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University researchers take on distracted driving
Tuesday, November 13, 2012 2:28:39 PM
Nick DiUlio
In recent years, there's been a lot of chatter about the problem of distracted driving. Now, Ohio State University and several other schools are putting their money — and time — where their mouths are.
Ohio State recently unveiled a $1.3 billion Driving Simulator Laboratory designed to help researchers look into distracted driving and how to prevent it.
"Driver distraction is a huge issue facing society right now and one that really needs concerted research," says Janet Weisenberger, senior associate vice president for research at Ohio State and director of the Driving Simulator Laboratory. "What this lab will allow us to do is take some of the questions we have about driving behavior and bring them into real-world scenarios."
Taking center stage at the laboratory is a high-octane driving simulator. It consists of a car frame mounted on a platform that will give users a sense of motion much like that of riding in an actual car.
The simulator screen curves around drivers for 240 degrees, giving the realistic illusion of really being on the road. The vehicle's dynamics — like the feel of the steering, braking and suspension — can be changed based on each driver's on-the-road experience. For instance, researchers may loosen the steering for a more experienced driver and tighten it for a newly minted teen driver.
Researchers also will be able to measure aspects of driver behavior including eye movement, blinking rates and pupil dilation (all of which are indicators of how focused the driver is on driving).
Research at the new lab isn't under way yet. Weisenberger says the research done there will benefit everyone from car manufacturers to everyday drivers. For instance, Weisenberger says, the research will let carmakers design vehicle interfaces (the dashboard as an example) to be as distraction-free as possible.
Partners in the lab are Ohio State, Honda and the Ohio Supercomputer Center.
Anne Marie Hayes, president of the Teens Learn to Drive Foundation and an expert on teen driver safety, calls the lab's simulator "the most sophisticated piece of equipment I've heard of."
"I think it's an incredible step forward and it sounds amazing," Hayes says. "This lab is going to provide a lot of valuable data and allow us to find out what drivers do with new technology and how we can keep them safer on the road."
The problem of distracted driving
If you struggle with distractions while driving, you are not alone. Lack of focus on the road is a serious and common problem.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes involve some sort of distraction. About 3,000 people were killed in distracted-driving crashes in 2011.
Jeremy Anwyl, vice chairman of automotive website Edmunds.com, says that when it comes to traditional safety technology such as air bags and seat belts, there aren't many improvements left to be made. "What we need are new ways to protect drivers from distractions, and this lab at Ohio State is a step in that direction," he says.
Distracted driving takes many forms. The most widely publicized and problematic involves cellphones. Many American motorists fess up to talking or texting while driving.
But cellphones aren't the only distraction risk. In fact, some of the most potentially distracting devices are built right into our cars. According to NHTSA, of the nearly 900,000 crashes involving distracted driving in 2010, about 26,000 involved adjusting in-car devices or controls, such as the radio, a CD or MP3 players or a GPS system.
The insurance risk
Distracted driving not only puts you at risk of injury or death, it also puts you at risk of higher car insurance premiums.
"If you're involved in an at-fault accident because you were distracted — either by a cellphone or a sandwich you were eating, or a dog you let ride on your lap — it's just like running a stop light or stop sign and hitting someone," insurance consultant Dan Weedin says. "In the insurance company's eyes, that's a high degree of negligence, and your policy is probably not going to be renewed."
In terms of shopping for a new policy after such an accident, Weedin says that "the process is brutal." The negligence that caused the accident will stay on your record for three years. During that period, auto insurers either will refuse to provide coverage or will slap you with a sky-high premium because you're a high-risk driver.
Other driving labs in the U.S.
Ohio State is not the only place where researchers are studying the physical and psychological aspects of driving. Here are several other schools working on driver research:
The University of Utah's Applied Cognition Lab has been studying distracted driving for a decade. Researchers measure everything from a driver's brain activity to eye movement behind the wheel.
The University of Minnesota's ITS Institute has conducted extensive research during the past several years to "directly examine the influence of distractions both inside and outside the vehicle."
The National Advanced Driving Simulator at the University of Iowa's Oakdale Research Park Campus is widely regarded as one of the country's best centers for driver research.
At Clemson University, the Driving Simulator Laboratory explores the psychological aspects of driving.
Since 2008, Wayne State University in Detroit has been using a driving simulator to study driver performance under hazardous conditions.
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Nuro Robotics Launches Driverless Grocery Delivery
A major breakthrough has occurred in driverless-vehicle technology. An autonomous vehicle is traveling city streets, not restricted to a specified route and with no safety driver onboard. It' … more
Volvo Envisions Driverless 360c With Flexible Interior
Advantages of automobile over airline travel, especially during short hauls, are debatable, but Volvo makes an argument for cars with its 360c concept vehicle. The driverless electric 360c is … more
Hyundai Invests in Metawave's Intelligent Radar for Self-Driving Vehicles
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text:
Traditional Day or Fête du Vodoun (literally Vodoun Festival, also known as Traditional Religions Day) is a public holiday in Benin that celebrates the nation's history surrounding the West African religion of Vodoun. The celebration is held annually on January 10 throughout the country but most notably in the city of Ouidah. Beginning with the slaughter of a goat in honor of the spirits, the festival is filled with singing, dancing and the imbibing of liquor, especially gin. Vodoun was officially declared a religion in Benin in 1996 and the festival has attracted thousands of devotees and tourists to Ouidah to participate in the festivities ever since.

