This very readable biography of one of the giants of Slabodka Mussar of the past generation inspires and teaches that anyone can grow to great lengths with organization and a plan.
Rabbi Miller was an American born Torah scholar from Baltimore and after taking advantage of the truly only advanced yeshiva at the time RIETS and realizing that that institution was going in a direction he disagreed, he decided on a course of European study that took him to Eastern Europe to study at the famed Yeshiva of Slabodka. Although by the time he arrived at the yeshiva, the Alter of Slabodka had since passed away, Rabbi Miller nevertheless absorbed everything that the Alter represented and grew into a well developed Torah scholar. With the second world war looming and the American consulate recommending all American citizens leave Lithuania, Rabbi Miller and his new wife returned to America where he began an amazing innovative rabbanus that changed many lives. His rabbanus started out as a Mashgiach, the spiritual guide in Yeshiva Chaim Berlin under the direction of Rabbi Yitzchak Hutner, a student of the Alter of Slabodka and then as a community rav in East Flatbush, Brooklyn and then in Flatbush of Brooklyn.
Rabbi Miller was an extremely orderly and organized individual. He was consistent in his behavior and stressed 'simchas Hachaim' the joy of living. He stressed the importance of counting one's blessings and thanking the Lord for all His kindnesses. He was innovative in calling his synagogue a
'Torah Center' to stress that the purpose of a synagogue is not gathering together (church) but rather a place to study Torah! So his synagogue had constant learning going on. This also reflected the vision of Rabbi Yisroel Salanter, the founder of the Mussar Movement - the Torah movement to stress personal growth and ethical behavior, Beis Mussar for the layman. Rabbi Miller utilized the tape recorder to disseminate his Torah teachings. He understood the power of technology could revolutionize the size of a class.
He stressed the 'Torah only' world outlook. He despised American culture but actually understood it well to be able to address the emerging, new penitent. He despised the medium of Television arguing that nobody would want to be told what is important and what is not - that the influence of the TV was like an uninvited guest to one's home. The rabbi saw the total immodesty of the American world and actually banned the reading of any books written after 1920 in his family due to the rising bawdiness in literature. He also saw the philosophy of the theory of Evolution as heresy and a negation of the belief in the Creator. Many of his books include counter arguments to Evolution and he wished that religious scientists would reject such an idea instead of trying to reconcile science with Evolution. He also saw the study of history as antithetical to the Jewish world outlook because he understood that historicism creates independent values that clash with traditional Jewish values. He enjoyed citing Josephus as proof that the study of History is problematic because Josephus was actually sponsored by the Roman Caesar. He could not be trusted - although Josephus acknowledges that the Jewish people value the words of the Pharisees. Calling them a 'sect', however, is a complete distortion of the role that they played in the nation.
Rabbi Miller was almost deliberately dogmatic in his views to teach that Judaism has absolute truths. He reflected and personified the ultimate Baal Mussar of the Mussar movement. One should not forget, however, there are other legitimate approaches eg. Chasidic approach, or Sephardic approach etc. even a less Mussar approach. One cannot, however, dismiss this approach. One must remember that the great Yeshivahs of America: Beis Midrash Gevoha, Lakewood, Ner Yisroel, Baltimore, Yeshivas Chaim Berlin, NY were products of the Yeshiva of Slabodka!
Rabbi Avigdor Miller marveled at Hashem's genius and at his creation. His famous lesson of the apple seed - that the tiny seed had all of the ingredients to reproduce more trees and fruit was an eye opener. He taught one to appreciate Hashem's kindness and to thank Him always and as a result one would lead a happy life.
This book is a very worthwhile read, inspiring to let one 'set time for Torah study'!
Sunday, June 7, 2020
Sunday, May 31, 2020
Faithless Execution: building the political case for Obama's Impeachment by Andrew C. McCarthy
Andrew C. McCarthy was the lead prosecutor who was successful in getting a conviction in the case of 'blind Sheik' in the unsuccessful bombing of the World Trade Center in the 1990's. Mr. McCarthy wrote a book chronicling the Obama administration's consistent lack of effort to follow existing laws in order to transform the country toward a more progressive entity.
