An Open Letter to the Beit Shemesh Spitter!

A repost of the Aish HaTorah article, An Open Letter to the Beit Shemesh Spitter.

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How dare you?

How dare you spit on an 8-year-old schoolgirl and terrorize her as she walks to school? I don’t care what she’s wearing; spitting, verbal abuse, and threats of violence cannot be tolerated.

How dare you call yourself a Hareidi, God-fearing Jew? Your despicable actions are diametrically opposed to Judaism. You are a thug and a hooligan whose conduct, in the words of the statement from Agudath Israel of America “is beyond the bounds of decent, moral – Jewish! – behavior.”

How dare you put us in a position where we need to state loud and clear that we condemn your loathsome actions. We do not share the same theology; we resent having any association with you that necessitates our stark denunciation.

How dare you wear the garb of a religious Jew and create a massive Chillul Hashem, a desecration of God’s name, where uninformed Jews and non-Jews around the world mistakenly believe media distortions that you somehow represent religious Jews in Israel. You are like the kippah-clad thief who dines on pork; he cannot call himself a ‘religious’ Jew. You refuse to listen to rabbinic leadership and your actions are causing irreparable harm to the Jewish people.

How dare you reject the Torah’s way of “love your fellow man” and instead erect barriers of hate and intolerance.

How dare you – through your reprehensible actions – turn off Jews who are curious to learn about their Jewish heritage.

How dare you reject the Torah’s way of “love your fellow man” and instead erect barriers of hate and intolerance.

Perhaps you should try following the example of a real Torah Jew, the great Mirrer Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel, of blessed memory.

A non-religious Israeli couple was married for 12 years and could not have children. They were distraught and decided to seek counsel from the renowned Rosh Yeshiva. It was a hot summer day and the couple knocked on the door. The woman was wearing her typical summer attire and was not modestly dressed.

Rebbetzin Finkel opened the door and greeted the couple. “How wonderful that you came to meet my husband!” Then she turned to the wife and warmly said, “You know, my husband is a great scholar – he learns all day. When I go in to speak with him, I wear a shawl out of respect. Why don’t you come with me and see if I have one for you, too. I think I even have a perfect piece of jewelry to match. And we’ll go in together to speak to him.”

They entered his study and told the rabbi why they had come. Rabbi Finkel had great difficulty talking due to the debilitating effects of Parkinson’s. He mustered his strength and said to the woman, “You and I have a lot in common. We both know what suffering is.” He began to sob, along with Rebbetzin Finkel. Then the couple started crying.

Rabbi Finkel spoke with the couple for a while, offering words of comfort. He then took their names, and vowed to pray for them.

No yelling, no threats, no spitting. Just love, respect and compassion of one Jew for another.

Maimonides writes (Laws of Character Development, 6:7) that the only way to draw people close is through love. That is how the Almighty relates to us, and that is how He wants us to relate to others.

Abandon your hate and choose the Torah’s path of warmth and understanding. I dare you.

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When I heard about this story, it made my blood boil! Luckily, Aish.com posted this article before I was able to put down my two cents.

I hate ending the year on a sour note… but hopefully, some good will come out of this sad affair.

Happy New Year… and may the coming year be filled with good things for all!

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Why I Hate Almost Everyone (Part 6): PHIs

It’s inevitable, I suppose, during the course of the holidays, when friends, family and loved ones gather round, that certain quirky personality types are heightened or at least noticed more.

Needless to say, I had a few run-ins over time. It reminded me of an event in the past that I would like to use as an example.

See if you recognize this type…

(No… not THAT kind of PHI!)

The PHI, aka Pig-Headed Individual, aka Pig-Headed Idiot, (e.g. ‘I’m right. You’re wrong. Admit it!)

These are the kind of people who simply cannot admit they are wrong regardless of the evidence heaped against them. The PHIs will make the most outrageous statements and then refuse to back down when what they present as facts turn out to be, at best, howling errors. In some cases, they will not stop at merely ‘sticking by their guns’ but will in fact not back down until they get you to admit that their outlandish statements are right.

