Haredi Rabbi Bans Cholent on Weekdays, Causing a Stir in Yeshiva Circles, Then Reverses Ruling

It all started with a question posed by a group of Yeshiva students in Israel to a weekly bulletin on Jewish law. They expressed their concern about whether weekday consumption of cholent, the beef stew traditionally eaten on Shabbat, diminishes the sanctity of the day.

Feasting on cholent on Thursday nights has become a popular activity among Yeshiva students in Israel, and also in Yeshiva communities in the United States. 

A charedi rabbi, Yitzchok Zilberstein, responded to the question with what appeared to be a ruling that the practice is forbidden.

 

As Deborah Danan and Philissa Cramer wrote in a report for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA):

Citing Talmudic, Kabbalistic and later rabbinic sources, Zilberstein wrote that it is “very appropriate not to eat [cholent] on weekdays, so that one can delight in it on Shabbat as is proper.” He went on to note that cholent is not only spiritually designated for Shabbat, but that its heavy ingredients may even pose a health risk when eaten without the merit of the holy day.

The ruling was quickly picked up by haredi news outlets, with some dramatic headlines interpreting the text as a formal prohibition.

The simmering public response about Zilberstein’s ruling was enough to provoke a partial retraction. His grandson, Rabbi Chaim Malin, emphasized that the original response was not meant to impose a universal ban, but was rather intended as a recommendation for those seeking to elevate the uniqueness of Shabbat.

The statement noted that cholent served at mitzvah meals — weddings, bar mitzvahs and other religious celebrations — is fully permitted, as is the Thursday-night practice of serving it in yeshivas, with the rabbi clarifying that students should follow the guidance of their yeshiva leadership. The statement concluded: “Let the humble eat and be satisfied.”

If you want to check out the best cholent spots in Israel, there's a YouTube channel called Cholent and Chill that rates the many restaurants that feature cholent in all of its varieties on Thursday nights.

Enjoy!

Former President Trump Releases Hanukkah Message on Social Media

Two days ago we posted a video of the White House annual Hanukkah reception where President Joe Biden wished all Jews a Happy Hanukkah and recalled his statement 35 years ago that you don't have to be a Jew to be a Zionist and that he is a Zionist.

This week former President Donald Trump released his message to the the Jewish people, recommitting ourselves to extinguishing the evil of anti-semitism, and reaffirming everlasting solidarity with the Jewish people as we go forward with God's help that light will overcome this horrible darkness.

Wishing you a very happy seventh day of Chanukah!

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Israeli "Saturday Night Live" Uses Satire to Skewer the BBC For Their Biased Reporting

Even in the midst of tragedy, a dose of humor can serve to clarify and expose misguided and biased reporting.

Two weeks after the invasion of Israel by Hamas terrorists, Israeli comedy writers went to work creating satiric sketches about the aftermath, notably about the BBC reporting misinformation related to the faulty rocket that damaged the parking lot next to a hospital.

The sketch appeared on Eretz Nehederet, the Israeli version of Saturday Night Live, one of the most popular TV programs in Israel.

As K. J. Yossman wrote in Variety,

In the Eretz Nehederet sketch, which has gone viral since the broadcast on Israeli network Keshet 12 on Wednesday evening, Israeli actor Liat Harlev plays a BBC anchor arbitrarily inventing the number of fatalities from the attack. “More, more” she urges as the figure on the chyron jumps from 500 to 750. She then links to Middle East correspondent Harry Whiteguilt (played by comedian Yuval Semo) who, clad in a press flak jacket, says he’s reporting from the “illegal colony” of Tel Aviv and goes on to describe Hamas as “the most credible not terrorist organization in the world.” Beneath him on the screen a chyron flashes up saying “We love Hamas.” 

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A Chanukah Special: King Charles Dances With Anne Frank's Step-sister at London Pre-Chanukah Party

Last Friday King Charles III visited the JW3 Community Center in North London to learn about its work as the Jewish community prepared to start celebrating Chanukah this weekend. During the pre-Chanukah reception for Holocaust survivors, the King danced with Anne Frank's step-sister to L'Chaim and Oseh Shalom Bimromav.

As India McTaggart wrote in The Telegraph,

The King was greeted by Roxane Zand, the Deputy Lieutenant for Camden, and was shown various activities in the centre by Raymond Simonson, its chief executive.

