Monday, December 31, 2007

Today 22nd of Tevet , Dec. 31 in Jewish History


In 1798, mobs attempted to torch the Jewish ghetto of Rome, but rains put out the fire. Upon the occurrence of this miracle, the day was then designated as a holiday by Roman Jews.


The Roman (Jewish) Ghetto was located in the rione Sant'Angelo in the area surrounded by today's Via del Portico d'Ottavia, Lungotevere dei Cenci, Via del Progresso and Via di Santa Maria del Pianto close to the Tiber and the Theater of Marcellus in Rome, Italy.

This "ghetto" had two objectives— to protect Christians from too close an association with persons of a different religion, and to protect the Jews from mobs or hooligans. The ghetto was welcome to some Jews because it protected the small community from the drain which must follow from assimilation to the majority and enabled special religious customs to be observed without interference.


The Jews were also subjected to various restrictions and degradations, including having to attend compulsory Catholic sermons on Shabbat. During Rome's annual carnival, scantily-clad Jews were forced to race along the main street, while the crowd mocked them, threw trash, and reigned heavy blows. (The event often proved fatal.) Hygienic conditions inside the ghetto were terrible, and there was constant flooding from the nearby Tiber River. Outside the ghetto, Jews were required to wear identifying yellow clothing. When Napoleonic forces occupied Rome, the ghetto was legally abolished in 1808, and the city of Rome tore down the ghetto walls in 1888.

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Today 21st of Tevet , Dec 30 in Jewish History


Today the 21st of Tevet is the birthday of Shimon (ca. 1567 B.C.E. – ca. 1447 B.C.E.), the son of Jacob our forefather and one of the twelve Jewish Tribes. Shimon is buried in the City of Matzada, which was given to the Tribe of Shimon. The tribe of Shimon never received its own land, however the families of Shimon dwelt within the land of the strongest tribe, the leadership tribe of Judah.

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Today 20th of Tevet , Dec 29 in Jewish History


Yahrtzeit of Maimonides (1135-1204), also known as the Rambam (an acronym for his name, Rabbi Moses ben Maimon) one of the most know Rishonim. In arabic he is known as Abu Imran Mussa bin Maimun ibn Abdallah al-Qurtubi al-Israili. His name Maimonides derives from the Greek language. Maimonides was born in Spain, but was forced to flee due to a radical Muslim regime that gave the Jews a choice of accepting Muhammad or leaving. Maimonides finally settled in Cairo, where in addition to leading the Jewish community, he was a top physician who served in the royal court of the Sultan of Egypt. Maimonides' magnum opus is Mishneh Torah, a comprehensive 14-volume code of Jewish law which has since been the subject of more than 300 commentaries. Maimonides' great philosophical treatise, Guide for the Perplexed, explains Jewish theology in light of Aristotelian philosophy and science. A popular saying is that "from Moses [of the Torah] to Moses [Maimonides], there has never been one like Moses." Maimonides is recognized today as the greatest medieval Jewish philosopher. He is buried in Tiberias, Israel.
Kosher Corner
The famous inventors of the Kosher Lamp are known for their inventions that serve the needs of the Religious Jewish people. They have come up with another few inventions since their famous Kosher Lamp invention, but non of these made it big. Now they released the Shabbos Toothbrush which seems that it will become their second very famous invention. This invention comes along with a special Shabbos Toothwash. The regular toothbrushes and toothpaste are prohibited on Shabbos by all leading Halachic authorities. Now Orthodox Jewish people can enjoy a good tooth brush on Shabbos and Yom Tov.

Friday, December 28, 2007

Today 19th of Tevet, Dec. 28 in Jewish History


On the 19th of Tevet 1638, the Catholic Church in Recife, Brazil closed the two shuls then in existence there.