(It’s kinda hard to reason with this person)

My dear friend RS [1] and I had the misfortune to be present a year or so ago when two formidable PHIs squared off at an up-to-that-time perfectly pleasant dinner party. At one point, one of the PHIs tried to schlepp a very uncomfortable RS into the argument. Fortunately, I sensed her discomfort and managed, gracefully, to extract my dear friend from the brawl. After the rescue, RS and I  spent a good amount of time talking together on the staircase trying to figure out just how best to deal with such troublesome social predicaments in the future.

RS ruled out – rather too hastily, I thought – taking the offending parties out back and thrashing them to within an inch of their loathsome little lives.

(I’m just not getting through to you, am I?)

She initially suggested a course of ‘active ignorage.’ While this sounds like a very practical solution, upon closer inspection it is not a solution at all. Avoiding a problem doesn’t solve it… nor is it truly ‘dealing’ with the situation. Besides, left unchecked, the PHI tiff could escalate into a Truly Unpleasant Incident. Such a result would not only have spoiled our otherwise good time but that of everyone else at the party/event. Also, depending on the size of the function, an ugly spat is sometimes hard to ignore.

More importantly, it would run the risk of extirpating [2] all the fun from a soirée that was carefully planned by a very dear mutual friend.

Luckily, things did not escalate between the two PHIs. Drastic Measures [3] were not needed, thank goodness. Some quick-minded socially adept individual came to them, apologized profusely and asked one of the PHIs for help in the kitchen. The intransigent combatants were separated without either of them admitting defeat.

I personally dislike unpleasantness and ill-feelings, even between others. RS is the same but we differ in our approach.

RS recommended that I have a word with our dear mutual friend about not inviting those two particularly obstinate PHIs together at the same event. I hinted that she perhaps over-estimated my influence with our friend. RS would have none of it. An intervention was what the doctor ordered, she felt, and, by gum, I was just the person to do it.

The next day I did manage to have a word with our friend but I’m not sure it accomplished much or at least not as much as RS had hoped. Our friend took the position that it was not up to her to ‘fix’ her guests, damaged as they may be. By that, I took it to mean that it was up to RS and me to take matters into our own hands and do as we saw fit. I planned to re-address the ‘thrash them in the backyard’ alternative with RS. I felt confident that, in time, I could win her over.

I wish I could say my attempt at an intervention was met with approval from RS.

(A facsimile of RS being unimpressed with me) [4]

RS was, to be kind, unimpressed with my encounter with our dear mutual friend and felt that I should have been more persuasive, more convincing, more adamant… in other words, a lot more like her and a lot less like me!

As RS put it in a rather curt text message to me after I broke the news to her, “Preemptive Etiquette FAIL!”

Some people have to be right no matter what!

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[1] Not to be confused with my SigOth, the lovely SG. RS is a close, very dear friend of ours and practically a member of our family.

[2] Extirpate [ek-ster-peyt, ik-stur-peyt] verb (used with object), -pat·ed, – pat·ing: to remove or destroy totally; do away with; exterminate. [RS and my ‘Word of the Day’ that day.]

[3] Drastic Measures can range from “accidentally” spilling something or knocking something over, diverting attention away from the brewing argument, to, in extreme circumstances, feigning some kind of attack or seizure. On one memorable occasion, RS faked intense labour pains! This was only slightly undermined by the fact that she was holding her 4-month-old daughter at the time.

[4] I do not have any actual photos of RS. She intensely dislikes being photographed. This was the closest I could come up with on short notice.

A Very Hello Kitty Hanukah!

OK, I must confess…

I am a sucker for just about anything Hello Kitty!

But this one really took my breath away when I saw it yesterday.

(Hello Kitty Hanukah Menorah)

Yes, boys and girls, geeks and nerdlings…

A Hello Kitty Hanukah Menorah!

Just when you thought you’d seen everything there is to see… they come out with this!

I love it. I have to have one! Or rather, a half-dozen because there is no way that I can have one without bestowing such gifts to my friends and loved ones!

Here’s another one…

(Another Hello Kitty Hanukah Menorah)

These are simply way too cute for words. And they really bring an element of fun to the holiday.

