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.

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.

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" .

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.

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.

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.