware that the prices for those products will be up before Shavuot !

The question I am asking myself before every Shavuot is whether I am ready for the festival. There is this feeling of getting ready and being ready for the Torah. Am I ready ? I would rather not think about an answer.:-)

But the festival of Shavuot always reminds of my worst Shavuot ever taking place at the haredi neighbourhood of Kiryat Mattersdorf in Jerusalem. 

It was on Shavuot in 1997, when I was still studying with the national religious but started moving over into a haredi direction. Some girls from a haredi Ba'alei Teshuva Seminary located in Kiryat Mattersdorf invited me to stay with them on Shavuot. In Israel, Shavuot only consists of one day whereas in the Diaspora, Shavuot is being celebrated on two days.

"Well, on day or a few hours with the haredi girls I can manage", I thought. In case if not, I could walk back to my seminary dormitory any time, as it wasn't too far away. 

I went to Kiryat Matterdorf but already on the way, I started feeling sick. Not because of the frum surrounding but because I had caught a virus. When I arrived at the seminary, the girls sent me to lay down in order to feel better in the evening. The plan was to go to some families for dinner. 

I didn't feel better but worse. Fever and the feeling of throwing up any minute. Shavuot seemed to be over for me but nor according to my roomate. My roomate for the day was a German woman and the first thing she did when she entered the room was spotting out Muktzeh items such as pens on a table and throwing them aside. I wouldn't have touched those pens anyway. 

My Shavuot got worse. I was sick and at the edge of sticking my head into the toilet and this German woman announced that she had organized a dinner invitation with her friends. I must come because it is a holiday and we have to fulfill our Mitzvah. However, my only Mitzvah seemed to consist of staying in bed or at least near a toilet. 

She dragged me to this family and I remember that they were very nice indeed. What I cannot remember is any name or face. I think they were litvish and I was sitting half unconscious at the table and trying not to throw up over the Kiddush cups. I remember this great lasagne they served and I even had a small piece. The rest of my memory is gone and the only thing I remember is my roommate telling me all about this family and how I should behave.

I think I fell asleep at the table and finally made it back to bed at the seminary. Then the next shocking announcement took place: The walk to the Kotel in the morning. 

I didn't go but stayed in bed. At noon I got so fed up with seeing those who hadn't gone to the Kotel sitting and saying Tehillim (Psalms) that I just left. The girls were worried whether I can make it make alone but I managed. I just wanted to escape from those rules, sticky atmosphere, good behaviour and pressure. 

Back at my own seminary dormitory, my roommates were happy and having discussions. No Tehillim, no "Do this, do that" but fun. I went back to bed but got up after an hour. Suddenly I felt much better and after another hour or two, I was healthy again. The virus seemed to be gone and I myself couldn't believe it.

It was the first time I realized that one may be perfect in one way and doing all the holiday programmes from the beginning until the end; however, sometimes I wish there was a little more Rachmunes (mercy) with those who have a different mind set or are just not as "perfect" as others. We all have our potential and should try using it. But my potential is not that of this particular roommate dragging me to the lasagne and my potential is not spending an entire day with the "Book of Tehillim".

Photos: Chicken Kapparot in Jerusalem

B"H

Last night, I went to see the Yom Kippur Kapparot done with chickens. Especially kabbalistic literature is referring to this way of doing Kapparot before Yom Kippur.

Here are some impressions from the schoolyard of the ETZ CHAIM YESHIVA near Jerusalem's Machane Yehudah Market:

 

Ritual slaughter (Shechitah) of the Kapparot - Chicken done by the Schochet.

The Chickens

After the ritual slaughter, the Schochet throws the chickens into those wholes in order to loose their blood and eventually die.

One of the guys working at a stand offered me a chicken but I refused. A while ago, I stopped doing Kapparot at all and I am thus following the Ramban who calls it a "foolish custom".

I took those pictures but was near to throw up. The smell of fresh blood was unbelievable and I escaped after a short while.

Photos & Copyright: Miriam Woelke

Links on KAPPAROT:

http://www.koltorah.org/ravj/kapparot.htm

http://www.chaburas.org/kapparot.html

Chabad

Nothing but SHEITELS

A wig (Sheitel) store in Bnei Brak.

Photo: Kikar Shabbat

Why are we so happy on Rabbi Shimon's Yahrzeit ?