Pictures

References

West African Vodun
Beninese culture
January observances
Articles containing video clips

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Download "The Holy Quran vindicated previous prophets as models of virtue"
Parents: Explain to your child that Esau and Jacob would become the fathers of two different nations.
Prophethood in Islam نلبوة ف الا سلام ] إ ل ي - English [ www.islamreligion.com website موقع دين الا سلام 2013-1434 Prophethood is not unknown to heavenly revealed religions, such as Judaism and Christianity.
WHY I ASK PEOPLE TO BECOME MUSLIMS: A FEW OF THE REASONS By Yahya George Maxwell 2008 Introduction Many people have asked me, to tell them how I became a Muslim, and the truth is, I really didn't know.
Voices From Calvary Introduction The Voice Of Intercession -- Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing (Luke 23:34).


ZenToe is an online discussion board independent of SQL server. This message board contains forums with which users can post topics for discussing on various issues with other people. Using this board users can customize their messages by graphics and smilies. Messages posted on the forums are in full control of the admin and can be easily edited. This web based board is easy to customize and integrate.
Emaze Forums 1.II - Emaze Auction Software, Inc.


Hello scrc; which Windows are you using? Was the fire wall turned off when installing? Were you logged on as Admin.?
Windows 7 64bit Enterprise, Firewall was on during install and have admin rights to install.
Thanks George, Will give it a try, Got to say out of the many installs of X5 on all our Win7 64bit PC's never had to turn off the firewall or run in compatibility mode to install X5.
Try the X 6 I think you would like it on a 64 bit system.
No problem, Funny I have just emailed our License Manager too see when we are getting X6.
If you do get X6 don't delete X5 until the patches have fixed a few problems that they SAY will be taken care of soon. ( Like all the past Ver. MAYBE? ) When I first got X6 I was saving everything in X4 format just in case something didn't play nice, but saving a large file in X6 format is faster, and I have had no problems so far. I think it will be the Best CorelDraw they have ever come out with, and when some of the people that do macros for it it'll be smoking.
Good Luck Again, and let us know what you did to get it loaded.


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Defestri

                            桃栗三年柿八年

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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Gary Gussman (born September 24, 1965) is a former American football placekicker and coach. He was the special teams coach for the Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League (AFL) in 2017. He previously played four seasons in the AFL with the Denver Dynamite and Albany Firebirds. He played college football at Miami University.

College career
Gussman played for the Miami RedHawks from 1984 to 1987. He was named All-MAC three consecutive seasons, including First Team and All-American honors as a senior in 1987.

Professional career
Gussman played for the AFL's Denver Dynamite in 1989, earning First Team All-Arena honors. He played for the Albany Firebirds of the AFL from 1990 to 1992, earning Second Team All-Arena honors in 1990.