The role of the president is to administer the laws of the country according to the Constitution. The book is breathtaking on so many issues. Not in politics but in not applying existing laws puts the president in the position of not fulfilling his Constitutional duty. The book argues cogently the case for impeachment. Issues such as open borders, weaponizing of the IRS against Conservative organizations, being dishonest about Healthcare in America, refusal to mark the Fort Hood massacre an act of Terror and more puts this book in a decidedly conservative camp, however, Mr. McCarthy argues well about the laws that are clear yet either ignored out of prosecutory discretion or bold neglect.
The role of the president is to administer the laws of the country according to the Constitution. The book is breathtaking on so many issues. Not in politics but in not applying existing laws puts the president in the position of not fulfilling his Constitutional duty. The book argues cogently the case for impeachment. Issues such as open borders, weaponizing of the IRS against Conservative organizations, being dishonest about Healthcare in America, refusal to mark the Fort Hood massacre an act of Terror and more puts this book in a decidedly conservative camp, however, Mr. McCarthy argues well about the laws that are clear yet either ignored out of prosecutory discretion or bold neglect.
Churchill walking with destiny by Andrew Roberts
This biography of Winston Churchill covers the war years of World War II. It is a Tour DE Force and an eloquent testimony of the greatest statesman of the 20th century. There are some depressing statistics at the end of the book telling of the ignorance of the present generation thinking that Churchill was a mythical character - that most young people believe that he did not exist because his many accomplishments were far too many to fathom in one person! In an age that tends to stress identity politics Churchill is often dismissed as a white imperialist fascist. (During the Obama Administration his bust, a gift from England was removed from display and cast to the basement unceremoniously.) The truth is so far beyond such drivel. Churchill was demonstrative in an age and society of the stiff upper lip, a Philo-Semite and Zionist in a culture of gentile Antisemitism and pro Arab-ism. He was loyal to his friends, did not hold grudges against his political adversaries and was magnanimous in victory. He overcame parental neglect and surpassed all expectations of them. He had a very successful marriage. And although he was indeed a proud imperialist and believed in the mission of the British Empire to bring the rule of law to the outstretches of the world, he nevertheless stood tall for the value of freedom and fought against Nazi tyranny single-handedly until he was able to convince the world of its absolute menace.
Although this volume is over 900 pages, it is well worth the effort. Churchill was multifaceted: an artist, bricklayer, writer, journalist, historian, politician, raconteur. He absorbed the English language such that it is no wonder that he earned the Nobel Prize for literature for he captured the beautiful rhythm of the language. The author, Mr. Roberts writes similarly, almost taking Churchill as his writer's guide, constructing clear sentences making reading this magnum opus a pleasure.
Although this volume is over 900 pages, it is well worth the effort. Churchill was multifaceted: an artist, bricklayer, writer, journalist, historian, politician, raconteur. He absorbed the English language such that it is no wonder that he earned the Nobel Prize for literature for he captured the beautiful rhythm of the language. The author, Mr. Roberts writes similarly, almost taking Churchill as his writer's guide, constructing clear sentences making reading this magnum opus a pleasure.
Thursday, April 16, 2020
Chief Rabbi Hertz: the Wars of the Lord by Derek Taylor
Joseph Herman Hertz served as Chief Rabbi of the British Empire from 1913-1946. His Pentateuch and Siddur influenced traditional Jewish communities around the world through the 20th century. He was not so much a controversial figure as he was a fearless blunt spokesman for Orthodox Judaism in the first half of the 20th century. His causes and clashes with his lay leadership are documented is this very readable biography by Derek Taylor, one who has intimate knowledge and understanding of the organization of the United Synagogue of England.
Taylor describes the clashes with the rabbi's primary antagonist Sir Robert Waley Cohen, lay leader of the United Synagogue. There are some interesting issues raised in the book: the status of the Jewish theological seminary, Hertz position as orthodox, his clashes with the 'right wing' and his desire to improve Jewish education and stem the tide of assimilation, and his unpopular Zionist position.
