Thursday's Parsha Tidbits - Parshas Vayishlach

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 the fifth aliyah of this week's parsha is the troubling story of Dina who was violated by Shechem. R' Frand quoted a vort from R' Elya Svei (sp?) to try to explain how this episode occurred.

There is a Medrash in Parshas Vayeitzei which states that a person should not be praised based on what will happen tomorrow, because it is unknown what will happen tomorrow. When Ya'akov was dealing with Lavan in Vayeitzei, he said to Lavan (Bereishis 30:33) V'ansa Bi Tzidkasi Machar (translated as let my integrity testify for me in the future). In so doing, Ya'akov was saying to Lavan, my righteousness will show that I have worked so hard for you. 

But what was wrong with saying this? Why could he not stand on his integrity?

R' Frand answered that Ya'akov was resting on his deeds, saying that they will insure his success in the future. However, a person needs to know that every day is a present and that each day he needs to have help from above and that he cannot rely on his actions from the day before as insurance that he will be successful today. 

Its not coincidental that the word used for the violation of Dina is "Vay'aneha". The root of inui is similar to the word oneh, which means answer. The Medrash linked the two events to say that a person cannot rely on what happened in the past, he needs to work and daven for the future as well.

R' Frand also said a nice vort about Chanukah which was somewhat linked to this vort. I hope to iyh blog that vort over the weekend.

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!

Sunday Night Suds - Shmaltz Brewing - Brewers Wanted Pale Ale

This week's Sunday Night Suds looks at Shmaltz Brewery's Brewers Wanted Pale Ale.

I found this beer in the mix your own six section in a Price Chopper in Albany. Its a Pale Ale, which to me is always a reason to buy something to try. But the name intrigued me as well. I checked the website and learned this about the beer:

In 2015, the number of U.S. breweries grew to 4,000 for the first time since the 1870s and New York State now has 238 breweries and counting. Now, more than ever, we need more passionate men and women willing to learn the craft of brewing. Shmaltz Brewing teamed up with Schenectady County Community College (SCCC), the Greater Capital Region Workforce Development Boards and fellow New York State breweries to start our first regional Brewers Training Program. A portion of the proceeds from BREWERS WANTED will help train new brewers through this program and help support SCCC’s efforts to create an Associates Degree in Brewing. 

The beer poured a dark gold and had nice lacing and strong carbonation which lasted for more than an hour after the pour. There is a good amount of citrus and hop bite and the beer is clean and refreshing. I unintentionally had some with my daughter's mocha cake and to my absolute surprise, the flavors worked nicely together. If you find this brew and have a positive pairing experience, post it in the comments below.

Shmaltz Brewers Wanted Pale Ale is under the Kosher Supervision of the KSA, as are many, if not all of the Shmaltz products.

To see what the experts on Beer Advocate think about the brew, please follow this link www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/262/214845.

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).

Important Disclaimer - If you are reading this post more than six months after it was written, please note that it is possible that the product is no longer still certified kosher. To verify that the product is still certified kosher, please click on the kosher beers list link on the top left corner of the blog.

Lastly, 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's Parsha Tidbits - Parshas Vayeitzei

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 Bereishis 31:22, the Torah writes that on the third day after Ya'akov left Lavan's house, it was told to Lavan that Ya'akov had left. In the end of the following pasuk, the Torah indicates that Lavan caught up to Ya'akov at Har Gilad. Rashi writes that at the time that Lavan left to chase after Ya'akov, Ya'akov had a six day head start on Lavan, but Lavan caught up to him in one day because he had kefitzas haderech.

R' Frand quoted the Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh who asked -- why did Lavan have kefitzas haderech? If anything, Ya'akov should have had the speed in his trip, much like in his travels to get to Lavan! Eliezer had merited this assistance, so why would Ya'akov not have it on his return trip? And even if not, why would Lavan get it?

R' Frand answered that Hashem wanted Lavan to catch up to Ya'akov, so that Ya'akov would have the confrontation with Lavan in which he said in Bereishis 31:32 that whomever had taken Lavan's idols would die, because this would be the key to later ending the Jews' galus.

