Rebbitzen Menucha Rochel Slonim

Monday, 24 Shevat, was the yartzeit of Rebbitzen Menucha Rochel Slonim, the daughter of the Mittler Rebbe. She was one of the early settlers in Hevron. COL says:

Hundreds of Chabadniks, descendants of Rebbetzin Menucha Rochel Slonim, a'h, visited her Tziyon in Chevron today in honor of her 119th yortseit and marking the 25th year since her descendants organized under 'The Association of Descendants of the Alter Rebbe' have reinstated the annual ascent to her grave-site. This tradition was renewed in 5742 and greatly encouraged by the Rebbe. Gradually, not only an increasing number of descendants joined this 'Aliya Lakever' but the local Chabad House and the settlers of Chevron have come to their assistance and have established a yeshiva near the grave called 'Colel Menucha Rochel'.

I am reminded of a story Rabbi Groner tells (Yitzchok Dovid ben Menucha Rochel should have a refuah shleima) of Rebbitzen Menucha Rochel, his ancestor. It seems that the Mittler Rebbe blessed her that no rain would ever fall on her. Many years ago Rabbi Groner met an elderly lady who knew Rebbetzin Menucha Rochel and verified that this was the case - "she walked between the raindrops".

This is the story as I remember it. If anyone has any corrections or more detail I would appreciate you letting me know.

New Look Aussie Echo

I have just changed to the new Blogger and am still experimenting with the look and feel of this blog. I am happy to leave the dark look of the old blog and progress to a lighter and brighter look.

This is still a work in progress and I would appreciate any constructive feedback on how I can further improve its appearance.

Will Chaya Moussia Please Stand Up

This story from Israel TV is 2 years old I think. It is in Hebrew but should be understandable to those with a little knowledge of that language.

The Sheik Stays - For Now

Is the mufti praying for forgiveness - I think not

Reports from the ABC and The Age say that Australia's "foot in mouth" sheik, Taj el-Din al-Hilali, will stay on at least until April when the National Immams Council will meet to vote on a new mufti. The Australian has a different take on the situation and has reports from other leaders of the muslim community who say that he has little support and will be leaving his position soon, albeit with a "golden handshake".

I think that the moslem community is reading the Australian public incorrectly. They are still blaming the media for what the sheik actually said about women, Australians etc and appear to be absolving him of responsibility for his public opinions. (see previous post here). When will they wake up and get rid of this radical "leader". His presence is not good for Australia in general and Jews in particular. If he is being reported as making these inflamatory comments imagine what he is saying to his flock in arabic that is not being reported in the general press.

Let us hope that he is ousted soon and a saner, less radical leader is appointed who can communicate effectively with the Australian public.

Yeshivah - Beth Rivkah Website

After many, many years YBR finally has a decent, modern website. The site - here - was obviously made with the purpose of advertising the school but it does have some relevant information for current students and parents. The page with important dates etc looks like the most helpful.

Of course there are a number of minor mistakes which I am sure will be rectified over the coming weeks - but with the way things are run in Hotham Street, that may be wishful thinking...

But what really bothered me was that, amongst the many colourful photos of students at work and play, the only photo of an "adult" was of Sholom Mendel. I cannot see even one photo of Mr G, Rabbi Glick or the many other teachers, principals etc who have dedicated many years to the school. Why in the world would there be a photo of SMK??!! It is enough to make someone believe that nepotism is rife in our schools. Maybe some of the recent comments made here are not far from the truth...

Timely Advice from the Rebbe

This week's Living Torah is an excerpt from the farbrengen of Tu Bishvat 5748 (1988) where the Rebbe explains how to get advice from "Nosi Doreinu" when asking the Rebbe directly is not an option. The video is 9 minutes long but worth watching to the end. The last part is particularly interesting in how it relates to us today with regard to asking for brochos.

Reb Yoel Declares the Truth!

Reb Yoel in Lakewood (from Shmais.com)

Shturem translates an interview of Reb Yoel Kahn in Kfar Chabad magazine about events after Gimmel Tammuz. I am heartened that someone of Reb Yoel's stature has stood up and declared the truth. I only hope that this does not cause the crazys to do something violent.

It is worth reading the entire article but some excerpts are:

"When the Rebbe assumed leadership Yud Shvat 1951," he stated clearly that the task of our generation is to complete the process of drawing down the Shechina in this world. This is done, the Rebbe said, through the dissemination of Torah, especially "Pnimiyus Hatorah."

"To us chassidim, the real dissemination of Pnimiyus Hatorah is as expounded by the Rabbeim. The Rebbe asks in one of his sichos why did G-d have to tell Abraham that "I will make your name great?" Abraham was known to have been imbued with the greatest degree of humility how can one even think that he desired greatness?