Hertz was the first graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, now considered the flagship rabbinical school for Conservative Judaism. As a matter of fact, Conservative Jews claim Hertz as one of their own by adopting his Chumash for many years and often giving a Bar Mitzvah boy his siddur as a gift (I have one). However, the book makes clear that he never identified with any reforms. Hertz was trained as a rabbi when Sabato Morais and Bernard Drachman were running the Seminary before Solomon Schechter became chancellor in 1902. Hertz was ordained in 1894 and also awarded a PhD. in Philosophy from Columbia University. Morais and Drachman were never associated with any reforms and considered themselves Orthodox. Their vision was to prepare Orthodox rabbis conversant in contemporary life in America. Throughout his career as a rabbi, Hertz accentuated his Orthodoxy and Mitzvah observance, demanding Kashruth, Sabbath and Mikvah during his tenure as rabbi.
Hertz being on the one hand blunt to those obviously trying to usurp his authority but quite diplomatic and flexible with his non Jewish colleagues was seen by some as controversial, however, he was a very effective orator and communicator and gained a large following in England among the Jewish and non Jewish worlds. The Jewish world in England was divided between the native born and the Eastern European immigrants. The native born were concerned about appearances and socially conscious wanting to fit in to British culture. Those from Eastern European extraction tended to be more aloof to the outside and more traditional in observance. From this community the chief rabbi felt pressure that he was not observant enough and had to prove his Orthodox bona fides. This community did not concern itself with the United Synagogue despite Hertz's efforts to improve the Jews' College and make upgrades to the Beth Din with the appointment of Dayan Yechezkel Abramsky.
Hertz was a Zionist but his community that he served was not! The lay leadership was embarrassed to push a Zionist program because of the implication that a Zionist could not be a loyal subject. Hertz nevertheless forged positive relationships with Chaim Weizmann and others and was instrumental in the drafting of the Balfour declaration. He visited the Holy Land and was present at the opening of the Hebrew University. Hertz was skeptical from the beginning whether England would keep its promise about help making Israel the national home for the Jewish People. Nevertheless, his lay leadership tried to keep the chief rabbi out of politics, however, the chief rabbi would not be intimidated.
The tenure of the chief rabbi was constantly distracted by one who believed he knew better for what was good for the Jewish community. At almost every turn, Rabbi Hertz had to contend with a powerful executive from the Shell Oil Corporation, Sir Robert Waley Cohen. Cohen was a hot tempered reformist that wanted the rabbi and United Synagogue to "modernize." Hertz was smart enough, blunt enough and strong enough to withstand Waley Cohen's interruptions, objections and tantrums.
The book is informative and a good read.
Taylor describes the clashes with the rabbi's primary antagonist Sir Robert Waley Cohen, lay leader of the United Synagogue. There are some interesting issues raised in the book: the status of the Jewish theological seminary, Hertz position as orthodox, his clashes with the 'right wing' and his desire to improve Jewish education and stem the tide of assimilation, and his unpopular Zionist position.
Hertz was the first graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, now considered the flagship rabbinical school for Conservative Judaism. As a matter of fact, Conservative Jews claim Hertz as one of their own by adopting his Chumash for many years and often giving a Bar Mitzvah boy his siddur as a gift (I have one). However, the book makes clear that he never identified with any reforms. Hertz was trained as a rabbi when Sabato Morais and Bernard Drachman were running the Seminary before Solomon Schechter became chancellor in 1902. Hertz was ordained in 1894 and also awarded a PhD. in Philosophy from Columbia University. Morais and Drachman were never associated with any reforms and considered themselves Orthodox. Their vision was to prepare Orthodox rabbis conversant in contemporary life in America. Throughout his career as a rabbi, Hertz accentuated his Orthodoxy and Mitzvah observance, demanding Kashruth, Sabbath and Mikvah during his tenure as rabbi.
Hertz being on the one hand blunt to those obviously trying to usurp his authority but quite diplomatic and flexible with his non Jewish colleagues was seen by some as controversial, however, he was a very effective orator and communicator and gained a large following in England among the Jewish and non Jewish worlds. The Jewish world in England was divided between the native born and the Eastern European immigrants. The native born were concerned about appearances and socially conscious wanting to fit in to British culture. Those from Eastern European extraction tended to be more aloof to the outside and more traditional in observance. From this community the chief rabbi felt pressure that he was not observant enough and had to prove his Orthodox bona fides. This community did not concern itself with the United Synagogue despite Hertz's efforts to improve the Jews' College and make upgrades to the Beth Din with the appointment of Dayan Yechezkel Abramsky.
