העורך Editor

Torture has historically been an instrument of oppression — not an instrument of investigation or of intelligence gathering.

Investigation is a subtle process, requiring patience and fine analytical ability, as well as a skill in cultivating one’s sources. When torture is condoned, these rare talented people leave the service, having been outstripped by less gifted colleagues with their quick-fix methods, and the service itself degenerates into a playground for sadists.

Rambam Hilchos Megillah 2:16-17 writes:

וחייב לחלק לעניים ביום הפורים אין פחות משני עניים נותן לכל אחד מתנה אחת או מעות או מיני תבשיל או מיני אוכלין שנאמר ומתנות לאביונים שתי מתנות לשני עניים ואין מדקדקין במעות פורים אלא כל הפושט ידו ליטול נותנין לו ואין משנין מעות פורים לצדקה אחרת

מוטב לאדם להרבות במתנות אביונים מלהרבות בסעודתו ובשלוח מנות לרעיו שאין שם שמחה גדולה ומפוארה אלא לשמח לב עניים ויתומים ואלמנות וגרים…

Translation (from chabad.org):

One is obligated to distribute charity to the poor on the day of Purim. At the very least, to give each of two poor people one present, be it money, cooked dishes, or other foods, as implied by Esther 9:22 “gifts to the poor” – i.e., two gifts to two poor people.

We should not be discriminating in selecting the recipients of these Purim gifts. Instead, one should give to whomever stretches out his hand. Money given to be distributed on Purim should not be used for other charitable purposes.

It is preferable for a person to be more liberal with his donations to the poor than to be lavish in his preparation of the Purim feast or in sending portions to his friends. For there is no greater and more splendid happiness than to gladden the hearts of the poor, the orphans, the widows, and the converts…

But the verse of “and presents for the poor” denotes two, because “Mi’ut rabim shnayim”, plural denotes literally two, not “at least two”. As the Rambam himself continues above, “and presents for the poor”; one present for each.

What I write here must be admitted with suspicion, because I have never myself taken the time to study the author I criticize. The man I debate may be a shadow, but I do not desist from the whole affair, for one good reason: this is his perception in the eyes of the masses.

Who? What?

I speak of the Maharal and his reputation for feminism/misandry. This is likely a major reason for his popularity, especially among Ba’alei Teshuvah, who were introduced to his thought as a way of easing the transition, or for bold flattery, i.e., Judaism is also long-winded and feministic.

Whenever popular speakers address women qua women, they mention only Dor Hamidbar (those who left Egypt). Women could not be presented as more righteous. They refused the Golden Calf, they didn’t accept Lashon Hara on the land of Israel, and on and on. And this is harped on with good reason; perhaps this is the ‘exception to prove the rule’.

Medrash Tanchuma Pinchas 7:7:

ותקרבנה בנות צלפחד, אותו הדור הנשים היו גודרות מה שאנשים פורצין שכן את מוצא שאמר להם אהרן פרקו נזמי הזהב ולא רצו הנשים ומיחו בבעליהן שנאמר ויתפרקו כל העם וגו’ והנשים לא נשתתפו במעשה העגל וכן במרגלים שהוציאו דבה וישובו וילינו עליו ועליהם נגזרה גזרה שאמרו לא נוכל לעלות אל העם אבל הנשים לא היו עמהם בעצה שהרי כתיב למעלה מן הענין כי אמר ה’ להם מות ימותו במדבר ולא נותר מהם איש וגו’ איש ולא אשה על מה שלא רצו להכנס לארץ אבל הנשים קרבו עצמן לבקש נחלה ותקרבנה בנות צלפחד ולכך נכתבה פרשה זו סמוך למיתת מרים שמשם פרצו האנשים וגדרו הנשים

דבר אחר…

Aside from untruth inherent in the whole thing, this is an awful strategy if you wish to keep men motivated. The Cursedians have already tried this and their Houses of Abomination are empty of men.

Women must have their ego stroked, yes, but by their respective husbands.

From a chain-letter:

Woman has Man in it;

Mrs. has Mr. in it;

Female has Male in it;

She has He in it;

Madam has Adam in it;

Okay, Okay, it all makes sense now…

I never looked at it this way before:

Ever notice how all of women’s problems start with MEN?

MENtal illness!

MENstrual cramps

MENtal breakdown

MENopause

GUYnecologist

AND

When we have REAL trouble, it’s a… HISterectomy.

Send this to all the women you know to brighten their day.

Send this to all the men
just to annoy them

Remember You Don’t Stop Laughing Because You Grow Old,
You Grow Old
Because You Stop Laughing.

The Satmar Rebbe once offered a petitioner an apple. The man declined: “I’m not hungry” (innocently missing the point of the offer). The Rebbe remarked: A Chassid you will surely never be!” Rabbi Aaron Kotler, nearby, quickly interjected: “Say Amen to the Bracha!”

This story was told to me by someone who heard it from Rabbi Yisrael Meir Wallace.

(I don’t know if he said this loudly enough for the Rebbe to hear.)