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Yehuda Lave is an author, journalist, psychologist, rabbi, spiritual teacher, and coach, with degrees in business, psychology and Jewish Law. He works with people from all walks of life and helps them in their search for greater happiness, meaning, business advice on saving money, and spiritual engagement.

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Tel Aviv Light Rail to Desecrate the Sabbath, Michaeli Announces

By Hana Levi Julian

The Light Rail in Tel Aviv and Gush Dan will operate in desecration of the Sabbath, Labor's Transportation Minister Merav Michaeli announced this weekend.

"I am happy to tell you that after many, many years, starting next year, the Light Rail in Tel Aviv and the surrounding area will also operate on Shabbat," Michaeli said Saturday in an interview on Israel's Channel 2 "Meet the Press" program.

"This is my decision. I reached it after all the considerations that were brought before me, and this is what's going to happen," she added.

The decision makes clear precisely where Michaeli, who leads the Labor Party, stands.

Religious Zionism Chairman MK Bezalel Smotrich slammed the decision in a statement Saturday night, warning the decision is a breach of the status quo by an interim government politician.

"Instead of dealing with the transportation catastrophe that all Israeli citizens are suffering from, Rav Michaeli prefers to spread empty slogans," Smotrich said.

"In the right-wing government that we will establish… we will make sure to cancel any decision that harms the Jewish character of the country and we will preserve the Sabbath and its sanctity as the national day of rest," he said.

If the decision is approved by the caretaker government, it will also make clear the stance of the entire Lapid coalition.

At present, there are variations in the electoral polls, with some indicating that opposition leader and former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be able to put together a right-wing government. Others, however, indicate the upcoming November 1 election will result in another of Israel's endless stalemates.

Clarification of the anti-Torah stance of the current caretaker government may resolve the deadlock.

The Three Musketeers at the Kotel

The Three are Rabbi Yehuda Glick, famous temple mount activist, and former Israel Mk, and then Robert Weinger, the world's greatest shofar blower and seller of Shofars, and myself after we had gone to the 12 gates of the Temple Mount in 2020 to blow the shofar to ask G-d to heal the world from the Pandemic. It was a highlight to my experience in living in Israel and I put it on my blog each day to remember.

The articles that I include each day are those that I find interesting, so I feel you will find them interesting as well. I don't always agree with all the points of each article but found them interesting or important to share with you, my readers, and friends. It is cathartic for me to share my thoughts and frustrations with you about life in general and in Israel. As a Rabbi, I try to teach and share the Torah of the G-d of Israel as a modern Orthodox Rabbi. I never intend to offend anyone but sometimes people are offended and I apologize in advance for any mistakes. The most important psychological principle I have learned is that once someone's mind is made up, they don't want to be bothered with the facts, so, like Rabbi Akiva, I drip water (Torah is compared to water) on their made-up minds and hope that some of what I have share sinks in. Love Rabbi Yehuda Lave.

Justice Done: Jackson Center Showcases Historic Nuremberg Trials

By Marc Gronich

Justice Done: Jackson Center Showcases Historic Nuremberg Trials | The Jewish Press - JewishPress.com | Marc Gronich | 13 Av 5782 – August 10, 2022 | JewishPress.com

Was Isaac Leib Peretz A Zionist?

By Saul Jay Singer

Was Isaac Leib Peretz A Zionist? | The Jewish Press - JewishPress.com | Saul Jay Singer | 14 Av 5782 – August 10, 2022 | JewishPress.com

Jews and the Chocolate Trade

by Emma Carrol

Chocolate played a pivotal role in Jewish survival amidst the throes of the Inquisition.

We have a dizzying array of chocolate at our fingertips. From rich and velvety dark chocolate, to smooth and silky chocolate ganache, to creamy and sweet milk chocolate, and even cool and fruity ruby chocolate.

Hard to believe that chocolate used to be reserved only for the elite, out of reach to the common folk.

In 16^th century Spain, chocolate was a secret, drinkable delicacy for royalty and the elite. This is reflected in a statement from the Benedictines of the time: "Do not drink the cocoa, anyone but friar, sir, or brave soldier."

