Thursday, January 21, 2016

Thursday's Parsha Tidbits - Parshas Beshalach

The following is a brief summary of some of thoughts said over by R' Frand on the parsha this evening. I have attempted to reproduce these vorts to the best of my ability. Any perceived inconsistency is the result of my efforts to transcribe the shiur and should not be attributed to R' Frand. 

R Frand began the vort by quoting a Medrash which explained that Moshe began the Shirah with the word "Az" because he had sinned in the end of Parshas Shemos with the word "Az." In Shemos (5:23) we see that Moshe said "Me'Az Basi" - from the time that I came to Pharaoh - you (Hashem) have made it worse. The Medrash explains that Moshe wanted to atone for his wrongful negative accusation so he used the same word "Az" to begin the Shirah.

But there must be more to the use of the word "Az."

R' Frand quoted the Beis HaLevi who explains that there are two different kinds of thanks given to Hashem. There is an expression of gratitude to Hashem for healing him from a disease. The person is genuinely thankful that he has been healed. But still, he would have preferred not to be sickened in the first place.

The second form of thanks is when a person says to Hashem thank you for the sickness and thank you for healing me from being sick. The person recognizes that both aspects are important and are blessings from Hashem.

Moshe is now recognizing that because Pharaoh increased the level of oppression, the Jews spent less time in Egypt as the 400 years were reduced to 210. But more importantly, by virtue of how difficult and stressful the oppression was, there was an even greater Kiddush Hashem. The world saw how the Jews were taken from the depths and freed from Egypt with tremendous miracles. R' Frand said that this became the Jews' mission statement in showing the world the greatness of Hashem.

R' Frand told a story about R' Boruch Sorotzkin who was a Rosh Yeshiva in Telshe. R' Boruch died of cancer, but put up a valiant fight. His widow said that R' Boruch remarked at the end of his life that if someone would have told him before he went through his illness that he could avoid the cancer by paying $1 million he would have said OK. But after he went through the illness if someone would have said the same thing to him, R' Boruch would not have paid the money. He said that he grew tremendously from it and saw the Yad Hashem in what he went  through.

R' Frand observed that this was why Moshe used the word "Az". Moshe he had used the word "Az" and complained again and again. But at the end, Moshe realized that it was worthwhile.

We use the same words in Hallel wherein we say "Odecha Hashem Ki Inisani" - I will praise Hashem because He afflicted me. 

R' Frand said that this is not the universal approach, and it is easier said then done, but there are people who do see the good, even in the disease.

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Monday, January 18, 2016

Monday's Musings on Sports - Athletes Behaving Badly and the Original Pharaoh

Its been a few weeks since I had an opportunity to do the Monday sports blog post. But during that time it seems like there has been a non-stop flow of athletes behaving badly on the field of play. Still there have been a few stories which serve as small light in the darkness of professional sports.

Years ago "Sir Charles" aka Charles Barkley famously stated "I’m not a role model. Just because I dunk a basketball doesn’t mean I should raise your kids." But being a professional athlete is about being a role model, even if the athletes being paid megabucks don't want to own up to their responsibilities. The non stop buffet of commercials feature professional athletes, not teachers or Rabbis or community leaders. 

Even when the actual sporting events are on, the athletes feel no compunction about strutting their stuff in a show of "look at me." But even these pale in comparison with the poor sporstmanship which is plaguing sports.

Take for example Vontaze Burfict of the Cincinati Bengals. I have followed this player since he graduated college and was looking to enter the NFL draft. Because of his inability to control his temper and numerous on and off the field indiscretions, Burfict was not drafted. Some of the draftniks were hoping the Jets would sign him as an undrafted free agent and if the decision was based solely on talent it would have been a "no-brainer." 

But Burfict often conducts himself as if he lacks the little voice in his brain which says "maybe this is not a good idea." He has been fined for hitting late, hitting players in the groin and intentionally twisting ankles and wrists when making tackles. But his escapades at the end of last week's game against the Steelers cost his team the chance to move on in the playoffs for the first time since I was in college. Not to mention the damage (perhaps permanent) done to Antonio Brown who was on the receiving end of a needlessly vicious hit. And Burfict did not even understand what he did was wrong as he immediately protested that he hit with his shoulder and not his helmet --all the while ignoring that he had struck a defenseless receiver in the head. I wonder whether the Steelers could have beaten the Broncos this week with a healthy Big Ben and Brown. And for this, Burfict was suspended only three regular season games next year. (For more on this click here here-).

An even more horrible display of poor sportsmanship occurred yesterday in college sports. While I can't say that I am a fan of PAC 10 basketball (my attention has always been focused on the Big East), I could not miss the story about Oregon State's Jarmal Reid. With slightly less than 3 minutes to play in Oregon State's game against Utah, the Utes center bumped Reid, who then fell to the ground. No foul was called. So Reid stuck his leg out and intentionally tripped referee Tommy Nunez. Reid was ejected, but even afterwards he protested. He has since been suspended four games. (For more on this click here here).