The Kahal Zur Israel (“Rock of Israel”) was the first synagogue built in the New World. It was established mainly by Jewish immigrants from the Netherlands, joined by New Christians already living in the colony. The synagogue flourished in the mid-1600’s, when the Dutch briefly controlled this part of northeastern Brazil. The synagogue served a community of approximately 1,450 Jews. It had a cantor, Josue Velosino, and a rabbi, Isaac Aboab da Fonseca.

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Shampoo Bottle in a Lakewood Mikvah. Mi K'Amchah Yisroel.


This bottle of shampoo clearly demonstrates the fear of Hashem (G-D). Someone mistakenly used another person's Shampoo in a Lakewood mikvah. Since he did not know how to locate the owner of this shampoo, he attached a "I am sorry" note with a payment of $1.00 for the shampoo used.



Mi K'Amchah Ysiroel! Who is like you nation, Israel!




Note: This photo is free for everyone to copy and use to whatever purpose they wish.

Today 18th of Tevet , Dec. 27 in Jewish History



Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Zvi Elimelech Shapiro of Dinov (1783-1841), author of the chassidic work, B'nei Yissachar. A brilliant scholar, kabbalist, and leader of Polish Jewry, Rabbi Shapiro worked vigorously to strengthen the Jewish community in light of the assimilationist trends brought about by the Enlightenment.







Kosher Corner


With today's stress many people turn to vitamins and herbs to help them relax. In the Kosher market has a few excellent relaxing supplements. The most common vitamin used, according to health food stores selling kosher vitamins, is Max Relax. According to the manufacturer, Maxi Health, this is it's effect. "Our proprietary blend of essential amino acids and B vitamins in combination with valerian root and minerals, such as calcium and magnesium can soothe your weary body. Relax with Max Relax, the natural alternative from Maxi-Health Research" .

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Today 17th of Tevet, Dec. 26 in Jewish history


In 1728, Congregation Shearith Israel purchased a plot of land in lower Manhattan, site of the first structure ever designed and built as a synagogue in continental North America. At the time, New York had the only Jewish community in the country; it would be some two decades later before organized Jewish settlement began in Philadelphia, Lancaster and Charleston.


Shearith Israel was the only Jewish congregation in New York City from 1654 until 1825, having been founded by Brazilian Jews of Spanish and Portuguese origin. Governor Peter Stuyvesant, known for his anti-Semitic views, had initially denied Jews the right to worship in a public gathering; these Jews fought for their rights and won permission. Today, Shearith Israel occupies a grand structure at 70th Street and Central Park West.



Kosher Corner


Kof-K issued a Kashrut alert. The "Do Goodie Brownies/Blondies has a "No Dairy" designation next to the Kof-K Kosher symbol. This product contains dairy ingredients as is indicated on its label. Kof-K has notified that future packaging will be corrected.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Today, 16th of Tevet, Dec. 25 in Jewish History

In 1863, General Ulysses S. Grant was instructed to revoke Order No. 11, which had called for the expulsion of all Jews from Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi.

During the Civil War, smugglers were illegally selling southern cotton to the northern textile factories. Grant, commander of U.S. Army forces, believed that Jews were primarily behind this illegal cotton trade, and he decided to expel all Jews from southern territory. Grant wrote: "No Jews are to be permitted to travel on the railroad southward from any point... The [region] must be purged of them." Based on Grant's orders, Jews were expelled from their homes, including 20 families from the town of Paducah alone. Some Jews were denied rail transportation and had to flee northward on foot. Those who did not cooperate were thrown into prison. Jewish community leaders immediately arranged a meeting at the White House with President Lincoln, who cancelled the expulsion order. Grant, who would later become U.S. president, never offered any explanation or apology.


KOSHER CORNER
About taking vitamins, one must be careful that he consumes only Kosher vitamins. In a case were Kosher vitamins are not available, one must consult their local Rabbi if other vitamins are permitted. In today's ever growing Kosher industry it's always possible to get kosher vitamins. There is the major brand called Maxi Health. The Maxi Health Kosher Vitamins can be purchased at a reduced price, even lower than the non kosher ones, so why take non kosher.

