Bar Ilan, Oliver Wendall Holmes and the Limits of Free Speech

When I saw the following statement from Bar Ilan, I immediately thought of the late, great Justice Oliver Wendall Holmes, who said: '"the most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man in falsely shouting fire in a theatre and causing a panic. The question in every case is whether the words used are used in such circumstances and are of such a nature as to create a clear and present danger that they will bring about the substantive evils that Congress has a right to prevent."


Bar-Ilan University Condemns Publication of Book on Blood Libels
University expects Prof. Ariel Toaff to take immediate measures to repair the damage caused by the publication of his book

Following a preliminary investigation into the circumstances surrounding the publication of Prof. Ariel Toaff's book in Italy, Bar-Ilan University is expressing great anger and extreme displeasure at Prof. Ariel Toaff, for his lack of sensitivity in publishing his book about blood libels in Italy. His choice of a private publishing firm in Italy, the book's provocative title and the interpretations given by the media to its contents, have offended the sensitivities of Jews around the world and harmed the delicate fabric of relations between Jews and Christians.

r-Ilan University strongly condemns and repudiates what is seemingly implied by Toaff's book and by reports in the media concerning its contents, as if there is a basis for the blood libels that led to the murder of millions of innocent Jews.

Bar-Ilan University's executive leadership and academic faculty have consistently condemned any attempt to justify the terrible blood libels against the Jews. Prof. Toaff should have demonstrated greater sensitivity and caution in his handling of the book and its publication, in a manner that would have prevented the distorted and offensive reports and interpretations.

At Bar-Ilan University it is expected that now, after the extent of the damage caused to the Jewish public has become apparent, Prof. Toaff will take personal responsibility for his blunder and act to repair the damage which he caused.

In addition, the University expects all those involved in the matter to work to set the record straight and to remove the needless cloud that has formed in the wake of the distorted accounts.

Blood Libel

For those not in the know, the nefarious, baseless, murderous blood libel has received a new life. The study in question centers on the case of Simon of Trent in 1475. That case, especially, has been thoroughly examined by a non-Jewish, internationally known, historian R. Po-Chia Hsia in his book Trent 1475: Stories of a Ritual Murder Trial. He conclusively showed that there was absolutely no basis of any kind to the accusation. All 'confessions' were extracted under the most horrifying torture (clearly illustrated in the Latin and German protocols, which can be examined here.) Sof.

Watching Israel's Melt-Down from the Wet Coast

Both Caroline and Cassandra begin with 'C'.' They see things as they are and no one believes them.

God Help Us as we crown King Meni I.

What's Waiting....Courtesy of the Troika

Olmert, Livni and Peretz..

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Self-Hating Liberal Jews: Kudos to QED

Once again, QED has said it better than I ever could.

Required Reading and Listening

I.

They Never Miss an opportunity, to miss an opportunity. (Abba Eban) Israeli Arabs Unmasked.

II.

And What Are You? A Lawyer...And a Lawyer's Son! (A Man for All Seasons and

Caroline Glick )

III.

The Bergen County Bais Medrash has a large selection of tapes of shiurim by the Rav זצ"ל. I listened to the one on Kedusha and Malkhus for the first time this week. (It was given in 1969, I suspect on the occasion of the Rebbetzin ע"ה 's second yahrzeit). In the middle, I had to pull over to the side of the road, I was so moved. חבל על דאבדין ולא משתכחין.

And Joseph Recognized his Brothers

A recent posting by Gil Student raised the question of the degree of acceptance of returnees by the Orthodox Community. It's a subject to which I've given a great degree of thought over the years. I regret to say, though, that experience has shown over and over again that despite its readiness (nay, it's joy) to trumpet the wave of returnees to Tradition, all sectors of the Orthodox Community are guilty (to one degree or another) of neglecting (at best) and actively discriminating against (at worst) those who were not born into Orthodoxy.

This manifests itself in many different ways, depending upon the sub-community involved. Thus, among Hassidic groups, BT's (=Baale Teshuvah) are not allowed to marry FFB's (=Frum From Births), on the assumption that they were born to mothers who did not go to Mikveh. [Here, the Litvaks are ahead. It is asserted in the names of both Reb Moshe Feinstein and Rav Ahron Kotler, that the fact that a person sought out Torah and Mitzvot proves that this is not a consideration.] Among Misnagdim, it is extremely rare to find BT's who rise socially or institutionally. On the contrary, in Israel, they are all too often shunted to different schools and social groups. In addition, there is woefully little follow-up or support for BT families, who are often not prepared for the stresses that accompany Haredi LIfe. Indeed, when problems arise, they are dismissed as being a result of the individual's being BT's, and farookt at that. [Part of this phenomenon is portrayed in the movie Ushpizin.]

The Modern Orthodox Community, and its Dati-Leumi counterpart, have a much better record in this regard. They still, however, have much in their houses that requires ordering. There is resentment at the way that BT's highlight the failings of the FFB's. (Remind me of a certain comment that Tosfos makes about converts.) Socially, and institutionally, these communities also function very much as closed shops. BT's are at a loss as to how to get 'in there' with the members of their new communities. Very few, if any people are there to help them. Indeed, the socialization of the BT is a far more perilous process than is the acceptance of the yoke of Torah. (I recall telling a neophyte to spend a year at YU, despite the fact that he was already quite learned. My idea was that being able to intelligently discuss Mr. Parker's food [both ע"ה] would prove an invaluable tool in his future life as an Orthodox Jew.)

It all comes down to a sermon I delivered at Lincoln Square Synagogue on Shabbos Chanukkah, 5751, during the two weeks that I was in the running for Senior Rabbi. It was Parshas Miketz (of course) and I discussed the verse that Joseph recognized his brethren, but they did not recognize him (ויכר יסף את אחיו והם לא הכירוהו). Behind the acculturated facade, Joseph was a Jew and recognized the authenticity that his brothers represented. They, however, did not recognize him. They remined alienated from him even after he revealed himself to them. מעשה אבות, סימן לבנים. The Brothers didn't 'recognize' R. Akiva's uniqueness (child of convert's after all). They didn't recognize returning forced converts after 1096. They made trouble for escaping Marranos after 1492. Nor was there a lot of consistent affection and support for Western BT's after two or three generations of assimilation. (Dare I mention Ethiopians, Russian Jews after 70 years of Communism, and a fortiori the Bnai Menashe?) We pay a heavy price for this, a price which we cannot afford.

Is this true globally? Absolutely Not! On the other hand, since when do we push aside one soul in favor of another? [אין דוחין נפש בפני נפש.]

Just something to think about, as we keep up efforts to rejudaize and save the country (and the remainder of the people).

Litvak Porn....

A Mehayeh....

A Shayne Gelechter

Thanks to Aviad Stollman

Obsession: The Threat of Radical Islam

This incredibly important and deeply disturbing wake-up call, from Honest Reporting, is available, full length, here. PLEASE!!!! Take the time to watch and pass the word.