To Step On Your Friend

I had an interesting conversation with my brother about Pesach earlier this afternoon. Of course, we were talking about the stress of any Yom Tov, and the fact that this one in particular costs so much money see here here or any post here. The problem we talked about is that we are so overwhelmed with people asking for tzedakah that we fail to restrain our collective brethren, the Orthodox communit,y from taking advantage of the stupid people, or as I like to call them, "Chumrah Impaired" There is a rescission. The yeshivas can't pay their bills, Lion of Zion has his tuition raised, and all we can do if find ways to charge others for stupidity.
See:
http://www.vosizneias.com/51367/2010/03/16/toronto-canadian-factory-gets-kosher-certification-for-paper-towels/
Sigh....

Happy Purim!

Enjoy the day!

State of the Union

OK, Blah blah blah Obama. I couldn't listen to the guy without thinking about... Jeff Dunham. I just kept looking at the Vice President on the left side of Obama and thinking this:

They look alike to me!

By the way, If everyone is getting a taxbreak, where the heck is Obama getting the money to pay for everything?

Stealing an Idea

For those of you who don't know, I'm a little bit of a science fiction nerd, and I am a "Trekkie". No, I don't go to conventions, but I do follow some authors (like Peter David) because I like science fiction, and the way they write. I think it goes back to when I was I kid, but I digress. One of the things I always liked about Next Generation was the Holodeck. Now I'll digress. When I was a kid, my FAVORITE cartoon was a series called Starblazers. It was really cool. I always wanted to point out that they had the idea for a Holodeck first, and animated it.
Pre Holodeck-Holodeck So much for an original idea!
Enjoy!

My March With the Penguins

This past weekend, I got to go home and spend Shabbos with my parents. It was a bit unusual as experiences go because the Shul my parents daven in has become so old, that it no longer has a Minyan on Friday night or Shabbos afternoons. This was my first shabbos home since the Friday night minyan was declared gone. The only way they get a minyan at all on Shabbos day is by the Yeshiva that is a few blocks away sending some bochurim to make the minyan and lein. It's tough for my father because the walking has become difficult, and the Yeshiva is just to far to go, especially in inclement weather. So I went to daven Friday night at the yeshiva. I've been out of yeshiva for quite some time now, and I forgot about a few things. First, there is a break to learn between Kabbalas Shabbos and Maariv. But the cool "Penguiny" thing I forgot is watching the Rabbeim walk in. I sat in the back right, and the entrance to the Beis Hamedresh is in the front left. Whenever a Rebby would walk in you got a cool "Penguin Wave" of everyone standing up, and then sitting down. It was cool the first time, by by Rabbi #4 I was cracking up. I really like to watch the pipsqueak freshmen who standing up or sitting down has little effect on their height. I personally always stand the entire davening so I didn't pop up and down with the 400+ penguins in the yeshiva. To the yeshiva's credit, each bochur was polite and asked if I needed anything, like a siddur or some seforim during the break. It's nice to see that all penguins aren't so cold.

Cultural Norms

I haven’t posted in a while, but I had a sobering conversation today. I am a special education teacher. I work in an environment almost completely surrounded by blacks, and I keep my yarmulke on. I have a girl who substitutes in my class from time to time. She’s very nice. She’s from Guyana. She was telling me about the house her family owns in Guyana, and that her whole family is here in he states. I asked what her family does with a house there, and she said it’s a two family house. They rent out the bottom floor, and use the top for family who visits, or sometimes rent out the top to tourists. I jokingly said I’d love to go to Guyana for a visit, and she says, “No, you’re a rich Jew. You’d be beaten and robbed in two minutes flat”. I was a bit taken back, and asked if she thought I was a rich Jew. She said, “of course you are, all Jews are rich”. She then asked why I think Jews are hated. Mind you, she is not a mean angry lady, just a young 20 something person. I countered with asking if there was a problem with the expectation of being robbed as a cultural norm, and she said, and I quote, “you are rich, and Guyana people are poor. Of course you should be robbed”.
I thought about this and responded, you know, if you went to the poorest Jewish part of Israel, you may be beaten on if you dress immodestly. But you’d still wake up with your wallet. It seemed to give her pause for thought. But maybe not.

Not Bodek...But it could be!

Amazing!

Just a friendly tip from Mrs. Gilmour, if you use a credit card at Amazing Savings, the receipt that goes to the store has your complete credit card number. I still use a credit card there, I just ask for the receipt and cross out my number. Be careful!

Wow it's Early

Never one to shirk my duties, I was at shul at 12:50 this past Motzei Shabbos as you probably were. I listen to the announcment that Daf is 5:30 the rest of the week, and on Friday it will be 5:00. How can I do teshuvah while being tired and irratable?