Monday, December 24, 2007

Today 15th of Tevet , Dec. 24 in Jewish History

The 15th of Tevet was the day that the first printed edition of Sefer Mitzvot Gadol, Soncino, Italy, 1488.

The Sefer Mitzvot Hagadol a/k/a Sma"g was authored by MOSES BEN JACOB OF COUCY. He published his Sefer Hamitzvot Hagadol (The Large Book of Precepts), which classified the law according to the six hundred and thirteen commandments, dividing them into two hundred and sixty-five prohibitions and two hundred and forty-eight precepts. The Semaq was admittedly influenced by Maimonides, whom he quotes quite often. His son-in-law, Isaac ben Joseph of Borbeil, continued his work.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

December 23, 14th of Tevet Jewish History Event

The 14th of Tevet is known as the day of Purim Hebron.

Among the special "Purims" which are celebrated by certain Jewish communities on certain days of the year, to commemorate some miracle, there is also a Purim which the Sephardic Jews of Hebron used to celebrate on the fourteenth day of Teveth. Many years ago the old city of Hebron was inhabited by a community of Sephardic Jews who had been driven out of Spain and other Christian lands where Jews were cruelly oppressed.
One day two Jews arrived in Hebron from Jerusalem, for the purpose of collecting money for "Pidyon Shvuim" (obtaining release of Jews from Slave traders).
The two emissaries met with the heads of the community and explained their important mission, to collect not less than five thousand piasters from the Hebron community, for their lifesaving endeavor.
The heads of the community knew that, with a vigorous effort, they could manage to raise the required sum, but they claimed that "Charity begins at home," and they had to meet the needs of their own poor people first. So they "bargained" with the emissaries who insisted, however, that nothing less than the five thousand piasters would be acceptable. And if the Hebron community refused, or were unable to raise the required sum, the Almighty would show them where the necessary help would be available, and the Hebron Jews would lose the great merit of "Pidyon Shvuim" saving Jewish souls.
The arguments of the emissaries proved in vain, and they left empty-handed.
Now a new Pasha came into power as ruler over Hebron, and he was a Jew-hater. He kept on introducing new edicts against the Jewish community, draining them of their hard earned money. At first he began in a moderate manner, but very soon tired of this slow process, and looked for some way in which he could make a clean sweep and cash in all that the Jews possessed.
The Pasha was an educated man who mastered several languages in addition to Arabic which was his native tongue. He read in history books, accounts of how Christian rulers treated the Jews in their lands, and learned that, in some cases, they threw rabbis and Jewish leaders into prison until such time as their Jewish communities would ransom them for huge sums of money. Some Christian rulers, he found, even went to the extent of driving the Jews out of their country; robbing them of all their possessions.
This latter possibility appealed greatly to this Jew hating Pasha. He quickly issued a call to the rabbis and leaders of the Hebron Jewish community and told them that he had put a tax on them, in the sum of fifty thousand piasters which must be paid within the month. Failing which, the Jewish leaders would have to pay with their lives, and the rest of the Jews would be sold as slaves! And, to make sure that the leaders would not run away, a few of them were immediately arrested and put in chains.
The Pasha then sent the others home, warning them that they had better start at once to raise the demanded fifty thousand piasters. The entreaties of the rabbis and leaders that it was impossible for them, and in so short a time, to produce such a vast sum, fell on the deaf ears and stony heart of the cruel Pasha, and they left in great despair.
The heads of the Jewish community now realized that they were being punished by G-d for having refused to find the five thousand piasters asked of them by the emissaries from Jerusalem, to save Jews from being sold as slaves. And now they were being taxed ten fold by the cruel Pasha.
The rabbis immediately decreed that the Jewish community must fast and pray to the Almighty for salvation from their desperate situation. At the same time they decided to send a "Pidyon" (literally, "ransom," but in this case, an appeal) to the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who were buried in the Cave of Machpelah which is situated in Hebron, to pray to the Almighty on their behalf and intercede for their children in their desperate hour of need.