Despite only being available to the elites of society, the cocoa bean quickly amassed an incredible amount of wealth for Spain's economy. This was due to the increasingly high demand from those who had access to it, leading to heightened trade in Latin America where the cocoa bean was grown, and the settlement in the Caribbean, where sugar for the chocolate was planted.

The Jewish Chocolate Trade

The development and trade of chocolate became a major industry which was largely comprised of Jews. Being a trader was originally seen as lowly profession by the upper class, so Jews were the ones who took on this work. And Jews introduced chocolate to the rest of Europe, after being forced out of Spain and bringing with them their vast trading connections and knowledge of chocolate-making.

Being a Jew in 16^th century Spain was no walk in the park. The Inquisition was well under way; thousands of Jews had either been burned at the stake, forced to convert (while many secretly adhered to their Jewish identity and practice) or fled the country. Since much of Spain's Jewish population had been involved in the "lowly work" of trade, one of the only fields eligible for Jews, many conversos, secret Jews, remained in that industry.

With a booming chocolate trade, many of these conversos or "New Christians" began to do very well for themselves. As "Christians", their newfound access to higher social classes who desired chocolate elevated their own standing and catapulted them higher up the economic ladder.

With their knowledge of the chocolate trade, the influx of Jews proved highly beneficial to the economies of the new countries in which they settled.

However, being considered "Christian" in name didn't protect them from the resentment and jealousies of the "Old Christians" who claimed the "New Christians" were untrustworthy, unfaithful, and a stain on the society. They still, after all, had Jewish blood.

So, after forcing thousands of Jews to convert to Christianity in order to be accepted into society, 350 years after the beginning of the Inquisition in the 15^th century these secret Jews were still being hunted down or forced into exile.

Exiled

Many of these Spanish Jews fled to nearby France, England, Belgium, and the Netherlands. With their knowledge of the chocolate trade, the influx of Jews proved highly beneficial to the economies of the new countries in which they settled. As these European countries were looking to get a foot in the door with trade in the New World, the incoming Jews had the trade connections they desired to compete with the Spanish.

With all their know-how, Spanish Jews developed a sweeter, edible chocolate that catered to the surrounding populations.

Bayonne, a small town in southwestern France, serves as a microcosm of what was happening across Europe. Located near the border with Spain, Bayonne became home to many Jews fleeing the country. These "New Christians" were granted residency but not citizenship (Jews were only granted citizenship after the French Revolution).

The Jews in Bayonne helped establish trade connections with the French West Indies, and established chocolate houses where it was marketed to the local community - from delicious chocolate cakes, delectable chocolate fillings, to creamy, thick hot chocolate. Chocolate was no longer to be enjoyed only by royals and the elite; it was now accessible to the masses (although still expensive), in many more consumable options. It's no wonder that Bayonne is known as the chocolate capital of France.

But life was difficult for the Jews of Bayonne. Their success posed an issue to other French chocolatiers who were new to the scene and resented the successful Jewish tradesmen. In the 1720's, a series of laws were passed banning Jews from making and selling chocolate in shops and warehouses, and by 1820, there were only two Jewish chocolatiers left.

Belgium Chocolate

In Belgium and England, the first people to be issued a license to manufacture and sell chocolate were Spanish Jews. In Belgium, Emmanuel Soares de Rinero settled in Brabant in the late 1600's. At that time, chocolate was worth about 15 loaves of bread. Only the upper classes could enjoy this exotic treat.

But it was such a hit, and soon enough, Belgian chocolatiers began to spring up across the country. Today, Belgium has one of the highest reputations of chocolate in the world.

According to author Michael Leventhal, a man named Jacob the Jew introduced chocolate to England in 1650, a few years before de Rinero came to Belgium. He opened England's first coffeehouse where he sold coffee and hot chocolate. England then became home to a number of chocolatiers and established themselves in the global trade of sugar and the cocoa bean.