But perhaps the most horrifying story involved a referee, player and coach who tussled in a minor hockey game in Canada. As can be seen in the video of the brawl (click here for a link here) the referee steps over the line of trying to pull apart the fighting players and he actually clotheslines a player who is no longer fighting with anyone. Immediately thereafter a coach/trainer jumps in and attacks the referee.

But with all the negative there have been some heartwarming stories of players and former players who have made inspirational steps such as the news that Devin Still's daughter is now cancer free, (to see the story click here here) or the story of a Latvian born Israeli hockey player who learned to play roller hockey in Israel and was the first overall pick by the Sudbury Wolves in the OHL draft (to see the story on youtube click here here).

The story which appealed to me the most was an interview with Mike Piazza the day before he found out that he had been selected to the baseball Hall of Fame. When asked what he felt about his chances to get into the HOF, he answered "I can't hit any more home runs, so we'll just have to see."

Piazza's comment reminded me of the concept of this world being a conduit to the world of eternal life - Olam Haba. We try to do what we can in this world to earn the points (Mitzvos) we need to get into Olam Haba. If we try hard, Hashem will assist us. If not, or if G-d forbid one works at trying to do bad deeds, Hashem may help that person along the path to the lower world. This is most obvious with the original Pharaoh (no, not the horse) about whom we read that Hashem hardened his heart because he had worked so hard to reject Hashem's message. 

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Sunday, January 17, 2016

Sunday Night Suds - Boulevard Snow & Tell Scotch Ale


This week's Sunday Night Suds looks at Boulevard Snow & Tell.

Its been years since I had a Scotch Ale. To date I have only found two under kosher supervision - the Saranac Scotch Ale which they only produce every few years (reviewed here kosherbeers.blogspot.com/2008/02/sunday-night-suds-saranac-scotch-ale.html) and the Leinenkugel Big Eddy Scotch Ale (reviewed here kosherbeers.blogspot.com/2013/02/sunday-night-suds-leinenkugels-big-eddy.html).

So what is a Scotch Ale? As explained by the experts at Beer Advocate, Scotch Ales are:
also known as "Wee Heavy." In the 19th century Scotland, they'd also be known as 160/-, a nomenclature based on the now obsolete shilling currency.

Scotch Ales traditionally go through a long boil in the kettle for a caramelization of the wort. This produces a deep copper to brown in colored brew. Compared to Scottish Ales, they'll be sweeter and fuller-bodied, and of course higher in alcohol, with a much more pronounced malty caramel and roasted malt flavor. A low tea-like bitterness can be found in many examples. Best served in a "thistle" glass.
The Boulevard Snow & Tell has a slightly elevated alcoholic content as it is 6.3% abv. The malts are very prominent and the bitterness is almost non existent. The beer tastes almost like a cross between a barleywine and a porter, albeit with slightly less body than both.

The Snow & Tell comes in six packs but unfortunately it cannot be purchased in singles as the six packs are all sealed.  Its a little difficult to locate, but the Boulevard website (www.boulevard.com) has a good beerfinder program.

Boulevard Snow & Tell Oak Aged Scotch Ale is under the Kosher Supervision of the Va'ad of Kansas City, but the bottle I purchased did not have the certification mark on the label. If you would like the LOC from the Va'ad, please let me know and I will email it to you.

To see what the experts on Beer Advocate think about this brew, please follow this link -http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/423/191614.

As always, please remember to drink responsibly and to never waste good beer unless there is no designated driver. 

If you've tried this beer or any others which have been reviewed on the kosher beers site, please feel free to post your comments (anonymous comments are acceptable). 

If you have seen this post being carried on another site, please feel free to click www.kosherbeers.blogspot.com to find other articles on the kosherbeers blogsite. Hey its free and you can push my counter numbers up

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Thursday's Parsha Tidbits - Parshas Bo

The following is a brief summary of some of thoughts said over by R' Frand on the parsha this evening. I have attempted to reproduce these vorts to the best of my ability. Any perceived inconsistency is the result of my efforts to transcribe the shiur and should not be attributed to R' Frand. 

In Shemos 10:21-29 the Torah discusses the plague of darkness. Rashi on 10:23 states that the plague came because there were Jewish Risha'im who did not want to leave Egypt. Rashi explains that these Jews had to die before Moshe took the Jews out of Egypt, but they needed to die in a way that the Egyptians did not see them dying so that the Egyptians would not say --see even they are dying.

R' Frand next quoted the Rosh on Chumash who asked - why is it that Dasan & Aviram who were also Rishai'm did not die during the plague of darkness. He answered that it was because as evil as they were, they still believed and desired for the redemption.

R' Frand also quoted the Medrash Rabbah which explains that there were Jews who had Egyptian patrons and did not suffer in Egypt, so they did not want to leave. Therefore Hashem killed them during the period of darkness so that no one would see.

R' Frand stated that this is something for American Jewry to take to heart. As wonderful as things are here, we need to be desirous of the Geulah and of moving to Israel when the time of the redemption arrives.

R' Frand started his next vort by quoting from the beginning of the parsha wherein Hashem tells Moshe in Shemos 10:1-2 that He has hardened Pharaoh's heart in order to show these wonders as well as so that the Jews can tell their children and grandchildren of how Hashem made a mockery (Hisallalati) of the Egyptians.