Elul, Girls, Vacation & Zodiac

OK where to start... This past week, we went on vacation. To some this means Florida, Virginia, or who knows what else. My family goes to upstate NY. Our first stop was to visit some family in Woodridge, NY. We had a great time, and I enjoyed the shul a lot. Not so much because of the spectacular davening, but the really beautiful murals of the Jewish Zodiac they have painted across the top of the shul. You don't find to many murals downstate in "frummy" shuls (of which I am a member). We then went on to spend a great week with some family in Rochester. My kids love it there because they can play outside and with other kids on the block w/0 having to worry to much about cars, abductions, and other things you find more of in Brooklyn (the worst being Brooklyn land mines left by people who don't clean up after their dogs). The Shul I davened in in the mornings has always been a nice building, having originally been a church. The shul is even called St. Regis at times, being located on N St. Regis Drive. What I always liked was the chandeliers. They also have the Zodiac images on them. I was curious how these things relate to not making an image, because if I wasn't Jewish, it would be a curious thing to see murials and images of Virgins, Centaurs, and other things you don't find in a typical Brooklyn shul. How interesting that Elul is the Virgin and this ARTICLE about not wearing make-up appears. Make your own damned inferences! anyway, here is a LINK I found from Ohr Somayach about the Zodiac. Hat tip to Lion of Zion for sharing my feelings of wedding make up!

It's Been A While, and We're still Here

It's been some time since I got a chance to post, time being the major obstacle.

So once again, it's September and Elul. I can't believe the summer is gone...

Well, didn't YOU think the geulah was coming? I know Mrs. LFD was looking down the street by Birchas HaChamah expecting Moshiach to come at any second (isn't he supposed to be riding a donkey or is that another JUB Jewish Urban Myth). Personally, I was always curious to ask someone in their late 80-90's about maintaining bitachon and seeing wild world changing events so frequently this past 100 years. Let's hope for a good year!

And Tonight is Ladies Night!

This post is dedicated (wow!) to my friends E & D who Mrs. LFD & I have had the pleasure of having them as guests at our house. E & D are sisters, one of whom I met one summer while she was doing a summer school stint for the NYCDOE. E is an occupational therapist. When I see another orthodox Jew at my school, I always invite them over for a Shabbos meal, and E told me her sister would come over with her the first time. A good friendship was established through cholent, chicken soup, and rotisserie chicken (yes they have come for evening & day meals).
Anyway, E & D are interesting, and well versed. If I was to be forced to categorize them, they would be a little left of center, which brings me to my next point (this is a rambling kind of post). I find that there are two kinds of Orthodox Jews when it comes to learning about Judaism. The first is the kind of person who learns from shall we say, the Artscroll versions of what frum Judaism is all about. These kind of people by their nature, (and I feel I’m one of them some of the time) will move to the right of center. The other kinds end up more like Lion of Zion, who is, in my opinion is extremely well versed, as well as demonstrates a better understanding of early and modern Jewish history. Most right wingers that I know don’t. Now me, I do like to question, and find out. There are some who read and learn and “tow the party line”. I hope that I’m enough of an individual that I can pendulum around left and right to see all points of view. Back to E & D. E told me that she’d had an interesting experience davening at a Ladies Minyan in Flatbush. That she went was kind of cool, in my opinion, although I have to admint it made me uncomfortable. Why? I’m not sure. I don’t know how I’d feel if Mrs. LFD went to a Ladies Minyan. Is it halachically acceptable? From what I have learned, it is. It just is not what I’m used to. Maybe that’s how a BT feels when they learn a new halachah. I don’t know. Last time E & D ate over, E told me she was going to go to the minyan again, and she would guest post. I don’t know if she did yet, but this reminded me: http://www.vosizneias.com/35041/2009/07/15/jerusalem-orthodox-feminist-movement-gaining-ground/.
Well E, if you went, you owe me a post! And when are you coming over again? Hope it’s soon! And you could always bring some Stella Doro cookies.

Oy Gevald!

Say it "Aint" so! While perusing the Yesiva World News, I saw that Streimel cookies may soon be no more. The Stella Doro are my favorite cookie. For a while, they tried to go milchig, but then went back to the tried and true parve. Please excuse me for reading YWN, but it's a good source for important things... like Stella Doro cookies. Maybe Kitov or Mishpacha could come out with a pale "heimishe" imitation. On second thought, why ruin good memories.

You Go Kid!

This Shabbos my brother was over for lunch along with some other friends of ours. My brother, like me has an aversion to veggies. I personally don't care what others eat, and Mrs. LFD & I try to have a number of greens on the table. My brother who likes to have his opinions heard stated aloud that the reason Karbanos are all animals is because meat is tastier than things that come from the ground. My son, who is always one step ahead pipes up and says:
"First of all, BIKURIM, second, the Korbon Mincha is wheat wich is grown and was bought every day!".
Smart kid!