R' Frand quoted the famous Medrash in Eicha in which the patriarchs individually prayed that Hashem would end the galus. This began with Avraham praying and saying that in the z'chus of his sacrificing Yitzchak, Hashem should end the galus and Hashem said, no. Yitzchak then prayed and said that the galus should end in the z'chus that he did not challenge his father over the akeidah and Hashem said, no. Ya'akov too prayed and asked for the end of galus in the z'chus of his actions in the house of Lavan and Hashem said, no. Even Moshe prayed and asked that the galus end in the z'chus that he led the Jews in the desert for 40 years and Hashem said, no. Until Rochel prayed and said that the galus should end in the z'chus that she gave her sister the signs and helped her trick Ya'akov so that Leah would not be embarrassed, and for this Hashem agreed that there would be an end.

The Ohr HaChaim HaKadish explains that this conversation or prayer to Hashem occurred as the Jews were passing by Rachel's tomb on the way to Bavel. This needed to happen there and it was for this very reason that Lavan and Ya'akov had to have the confrontation that they did. Although the death of Rochel seemed to be a tragedy, it was the Divine reason that the Jews would have an end to their galus.

R' Frand also mentioned a vort in the name of the Rokeach who wrote in the sefer Galya Raza that Ya'akov was supposed to live 180 years like his father Yitzchak. However, he lost 33 years and only lived 147 years. He had a novel reason for this loss and it was also linked to Lavan. In 31:44, the Torah mentions the treaty made between Lavan and Ya'akov. As part of this event, they build a pillar of stones. Although Ya'akov called his pillar "Galed", Lavan called it Yiga Sahadusa. The Rokeach writes that this was the sole time that Aramaic was written in the Torah and it was a tragedy that Ya'akov was responsible for. As such, he lost 33 years (the gematria of Gal).

R' Frand closed the vort by quoting R' Simcha Zissel who said in the name of R' Epstein that on the same day that Columbus sailed for America, the Spanish began the expulsion of the Jews under the Inquisition. Although this seemed like Tzadik V'Ra Lo, it was the beginning of a process in which there would be an America to bring in and save the Jews who were fleeing oppression.

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!

Sunday Night Suds - Shmaltz Brewing Death Hoppy Black Ale

This week's Sunday Night Suds looks at Death Hoppy Black Ale.

I first saw this beer when I went to the Total Wine & Liquors opening in Westbury last week. As an aside, the store is quite impressive. They built out an old Sports Authority and turned it into two stores, one for the sale of beer and the other for wine and spirits. This is due to an arcane NY law which bars (pun intended?) the sale of beer and wine in the same store. When I visited for the opening they put on quite a show and I got to see the racks of kosher wine in one store and the many varieties of kosher certified beers (and munchies) in the other.

But back to the beer. Its an American Dark Ale which poured jet black with significant foam which quickly dissipated. Despite the color there was no coffee or stout taste. Instead it was dark IPA and a tasty one at that. The alcohol is on the low end for an American Dark Ale at 7%, but the complexity of the flavor made it worth the 9.99 for a six pack.

Shmaltz Death Hoppy Black Ale is under the Kosher Supervision of the KSA, as are many, if not all of the Shmaltz products.

To see what the experts on Beer Advocate think about the brew, please follow this link www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/262/252726.

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).

Important Disclaimer - If you are reading this post more than six months after it was written, please note that it is possible that the product is no longer still certified kosher. To verify that the product is still certified kosher, please click on the kosher beers list link on the top left corner of the blog.

Lastly, 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's Parsha Tidbits - Parshas Toldos

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.

The Gemara in Bava Basra 16b states that Avraham died on the date when Esav returned from the field and Yaakov was cooking lentil soup. The Gemara explains that when the Torah writes in Bereishis 25:29 that Esav was tired, it was due to Esav having committed five major sins earlier in the day. 

Although the Gemara in Bava Basra details the five sins and links them to other pesukim in the Torah, Rabbi Frand indicated that he wanted to focus on one particular sin --the rejecting of the Ikar (most important). The Gemara in Bava Basra explains that Esav rejected the Ikar by saying, why do I need the Bechora (first born rights)? The Gemara ties the use of the words Zeh Li to the statement made by the Jews after they crossed the Yam Suf  "Zeh Keili V'Anvehu". 