Tonight (Friday night, December 23, 2011) is the fourth day of Hanukah. For those lighting a menorah, we use 4 candles in addition to the shamash (the ‘lighter’ that is offset from the others). Remember… you have to light the menorah and say the blessings BEFORE lighting the Shabbes candles!

Have a blessed spirit-filled Hanukah, glowing with light and meaning!

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Vampyre Fangs is shutting down for the holidays!

We’ll be back in the first week of January.

Have a wonderful holiday season.

Happy Hanukah, Merry Xmas and a very Happy New Year!!

Sincerely, Vampyre Fangs

The Hobbit – Movie Trailer!!

(The Hobbit – Coming in December, 2012)

To see the movie trailer, click here!

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Season’s Eatings: A Very Zombie Xmas!

Well, boys and girls, geeks and nerdlings… It’s that time of year again.

Time to huddle ’round with our friends and loved ones. Time to sip the egg nog, roast chestnuts on an open fire and imprint as many of these festive holiday memories onto the old lobes and cortices before the stuff really hits the fan and we are all slogging knee-deep through The Upcoming Zombie Apocalypse.

During WWZ [1], eggnog may be in short supply, admittedly, but that’s no reason to be glum. Silver linings abound, folks. For example, pine trees will be popping up just about everywhere, I assure you. And imagine the warm and fuzzy feeling you’ll get knowing that just about every present you’ll be receiving will be hand-made!

And, after the initial months of ruckus and hullabaloo, it’s a pretty safe bet that every night will be a Silent Night.

Speaking of night-time, without all that annoying urban electrical glare and ‘light pollution’ muddying things up, just think of how bright and clear the heavenly host of celestial bodies will appear to our wondering post-apocalyptic eyes!

Hectic last minute Xmas shopping will be a thing of the past, quite literally. If you find a secure mall or store, you can browse and select items at your leisure. No fuss, no jostling through mobs of customers, no stress. Well, no additional stress, anyway.

So, as you’re nestled all snug in your bed while visions of sugar plums dance in your head, don’t give a second thought to Zombie-Yule. Everything’s going to be all right!

Scary Xmas to All… and to All a Good Fright!

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[1] WWZ = World War Z (aka The Zombie War, aka The Upcoming Zombie Apocalypse)

The Walking Dead… Halfway through Season Two

The other night, I watched the last episode of the first half of Season Two of The Walking Dead, including its dramatic and powerful final scene.

HALF-TIME SCORE…

You’re welcome! 🙂

The series will go on hiatus, and then return on February 12, 2012, when the final six episodes of Season Two will begin airing.

I SO can’t wait!!

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World’s Smallest Frogs!

I think Xmas is beginning to corrupt even the most die-hard herpetologists.

Cuteness is everywhere. Even the pages of this blog are not immune. [1]

So it was with a sick fascination that I caught this title in the otherwise non-cute-infected site, ScienceDaily.com…

World’s Smallest Frogs Discovered in New Guinea!

[Paedophryne dekot (A) and (B), and P. verrucosa (C), and (D), shown several times their actual size]

The article states, “Field work… has found the world’s smallest frogs in southeastern New Guinea. This also makes them the world’s smallest tetrapods (non-fish vertebrates). The frogs belong to the genus Paedophryne, all of whose species are extremely small, with adults of the two new species – named Paedophryne dekot andPaedophryne verrucosa – only 8-9 mm in length.”  The study was published in the open access journal ZooKeys.

By the way… 9 mm in length is a bit less than three-eighths of an inch to you pre-metric types out there.

The genus still represents the most miniaturized group of tetrapods in the world.

So, the question is… what’s the deal with the frogs being so tiny??

Researcher Fred Kraus from Bishop Museum, Honolulu, author of the study, explains it all for us.

“Miniaturization occurs in many frog genera around the world,” said the author, “but New Guinea seems particularly well represented, with species in seven genera exhibiting the phenomenon. Although most frog genera have only a few diminutive representatives mixed among larger relatives, Paedophryne is unique in that all species are minute.”

The four known species all inhabit small ranges in the mountains of southeastern New Guinea or adjacent, offshore islands. Their closest relatives remain unclear.

