tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18001219914610997312012-02-16T02:38:27.838-05:00Technical Bulletin from the Factory Assembly line. Covered live by a Product.Producthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15903085114768392434noreply@blogger.comBlogger201100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800121991461099731.post-69474465233139217952009-03-05T12:58:00.002-05:002009-03-05T12:59:16.119-05:00

As part of being raised Hassidic, I missed some excellent movies that everybody and their brother know by heart. Occasionally, I try to catch up on old classic. They may be old to you, but they’re new to me.Last night I watched Titanic for the first time, and was very moved by it. I will try to express my feelings with the following lines:Like a steamer’s dartUnder the stars aboveSo is the

Producthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15903085114768392434noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800121991461099731.post-48694547807171277552009-02-22T16:30:00.001-05:002009-02-22T16:35:47.875-05:00

It’s official. I became a Twitterer.I know you are not interested in what I think or do at the moment’s moment. However, maybe—just maybe—you really don’t have anything better to do anyway. So come on in, and sign up to get the updates of my mood.

Producthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15903085114768392434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800121991461099731.post-17476389888148515892009-02-22T16:02:00.002-05:002009-02-22T16:17:40.895-05:00

I regularly read VIN news.And they read me.There is a good reason I make VIN a frequented bookmark. They collect news stories that I might be interested in, such as Israeli news, Jewish news, and New York news. They make an effort, although they sometimes fail, to bring accurate facts and to be objective journalists.But the comments there are disgusting. By reading the comments I feel like I

Producthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15903085114768392434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800121991461099731.post-39663412477040238342009-02-10T10:32:00.001-05:002009-02-10T11:22:37.699-05:00

The Haredi community in Israel is so pathetic. The slightest provocation causes them to lose balance, scream like lunatics, and to take their outrage to the walls of Jerusalem.The latest episode, by VIN news, was a recipe published in HaModia. The dish of fried chicken and noodles included a tablespoon of cheese. Imagine how the yentas reacted to such a taboo. As commenter #2 pointed out, “

Producthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15903085114768392434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800121991461099731.post-70619337242430121852009-01-30T14:12:00.003-05:002009-01-30T14:16:42.779-05:00

Few defining features of Hasidim are noble. In general, the Hasidic culture is regressive, change resistant, and reluctant to acknowledge shortcomings or demonstrate a willingness to improve for the better. But every rule has its exceptions, and this rule is no exception.Perhaps the most wonderful characteristic of Hasidim is their generosity, kindness, and readiness to help their brethren in

Producthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15903085114768392434noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800121991461099731.post-62610798802064916702009-01-29T11:34:00.006-05:002009-01-29T15:15:31.765-05:00

Last night, I slept. When I sleep, I usually dream.In my dream, I visited the Skulener Rebbe in private. I must have complained about evil inclinations and heretic thoughts, because we had the following conversation:Rebbe: Do you watch movies?Me: YesRebbe: For how long?Me: For a long time now. From year 5764 (2004, in Gregorian)Rebbe (Shocked) Really?Me: (Calm) ReallyRebbe: Movies are the cause

Producthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15903085114768392434noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800121991461099731.post-55574397167574323062009-01-27T23:23:00.004-05:002009-01-28T10:07:13.949-05:00

I wrote this post about a month ago, but decided not to post at the time. I stored it at a corner in one of the warehouses of the Frum Factory. Tonight, I was in the mood of posting, so this rant was dusted off, adapted to reflect current events, and posted.The history of the United States is speckled with paradox. Most notorious is the conflict within the man who composed the inspirational

Producthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15903085114768392434noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800121991461099731.post-21164476028067860932009-01-22T00:00:00.008-05:002009-01-22T10:20:57.903-05:00

The only gentile on our block is the mailman.(maalos, a Yiddish periodical.)As a kid or teen I was cautioned by my Hassidic mentors not to engage in any conversation with non-frum people.”Eve conversed with the Serpent and sinned”, they would misquote the Talmudic inferred lesson from the Torah against theological discussions with a heathen. Not that my skills in English or any other language

Producthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15903085114768392434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800121991461099731.post-15976979444796415032009-01-20T15:38:00.000-05:002009-01-20T15:39:02.389-05:00

Another ordinary day I hadNothing special to addNeither happy nor sadBut then I noticed everybody was gladGlad the Constitution is aliveGlad discrimination is deadGlad to arriveGlad to be in Texas insteadGlad to be huddled in the eye of the stormGlad to watch from the news feedGlad international relations will warmGlad America will once more leadWhere I go I see a happy throngWhy can’t I be swept

Producthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15903085114768392434noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800121991461099731.post-44383896977488744732009-01-08T15:55:00.001-05:002009-01-08T15:56:28.293-05:00