He heard from young people taking part in the programmes offered by JW3, including telling asylum seekers baking for food bank deliveries: “It’s so wonderful all the things you get up to.”

One of the Holocaust survivors, 95-year-old Helen Aronson, said: “Today I had two kisses on both cheeks! I told him I’m not washing my face.

“It’s extra special for a King to take time and come to the Jewish community and speak to everyone and shake hands with everyone, it’s amazing really. I won’t forget this until the day I die, an experience like that, to be kissed by the King.”

NOTE: We know that today is Monday and we usually post a joke to start the week each Monday. But this week we are celebrating the eight days of Chanukah and so we are posting only holiday-related items. But we'll be back next Monday with another joke.

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Thousands Gather in Jerusalem for Birkat Kohanim (The Priestly Blessing) on Sukkot

In Israel, the priestly blessing takes place daily in every synagogue across the country. But twice a year, once during Passover and once during Sukkot, a mass priestly blessing is held at the Western Wall.

This gathering of tens of thousands became tradition following its initiation by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gafner during the War of Attrition. He thought of the impact and power the priestly blessing holds, even following the destruction of the temples, and decided to offer both kohanim and others to partake in this meaningful experience en masse during a period that was very difficult in the State of Israel.

Birkat Kohanim at the Kotel is something very worth attending at least once. Provided you aren’t bothered by very large crowds, join the tens of thousands of people who attend this event annually and receive the historic blessing from hundreds of Jews of priestly lineage as they face the congregation, hands stretched forward, chanting in one voice.

This was the scene yesterday morning at the Kotel as Jerusalem residents and visitors came together to receive the blessing of the Kohanim on the third day of Sukkot, the first day of Chol Hamoed.

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Israel's Magic Mushrooms Lead the Way in Psychedelic Medicine

Israel has quietly become one of the world leaders in the research and use of medicinal psychedelics. In Israel there is a company called PsyRx that is leading research in psychedelic medicine.

As Brian Blum wrote in Israel21c,

With military service mandatory and conflicts breaking out every few years, most Israeli families have experience with PTSD. There’s also trauma in communities near the Gaza border that are under regular but unpredictable rocket attack. 

In early 2019, Israel became the first government worldwide to approve a “Compassionate Use” program for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. The United States followed Israel’s lead when the FDA approved limited MDMA therapy in December 2019.

This video shows the lab trying to produce psychoactive compounds in fungi. Mushrooms can help with conditions like anxiety or PTSD. The PsyRx lab focuses on developing mushrooms that help with depression.

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Israel's Linoy Ashram Wins Gold Medal for Rhythmic Gymnastics in Tokyo Olympics

Israeli athlete Linoy Ashram has won the gold medal for rhythmic gymnastics at the Tokyo Olympics.

As reported by the staff of The Times of Israel,

Rhythmic gymnast Linoy Ashram won Israel’s third-ever Olympic gold medal on Saturday, beating out tough competition to take the top spot on the Tokyo 2020 podium and ending over two decades of Russian dominance in the sport.

Ashram is the first Israeli woman to win a gold at the Olympics.

“It’s what I dreamed of for all my life,” Ashram said after the win.

“It’s an amazing feeling to stand in this place, at this time, on the podium and in first place,” said the 22-year-old gymnast who has now been picked to carry the flag at the closing ceremony.

“It’s a crazy experience that I still haven’t fully digested and with peak levels of excitement,” Ashram said.

She was visibly moved as Israel’s national anthem, Hatikva, rang out through the gymnastics center as the flag was raised.

Enjoy!

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Long Island Orthodox Jewish Teen Picked for Major League Baseball Career by Arizona Diamondbacks

Jacob Steinmetz, a 17-year-old pitcher from Woodmere and graduate of the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns (HAFTR) is headed to the major leagues.

Steinmetz made history last week as the first Orthodox Jewish baseball player to be drafted by a major league team. The Arizona Diamondbacks chose the Long Island native with the 77th overall pick, far higher than expected.

As reported by Dennis Waszak Jr. in The Times of Israel,

Jacob Steinmetz’s blazing fastball helped make him a baseball draft trailblazer.