Coaching career
Gussman was the special teams coordinator of the AFL's Connecticut Coyotes in 1995. He was special teams coordinator of the Houston Thunderbears of the AFL from 1998 to 2001. He was special teams coordinator of the Orlando Predators of the AFL in 2002. Gussman was head coach of the Rio Grande Valley Dorados of the af2 in 2004. He was special teams coordinator and Director of Football Operations for the AFL's Las Vegas Gladiators from 2005 to 2006. He was special teams coordinator of the New Orleans VooDoo of the AFL from 2007 to 2008. Gussman was assistant head coach/special teams coordinator of the Orlando Predators of the AFL from 2010 to 2011. In March 2017, Gussman was named the special teams coach for the Tampa Bay Storm of the AFL.

Administrative career
Gussman was named Director of Football Operations for the New Orleans VooDoo in September 2011. He was also named interim general manager of the VooDoo in August 2012. He resigned in March 2013.

References

External links
Just Sports Stats
College Stats

Living people
1965 births
Players of American football from Miami
American football placekickers
Miami RedHawks football players
Denver Dynamite (arena football) players
Albany Firebirds players
Connecticut Coyotes coaches
Orlando Predators coaches
Houston Thunderbears coaches
Rio Grande Valley Dorados coaches
Las Vegas Gladiators coaches
New Orleans VooDoo coaches
Tampa Bay Storm coaches
Arena Football League executives
Sports coaches from Miami


Upon completion of the Incito Kaizen Boot-Camp, participants will be able to effectively lead and drive Kaizen Events which will be linked to your organization's overall strategy.
Kaizen is a daily activity, which goes beyond the confines of simple productivity improvement. It is a way of thinking AND doing whereby instances of waste are eliminated. Kaizen is a philosophy of continuous improvement in which EVERYTHING can and must be improved. It is a process that engages the "human element" by eliminating muri, (overburdening of people and equipment) mura, (unevenness) and muda, (waste). True North Kaizen teaches people how to improve their processes using a scientific method as well as the closed-loop Shewhart cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act) to create goals, choose control points, and link improvement activities to your organizations overall strategy.
The intent of Kaizen is to deliver incremental improvements, yet done correctly, the culture of continual aligned improvements and standardization yields tremendous results in the form of compound Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and Morale improvement.
Are you ready to explore how Incito's team of experienced lean experts can help your company upgrade your product development process? Contact us today to discuss your company, your strategic objectives, and arrange for a personalized consultation.


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Colorado Kite and Ski
Fast-forward a bit to the 1960s. Brothers Dieter and Udo Strasilla began paragliding experiments which eventually led to parachute-skiing in 1972. This discovery then evolved into using sails with a ball-socket swivel system to pilot the kite.
While it's tough to pinpoint specifically who spearheaded the snowkiting movement as a formal winter sport, it is widely believed that a fellow by the name of Lee Sedgwick played a big role. Together with some kite skiers from Erie, Pennsylvania, the first known posse of recreational 'snowkiters' made the map in the 1980s.
Snowkiting continued to gain momentum (and still continues to do so today), thanks much in part to the increasingly popularity and success of its aquatic 'sister sport, ' kitesurfing (a.k.a., the other kind of kiteboarding — mostly depending on how the locals of certain U.S. regions refer to it).
"Everyone learned in water at first, " says Anton Rainold, a snowkiter since 2003. Rainold himself testifies to this trend, as he first combined a kite with a board while in Hawaii in 2000. Kitesurfing became a new favorite hobby of his. When his travels relocated him to Colorado, he saw some outdoor kite enthusiasts on Lake Dillon. He struck up conversation with them, and was instantly hooked on the snow-filled version of the sport. It soon became more than just a hobby for him.
Rainold opened his own school for snowkiting in 2003, Colorado Kite Force. Since its commencement, he has watched the sport blossom. "The first notable [advancement] is [the kites themselves.] When we started, a majority of the kites people had were [made[ for water, so we had to adapt them for snow."
Eventually, suppliers manufactured a foil kite that was engineered to make for a less severe crash, while also easily turning over in snow or water. Other leaps forward for the winter sport include the publishing of Drift Snowkite Magazine, as well as the onset of competitions. In 1991, the World Ice and Snow Sailing Association (WISSA) introduced the first World Championship involving a hand-held sail. Nowadays, professional snowkiters have an array of competitions to choose from, ranging from local U.S. events to the great, global beyond (i.e., Dillon Snowkite Open, Red Bull Kite Farm race, International Snowkite Championship).
"Snowkiting is finding its way into different pockets of the snow community, " adds Rainold. For the U.S., rapid growth of the winter sport is occurring primarily in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in addition to parts of Montana and Utah. Throughout his years of teaching, Rainold has noticed that clientele has switched from people who have never hearing of it, to kitesurfers from hot spots like Florida and California who are actively seeking out a winter experience and a chance to try their sport on new terrain.
Go Pro Snow Kite Durango Colorado POV
Kite skiing
kite&ski 08
Festival Wind Chimes
Kite flying in Afghanistan
Kite flying Essay
Kite Surfer Shark attack
Solar Wind Chimes