Hertz was a Zionist but his community that he served was not! The lay leadership was embarrassed to push a Zionist program because of the implication that a Zionist could not be a loyal subject. Hertz nevertheless forged positive relationships with Chaim Weizmann and others and was instrumental in the drafting of the Balfour declaration. He visited the Holy Land and was present at the opening of the Hebrew University. Hertz was skeptical from the beginning whether England would keep its promise about help making Israel the national home for the Jewish People. Nevertheless, his lay leadership tried to keep the chief rabbi out of politics, however, the chief rabbi would not be intimidated.
The tenure of the chief rabbi was constantly distracted by one who believed he knew better for what was good for the Jewish community. At almost every turn, Rabbi Hertz had to contend with a powerful executive from the Shell Oil Corporation, Sir Robert Waley Cohen. Cohen was a hot tempered reformist that wanted the rabbi and United Synagogue to "modernize." Hertz was smart enough, blunt enough and strong enough to withstand Waley Cohen's interruptions, objections and tantrums.
The book is informative and a good read.
Friday, August 16, 2019
ORDINARY MEN reserve police battalion 101 and the Final Solution in Poland by Christopher R. Browning
This study of a killing unit comprised of older reservists not particularly Nazified, tells the story of certain actions and hunts against Jews during WWII. A few years later, another study about the same unit came out with a much harsher conclusion: "Hitler's willing Executioners".
Mr. Browning's study is a careful study that concludes that ordinary people can commit terrible atrocities. He coins a term 'multi-causal' to mean that there were many factors that contributed to making Police Battalion 101 murderous people. He does not share Daniel Jonah Goldhagen's conclusion that Germany's deep seated Antisemitism morphed into a unique 'eliminationist' Antisemitism that created an accompanying alacrity to the killing of the Jews.
There are testimonies to the effect that many of the men were revulsed by killing innocent unarmed men women and children on the one hand and others that enthusiastically not only carried out the murder but rather trained others to point the bayonet to the back of the neck and fire as to be the most efficient method of killing. Many deliberately misfired or aimed high because they just couldn't bring themselves to brutally murder. What is clear, however, are those that protested killing only did so out weakness or squeamishness and not out of moral concerns. Those that carried out the orders were considered 'tough' and those that did not were considered 'weak'. Only one person, seems to have stepped away from the killings out of morality and surprisingly suffered no consequences for his protest.
Mr. Browning concludes that many factors contributed to create the monster: Antisemitism, conformity, obedience to authority, autocratic rule, fear of punishment. He cites Stanley Milgram's famous experiments in the 1960's that seem to prove average people will easily inflict pain on other never taking responsibility, but rather, deferring to authority pressed for 'why did you do it?' He has since rejected Mr. Goldhagen's conclusion that something distinct to Germans and German culture made them enthusiastic Jew Killers. Mr. Browning has some compelling arguments against Mr. Goldhagen. For example, there were culturally non Germans in the group. He also cites Poles and Lithuanians as enthusiastic killers. He demonstrates that Germans did not have a monopoly on deep seated Jew Hatred. The dispute, I believe can be summed up about 'alacrity'. Goldhagen concludes the Germans killed with unique alacrity and Browning concludes that 'alacrity' was not clearly present in the majority of cases as much as conformity and obedience to do one's duty.
This is an excellent study that employs the tools of the prudent historian.
Mr. Browning's study is a careful study that concludes that ordinary people can commit terrible atrocities. He coins a term 'multi-causal' to mean that there were many factors that contributed to making Police Battalion 101 murderous people. He does not share Daniel Jonah Goldhagen's conclusion that Germany's deep seated Antisemitism morphed into a unique 'eliminationist' Antisemitism that created an accompanying alacrity to the killing of the Jews.
There are testimonies to the effect that many of the men were revulsed by killing innocent unarmed men women and children on the one hand and others that enthusiastically not only carried out the murder but rather trained others to point the bayonet to the back of the neck and fire as to be the most efficient method of killing. Many deliberately misfired or aimed high because they just couldn't bring themselves to brutally murder. What is clear, however, are those that protested killing only did so out weakness or squeamishness and not out of moral concerns. Those that carried out the orders were considered 'tough' and those that did not were considered 'weak'. Only one person, seems to have stepped away from the killings out of morality and surprisingly suffered no consequences for his protest.