Hidden Blessing

Ironically, the chocolate trade, initially considered to be low-class work delegated for the Jews, became the vehicle for their economic success. Shunned from inclusion in government and other vocations, this phenomenon repeated itself in Jewish communities across Europe. Ubiquitous Jewish traders became the basis of many Jewish stereotypes and antisemitic tropes which remain prevalent today.

Jews were deemed as globalists, a term used to represent the greed and power used to pull the strings on the global economy. The canard that Jews were scheming to control the world led governments and political parties to scapegoat Jews for their economic downfalls and social issues and view them as disloyal to citizens.

Chocolate may not be a Jewish cuisine, but it's embedded in the Jewish diet – from rugelach to chocolate babka, to blintzes and kosher-for-Passover chocolate cakes. For the Jews in Curacao, it is even customary to drink hot chocolate at a circumcision.

And it played a pivotal role in Jewish survival and success amidst the throes of the Inquisition.

Is This The End of Executive Privilege?

By Alan M. Dershowitz

In its appeal from Judge Aileen Cannon's order appointing a special master, the Biden administration is taking the position that the incumbent president can waive claims of executive privilege by his predecessor even if his predecessor is likely to run against him in the next election. So, let's see how this would have played out if the shoe were on the other foot.

Imagine if President Donald Trump had tried to waive his predecessor's executive privilege, relating to President Barack Obama's decision to allow the United Nations Security Council to condemn Israel for its continuing "occupation" of the Western Wall and the roads to Hebrew University and Hadassah Hospital. Many in the Obama administration opposed this one-sided resolution as anti-Israel and wanted the United States to veto it, as it had vetoed previous anti-Israel resolutions. But Obama instructed his UN representative, Samantha Powers, not to veto it.

Trump knew he would be running against Obama's vice president and that he might gain an electoral advantage if Congress held hearings on the controversial Obama decision. What advice did Biden give Obama? Is it true that Powers wanted to veto the resolution, but Obama forbade it in order to take revenge against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his speech opposing the Iran deal?

Disclosing these privileged negotiations might well have hurt Biden with pro-Israel voters.

What if Obama had been called by a congressional committee to turn over all internal communications — written and oral — regarding his decision, and he claimed executive privilege? And what if then President Trump were to have waived Obama's privilege?

One thing we know to be certain: many of the academic "experts" and media "pundits" who now support the argument that an incumbent president can waive the executive privilege of his predecessor would be making exactly the opposite argument. They would be saying — as I am saying now — that presidents would be reluctant to have confidential communications with their aides if they knew these communications could be made public by their successor in order to gain partisan electoral advantage. It would essentially mark the end of executive privilege, which is rooted in Article II of the Constitution.

The weaponization of the Constitution and the law for partisan advantage has become so pervasive, especially in academia and the media, that predicting what position many experts and pundits will take is no longer possible on the basis of neutral principles or precedents, since these have ceased to be the basis for their positions. Accurate predictions today require us to know which persons or parties will be helped or hurt by particular outcomes. Hypocrisy reigns. And those who engage in it are not even embarrassed when their double standards are exposed. The current "principle" is that the ends justify the means, especially if the end is the end of Trump.

Nor are Democrats the only guilty party. Perhaps the most blatant example of partisan hypocrisy was how the Republican Senate treated the 2016 nomination of Merrick Garland and the 2020 nomination of Amy Coney Barrett as Supreme Court justices. The Republicans refused to give Garland a hearing in 2016, because it was too close to the election, but then rushed through the nomination of Barrett just weeks before the 2020 election. Whenever asked to justify their obvious double standard, their only response was "because we can."

"Because we can" has become the current mantra of both parties. Neutral principles, which apply equally without regard to partisan advantage, is for wimps, not party leaders or other government officials. "They do it too" has become the excuse de jure. Both parties do it, but that is not a valid excuse even in hardball politics. Two constitutional violations do not cancel each other. They only make things worse.

Executive privilege is important to both parties — and to the constitutional rule of law. Today's partisan victory for Democrats, if their waiver argument is accepted, will soon become their loss should Republicans take control.

So beware of what you wish for. Today's dream may well become tomorrow's nightmare.