The New York native is believed to be the first known practicing Orthodox Jewish player to be selected by a US major league team, going in the third round — 77th overall — to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday.

The 6-foot-5 (195-centimeter), 220-pound (100-kilogram) Steinmetz, from the Long Island hamlet of Woodmere, is a 17-year-old right-hander whose repertoire features a fastball that sits in the mid- to upper-90s and a knee-buckling curveball. His draft stock rose considerably while playing for the Elev8 Baseball Academy in Delray Beach, Florida, this year after previously competing for his high school team, The Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway.

Steinmetz recently told the New York Post he keeps the Sabbath and eats only Kosher food, but plays during the Sabbath and on Jewish holidays — although he walks to games during the Sabbath rather than taking transportation. No practicing Orthodox Jewish player has made it to the big leagues.

Kvell!

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70-Year-Old Gwen Goldman Becomes NY Yankees Bat Girl After 60 Year Wait

In 1961, ten-year-old Gwen Goldman wrote a letter to the New York Yankees asking to be a bat girl. The response she got would make modern girls bristle. Team manager Ron Hamey wrote:

“While we agree with you that girls are certainly as capable as boys, and no doubt would be an attractive addition on the playing field, I am sure you can understand that in a game dominated by men a young lady such as yourself would feel out of place in a dugout.”

As Julia Gergely wrote yesterday in The Forward,

Although it wasn’t the response she had hoped for, a note with the Yankees letterhead was still exciting, and Goldman remained a fan.

She never expected the Yankees to reach out after all these years to right their wrong.

Brian Cashman, the Yankees GM since 1998, reached out to Goldman after hearing the story from her daughter. “A woman belongs everywhere a man does, including the dugout,” he read out loud to Goldman from a new letter on a surprise Zoom call with her family.

As part of the Yankees HOPE Week Initiative, Cashman invited Goldman to work as a bat girl for a game. “Some dreams take longer than they should to be realized,” his letter finishes, “but a goal attained should not dim with the passage of time.”

After 60 years, Goldman's dream was realized in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday.

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Language App Duolingo Gives Free Bagel and Schmear to Customers Who Order in Yiddish

In celebration of the addition of Yiddish to their popular most downloaded education app worldwide—Duolingo partnered with bagel shops in five cities to offer a free bagel yesterday to anyone who attempted to order the Jewish dietary staple in the Yiddish dialect. And of course, these bagels came with a free schmear because, just like the word bagel, the term schmear also comes from Yiddish.

To order, customers had to give their best attempt at saying 'Ken ikh hubn a baygl mit shmirkeyz' or in English, 'I would like a bagel with schmear,'" the announcement explained. But even customers who were close enough were given a free breakfast from Duolingo.

The five participating shops were:

• New York City: Katz's Deli (205 E Houston St.)
• Los Angeles: Factor's Famous Deli (420 W Pico Blvd.)
• Chicago: Manny's Cafeteria & Deli (1141 S Jefferson St.)
• Miami: Zak The Baker (295 NW 26th St.)
• Pittsburgh: Pigeon Bagels (5613 Hobart St.)

Yiddish is the 40th language Duolingo offers, and the company says that though Yiddish was once spoken by as many as 13 million people, around 600,000 still speak the traditionally Ashkenazi Jewish language to this day. "Yiddish is spoken all around the world, and even if you've never heard of the language before, we bet you probably already know some Yiddish words," the company wrote.

Here's a report from a local New York TV station on the morning action at Katz's Deli.

Enjoy!

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Israel Goes to Tokyo: Israeli Marathon Champion Girmaw Amare Aims for Top Three at Olympics

The 2021 Tokyo Summer Olympics are coming, and Israel plans to be there with a full team.

Much of Japan is under a state of emergency due to a third wave of COVID-19 infections, but organizers have vowed to press ahead with the Games, which are due to open on July 23 after being postponed for a year because of the pandemic.

Israel intends to have all its athletes due to compete at the Tokyo Olympics vaccinated against COVID-19 by May, its National Olympic Committee said last week, amid global debate over whether athletes should be given priority access in the rollout.

One of Israel's leading athletes, marathon champion Girmaw Amare, is ready to compete and aims to finish in the top three in his sport. He came to Israel with his parents in 2006 from a small village in Ethiopia.