B"H

I heard a nice explanation from a Sephardi Rabbi on the question "Why are we so happy and celebrating Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai's Yahrzeit on Lag Ba'Omer ? Shouldn't we rather commemorate it by sitting down, having a meal and talking Torah in order to lift up his Neshama (soul) ? Why are the Jews so extremely joyful and dancing around a bonfire next to the Rabbi's grave in Meron ?"

The Sephardi Rabbi explained that we are expressing our joy because everything connected to Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai has to do with G - dly miracles. His escape from the Roman's together with his son Elazar. Due to their flight, they both hid in a cave for 12 years. Talmud Shabbat 33 teaches how Rabbi Shimon and Rabbi Elazar dug themselves into the sand in the cave until only their heads stuck out. A miracle occured and G - d created a carob tree and a spring of water for them in order to provide nourishment. The whole day they learnt Torah and finally, after 12 years, Ceasar (the Roman procurator) died and Rabbi Shimon was free.

Father and son left the cave and outside they saw some farmers working. Rabbi Shimon and his son were on such a high spiritual level after discussing the secrets of the Torah for the past twelve years with the result that Rabbi Shimon was unable to refer to the physical world anymore. He couldn't accept that there were commoners earning their living through work and not with Torah study only.

G - d punished both of them for destroying His world. The Rabbis had to go back to the cave and they there for another year in order to find their way back to reality.

Here we see that G - d miraculously provided them with food and drinks. The other miracle was that Rabbi Shimon escaped the vicious Romans and died a natural death.

The miracles are the reason why we celebrate his Yahrzeit !

Pessach Sheni - The Second Pessach

B"H


There are minor Jewish holidays of whom many Jews simply don't know that they exist. First of all, those holidays are not official and secondly, you necessarily won't find them on every calendar.


In the days of the Second Temple, the Jewish had many more holidays than we have today. Minor holidays which were forgotten after the Temple destruction. Talmud Shabbat 13b, for instance, is teaching us about a scroll called "Megillath Ta'anit" listing at least another 35 holidays compared to the amount we have today.


Tomorrow, Wednesday (28 April), we celebrate "Pessach Sheni - the Second Pessach". Originally the day was thought of providing Jews who were impure during the first Pessach and thus unable to offer the Pessach sacrifice (Korban Pessach) with a second offering chance. The author of "Sha'arei HaMoadim", the third Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, 1789 - 1866, said that whoever is leaving out Pessach Sheni after being impure on the first Pessach, is doing so on purpose. Furthermore, the Rebbe stated that people converting to Judaism between the first Pessach and the second Pessach are thus able to sacrifice their Korban Pessach on Pessach Sheni. They are even obligated to keep the second Pessach.


Today we mostly eat a piece of Mazza in order to commemorate Pessach Sheni. The Rambam (Maimonides, 1135 - 1214) explained that Pessach Sheni is an independent holiday from the first one.


What do we learn from having a second Pessach ?

That there is always a second chance in life. If we fail for one or the other reason and it wasn't our fault then G - d may provide us with a second chance.


Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneersohn (the third Lubavitscher Rebbe) stated that Pessach Sheni is an obligation only for those Jews who were unable of sacrificing their Korban Pessach on the first Pessach. Today it is for those who didn't have a Seder on the first night. However, you don't need to start a Seder neither have to clean the house "kasher le'Pessach".


The Chabad - book "Sha'arei HaMoadim" considers Pessach Scheni as a day of Teshuva (return to G - d). We receive the Torah on Shavuot and should therefore dig into ourselves and become aware of the purpose of our lives. How do we cause some Teshuva on Pessach Sheni ? By studying Torah !


The first Pessach is being celebrated in the Jewish month of NISSAN whereas Pessach Sheni is being celebrated in IYAR. In Nissan the upper spiritual worlds influence us in our physical world. On Pessach Sheni, however, it is us in the lower world to influence the upper worlds. Both Pessach holidays thus stand for a completion.


The Pessach sacrifice is only for Jews because the other nations were not Paraoh's slaves in Egypt (see Sha'arei HaMoadim on Pessach Sheni).

A Key on the Challah

B"H


Last Shabbat I was invited in Mea Shearim where my hosts told me about a special custom in chassidic circles taking place on the Shabbat after Pessach:


When the Challot (Shabbat bread) is baked, a separate piece of dough is formed into a key shape and put on top of a Challah. The key represents an opening for the "Gate of Income" for another year.


I had never heard about this kind of custom before and my host was very proud presenting me the key on top of the Challah.


By the way, the key is being eaten in the end.