Booking.com reverses decision to slap warning on Jewish sites in Judea and Samaria

https://worldisraelnews.com/bo...

9 Yom Kippur Myths and Misconceptions

By Menachem Posner

1. Myth: Kol Nidre Was Invented by Crypto-Jews in Spain

The Yom Kippur services begin with Kol Nidre, expressing our regret for any vows we may (inadvertently) make during the course of the year. There is a persistent (and romantic) myth that this formula was composed by the anusim, the Jews who were forced to convert to Catholicism in Spain during the Inquisition. Before convening for Yom Kippur services, they prayed that any lip service they paid to Christianity be seen as a sham and not a reflection of their true intent.

This is supposedly also the reason why Kol Nidre is prefaced with the statement: ". . . by the authority of the Heavenly Tribunal and by the authority of the earthly tribunal, we hereby grant permission to pray with the transgressors."

Fact: Kol Nidre Predates the Spanish Inquisition By Hundreds of Years

While this is certainly an inspiring anecdote, and it is quite likely that anusim said this prayer with added fervor, they could not have invented it since Kol Nidre predates the Inquisition by at least 500 years. In fact, there is significant discussion in the Tosafot, composed in France and Germany several hundred years before the forced Spanish conversions, regarding the precise legal ramifications of this formula.

Indeed, many Sephardic Jews don't even say Kol Nidre altogether, further discounting the notion that the text originated in Spain.

Read: Why Is Kol Nidre Considered the Holiest Prayer?

2. Myth: All Leather Is Forbidden on Yom Kippur

Some are under the mistaken belief that one may not wear a leather belt or garment on Yom Kippur.

Fact: Only Leather Shoes Are Out

The five "afflictions" of Yom Kippur include not wearing "sandals," which tradition defines as leather footwear. Other leather garments, and all other footwear, are perfectly OK.

Read: Why Do We Wear Sneakers on Yom Kippur?

3. Myth: Unetaneh Tokef Was Composed by a Rabbi Who Asked to be Mutilated

There is a haunting account attached to the cherished Yom Kippur prayer, Unetaneh Tokef, which contains the famous words, "... who by water, and who by fire; who by sword, and who by wild beast; who by earthquake, and who by pestilence … but repentance, prayer and charity avert the severity of the decree."

The commonly told story, as it is indeed recorded in ancient texts, is that it was composed by Rabbi Amnon of Maintz, who told the Duke of Hessen to mutilate his body as punishment for him even considering converting to Christianity.

Fact: Rabbi Amnon Would Never Have Done Such a Thing

While this story is more than likely to contain truth, and Rabbi Amnon may very well have recited this prayer after being mortally mutilated by the duke, the commonly told version has some flaws: chiefly that Rabbi Amnon would never willingly ask for his limbs to be cut off, a violation of Torah's regard for the human body and prohibition against mutilation. Another issue to contend with is that the prayer was said for hundreds of years before Rabbi Amnon lived, leaving us to conclude that Rabbi Amnon may very well have infused extra meaning into this chilling piece of liturgy, but he could not have been its originator.

Read: The Story of Rabbi Amnon of Maintz

4. Myth: Once You Broke the Fast, You Can Eat Freely

In English, eating after fasting is often referred to as "breaking a fast." In addition to giving us the word "breakfast," this has also led to an all-or-nothing attitude. "Once I've broken the fast by eating that cookie by mistake," the rationale may go, "I may as well have a cup of coffee and that cinnamon bun I've been saving for tonight."

Fact: Every Moment You Fast Is Valuable

Even if you made a mistake, your Yom Kippur is in no way invalidated. Life is a ladder, and what matters most is the direction in which you are climbing. If you've made a mistake, own up to yourself and to G‑d, express your regret, and resolve to improve. This process, called teshuvah ("repentance" or "return"), is actually central to your Yom Kippur experience.

Read: What Is Teshuvah?

5. Myth: Kids Fast Three Fasts Before Bar/Bat Mitzvah

There is a persistent myth that children must begin fasting the three fasts before their bar/bat mitzvah, no earlier and no later.