(Paedophryne dekot)

Another quirk of the puny Paedophryne is their more-than-usually tiny fingers and toes… so tiny, in fact, that it doesn’t really allow them to climb well. All miniature members of this genus inhabit leaf litter and the teensy tootsies could be a corollary of the reduced body size required to living in leaf litter and moss. Small frogs often inhabit this kind of environment and may reflect the frogs’ exploitation of novel food sources in that habitat.

Minuscule body size also has another side effect. Unlike regular frogs that lay entire strings and cords of eggs, these diminutive darlings carry only two eggs. It’s not yet known whether both eggs are laid simultaneously or at staged intervals.

Well, there you have it, my little geeks and nerdlings! Your semi-regular doze of cute!

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[1] Witness Monday’s article on cute orphan sloths!

Original source:
Kraus F (2011) At the lower size limit for tetrapods, two new species of the miniaturized frog genus Paedophryne (Anura, Microhylidae). ZooKeys 154: 71–88. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.154.1963

References:
Kraus, F. (2010) New genus of diminutive microhylid frogs from Papua New Guinea. ZooKeys 48 (2010) : 39-59. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.48.446

The Cutest Place on Earth?? A Baby Sloth Orphanage!

Leave it to the soft-hearted little nerdlings at Wired Science (a sub-set of Wired.com) to come out with this article!

Just when you thought you were all cuted-out during the pre-holiday cute-orgy that is the lead-up to Xmas, along comes these slow-moving bundles of cuteness!

(An orphaned two-fingered sloth named Toby)

As the Wired Science mush-balls write, “Baby sloths are completely irresistible. Perhaps it’s because their faces are shaped in a permanent smile. Or maybe it’s because they love to hug — stuffed animals, trees, other sloths, people. It could simply be their signature comical slowness. And orphan baby sloths? Well, If you think you can resist them, try watching this video only once. “

(This one is called Buttercup. Can you believe it?)

The video is just a taste of the new documentary, “Too Cute! Baby Sloths,” airing Saturday Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. ET on Animal Planet.

The sanctuary takes in any sloth in need, but is mostly populated by orphaned baby sloths who lost their mothers to power lines or road traffic or other accidents. There are currently around 160 sloths there.

It’s an amazing place, and well worth a visit (or a donation).

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (Movie Review)

If I take the time, trouble and considerable physical effort to brave the hazardous wilds of The Zombie Serengeti (aka The Walmarts) in order to get a DVD, I’m sure hoping that the result of the cinema safari is going to be worth the risk to life and limb.

(Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides)

It was with a cost-benefit analysis in mind that I picked up a copy of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. This  despite the fact that a dear friend, damning it with false praise, said the movie was ‘mamish OK.’ [1]

Three things propelled me toward viewing Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides… Ian McShane as Blackbeard.

‘Aha!’ the more astute of you might exclaim! Ian McShane as Blackbeard is only one thing. Nothing could be farther from the truth, my little geeks and nerdlings. Firstly, I love Ian McShane as an actor. I thought he was great in Deadwood and have been a huge fan ever since. Secondly, I have been fascinated with and intrigued by the pirate Blackbeard (real name, Edward Teach, c. 1680 – November 22, 1718) since I was a mere tot. I cannot imagine any movie matching in a significant way his actual real-life exploits. And thirdly, the thought of Ian McShane portraying Blackbeard quite simply made me dizzy with anticipation.

(Ian McShane as Blackbeard)

So, pourin’ meself some hearty grog, I lay me a course and set sail for Stranger Tides. Aarrr!!

OK, here’s the deal, as per the Disney blurb…

Johnny Depp returns to his iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow in an action-packed adventure. Crossing paths with the enigmatic Angelica (Penélope Cruz), he’s not sure if it’s love – or if she’s a ruthless con artist who’s using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the “Queen Anne’s Revenge,” the ship of the legendary pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn’t know whom to fear more: Blackbeard or Angelica, with whom he shares a mysterious past.