Mr. Browning concludes that many factors contributed to create the monster: Antisemitism, conformity, obedience to authority, autocratic rule, fear of punishment. He cites Stanley Milgram's famous experiments in the 1960's that seem to prove average people will easily inflict pain on other never taking responsibility, but rather, deferring to authority pressed for 'why did you do it?' He has since rejected Mr. Goldhagen's conclusion that something distinct to Germans and German culture made them enthusiastic Jew Killers. Mr. Browning has some compelling arguments against Mr. Goldhagen. For example, there were culturally non Germans in the group. He also cites Poles and Lithuanians as enthusiastic killers. He demonstrates that Germans did not have a monopoly on deep seated Jew Hatred. The dispute, I believe can be summed up about 'alacrity'. Goldhagen concludes the Germans killed with unique alacrity and Browning concludes that 'alacrity' was not clearly present in the majority of cases as much as conformity and obedience to do one's duty.
This is an excellent study that employs the tools of the prudent historian.
Wednesday, August 7, 2019
Coolidge by Amity Shlaes
The President of the famed 1920's is the focus of this biography. Calvin Coolidge lived by principles of economy: of speech, of spending, of government. That he was put through a pressure cooker of politics in the office of the presidency makes him all the more impressive. Diminutive in size, with red hair, he was constantly challenged by the likes of very powerful people like Henry Cabot Lodge. The pressure of politics probably caused his death before he was able to enjoy any real retirement.
He was educated at Amherst, became known to speak briefly but efficiently and knew how to turn a phrase. His speeches reflected carefully crafted sentences. His nickname was 'silent Cal' because he only spoke when he felt it necessary, thus, preferring listening to pontificating.
Coolidge preferred saving to spending and he believed in lowering taxes. By lowering taxes, he felt he was putting money in people's pockets that would stimulate the economy. He believed higher taxes stifled business since there was less discretionary money to move. He was one of the few presidents that not only balanced the federal budget but showed a surplus! He believed in the private sector - private organization should take care of the social ills and problems (the Red Cross, the Salvation Army are just a couple of examples non government agencies that care for the welfare of the public instead of the Federal Government)
The government did not grow as fast under his watch because he believed in the constitutional idea of 'Limited Government'.
Progressives assailed him. For example, Samuel Gompers, the famous union leader was a constant rival and yet it was Coolidge that would not cave to the pressures demonstrations and strikes. Coolidge developed the reputation of a strike breaker and actually gained the respect from Gompers. He valued personal freedom over equality for all. When the Boston Police department went on strike, Coolidge won and proved that public servants that restore the public peace cannot go on strike because that would only create and encourage anarchy.
For anyone who is interested in conservative values and wants to see how such principles can be implemented and succeed, and created one of greatest peacetime economic boons, this is a great study.
He was educated at Amherst, became known to speak briefly but efficiently and knew how to turn a phrase. His speeches reflected carefully crafted sentences. His nickname was 'silent Cal' because he only spoke when he felt it necessary, thus, preferring listening to pontificating.
Coolidge preferred saving to spending and he believed in lowering taxes. By lowering taxes, he felt he was putting money in people's pockets that would stimulate the economy. He believed higher taxes stifled business since there was less discretionary money to move. He was one of the few presidents that not only balanced the federal budget but showed a surplus! He believed in the private sector - private organization should take care of the social ills and problems (the Red Cross, the Salvation Army are just a couple of examples non government agencies that care for the welfare of the public instead of the Federal Government)
The government did not grow as fast under his watch because he believed in the constitutional idea of 'Limited Government'.
Progressives assailed him. For example, Samuel Gompers, the famous union leader was a constant rival and yet it was Coolidge that would not cave to the pressures demonstrations and strikes. Coolidge developed the reputation of a strike breaker and actually gained the respect from Gompers. He valued personal freedom over equality for all. When the Boston Police department went on strike, Coolidge won and proved that public servants that restore the public peace cannot go on strike because that would only create and encourage anarchy.
For anyone who is interested in conservative values and wants to see how such principles can be implemented and succeed, and created one of greatest peacetime economic boons, this is a great study.
