העורך Editor

Yes, really. See more on Torah Musings here.

For an introduction to Kabbalah by the Vilna Gaon, see this.

Rabbi Grossman explains.

Here’s an excerpt:

What I find interesting this year is a discussion among certain backers of the Otzma Yehudit and Zehut parties. The former are scandalized by how the allegedly libertarian Zehut would, out of principle, allow private bus companies to operate on the Sabbath, if they so chose, and would allow farmers who wish to do so to raise pigs, which are seemingly anti-Torah policies, because a true religious party would seek, when in power, to strictly enforce the Biblical law against driving automobiles on the Sabbath and the rabbinic decree against raising pigs in the land of Israel. In response, the Zehutniks would argue that in the current state of affairs, it is important to secure the rights of the individual to his freedom of movement and commerce, and as long as the Sabbath drivers and travelers and pig farmers do not harm others, so be it. For his part, Moshe Feiglin, whom I have personally supported until today, argues that today, the key to bringing others closer to Judaism is not by force but by persuasion and setting a good example, not by forcing sabbath observance, but by fostering it. As he put its, an Israeli will say a blessing over a cup of water because eventually he will realize that appreciation is part of our unique culture.

I believe that this ideological difference of opinion is actually echoed in the works of the prophets, specifically, in the contrasts between the era of the Judges and the era of the Kings.

…

See the rest here.

Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA, by Tim Weiner 2007

Wikipedia tells us (see footnotes here):

The CIA was very critical of the book, declaring that “anyone who wants a balanced perspective of CIA and its history should steer well clear of Legacy of Ashes.”

That’s enough for me!

Parshas Re’eh, Devarim 12:30:

השמר לך פן תנקש אחריהם אחרי השמדם מפניך ופן תדרש לאלהיהם לאמר איכה יעבדו הגוים האלה את אלהיהם ואעשה כן גם אני.

Targum Unkelus:

אסתמר לך דילמא תתקל בתריהון בתר דישתצון מקדמך…

Rashi:

פן תנקש, אונקלוס תרגם לשון מוקש ואני אומר שלא חש לדקדק בלשון שלא מצינו נו”ן בלשון יוקש ואפילו ליסוד הנופל ממנו אבל בלשון טירוף וקשקוש מצינו נו”ן וארכבותיה דא לדא נקשן ואף זה אני אומר פן תנקש אחריהם פן תטרף אחריהם להיות כרוך אחר מעשיהם וכן ינקש נושה לכל אשר לו מקלל את הרשע להיות עליו נושים רבים ויהיו מחזירין ומתנקשין אחר ממונו.

Rabbi A.J. Rosenberg’s translation:

Lest you be attracted: Heb. פֶּן-תִּנָּקֵשׁ אַחִרֵיהֶם

Onkelos renders תִּנָּקֵשׁ as an expression of מוֹקֵשׁ, a “snare.” [However,] I say that he was not meticulous in examining the language, for we do not find a“nun” (נ) in [any form of] the verb “to snare,” not even as a root letter that is [sometimes] omitted from it. However, as an expression denoting vehement movement [from place to place] and rattling, we do find a“nun” (נ), as in“and his knees knocked נָקְשָׁן one against the other [in fear]” (Dan. 5:6). Here, too, I say that פֶּן-תִּנָּקֵשׁ אַחִרֵיהֶם means “lest you be attracted to them,” i.e., by becoming bound up in what they do. Similarly, “May a creditor search out (יִנָקֵּשׁ) all that he has” (Ps. 109: 11)-here David cursed the wicked that he should have many creditors and they should continually go after and be attracted to his money.

So said some prewar Mashgiach.

Sometimes, sure. They say unclear numbers, etc. hint at dishonesty. Presumably, this doesn’t include writing for the drawer.

But what about doctors? And, well, Talmidei Chachamim (like the Mussar/Torah clashes on “Negios”, etc.,  see Emuna Ubitachon Chazon Ish chapters 3, 4)?

It could be Dysgraphia, poor motor skills, personality, etc.