R' Frand quoted the Tolner Rebbi of Jerusalem who noted that the only time that Hashem says that He made a mockery of Pharaoh was in connection with the plague of locusts. But why is this what needs to be told to our children and grandchildren?

R' Frand noted that Pharaoh was evil incarnate as he ordered that Jewish children be drowned, or placed as bricks in a wall and plastered over. But Pharaoh is also referred to by Shlomo in Mishlei as a "Letz" - a clown who should be smacked. We see this through the Avodas Parech - which the mefarshim explain means he had the men do women's work and the women do men's work - all to humiliate them. For this reason the Gemara instructs that we can't do this for our servants - to make them do work and then throw away the end result in front of them.

R' Frand quoted the Ramban in Bo who explains that the redemption from Egypt was meant to demonstrate that Hashem runs the world middah k'neged middah - the same way they acted was done back to them. This is seen in the Az Yashir in which the mefarshim explain that the more wicked the Egyptian, the more they suffered. The most cruel sank like straw, so they drowned over and over and could not do anything about it.

This is what Hashem wanted the Jews to see and tell their children - that there are repercussions and that Pharaoh got back in spades, but in the same manner that he dished out. 

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Sunday, January 10, 2016

Sunday Night Suds - Samuel Adams Downtime Pilsner


This week's Sunday Night Suds looks at Samuel Adams Downtime Pilsner.

Lately its been hard to keep track of which Samuel Adams beers are certified kosher by the Star-K and which are not. Often the LOC (letter of certification) on the Star-K website will not be updated as frequently as Sam Adams produces new seasonal versions.

This of course leaves the kosher consumer in a quandary. Either purchase a sealed box of the latest new Samuel Adams brews, or harass the Star-K until you can get a sneak peak at the updated list.

But there is another way - visit a bottle shop or supermarket which allows you to mix your own sixpack. And that's how I found out that the Downtime Pilsner has a Star-K on the label.

The Downtime Pilsner has some unexpected hoppiness for a Pilsner. The beer poured a darker yellow than I expected with nice lacing which lasted for quite a bit of time. The beer had decent carbonation which also lasted longer than expected.

I would pair this brew with grilled chicken or other smoky chicken dish.

The Samuel Adams Downtime Pilsner is under the Kosher Supervision of the Star-K and has a Star-K certification mark on the label. To see what the experts on Beer Advocate think about this brew, please follow this link - beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/35/161925

As always, please remember to drink responsibly and to never waste good beer unless there is no designated driver. If you've tried this beer or any others which have been reviewed on the kosher beers site, please feel free to post your comments (anonymous comments are acceptable). 

If you have seen this post being carried on another site, please feel free to click www.kosherbeers.blogspot.com to find other articles on the kosherbeers blogsite. Hey its free and you can push my counter numbers up!

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Thursday's Parsha Tidbits - Parshas Va'era

During this evening's shiur, R' Frand said a parsha vort which involved the Sneh - an episode found in last week's parsha. R' Frand first gave a disclaimer that he views Shemos, Va'era and Bo as one long parsha and therefore he wanted to give a vort which was about Shemos. However, because I try to use this post to summarize a vort in this week's parsha, I have reproduced a vort that R' Frand said on Parshas Va'era in a prior year. I have attempted to reproduce this vort to the best of my ability. Any perceived inconsistency is the result of my efforts to transcribe the shiur and should not be attributed to R' Frand.

In the beginning of this week's parsha, Moshe tells the Jews the four languages of geulah that we know from the Pesach seder. After reciting the language of geulah, the Torah writes at Va'era 6:9 that Moshe told this to the Jews, but they did not listen because of the shortness of breath or spirit and the hard work.

R' Frand noted that this was hard to understand since at the end of Parshas Shemos (4:31), Moshe and Aharon tell the Jews about being redeemed from Egypt and they say Amen and they understand the geulah is coming. What could have happened to cause this sea change in thought?

R' Frand first offered a pragmatic answer that the Jews were forced to work harder and go looking for straw to build their bricks after Moshe first addressed the Jews in Parshas Shemos.

R' Frand then gave a deeper answer which he quoted in the name of the Ralbag. R' Frand stated that the shortness of spirit or breath was not descriptive of the Jews - it was about Moshe himself! Moshe had previously been thinking that he would go down and tell the Jews that they were leaving and that they would leave immediately thereafter. Moshe was depressed that the geulah did not come right after he addressed the Jews. His depression impacted on his manner of addressing the Jews and he lacked his exuberance. As such, the Jews did not listen because his words rang hollow to them.

R' Frand brought a proof from the Noach story. The question is often asked - why is it that Noach was unsuccessful in bringing anyone to do teshuva. The answer is - Noach did what he was told to do, but not out of any great belief that what he was doing was necessary or that the flood would actually happen. Since Noach did not give off an expression of sincerity, he was unable to convince others to repent.

The moral is - if a person is deficient in his faith, he cannot have an impact on other people. Thus because Moshe was not giving his message with the same inner strength, it did not have the same impact on the Jewish people.

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