Thus, an 11-year-old girl whose birthday is 1 Nissan, for example, should fast on Yom Kippur, since it, 10 Tevet, and the Fast of Esther would be the final three fasts before she becomes an adult in the eyes of Jewish law.

Fact: This Has No Halachic Basis

Children are not obligated to perform mitzvahs before attaining bar or bat mitzvah. However, there are some who educate children to fast for a year (or several years) prior, depending greatly on the strength (and desire) of the child. While we do see a number of landmarks, ranging from age 9 to age 12, three fasts before adulthood is never given as a time to begin.

Read: When Is a Child Old Enough to Fast?

6. Myth: Yom Kippur Is a Sad Day

Perhaps because it shares some basic components with Tisha B'Av, our national day of mourning for the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of our people, many view Yom Kippur as a sad day.

Fact: Yom Kippur Is a Joyous Day

The Talmud tells us that there were no days as joyous as 15 Av and Yom Kippur. That's right; Yom Kippur is one of the two happiest days on the calendar! Why so happy? Well for one thing, it's when G‑d forgives us for our sins, a day when we are cleansed from the baggage we picked up during the course of the year. How liberating is that!

On a deeper level: This forgiveness is achieved because this day is when we rise above the mundane humdrum of our lives. Like angels, we connect to our inner souls, and by extension, we are one with G‑d himself. Now that's worth celebrating!
Read: At-Onement

7. Myth: The Most Important Thing is to Be in Shul

A sanctuary

For many, the most important element of Yom Kippur is attending services and hearing the chazan chant the ancient prayers, so much so that they may even ride in the car or otherwise transgress the day's laws in order to be present.

Fact: The Yom Kippur Laws Are Non-Negotiable

Like Shabbat, on Yom Kippur we may not do any of the 39 melachot, including causing combustion. For this reason, riding a car is forbidden, and when faced with the choice of driving to synagogue or remaining home, one should choose to remain home rather than drive during this sacred day.

Read: Can We Drive Grandma on Shabbat?

8. Myth: The Shofar Ends the Fast

Photo: Chaya Mishulovin, Lubavitch Chabad of Skokie

After we have fasted for 25 hours, one of the high points of the Neila (concluding) service is crying out the Shema in unison, followed by the sounding of the shofar. There is a common belief that the shofar blowing causes the fast to end, which has led some to mistakenly blow shofar and eat before night has fallen.

Fact: The Fast Ends When Stars Come Out

There are some who explain that we blow shofar to publicize that the evening following Yom Kippur is a holiday, and it is now time to feast and celebrate the closeness we've achieved and the forgiveness we've secured during this awesome day.

However, the shofar does not cause the fast to end any more than the dinging of your toaster makes your bread brown and crunchy. Rather, nightfall and Havdalah (see when that is in your area) are what permit a person to eat.

Read: Why Do We Blow Shofar on Yom Kippur?

9. Myth: Yom Kippur Service Is a Typical Prayer Service

The open ark in the main sanctuary of Lubavitch Chabad of Skokie.

Many people attend synagogue only on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and are dismayed to discover that the services are conducted in a language they don't understand and seem to stretch on for h-o-u-r-s. It's only natural for them not to want to come back. After all, why would they subject themselves to such an experience again and again?

Fact: That's Like Coming to School Just for Exam Day

Imagine you decide to come to school only when absolutely necessary—the one day when you take an exam on all the material you've studied the entire year. Quite understandably, you'd consider school to be the most miserable, tortuous place, where you spend the entire day attempting to divine the answers to questions you don't understand.

Obviously, if you'd come all year you'd know that school is an exciting place where you discover new information and enjoy the pleasure of learning. You'd also be well-positioned to answer the questions presented to you at the end-of-the-year exam.

So don't be a stranger. Come to shul again and again, and you'll discover the rhythm and reason behind the prayers. And even the extra-long High Holiday services won't seem quite so long and bewildering!

Read: What to Expect at Yom Kippur Services

See you tomorrow Tuesday Bli neder

Yom Kippur Starts tomorrow night

We need Moshiach now