The Rebbe answers that the meaning of "I will make your name great" was that through his name the Name of G-d Almighty will be sanctified. Everyone will see, even a non Jew, that Abraham's name reflects G-d's Name. In other words, every Jew and non-Jew will see that the Rebbe is an extraordinary elevated person, a true Shepherd of the Jewish People who cared about his people in general and about every individual in particular.

I believe that when one writes "Shlitah" now after the histalkus next to the Rebbe's name not only does he not bring greatness and admiration to the Rebbe but just the opposite, it defames and makes a mockery of the Rebbe's name.

Talking about the recent "video of the Rebbe in 770" that has been publicised by the meshichistin and also that these people refer to the Rebbe as "Shlito" Reb Yoel said:

"Everything the "maskilim" and communists tried to do in order to defame the honor of our Rabbeim is absolutely nothing compared to the defamation caused by the "meshichistin" because of two reasons: 1) the substance of the defamation: it never even occurred to the communists to degrade the Rebbe in such a manner. 2) when this defamation is done by Chabad chassidim the mockery and shame is even greater. Not only is this "shitah" a joke, it is against the Torah and is the complete opposite of what our function and shlichus is.

Talking about how we should see the Rebbe today:

Chassidus tells us that it is an accepted fact that the soul animates the body, however, since the soul is spiritual we cannot see it, but we do see the actions and effect that it has on the body. Seeing a body that is alive is clear proof that there is a soul even though we don't see it physically.

"The same is in our case. After Gimmel Tamuz 1994 since the Rebbe's life is spiritual we cannot see him but we do see the effect of this collective soul (the Rebbe) in the collective body (Klal Yisroel). It is as though we see the Rebbe himself.

"We see this despite all "experts" and prophets of doom 12 years ago who predicted that Lubavitch would dissolve. Not only has it not disappeared, it has turned into the greatest Jewish empire in the world. We see how Lubavitch chassidim continue to thrive and grow. No shaliach has left his shlichus and even many non-Lubavitch chassidim have come closer to chassidus and the Rebbe.

"Not one shaliach has given up his shlichus after Gimmel Tamuz. On the contrary, shluchim are growing by leaps and bounds and have established hundreds of Chabad Houses, Jewish institutions with divine success. This is only because the one who sent them (the Rebbe) is animating them and granting them the power to fulfill their shlichus.

Just like before Gimmel Tammuz 1994 people from all walks of life, not only Lubavitchers, would come to the Rebbe on Sundays to receive a dollar and ask for a blessing and witnessed outright miracles today too people from all walks of life come to the Ohel and are blessed with what they need. Some people make a special trip just for that. They land in Kennedy airport, go to the Ohel and fly back just as they came to the Rebbe before Gimmel Tamuz.

Refuah Shleima Rabbi Groner

Rabbi Groner with a great-granddaughter

Boruch Hashem, our Rabbi YD Groner is now out of hospital after his recent surgery and is recovering well. He is not at home yet as he is undergoing rehabilitation at another facility where he will be for another few weeks.

We wish Rabbi Groner a Refuah Shleima bekarov and hope to see him in shul very soon.

Oink! Oink!

Sheikh Feiz Mohammed and friend

Well they're doing it again. A Sydney Moslem cleric has attracted more attention to their "cause" by encouraging children to die as Muslim matyrs. He has also referred to Jews as pigs. Their true colours are being shown again for all to see. Our society is so concerned with political correctness that it is non-PC to critisise any Moslem no matter what he says. These stupid clerics think that they are untouchable and can say whatever ridiculous and irresponsible thing they want.

The Australian has a report here.

The ABC quotes Keven Rudd and says:

The Muslim community has moved to distance itself from comments made by a Sydney cleric calling for children to be encouraged to die as Muslim martyrs.

The head of the Global Islam Youth Centre, Sheikh Feiz Mohammed, has also referred to Jewish people as "pigs", in a video of one of his lectures.

The DVDs were reportedly found being sold by children outside a mosque in Britain.

Islamic Friendship Association spokesman Kaysar Trad says the comments do not reflect the sentiments of the wider Muslim community.

"As a community, it is quite disconcerting for us that these comments are found from time to time and they're broadcast all over the news," he said.

"They certainly give the public an erroneous impression about Islam and Muslims."

Acting Attorney-General Kevin Andrews has condemned Sheikh Mohammed's comments.

"The importation of hatred in Australia is unacceptable," he said.

"It's offensive to the Australian people, it's reprehensible.

"It's particularly outrageous that certain groups in Australia, such as the Jewish community, have been highlighted in these comments, and we condemn the comments."