Mayhem ensues when… well, pretty much when the film starts, basically. That’s the thing about this movie. It’s wall to wall, stem to stern mayhem. The movie is simply rife with sword fights, rescues and escape scenes! Action sequences abound. (I particularly like the mermaid encounter. Very nice!) And it’s loud, too.

(Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow)

And then there’s Ian McShane as Blackbeard. He truly stands out. He is so imposing. So strong. So evil. McShane’s portrayal fails to disappoint, although I would have liked to have seen the movie show even some of the exploits of the real life Blackbeard, Edward Teach.

My two cents… OK, so the dialogue is not the greatest and the plot could use some help and I could never really figure out the relationship between Capt. Jack and Angelica. Picky, picky, picky. This is a Hollywood pirate movie. Suspension of disbelief is part of it. And, to some extent, suspension of standards. This isn’t the best of the Pirates franchise. RottenTomatoes.com gives it a 33% but if you remember my Rotten Tomatoes Evaluation Translator, anything that earns between the high 20’s and upper 30’s on their ‘freshness scale’ is probably something I am going to like!

(One of On Stranger Tide’s mermaids)

Bottom line… Definitely worth a look. And also worth my foray into the dreaded Zombie Serengeti. I liked On Stranger Tides. I didn’t love it the way I loved the first Pirates movie. None of the sequels is as good as the original because it was… well… the first one. Things were fresh and new and exciting. On Stranger Tides is exciting at times and there are a few fresh and new things but on the whole, while it keeps up with the sequels it doesn’t quite match the original. And that is true of so many sequels. This one should not be held to any higher standard.

One and a half scary mermaid fingers up!

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[1] Mamish (Hebrew & Yiddish) meaning ‘literally’ or ‘really.’

Hasidic Weddings (and why I love them)!

A couple of days ago, I attended my dear friend’s wedding. She and her family are very near to my heart. She was marrying a young man who was a member of the Bobover Hasidim.

(The beautiful bride)

Not many Jews (let alone gentiles) have much contact with Hasidim in general or Bobovers in particular, so I thought this would be a good ‘teachable moment’ to go over some of the ways a Hasidic wedding differs from ‘regular’ non-Orthodox Jewish weddings and non-Jewish weddings. So, here goes…

My Practical Guide to Hasidic Weddings!

(largely based on [i.e. basically ripped off from] a pamphlet at the wedding)

(The bride and groom)

The traditional Jewish wedding incorporates various rituals and customs that serve both to solemnize the occasion and gladden the hearts of the bride and groom.

The Hebrew word for marriage is Kiddushin, which means sanctification. Judaism views marriage as sacred. For this reason, the Hasidic custom is for the bride and groom not to see each other from the engagement until the middle of the wedding ceremony. The sacredness of the wedding day is likened to Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), therefore the couple fast until after the ceremony.

Before the ceremony, the bride and groom are in separate rooms to give them an opportunity to pray before this important step in their lives.

(The bride in quiet prayer)

Men and women are in separate sections. In the women’s section, the music is playing, the bride is seated on a bridal chair and the guests greet the bride and wish her a mazel tov (loosely translated as ‘congratulations’ or ‘good luck’). Light food (cake and fruit) is served. In the men’s section, the groom’s friends and loved ones sing songs of a spiritually uplifting nature. The men and Rabbis prepare the Ketubah (marriage contract, signed by two witnesses) to be used in the wedding ceremony. The groom is escorted to the women’s section to witness the bride’s father covering his daughter’s face with a heavy veil. This reminds us of the time that the biblical matriarch Rebecca covered her face with a veil upon seeing her intended husband, Isaac.

The veil is not transparent and the bride is completely dependent on her mother for direction as she is unable to see. Upon returning to the men’s section, the groom’s father dresses his son in a traditional white garment (a Kittel). This is in keeping with the Yom Kippur theme and, in fact, the groom will wear this garment every Yom Kippur from then on.

The ceremony takes place under a Chupah (canopy) as a symbol of the home that is to be shared by the couple. The Chupah is often under an open sky, reminiscent of Almighty’s blessing to Abraham that his descendents be as numerous as the stars in the sky. [1]

(The veiled bride being escorted to the Chupah by her parents)

The groom is escorted first by the two fathers (or his parents) who carry candles to light the way. The bride is escorted by the two mothers (or her parents), again carrying candles. Once the bride arrives at the Chupah, she circles the groom seven times, symbolically making him the centre of her life. The mothers of the bride and groom follow, showing that the family will be an integral part of that life.