The rabbis first went to the Mikva, and having purified and sanctified themselves, they wrote out their appeal to the Patriarchs on clean parchment, the same as is used for the holy Torah scrolls.
The problem, then, was the matter of the delivery of their appeal. How could it reach the holy Patriarchs? The Cave of Machpelah was then in Arab hands. The Moslems had built a house of worship above the cave, and Jews were not allowed to visit the holy graves. The Jews were only allowed to ascend a few steps of the building and pray to their holy ancestors from the distance. And even for this "privilege" they had to pay the guard.
The only way they could think of was to bribe the guard, that he should throw the "Pidyon" into the cave, the entrance of which was sealed, so that even he could not enter it. This, they knew. But they also knew that there was a kind of "window" there through which it would be possible to throw in the "Pidyon." For a sizable bribe the guard agreed to do them this "favor," and swore "by the beard of his prophet," that he would attend to the matter without delay.
The night before the due date for payment, the Pasha could not sleep; his mind was full of the thought of all the money he would be getting from the Jews. The moon was full, and the following day he hoped his coffers, would be equally full. The money greedy Pasha kept his treasures in an iron safe in his bedroom. Whenever he had a sleepless night he would open this safe and take out a bag of gold coins and count them with great satisfaction. This night, too, being unable to fall asleep, he went to his iron safe and took out a large bag of money and began to count the glittering, golden coins. It totaled fifty thousand piasters exactly, and he gleefully thought that the next day he would be receiving exactly the same amount from the Jewish community.
With a happy smile he returned the bag to the safe, put the key of the safe under his pillow, and fell blissfully asleep.
Suddenly, he was startled to see three old men in his room. "Give us the bag with the fifty thousand piasters if you value your life," they demanded. In fear and trembling he got the bag of money and handed it over to them. And, as suddenly as they appeared, they vanished as if into thin air.
The Pasha awoke in a cold sweat. What a terrible nightmare! He at once put his hand under his pillow and was reassured to find the key just where be had left it, so, with a sigh of relief, he went back to sleep.
The following morning the Pasha awoke and completely forgot about his nightmare of the previous night. He did not forget, however, that this was the day when he would be receiving the fifty thousand piasters from the Hebron Jews.
The previous night had also been a sleepless night for all the Jews of Hebron. They had assembled in the Beth Hamidrash. They prayed with all their hearts that G-d would save them, as "the hour of reckoning" had come.
Early the following morning the Pasha, accompanied by his soldiers, arrived at the Beth Hamidrash. They began banging on the door, crying: "Open the door for the Pasha!"
As the Shamash walked with faltering steps towards the door and was about to open it, he gazed with unbelieving eyes at a strange bag which lay in the basin in which the congregants washed their hands on entering the Beth Hamidrash. He could hardly lift the heavy bag which he quickly handed to the head of the community. With unbelieving eyes they saw its precious contents.
The Shamash rushed back to open the door for the Pasha and his soldiers.
"I have come for the fifty thousand piasters which are due today," the Pasha demanded.
"Here is your money," said the president of the community, handing over the bag to the Pasha.
The Pasha looked at the bag of money and could hardly believe the evidence of his eyes.
"Why, this is indeed my bag of gold!" he cried out in a shaky voice, his face turning pale. "How did it get to you?" But he did not wait for a reply. He knew the answer from his dream. Slowly, he began: "I will tell you how you got the money. Your holy Fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob rose from their graves in the Cave of Machpelah and brought it to you. I saw them in my dream. The Guardian of Israel does not sleep, and I beg you now to forgive me for my evil intentions. Pray for me and I promise I will never again attempt to do you harm in any way."
So, as this particular miracle took place on the fourteenth day of Teveth, when the Jews of Hebron were saved from a dreadful catastrophe, they took upon themselves to celebrate every fourteenth day of Teveth as their "Purim," which came to be known as "Window Purim" in remembrance of the "window" in the Cave of Machpelah which had brought them the miraculous salvation.