Moroccan MIMUNA FOOD

Mimuna

B"H

Hundreds of thousands of Jews of Moroccan origin live in Israel today. Most of them made Aliyah in the 50ies or 60ies and entire Israeli towns got a Moroccan touch such as Beit Shean, for instance. Tonight Israel's Moroccan Jews celebrate their special holiday always taking place right after Pessach: MIMUNA.

Special Moroccan food is being served (not only Couscous), traditional Moroccan music is being played (today maybe more from modern singers like Kobi Peretz or Sarit Hadad) and, within the past years, MIMUNA has become a day of Israel's politicians. Every high - ranking politician is going to a MIMUNA party no matter if Ashkenazi or something else. Whether Shimon Peres or Benjamin Netanyahu, everyone wants to be at MIMUNA and get some public relations.

I heard that the MIMUNA actually comes from the word Maimonides and is a kind of extension of Pessach. Right after the holiday ends. A Moroccan tradition.

Today 51 % of Israel's Moroccan Jews still stick to their Jewish heritage; meaning, they keep up their traditions such as Kashrut or Shabbat. As a matter of fact, Sephardic Jews are much more traditional than Ashkenazi Jews where the Reform movement destroyed any original Jewish heritage.

When the Nazis invaded Northern Africa, also Moroccan Jews were suffering from anti - Semitic laws against them. Synagogues were destroyed or Jews were beaten up.

Today many Moroccan Jews in Israel still feel discriminated because many Israel say that Moroccans brought the worst criminals with them. Best examples are the two mafia families "Alperon" and "Abergel" operating in Israel.

However, HAPPY MIMUNA !

The "Jewish" Kaffiyeh

B"H

So far, I haven't seen any people walking around wrapped in a Jewish Kaffiyeh but a friend of mine from the US sent me an article published in the "New York Times". Obviously the subject is a center of discussion in New York.

Should Jews wear a Kaffiyeh although the "Tichel" is an Arab custom ?

The Palestinians consider it as a sign of their resistance fighting the Zionists (Jews) but not as a symbol of terror. However, the Jewish Kaffiyeh has special patterns made of Jewish symbols.

One comment claims the following:

It's just a piece of clothing. Would it be upsetting for us to see Bin Laden in a baseball cap?

And I think the commentator is right !

Nevertheless, if you take a look into ancient history, you will probably find the first humans (at least after the Flood) walking around with such headcovers. Simply as a protection against the sun and not as a political statement. I assume that Avraham Avinu wore such a rag. Him and Lavan, the Canaanites and all the other people in the area. 

If Avraham or Moshe would come back today and walk through Mea Shearim dressed in their clothes ... Well, I would love to see that !

Moshe not wearing a Streimele and Bekishe an Schabbes ? How can that be ? 

Nittle Night - xmas

B"H

Last Thursday night, 7th of Tevet - 24th of December, is known as "Nittle Nacht (Night)", and the custom is that we don’t learn Torah this night till midnight, (see Rama on Shulchan Aruch, letters of the Chatam Sofer and others) Kabbalisticly the reason is, as is known from the Rebbe Rasha"b the 5th Chabad Lubavitch Rebbe Shalom Dov Baer, 1860 - 1920, the reason is so as to not be “adding Chayus” spiritual life and strenth to him and his followers.

The Rebbe says in a Sicha that we shouldn't "waste our time" but involve ourselves in something like chess which exercises the mind or any other chore that needs to be done. And the Rebbe related a story in the Sicha where a Bochur would save all the sewing of the buttons on his cloths to “Nittle Nacht” to be productive in a “non adding Chayus” way.

Links:

Chabad and the Nittle Night 

Details about the Nittle Night on "Hirhurim".

J. in the Talmud

Chess in Chabad during the Nittle Night 

Kapparot

B"H

Every year the same discussion:

Israeli animal - rights activists are running against the Haredim. "Kapparot", the custom right before Yom Kippur is a tragedy for any chicken being used.

Thousands of chickens are being squeezed into small cages in order to await their fate which is "getting slaughtered". The Kapparot where we symbolically transfer our sins into the chicken is a very doubtful custom. Rabbi Joseph Karo as well as the Ramban (Nachmanides) totally rejected the custom and called it "foolish". The Arizal (Rabbi Yitzchak Luria), however, saw the Kapparot as something extremely kabbalistic.

It is up to you to decide if you are going to participate in the custom. Either by buying a chicken and getting it slaughtered on the spot or by giving money for charity reasons.

