Before you read this post, it needs some context. It was inspire by this post in BeyondBT. Read it first.

When I look at non-Chabad "kiruv" projects and events  (And, I'll admit, even some Lubavitcher ones) I become dismayed by those who would present Torah and אידישקייט as something it's not. A friend of mine wrote about it on her blog and ( Read more... )

When I was in the Navy, I once witnessed a bar fight in downtown Olongapo (Philippines) that still haunts my dreams.  The fight was between a big oafish Marine and a rather soft-spoken, medium sized Latino sailor from my ship.

All evening the Marine had been trying to pick a fight with one of us and had finally set his sights on this diminutive ( Read more... )

There is a famous story in the gemara (Shabbos 31a) about three prospective converts who each came to Shammai saying that they want to convert but only if he meets some absurd condition. In all three cases, Shammai turns them away, they go to Hillel, who accepts them, they convert and they drop their requirement. The gemara describes the second one ( Read more... )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaE98w1KZ-c&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo%2Estumbleupon%2Ecom%2F

ס'איז וויכטיק צו געדענקען זיין דער ווערטער פון דוד המלך "סור מרע ואושה טוב". דאָס איז ניט נאָר וועגן לויטער כלומרשט אידישן ענינים, זאַכן וואָס זיינען רעלידזשוס, אָבער אויך מיט וועלטדיקע ענינים.

Obedience does not necessarily negate our ability to express an opinion. I believe that we have a significant zone of freedom. Our thought processes are not reduced to sycophantic expressions. Our status as Lubavitchers does not carry with it an obliteration of thought.

He tore feverishly at her bodice, ripping it off her sweat-drenched body. Having just bought the bodice, this really bummed her out. Still, she wanted more than anything to be devoured by his earthy passion. Unfortunately the idea of saying "devour me with your earthy passion" creeped her out, so instead she murmured "Hum daddy bow-wow." He had no ( Read more... )

I saved a man's life today ( Read more... )

Who is that, father?
A mendicant, child,
Haggard, morose, and unaffable -- wild!
See how he glares through the bars of his cell!
With Citizen Mendicant all is not well.

Why did they put him there, father?

Because
Obeying his belly he struck at the laws.

His belly?

Oh, ( Read more... )