R' Frand quoted the Tolner Rebbi who explained the connection between the two pesukim by quoting another Gemara which states that the visions of the slavewoman when crossing the Yam Suf were more clear than the visions that the prophet Yechezkel had. But how can that be, since the week before the Jews were on the penultimate lowest level of tumah and the angels had remarked that both the Jews and Egyptians were idol worshipers? Meanwhile, in order to merit a prophetic vision, a prophet must improve himself to be worthy!

The Tolner Rebbi explained that Hashem gave the Jews a wonderful power -- the power of Teshuva, the power to improve and repent for what was done wrong. This was how the slavewoman merited the clarity of vision...and it was thoroughly rejected by Esav. Indeed, when Esav said why do I need the Bechora, what he was truly saying was, I can't repent, I can't change, I'm too far gone. How can I have the Bechora and do the Avodah in the Beis Hamikdash, when I am such a Rasha? I don't have the power to change or do Teshuva.

R' Frand also linked this to a saying of the Kotzker Rebbi who noted that Esav's use of the words Haliteni Na (loosely translated in context as, please give me) in Bereishis 25:30 is odd, because the verb is more appropriately used in reference to animals, not people (see Gemara Shabbos). But when viewed in connection with Esav saying that he lacks the human element of change, it is logical. Esav is saying that he is like an animal, he can only act and cannot improve. This is a rejection of the important concept of Teshuva.

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!

Sunday Night Suds - Saranac Tropical Snow Storm IPA

This week's Sunday Night Suds looks at Saranac Brewery's Tropical Snow Storm IPA.

This beer is unlike any other IPA I have ever tasted. The first pour gave off a sweet scent which Mrs KB and I both thought was reminiscent of lychees. But the beer itself is not flavored and the tropical scent was all hop driven. It reminded me of the grapefruit flavor in Uinta Wyld (reviewed here http://kosherbeers.blogspot.com/2011/09/sunday-night-suds-uinta-wyld.html) which also makes you think that it has added flavor, but does not.

Another difference in this brew is that it is an unfiltered IPA, which is something that I can't remember seeing or tasting before. Although hefeweizen and American Wheat beers are commonly unfiltered, I don't recall ever seeing that in an IPA.

The beer was not as sweet as it smelled, but that is not a bad thing. It was floral and hop forward and it went well with Mrs KB's cranberry chicken. Although the beer is 6% abv, I did not detect any alcohol flavor in the brew.

The Tropical Snow Storm is only available in the 12 Beers of Winter mix box (2 per box) and does not appear to be sold in six or twelve packs on its own. I emailed Saranac to see whether it is available in six or twelve packs outside of the NYC area, but they never responded to my email.

Saranac Tropical Snow Storm IPA is under the Kosher Supervision of the Va'ad of Detroit as is every other beer produced at the Matt Brewery plant in Utica, NY. Keep in mind, Saranac has begun to brew many different varieties off site, so check bottles for kosher certification from the Va'ad of Detroit.

To see what the experts on Beer Advocate think about the brew, please follow this link www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/99/307405.

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).

Important Disclaimer - If you are reading this post more than six months after it was written, please note that it is possible that the product is no longer still certified kosher. To verify that the product is still certified kosher, please click on the kosher beers list link on the top left corner of the blog.

Lastly, 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's Parsha Tidbits - Parshas Chaye Sarah

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 recounting the story of Avraham and his interaction with Efron which runs the entire first aliyah of the parsha. R' Frand noted that in Bereishis 23:16, Ephron's name is spelled two different ways, once with a vuv and once without. R' Frand observed that while many words in the Torah are sometimes spelled malei or chasser, it is unique that the words are spelled differently in the same pasuk.

R' Frand quoted the Medrash which writes that Efron was a person who was stingy and while he did not know that the Torah would reflect this personality trait in the spelling of his name, it does teach us a lesson.

R' Frand quoted the Alter M'Kelem who tied this into a story involving R' Yonasan Aibshetz who was involved in a debate with world scholars. They believed that an animal could be taught to act and behave like a human, but he argued otherwise. The scholars took a cat and trained it to walk on its hind legs and carry a waiter's tray. This took some time, but once they completed the task, they made a party and invited R' Yonasan to attend. When R' Yonasan arrived the cat was serving as a waiter. But soon thereafter, R' Yonasan took out his snuff box which (unbeknownst to him) also had a small mouse in the box. When R' Yonasan opened the box, the mouse jumped out and the cat returned to its natural state and chased the mouse on all fours. 