I am planning a more detailed article on the subject but, so far, here is a great video and you can also look at some pictures.

http://www.bhol.co.il/news_read.asp?id=12447&cat_id=2

The Groom is stepping on the Bride's Foot

B"H

I have learned about an interesting custom within the Sephardic community:

The groom is stepping on the foot of his bride right under the Chuppah. Thus, the groom symbolically shows who the boss is.




If I ever married a Sephardic guy, I would not agree practicing this custom unless I can step on his foot !

Rosh Chodesh Elul - The Beginning of the Jewish Month of Elul

"The King is in the Field - HaMelech Ba'Sade" - This month, G - d is as approachable as hardly any other time of the year !


B"H

Tonight as well as Thursday and Friday, Jews all over the world are celebrating Rosh Chodesh Elul (אלול), the beginning of the month of Elul.

The Jewish month of Elul is one of the most important months of the year, as it marks the beginning of the Teshuva (repentance) process taking place before the Jewish New Year "Rosh HaShana". Thus, Elul is the month of repentance and Rachamim (Mercy).

On Rosh Chodesh Elul, Moshe went up to Har Sinai for the third time, as G - d had commanded him. When Moshe went up for the first time, he received the Luchot with the Ten Commandments (Aseret HaDibrot) which he smashed when he climbed down on 17th Tammuz. On Rosh Chodesh Elul, Moshe again went up to Har Sinai in order to receive the nsecond pair of Luchot. 40 days later, on Yom Kippur, he returned into the camp of the Israelites. G - d forgave the Jews the sin of the Golden Calf (Egel HaZahav).

Hardly any Jewish direction is putting so much emphazise on the phrase from Shir HaShirim 6:3: "HaMelech BaSadeh – The King is in the Field", as Chassidut.

According to the Baal Shem Tov, G - d is extremely easy to approach during the month of Elul. It goes without saying that we are able to do Teshuva throughout the entire year, however, the Baal Shem Tov saw in Elul a stronger opportunity of getting closer and reaching G - d. Especially regarding the next Jewish holiday "Rosh HaShana" where the whole world and humankind is being judged. The final judgment for Jews, however, is going to take place on Yom Kippur.
Whereas Rosh HaShana is a judgment day for the entire world; also the Gentiles, Yom Kippur is a Jewish holiday and other religions / nations have nothing to do with it.

A Minhag (custom) of the Baal Shem Tov is to pray Psalm 27 during Elul. Every day seven times, as far as I remember. According to Chabad (Shaarei HaMoadim) one should say three chapters of Tehillim (Pslams) every day and intensify Torah study in order to awaken G - d's mercy.

Elul is the time of "Hitbodedut", meaning one should set aside one hour in order to talk to G - d. Just speak to G - d in a personal manner wherever you are. If you don't have an hour, choose 5 minutes, 15 minutes, any time as you have available. It is said that Elul has the power to cancel all sins of the ongoing year under the condition that we regret what we did and do honest Teshuva (the Sefat Emet from Chassidut Gur). A further method for doing Teshuva before Rosh HaShana is the giving of Zedakah (donations).

Sephardic Jewry is starting it's Selichot prayers on Rosh Chodesh Elul. Especially when you go to the Kotel these days, you will hear the Shofar (ram's horn) blowing by Sephardic Jews.

It says in Sefer Yetzirah (Book of Creation) that the Hebrew letter of the month of Elul is the YUD יThe Yud י basically has a shape of a small point and represents G - d's creation of the world with wisdom. Kabbalistic sources see the Yud י as Chochmah (wisdom). G – d created the world as a point, called the Even HaShetiah, the foundation stone under the altar of the First, Second and hopefully soon rebuild Third Temple. This tiny point began to spread and thus formed the whole world.

The tribe of Elul is Gad, the horoscope is the virgin, the organ is the left hand and the human sense is "to act". Acting because we have to make Teshuva. Acting, meaning here to regret and ask for forgiveness.

Judaism doesn't translate the Hebrew word "Chet" as sin but as "missing the goal". Our understanding of sinning is a very different one from Christians, for instance. Although we can miss the gaol, we are always able to do Teshuva and receiving G - d's mercy and foregiveness.
The Teshuva process consists of three parts:

1. Coming to the conclusion that we missed the goal.

2. Honest regret.

3. Try not to repeat the same mistake in the future.


An extremely important day is 18th Elul, when we celebrate the birthday of the Baal Shem Tov.