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


EVERETT. Wash. – Feb. 22, 2018 – Nella Ludlow has been named director of the interdisciplinary data analytics undergraduate degree program for Washington State University (WSU). Ludlow, who is based at WSU Everett, is a clinical professor in computer science with a background in artificial intelligence research and real-world data technology.
Prior to joining the WSU faculty in 2016, Ludlow served as a U.S. Air Force scientist for 16 years. Her assignments included working at two national laboratories in information technology and medical/human factors, and as an assistant professor at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. After retiring from the military, she successfully led three technology research companies, one of which won $35M in military research and development contracts in less than a decade.
Ludlow earned dual bachelor's degrees in mathematics and physical sciences at WSU Pullman, completed a master's in computer science at Wright State University, and received her Ph.D. in artificial intelligence from the University of Edinburgh. She completed her post-doctoral studies at Cambridge University.
The WSU data analytics program is offered jointly by the College of Arts and Sciences and the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture at three WSU campuses: Pullman, Everett and Global. Ludlow is in Pullman regularly to teach hybrid courses, including this semester's Professional Skills in Computing and Engineering (CPTS 302) course.
The advisory board for the program boasts big data leaders from The Boeing Company, Microsoft, Tableau Software, Google, Informatica, Moss Adams, Matisia and PEMCO Insurance.


Nita Young couldn't be happier: she's getting ready to marry her soul mate, Keenan Donovan, in the company of close friends and family. Everything is perfect…until a major earthquake crashes the party.
As the only elementals in the area, Nita and her friends are sent to investigate a local volcano as the cause. Instead, they find an archaeology team has unearthed an ancient artifact buried deep in the mountain. After Keenan touches the relic and gets jolted with magical energies, he starts developing some unsettling new powers.
Messing with alchemist magic is dangerous, especially when shadow hounds emerge from the volcano seeking the artifact and those who took it. Nita and her friends must battle the dangerous creatures while trying to figure out where the archaeology team stashed the relic. To make matters worse, Keenan's new powers are growing unstable, and Nita has to find a way to reverse the artifact's spell before its consuming magic tears Keenan apart.


Customers have installed this app in at least 9 active instances.
Maryna Prystrom supports this app.
It is now possible to export and import a jira project together with all the jbehave stories attached to it's issues and import it into another jira instance using standard Jira's export/import functionality in the system administration area. The import supports also importing of jbehave step patterns as well as plugin configuration made to a particular project.
Also cloning a jira issue also clones the attached jbehave story if it has one.
Locate JBehave for Jira via search. The appropriate app version appears in the search results.
Click Try free to begin a new trial or Buy now to purchase a license for JBehave for Jira. You're prompted to log into MyAtlassian. JBehave for Jira begins to download.
To find older JBehave for Jira versions compatible with your instance, you can look through our version history page.


text:
«Tutti Frutti» es una canción de Little Richard junto con Dorothy LaBostrie, cuya primera grabación fue realizada en 1955.
Se han realizado varias transliteraciones de esta apertura. Nik Cohn en su libro sobre la historia de la música pop utilizó el título «Awopbopaloobop Alopbamboom» que supuestamente intentaba ser una parodia onomatopéyica de una introducción de tambor, y su duro sonido y asalvajada letra, se convirtió no solo en un modelo de muchas otras posteriores canciones de Little Richard, sino también en uno de los diferentes modelos de rock and roll. La canción introdujo varios de la mayor parte de los rasgos musicales característicos de la música rock, incluyendo su alto volumen y energía, haciendo hincapié en el estilo vocal y su compás y ritmo distintivos.