Friday, July 5, 2019
Denial of Justice by Mark Shaw
This book is an investigation into the death of Journalist, Dorothy Kilgallen. She was a well known New York gossip columnist and investigative reporter who increased her fame by being a panelist on the Television game show "What's My Line" of the 1950's. After the assassination of John F. Kennedy and the trial of Jack Ruby, Lee Harvey Oswald's killer, Kilgallen turns up dead in her East Side NY apartment of what is ruled a accidental death due to a combination of alcohol and sleeping pills.
Author, Mark Shaw brings to light some interesting facts about the timeline of Kilgallen's death that seem obviously connected to her muckraking around the JFK assassination along with her interview of Jack Ruby in prison. Kilgallen opined against the "lone gunman" theory that was immediately promulgated by FBI head J. Edgar Hoover. This book can be categorized along with other "conspiracy literature" surrounding the murder the President Kennedy.
Shaw suggests many angles that point to the elimination of Kennedy and Kilgallen. The Mob, The FBI, Castro and the Cubans/Russians and the CIA, and LBJ. The Mafia boss in New Orleans, Carlos Marcello was being tried by Bobby Kennedy's Justice department. Frank Sinatra was infuriated by Kilgallen's columns linking him the to Mob. Kilgallen stood up the J. Edgar Hoover insinuating bad blood between him and the Kennedys and perhaps the Mafia had compromising information about his private life. The author claims that the real reason for the president being in Dallas was to placate LBJ and assure him that he would remain on the ticket in the upcoming election.
The most curious facts about her death is that nobody close to her believed she was suicidal nor did she drink to the extent to make such a mistake in mixing sleeping pills with a drink. Her file of facts that she created and developed about the assassination was stolen. The book clearly implies that the famed columnist was silenced for his snooping around the death of the president and going against the "lone gunman theory".
The author seemed to weave a yarn that Kilgallen was the target of a Mafia hit. Shaw argues that the common threat is everyone seems to have Mafia links: Ruby was Mafioso wanna be, Sinatra was linked to Giancana and Marcello, RFK as Attorney General at the time, was going after the Mafia at the time. When the author just recently gained the sympathy of a NY detective to reopen the case, he received notice that the case was abruptly closed! The author is convinced of a cover-up and that not knowing the truth behind Kilgallen's death is truly a denial of justice.
The book serves as a curious and 'conspiracy interested' introduction to the JFK assassination.
Author, Mark Shaw brings to light some interesting facts about the timeline of Kilgallen's death that seem obviously connected to her muckraking around the JFK assassination along with her interview of Jack Ruby in prison. Kilgallen opined against the "lone gunman" theory that was immediately promulgated by FBI head J. Edgar Hoover. This book can be categorized along with other "conspiracy literature" surrounding the murder the President Kennedy.
Shaw suggests many angles that point to the elimination of Kennedy and Kilgallen. The Mob, The FBI, Castro and the Cubans/Russians and the CIA, and LBJ. The Mafia boss in New Orleans, Carlos Marcello was being tried by Bobby Kennedy's Justice department. Frank Sinatra was infuriated by Kilgallen's columns linking him the to Mob. Kilgallen stood up the J. Edgar Hoover insinuating bad blood between him and the Kennedys and perhaps the Mafia had compromising information about his private life. The author claims that the real reason for the president being in Dallas was to placate LBJ and assure him that he would remain on the ticket in the upcoming election.
The most curious facts about her death is that nobody close to her believed she was suicidal nor did she drink to the extent to make such a mistake in mixing sleeping pills with a drink. Her file of facts that she created and developed about the assassination was stolen. The book clearly implies that the famed columnist was silenced for his snooping around the death of the president and going against the "lone gunman theory".
The author seemed to weave a yarn that Kilgallen was the target of a Mafia hit. Shaw argues that the common threat is everyone seems to have Mafia links: Ruby was Mafioso wanna be, Sinatra was linked to Giancana and Marcello, RFK as Attorney General at the time, was going after the Mafia at the time. When the author just recently gained the sympathy of a NY detective to reopen the case, he received notice that the case was abruptly closed! The author is convinced of a cover-up and that not knowing the truth behind Kilgallen's death is truly a denial of justice.
The book serves as a curious and 'conspiracy interested' introduction to the JFK assassination.
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