I originally posted this poem as a comment to The System, but then I thought it merits a post of its own. It mirrors my story and how I reflected on it after reading HF’s rant and call for action.It starts by telling how I resent being born into the caste I did. It makes the simile to a captured tiger whose feelings progress form rage to self-pity and finally to ultimate gloom.Next, I tell how I

Producthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15903085114768392434noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800121991461099731.post-61510036394098026152009-01-05T12:38:00.000-05:002009-01-05T12:41:14.054-05:00

I once thought levels of observance in Judaism were clearly marked. I envisioned observance as a tiered platform with all performers conscious on what step they are standing. If the tiered platform analogy is accurate, then players look down and take note only of the steps below them, oblivious to the many rows above their heads.I’ve listened to people with a modern background claiming online

Producthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15903085114768392434noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800121991461099731.post-31303030507139265082008-12-31T21:55:00.013-05:002009-01-01T09:48:05.024-05:00

A generous person gives bread; a truly generous person sells instead.Williamsburg Chassidim are generous. Williamsburg is home to a myriad of charity institutions, and the posters on its streets testify on the many charitable fundraisers held within its borders.No beggar will be left to sleep on the street in Williamsburg. A good-hearted fellow will surely offer an invite for bed and breakfast.

Producthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15903085114768392434noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800121991461099731.post-5333967492119562312008-12-25T15:37:00.002-05:002008-12-25T16:05:29.632-05:00

Read this, and sing alongDip dip, plunge plungeSwallow grants like a spongeMake a mikvah Say it’s just a spaSure, right, yeah Dip dip, dunk dunkSwallow pork a chunkMake of them a fool Say it’s just poolSure, right, cool

Producthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15903085114768392434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800121991461099731.post-25322907290372335502008-12-23T22:58:00.002-05:002008-12-23T23:00:19.648-05:00

Flashing back to years agoIn one-horse town of KJThe calendar of MonroeWasn’t spelled double ALearned to rung around a ringSkilled on how to writeWhat fun it is to laugh at the thingThey still can’t get it rightChristmas as you knowThis is coming on ThursdayIn the Town of MonroeIs celebrated as a legal holidayIt has such a hollow ringWe all wonder mightWhat is this legal thing?We are above the

Producthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15903085114768392434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800121991461099731.post-36994646676623192532008-12-22T12:22:00.007-05:002008-12-23T23:07:09.047-05:00

I’m dreaming of a white brideWhen we used each other to knowWhere your headband pearls glistenAnd I enviously listenTo hear your giggles in grounds belowI’m dreaming of a white brideJust like the ones I used to knowWhere your dress would glistenAnd obediently listenTo hear me pronounce my vowI’m dreaming of a white brideAs the our worlds apart would growWhere your leather boots glistenAnd I

Producthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15903085114768392434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800121991461099731.post-28227307295374773402008-12-15T00:08:00.003-05:002008-12-15T09:41:56.351-05:00

Destined for failure makes his case why the Hassidic community, (henceforth, we, us, our), is, well, destined for failure. He proves black on white, or rather white on black, (I highlight the text, so I get blue on white; can’t read otherwise), why seclusion will become impossible in the years to come and that the walls of our self-made ghettos will fall as the Berlin wall did.I agree with his

Producthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15903085114768392434noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800121991461099731.post-92168636809923536522008-11-25T23:21:00.003-05:002008-11-25T23:26:09.573-05:00

PostlingHow was WWI called before WWII broke? The Great War. Will The Great Depression be replaced by Depression I ?

Producthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15903085114768392434noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800121991461099731.post-25195337853666801512008-11-19T22:42:00.003-05:002008-11-19T22:56:18.548-05:00

Parody of American Boy by EstelleTake me to the shtible; I’d like to pray.Take me to the tish; I’d love to sway.I really want to, dumb shtick and no clue.You’ll be my Hasidic Boy.Can we get away this Shabbos.Where shall we stay.Let’s go to a motel maybe, no we’ll have to pay.Let’s not go beyond the subway.Stay in the hood.I never been to other Brooklyn and don’t like to flee for good.Dress in all

Producthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15903085114768392434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800121991461099731.post-45851441596996305682008-11-18T22:30:00.004-05:002009-04-01T23:46:15.745-04:00

Inspired by Chaverim, the Hasidic neighborhood non-emergency responders, I came up with this one; fairly charming. I got the H-handshake from this royalty-free site. Attention Chaverim, community activists, Jewish or gentile: HANDS is a pretty cool acronym, so grab it!

Producthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15903085114768392434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800121991461099731.post-25241840309156415412008-11-12T22:46:00.006-05:002008-11-13T09:32:44.015-05:00

This post I wrote in an email to On-Her-Own in response to her request.DisclaimerIt took me about two hours to translate this essay. Insane! I know. Right at the middle I almost freaked out and was badly tempted to throw everything in the recycle bin, but I pulled it to the finish line anyway. When you write the original you draw satisfaction from watching something of value piling up, but when

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