Today's event is made possible by the Kosher Organic store. Find all types of Kosher Vitamins at greatly reduced prices.

Daily Jewish Calendar Events

The Jewish Calendar has history events for every day of the year. We will be posting every day the event that occurred that day. While many events are known, there are many events in Jewish history that are not well known and you will find it very interesting. Make sure to check our posts on a daily basis.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Kosher Dietetic Food Getting easier to Buy

I remember the days when forget of finding Kosher dietetic food available, even regular kosher Food was hard to obtain. One need to travel from my neighborhood over an hour in order to purchase plain Kosher Cake, Bread etc. Now we have a few Kosher shops in our local shopping center.

What's even more amazing is the ability to sit now in your home and with the click of a few buttons you will be able to have a full order of just any imaginable Kosher food or even Kosher Organic Food. I am even able to find my most favorite Kosher Health Food Online, I just click and within a day or two, I have them at my door front.

Keeping Kosher has never been easier!

Monday, November 26, 2007

My favorite Menorahs are the ones with real Jewish style.

As Hanukkah is getting closer, more and more menorahs pop in to the ever growing market of Judaica menorahs. Although there are menorahs with non Jewish themes, I prefer a real Jewish looking Menorah. Why? Since Hanukkah is all about symbolizing the Jewish people as a nation why get secular themes in to it??

The following is my best styles: The Traditional Jewish Style Menorah, featuring the style that I have seen on many ancient Jewish pictures. I also love menorahs with a more modern style but stay in the style of being very Jewish, such as this Signature Menorah. Although it's a very modern looking menorah with the signature style, it does feature that truly Jewish feeling of having the option of oil or candles.

Monday, September 17, 2007

Yom Kippur is a fast day decreed in the Bible. Abstaining from food is meant to improve one's ability to focus on repentance. The Yom Kippur begins before sunset on the evening before Yom Kippur and ends after nightfall on the day of Yom Kippur.

Why fast on Yom Kippur? Spiritual elevation is a pre-requisite for true repentance. One way to achieve spiritual elevation is to abstain from the physical. Five activities that are forbidden on Yom Kippur:

a)eating and drinking
b)marital relations
c)washing
d)wearing leather shoes

e)applying lotions

What are the best ways to prepare for the Yom Kippur fast?

While feeling hunger pains is an acceptable part of the fast experience, one must be extra cautious not to dehydrate, faint or get sick while fasting.

There are several ways to prepare yourself physically for a healthy fast.

1) A few days before the fast, minimize caffeine intake in order to reduce Caffeine withdrawel headaches

2) The day before the fast, eat something small every two hours, avoid salt, and drink as much water as possible.

3) Plan the final meal before the fast early enough in the afternoon to avoid rushing to finish before the fast begins. This will allow enough time to eat slowly, thus actually consuming more food

4) Plan the menu of this final meal so that it contains high carbohydrate and low salt foods.

5) Do not eat too much in the meal before the fast, but drink plenty of water.

6) Leave time after the meal to brush your teeth. This will leave you a fresher taste in your mouth throughout the fast.

What food is should one eat after the fast? Most people break the fast with coffee and cake. Many have the custome to eat on this night a full Jewish Holiday meal.

Praying on Yom Kippur. Now it's easier then ever to keep up with Yom Kippur Services, since there are many Hebrew Machzors available with english translation. My favorite Machzor is The Schottenstein Edition Machzor for Yom Kippur With an Interlinear Translation. The reason I like it is because it has the translation right next to the Hebrew words, which makes it easy to read.

Wishing a easy fast to all!