So it's summer

I ran into Jacob Da Jew today who gave me a reprimand for being so conspicuously absent. I have been doing some work for an online company and it's taken much of my time. Sorry.
Some points I've been meaning to write about:
1. Mrs. LakewoodFallingDown and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary!
2. Two weeks ago's Daf talks about having a Sela coin that gets rubbed out. The Gemorah tells us an appropriate way to get damaged coinage off of the market is to make a hole in it an give to to your son or daughter to wear. So jewelry for men (and boys) was promoted. It made me feel good, because I am the only one in m Shul that wears a ring.
3. I had the foresight to buy sand toys for a beach wedding we attended, and my kids, nieces and nephews had a blast digging by the Chuppah.
4. I love when everyone empties out to the mountains. I can find parking in Brooklyn.
5. I did Monster Island for this years cultural fair in public school. Give things a latitude and longitude, add some pictures, and anything can be believed (the native food was Soylent Green).
6. Our tuition bill for next year included an $800.00 "family assessment" fee. What the heck does that mean?!
7. I discovered that Treppinwitz and I both love root beer.
8. We painted our apartment, and made our bathroom dark blue (looks good)!
9. Paperwork stinks.
10. I don't have a facebook or twitter account. Someone set up a facebook account with my name, but it does not lik to me nor does it exsist anywhere I can find.
More updates when I have time!

This Land Is My Land

What is going on with Obama? A two state solution? To anyone who reads this, please explain why a Palestinian state is needed.
Israel is a democracy. You can be a Christan, Muslim, a Sikh or whatever in a democracy, as long as:
A: You don't kill anyone.
B: You don't hurt anyone.
So tell me, in what reality would a Palestinian state be a solution to anything? BTW, since this insanity may be pushed through, Obama, could you get some massive cash pledges from some Arab countries to support them? Oh, wait I forgot. The Arab world doesn't like Palestinians. They hate JEWS.

Jews, not Israelis

Where exactly are the Gedolei Torah when the world is turning against us? Where are we and what are we doing to address this crisis?- Oh, we're packing out to the Catskills...
Obama's nasty ban on natural growth is akin to some of what History's worst Rashaim wanted to do. I took this from a Fox news feed: (for the complete article click HERE).

-Obama told NPR that the he still believes the United States has a "special relationship" with Israel, but that the "status quo is unsustainable" and that movement toward a Palestinian state is critical to Israeli security.
"The current trajectory in the region is profoundly negative," Obama said. "Not only for Israeli interests but also U.S. interests."
Some analysts see potential progress in Obama's demands, since it could prompt Arab nations to work more earnestly toward peace with Israel.
Nathan Brown, a political scientist at George Washington University, said Obama's demand that Israel freeze settlements will make Arab leaders pay close attention to his speech this week.
"His predecessor, who did talk two-state solution, was not taken seriously because there was no change on the ground," he said, explaining that Muslims want to see something concrete go along with the platitudes.
Israeli politician Haim Oron told The Jerusalem Post Wednesday that Obama's stance is "correct" and in Israel's best interest. He dismissed the concerns of what he called the "Israeli Right."

Note that MUSLIMS want to see something, not "Arab States"- again Obama is not only pro Muslim, but anti Jew. Am I saying he is an outright anti-Semite? No, he's worse. He tries to hide it in diplomacy.
Obama, stop worrying about the natural growth of Jews, and maybe do something normal. I know if a country illegally started pointing nukes my way(Thanks N Korea!), it may strike me as more urgent as mollifying terrorists who teach hate. Unless you agree with them...

Important Links

Being a Jew in Galus is difficult. Waiting for Moshiach is difficult.
Here are some interesting links:
Hat Tip: Treppinwitz & The Muquata

No-Bama

How to treat others

Out of the Loop

Wow. It's been a while since I got to blog. Some important catch ups for those who want to know:

1. Most important, Mrs. LFD got a "Ocean" colors dress for a beach wedding that fits well and looks great on her (see picture).

2. Mrs. LFD finally got a sheitel she really likes (translated- spent some serious $$ on it) yes, I like it too. Sorry, it's not the one in the picture.

3. I had a conversation with Little LFD's Rebbe about not giving extra review as a punishment. Torah should never be used as a punishment because it will sour the kids taste for learning. He only marginally agreed, but hasn’t done it since.

4. I had no DAIRY cheesecake on Shavuos, only a Tofuti one made by Mrs. LFD. The lasagna made up for it, although I really don't like milchigs.

5. My computer died, and I was "forced" into upgrading to Vista (yuck!) Now some of my important 32 bit programs don't work properly anymore.

6. I had the pleasure of being at Lion of Zion's brother's wedding. It was nice, and I got to see Lion, Mrs. Lion & Jr. having a great time (he can tell details if he wishes, I asked if I could tell I was there).

7. Obama took over the banks and GM. Next stop-Israel (See The Muqata).

8. Got seriously and repeatedly flashed by a bunch of rowdy Puerto Rican teen age girls while walking down my block erev yom tov.
9. Did my science fair “going green” project on burping. We used the Alfred E. Neuwman song “It’s a Gas” as our back drop.
10. My daughter’s front teeth have both come out. I think she looks cute!

Your Grandparents Too?

I was at Mrs. LFD's parents for the first days. Her Grandfather lives down the hall from her parents. Every time we go, he offers us a calendar and/or a deck of playing cards. So did my uncles and aunts whenever we came to visit. What about you?