Heatwave in Melbourne

The temperature has just reached 39.8 degrees celcius in Melbourne at 1:30pm - this translates to 103.6 in the old money. It is so hot that they stopped play at the Australian Tennis Open.

I hope all my Northern Hemisphere readers are enjoying their winter.

Rampant Foot-in-Mouth Disease

Good on ya Sheik AlHilali! Your true feelings keep being revealed and embarrassing the Moslem community - who are embarrassed not because they do not agree with you but because they do not want what they really believe being revealed to the Australian community.

I talked about Hilali's statements supporting rapists in October here, here and here. And the stupid pronouncements keep coming. The Australian reports:

"The Western people are the biggest liars and oppressors and especially the English race," the Mufti of Australia said in Arabic during the extensive interview in Eqypt, his birthplace. "The Anglo-Saxons who arrived in Australia arrived in shackles. We paid for passports from our own pockets. We have a right in Australia more than they have."

The Australian has a few articles about this latest controvesy. Hilali's friends try to explain away what he said here, and you can see excerpts of the interview here. Alexander Downer's comments and NSW Community Relations Commission (CRC) chairman Stepan Kerkyasharian's statements are here. Kerkyasharian says Sheik al-Hilali should “keep his mouth shut”.

Despite Muslims trying to assure the world that they are peace loving, the average Australian, who has no strong feeling about muslims either way, is seeing for himself that the truth is not so benign. Even if we believe that the majority of Moslems are not violent, the truth is that the Islamic community as a whole does not condemn terrorist attacks but applauds them. We have seen this since well before 9/11.

While the press and politicians are trying to present Hilali as being "several sandwiches short of a picnic" as Kevin Rudd said, the truth is that he is representative of all Moslems. Thank G-d that most Aussies are not falling for this and are starting to realise what type of people we are dealing with.

"Historical" Photo

Shturem featured this photo of our Rabbi Groner in 770 speaking to Rabbi Shimon Goldman. I figure it was taken 10-15 years ago but if anyone has a better idea of what year this is from please let me know.

Violence is Never Condoned

This story about the Rebbe appeared in COL. To me the story is poshut but it seems like some of our co-religionists need to be reminded that the Rebbe was against violence especially between our fellow Jews.

At the Kinus Hashluchim in Ashkelon last week, an individual related this incident that occurred in 770 on Yom Kippur of 5747:
A group of girls from Kfar Chabad had remained all night to secure seats in the Ezras Noshim so that they could view 'Napoleon's March' on Motsai Yom Kippur. When one of the girls had gotten up in the early morning and left her place for a moment of refreshment, planning to return immediately, a girl from France had taken her place, despite the protests of her friends.

As the girl returned to her place demanding her seat, the French girl gave her a blow that rendered her fainting and after futile attempts of Hatzoloh to revive her failed, she was presently removed for hospital care.

When Rabbi Yehudah Leib Groner approached the Rebbe, asking for a blessing for this girl, the Rebbe demanded that the offender apologize adding that he would not descend to the shul until she would do so. For fact, the Rebbe entered the shul at 10:30 and on Motsai Shabbos he sent a message to the French girl ordering that she returns to France before Sukkos.

Another person related that he/she was present when Rabbi Groner delivered the Rebbe's message to the shliach from France (presumably, Rabbi Shmuel Asimov), who was responsible for the visit of this group of girls to 770. The shliach's attempts to intervene on behalf of the French girl, included an entreaty that great efforts were exerted on bringing her to Chabad and that it would not be a good idea to have her sent home. These arguments however, did not alter the Rebbe's decision and Rabbi Groner told him that the Rebbe insisted that the girl be sent home.

When the Animals Run the Zoo...

Reports from Shturem and CrownHeights.info tell the story of Reb Yoel Kahn being verbally abused by a bochur with acute psychiatric problems. It appears that when Reb Yoel went downstairs to deliver his weekly shiur in Inyonei Geluah UMoshiach this bochur screamed at him to leave 770. Reb Yoel, being a true chassidisher yid, left the scene quietly and proceeded to relocate the shiur to the upstairs zal.



The situation in 770 is going from worse to terrible. I blame the so-called normal people who learn and daven downstairs who are letting these incidents pass without reacting. This crazy bochur was reportedly an Israeli who should either be locked up in a hospital ward or sent back to Israel. The fact that nothing is done by the leaders "downstairs" and the leadership in Crown Heights is worse than criminal. The meshichisten have seen that the mainstream of Lubavitch laughs at them and they are now turning to violence. This violence must stop even if it means deporting the troublemakers.

For the most part the shluchim are doing the Rebbe's work with incredible self sacrifice while the crazys do nothing but sing one song and dance around the bima.

I am still proud to say I am a Lubavitcher but am sick of having to explain away the antics of a fringe group to family and friends.