Amare was interviewed last week by Israel's i24NEWS.

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Genesis Prize Foundation Creates Film Tribute to Jews in Hollywood

The Genesis Prize Foundation created "Jews in Hollywood" to honor outstanding achievements by Jewish individuals in film, television, and theater. Because the Genesis Prize honors individuals for their extraordinary accomplishment in a particular field, The Foundation pays tribute to the field of the Laureate each year. 

"Jews in Hollywood" was debuted at the 2015 Genesis Prize Ceremony in honor of actor Michael Douglas. Some of the talent featured in the video includes: Barbra Streisand, Paul Newman, George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Al Jolson, Kirk Douglas, Milos Forman, Steven, Spielberg, and many more.

The short film makes the point that the Jewish people are the heart and soul of every type of entertainment. It's who we are, born from a people who are storytellers.

Enjoy!

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Six-Year-Old Australian Kid Sings an Impassioned Avinu Malkeinu in Hebrew and English

Bibi, the six-year-old son of Nina Shapiro loves to sing, and his singing is going viral because of an impassioned version of Avinu Malkeinu that has been spreading on the Internet since it mysteriously landed on Twitter and Facebook last week.

As Philissa Cramer wrote last week in JTA News,

Exactly how the video got from a family text chain to thousands of Jewish viewers is unclear, but there’s no question that Bibi’s performance of a song he learned at his school is resonating with many on the eve of the High Holidays.

Others who amplified the video did know who Bibi was, even though he is not identified in it. They included people associated with Sinai Academy, the school in Cape Town, South Africa, that he attended before the family moved to Australia two years ago. Shapiro credited both that school and the one he attends in Perth, Carmel School, with developing her son’s love for Judaism.

Bibi is adopted — we adopted each other when he was a baby. He has been raised Jewish, and it’s all he knows. Halachically [according to Jewish law] he is a Jew. I’ve come to realize he has a Jewish neshama [soul] even though entering the world he was not born into a Jewish family.

Here are the English words he sings before launching into Hebrew:

I’m sorry for all I did wrong. 

I’m sorry for all I did wrong. 

I’ll try to be better forever and ever I’m sorry for all I did wrong. 

I’ll try, I’ll try to be the best that I can be. 

I’ll try, I’ll try to do what is right, and be the best I can be.

Enjoy!

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Basketball Star Amar'e Stoudemire Converts to Judaism, Talks About Torah Study

American basketball star Amar'e Stoudemire completed his conversion to Judaism last week, just after being given the MVP award for his winning ways for the Maccabi Tel Aviv team.

In April 2018, Stoudemire began converting to Judaism. In January 2019, Stoudemire was granted residency in Israel. In March 2019, he received Israeli citizenship, and he also adopted the name Jehoshaphat ben Avraham. He formally converted to Judaism with a Rabbinic court on August 26, 2020.

Stoudemire has been playing basketball since high school and became a star in the NBA, playing for four teams in the USA. After his retirement, he joined the Hapoel Jerusalem team, and is now playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv.

A few months ago Stoudemire was interviewed on Israel TV by Omri Casspi, an Israeli basketball player who played on teams in the USA for ten years. In the interview, Stoudemire explains his attraction to Judaism and the study of Torah. Below the video we're posting a short clip of Stoudemire, in Black Hat Haredi attire, dancing with his rabbis in B'nei Brak.

Mazal tov Amar'e on completing your conversion and your MVP award!

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World Health Organization and Klezmer Band Litvakus Use Hava Nagila to Illustrate Proper Hand Washing Technique

Since we started Jewish Humor Central in October 2009 we have posted 88 versions of Hava Nagila and we thought we'd covered them all. But another one always shows up, in an unexpected place, and with an unexpected usage.

Today we came across another one and a very timely one. The Belarus Klezmer band Litvakus has joined with the World Health Organization and Johns Hopkins Hospital to produce a video that illustrates the proper technique of washing hands to protect coronavirus infection.

By the time you finish listening to this most played Jewish song and watching the video, you will be an expert in all aspects of the process from wetting hands with water to using right palm over left dorsum with interlaced fingers to rotational rubbing of left thumb. And it takes 40 to 60 seconds, not the 20 seconds that we're accustomed to.

Enjoy and stay healthy!

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