The Alter explained that Efron pretended to be regal and magnanimous, initially offering Avraham the cave for free. But later in the story he asked Avraham to pay the value of 400 shekel and in specific form of payment. Thus Efron was exposed as being money hungry and the second  time that his name was written in teh pasuk it was spelled chasser, because his true nature was being stingy and lacking the personality trait of generosity.

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!

Sunday Night Suds - Blue Moon Pacific Apricot Wheat Ale

This week's Sunday Night Suds looks at Blue Moon's Pacific Apricot Wheat Ale.

I found this beer in the little Target in Elmont, NY, although I had not yet seen it at any local beer store. As I had never seen any kosher certified apricot beer, I knew that I had to buy some so I picked up a six pack. (Since the beer was for sale in six packs, I would assume that it is also available in twelve packs, although I did not see any on the shelf).

They say that good things come to those who wait, but my life long wait for kosher apricot beer was not worthwhile (although Mrs KB did give the beer a thumbs up). The carbonation is strong, perhaps a little bit too strong. The beer poured a cloudy light orange and had a scent of kids lip gloss (yes, I have three daughters). The first sip was heavy with artificial faux fruit flavor and although I tried this beer both ice cold and closer to room temperature (and even after being left out to let the carbonation die down) the artificial sweetness overwhelmed the beer and was just not enjoyable for me.

Blue Moon Pacific Apricot Wheat Ale is certified kosher by the Orthodox Union, as is every other current variety of beer produced by Blue Moon. For the experts take on this beer, please click here beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/306/308084

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).

Important Disclaimer - If you are reading this post more than six months after it was written, please note that it is possible that the product is no longer still certified kosher. To verify that the product is still certified kosher, please click on the kosher beers list link on the top left corner of the blog.

Lastly, 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's Parsha Tidbits - Parshas Vayera

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 discussing the people of Sodom's attempts to get at the angels who came to visit, the Torah notes in Bereishis 19:11 that even though the people had been struck blind while attempting to get into Lot's house, they persisted in trying to gain entry after being blinded.

R' Frand quoted the Sforno who explained that the people were so driven by their desire to get at the angels that they did not recognize the miraculous event which occurred and were undeterred from trying to reach the angels. He gave an example of a person who is on his way to do something that he should not do and then gets into a massive car accident. The person should realize that this is a message of deterrence, not try to get a cab to get him to where he had wanted to go in the first place.

R' Frand next quoted R' Elya Svei, who explained that this is the power of desire and is yet another proof to the ma'amar chazal that jealousy, desire and honor remove a person from this world.

R' Frand tied this into Bilaam and his desire for the $$ for cursing the Jews. Bilaam met all sorts of hurdles and had the open miracle of his donkey talking to him. Yet, his desire to be paid for cursing the Jews blinded him from seeing the evil of his ways.

[This is yet another example of the "daf laughing at you" as this week in Chelek we learned about Bilaam and Sodom].

R' Frand also tied this back to Lot. When Lot separates from Avraham initially he goes to Sodom because of the lavish greenery. But soon thereafter it becomes apparent that Sodom is a "sin city" and Lot eventually gets captured in battle. But after Avraham saves him, Lot goes right back to Sodom, because Lot's desire for money gets the best of him.

R' Frand also said a second vort which related to the Akeidah. R' Frand quoted the gemara in which it states that when a Jew wants to do a mitzva and is prevented from doing so, Hashem credits him for the mitzva. Meanwhile, when an akum intends to do a good deed, but is prevented, he does not have the same credit. But why is there a difference?

The Meshech Chachmah explains that this a result of the Akeidah. Avraham wanted to perform the act, but was prevented from doing so. This desire became part of our spiritual DNA and is another example of the concept of Sefer Bereishis being ma'asei avos siman l'banim.

R' Frand also cited to the Meshech Chachmah who noted that Avraham called the mountain (known as Moriah) as Har Yeraeh. This was a desire that Hashem look out and be reminded about how much the Jewish people want to do the right thing.

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!