The ceremony is divided into two parts: Eirusin (betrothal) and Nissu’in (marriage). [2] The Eirusin consists of two blessings, one of which is recited over a glass of wine. After the bride and groom drink from the wine, the groom places a ring on the brides forefinger while reciting in Hebrew, “Behold you are sanctified (betrothed) to me with this ring, according to the Law of Moses and Israel.” [3] The Ketubah is then read aloud, in which the groom obligates himself to feed, clothe and provide a home for his bride. [4]

(The happy couple)

The Nissu’in is composed of seven nuptial blessings (the Sheva Brachas – lit. the Seven Blessings). The first blessing is recited over a glass of wine. The next three recall the Almighty’s creation of man and emphasize the consequent responsibilities that man has to the Almighty. The fifth blessing focuses on the marriage itself and its relationship to Jerusalem as the symbolic center of our lives. The sixth blessing stresses that marriage must be based on the happiness that comes not merely from love but also from friendship. The final blessing combines praise of the Almighty, who is the ultimate source of all human happiness, with a prayer that we should merit redemption in our time.

The ceremony closes with the breaking of a glass. This recalls the void left by the destruction of the holy Temple in Jerusalem, and the central role that the land of Israel holds for all Jews. The loss of the Temple is so deep and profound that even during times of greatest joy, we must never forget that loss. The breaking glass reminds us of that tragedy exactly at the time when our happiness is at its peak.

(The newly married couple leaving the Chupah. Mazel tov!)

Immediately after the Chupah, the bride and groom adjourn to a private room for several minutes of Yichud (privacy). This symbolizes their new relationship as husband and wife and is actually the first time since their engagement that they are together. Yichud is important. In fact, there are some rabbinical sources that suggest that the marriage is not fully completed until the bride and groom have had the opportunity to be alone.

The bride and groom enter the banquet room, to be greeted with joyous dancing and singing. In keeping with Jewish tradition, the men and women are in separate sections or even separate rooms and dance separately as well. Entertaining the bride and groom and increasing their joy is an integral part of the celebration and all guests are invited to join.

(The happy couple)

The dinner – with intervening episodes of dancing – is sanctified from beginning to end. At the end of the meal, traditional blessings are recited and have special additions in honour of the newly married couple. The Sheva Brachas (Seven Blessings) first recited under the Chupah are repeated after dinner.

Most people leave at this point after wishing the married couple and their families well.

(A mitzvah dance)

Close friends and family remain for the last part.. the Mitzvah Dance. To abide with the Mitzvah (lit. commandment, loosely translated as ‘good deed’) of dancing in front of the bride, the partition separating the men and women is removed but separate seating is maintained. A Badchin (jester/comedian), using poetry, calls up individuals for their turn in performing a dance in front of the bride.

The ceremony is concluded with the groom himself holding the hands of his bride and dancing.

(The bride and groom dance)

Once again, mazel tov to my dear friend, the bride… and to the lucky young man who had the good sense to marry such a wonderful girl.

(The happy couple, embarking on a new life together!)

While I realize that this article is a marked departure from what the regular readers of this blog are used to, I hope, dear readers, that you found it informative and interesting.

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[1] (Genesis 15:5). Given the time of year and the weather (a cold rainy December 5th!), the chupah at this wedding was indoors.

[2] In Temple times, the two stages were separated by a period of time from several months to a year. Today, both stages are held at the same time but there is a separation between the two to maintain the distinction. Some people mistakenly believe that the Eirusin is kind of like an engagement but this isn’t true. In Temple times, if the couple split up during the period between Eirusin and Nissu’in, a divorce (get) was necessary.

[3] “Hirei at m’kudeshet li v’taba’at zo k’dat Moshe v’Israel.”

[4] The Ketubah is, arguably, the oldest document attesting to a woman’s right to spousal support.