I wish you all a great and successful preparation for Rosh HaShana and a great month of Elul. Hopefully we are all succeeding in getting closer to our creator.
Chodesh Tov - חודש טוב !

Blowing of the Shofar (ram's horn)

Source: Chabad

Chassidut Erloi

B"H

Some interesting details about Chassidut Erloi:


History of Erloi


Erloi Customs:

In the first years following the Second World War, Rav Yochanan did not wear a shtreimel – only several years later did he begin to wear one, and also to conduct tishen. In Erloi, the kehilla as a whole is not makpid to wear a gartel for davening, and the nusach hatefilla is nusach Ashkenaz, according to the custom of the Sofer family, and the custom of most Jews originating from Hungary. This is in contrast to most other chassidic courts, which daven in nusach Sefard. Yet despite these factors, Erloi chassidim have the practice of reciting the entire sefer Tehillim in unison before the Shabbos prayers begin, according to the custom in Skver. In addition, the Admor has adopted the Radziner practice of dying one thread of the tzitzis blue, in accordance with the opinion of the Radziner Rebbe that the creature used nowadays to make the blue dye is in fact the chilazon mentioned in the Torah as the source of techeiles.

Havdalah with Chabad

B"H

Last night, after Shabbat, I was working at the bakery when at 12.30am suddenly a Chabadnik walked into the store downstairs. I told him that we were closed but he stood in the doorway and didn't move.

"Have you made Havdalah ?" he asked me.

Actually I still hadn't done it and admitted.

"No problem he said and walked right into the store holding cups and a beer can in his hand. He told me the required blessings and I repeated them.

First I drank a cup of beer and then, replacing the traditional candle, he lit four or five matches together at once. He admitted that the spices he had forgotten at home. Then he walked out, reminding me to say the afterblessing over the beer and wished "Shavua Tov".

This was a great gesture from Chabad and I was very grateful.
How much, I only realized afterwards when I thought about it.
_________________

In remembrance of Rabbi Gabriel Holzberg and his wife Rivka, Chabad held huge celebrations in their worldwide synagogues . The Rabbi and his wife were killed by Pakistani terrorists in Mumbai ten days ago.

The Peyes are stuck in the Door !

B"H

"Peyes (the side curls of Chassidim) always bother", I heard a young Israeli soldier saying to his friend. The two were sitting on the same bus with me and I overheard their rather funny sounding conversation. Although the two were soldiers in the Israeli army, both came originally for the US.

"Why is that ?" the second soldier asked his friend.
"Well, because long Peyes can get stuck everywhere. Just imagine you shut the door and uuurrgghhh. They are stuck behind you".

Personally, I have never met anyone whose Peyes got stuck in a door, in a car, in machines etc. Maybe there are such incidents, who knows.

Generally, Chassidim always get the first looks due to their different clothing style. Wearing a Streimel (traditional fur hat) or long coat (caftan) during the hot summer heat cannot be too pleasant and outsiders are wondering about that. "Who can suffer such clothes ?" they then ask.

However, nowhere in the world is tradition as important as in the chassidic world. Many Chassidim say that tradition which proved to be right 50 years ago, 100 years ago or 300 years ago, cannot be wrong today. And many Chassidim go according to the "Chatam Sofer" (Rabbi Moshe Sofer, 1762 - 1839, born in Frankfurt / Germany and died in Bratislava). In particular, the Chassidut Dushinsky is following him in detail. The Chatam Sofer fought enthusiastically against the new reform movement. "The Torah doesn't allow us any changes", Rabbi Moshe Sofer stated. However, his followers extended this ideology also into many issues concerning the private life.

Once, I was invited by a Dushinsky family where the host told me that she learned all her traditions from her mother. Not only regarding her modest clothing style but also the behaviour towards the children as well as the hairstyle of a chassidic woman.
"Of course, my children theoretically could have left the old ways and set up some changes. Anyway, I raised them this way that they wouldn't", she let me know.

Don't such views and opinions show fear of anything new in life ? And if there was anything new, would this automatically lead to changes within the whole chassidic society ? Would then society fall apart ?

I don't think so because the roots are too deep. Maybe Hundreds of rebels would have to show up in order to cause a few slow changes. But who wants to cause great changes when the old ways have mostly proven right ? And even if there were some rebels, who would endanger his own place in chassidic society ? Who would endanger good schools for his children and suitable Shidduchim ? Whoever wants changes, has to face society consequences.

Despite all the traditions, I have never heard a Chassid complaining about his Peyes being stuck in a door !!!