En 2007 un variado grupo de renombrados artistas eligieron a «Tutti Frutti» en el primer lugar de las «100 canciones que cambiaron el mundo», de la revista Mojo, llamando a la canción como «el sonido del nacimiento del rock and roll». La canción fue agregada al Registro Nacional de Grabaciones de la Biblioteca del Congreso de Estados Unidos en 2010, reivindicando la «vocalización única sobre el ritmo irresistible que anunció una nueva era en la música». En abril de 2012, la revista Rolling Stone declaró que la canción «todavía contiene lo que debe considerarse la letra de rock de mayor inspiración jamás registrada: 'A wop bop alu bop, a wop bam boom!'».

La canción ha sido versionada por Elvis Presley The Kinks, y The Beatles, entre otros artistas.

Notas

Referencias

Enlaces externos

Canciones de rock
Canciones de Estados Unidos
Canciones de Little Richard
Canciones de Elvis Presley
Canciones en inglés


The Daily Meal website has released its 2012 list of the most powerful people in food in the nation.
The list is all-encompassing – doctors, CEOs, chefs, TV personalities, farmers, the First Lady, lawyers, authors – all here.
These are the people who influence us as diners, cooks, shoppers, growers, voters and entertainment and health care consumers. In other words, they shape many of our everyday decisions and choices where food is concerned. It's wise to learn who they are.
5. Indra Nooyi, Chairman and CEO, PepsiCo.
See who rank as the other 40 at: thedailymeal.com.


If you're a fan of the DC Superheroes and you're looking to geekify your car, then look no further. Check out the gallery of car emblems below and I'm sure you'll find something to fit your style. Choose from Batman (chrome), Superman (chrome), Green Lantern, Batman (Black/Yellow/Chrome), Wonder Woman, Superman (Chrome/Black) and Batman (Chrome/Black). Each one is $25.99 and is available at SuperHeroStuff.


As paper fibers are recycled the fibers get shorter.
I recycled the bottles at the local supermarket.
EcoWear recycles old tires and makes shoes from them.
Please recycle the clothes in the washer, they didn't get clean.


It would be difficult to imagine a better remodeling experience than the one we had with Woodway Renovations. It was an absolute pleasure working with Roy and his crew. Roy took us through every step- from bidding and design to construction and finishing- with care, thought, and great good humor. He had terrific ideas along the way about making the most of our budget and our space. He is the most conscientious, considerate, and utterly trustworthy contractor we've met. Thanks to his careful planning the project came in on time and on budget. His carpenters and subcontractors were just as pleasant and conscientious. When the project was finished we were honestly sorry to see them leave ( and our kids were heartbroken).
The results are fantastic! The carpentry is exquisite- the new materials blend in seamlessly with the old, and the new built-ins, new windows, and other features look as if they have always been there. The new home office is a gorgeous, sunny joy to work in; the bedrooms are delightfully cool (and finally we have adequate storage!). In so many ways our home is now a much more functional and beautiful place, and for that we are greatful to Woodway.


text:
from flask import Flask
import sqlite3

DATABASE = "/Users/jaegyuhan/dev/sqlite3/books.db"

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To determine all-cause mortality risk in patients with and without adrenal incidentaloma.
Retrospective cohort study of patients with CT abdomen performed within 24 h of emergency room presentation at an academic medical center from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2009, without history of adrenal disease, adrenal lab testing, or cancer. Incidentaloma cohort identified by database query of imaging reports followed by manual review and matched to no-nodule controls at 3:1 on age ± 1 year and exam date ± 3 months. Mortality ascertained by in-hospital deaths and National Death Index query. Survival analysis performed with Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards models.
Among 42,575 adults with abdominal CT exams, 969 adrenal incidentaloma patients and 2907 no-nodule controls were identified. All 3876 individuals entered survival analysis with 31,182 person-years at risk (median follow-up 8.9 years [IQR, 6.9–10.7]). All-cause mortality was significantly higher among those with adrenal incidentalomas (353/969, 36.4%) compared with those without (919/2907, 31.6%; mortality difference 7.6 per 1000 person-years; multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.14; 95% CI, 1.003–1.29). Exploratory analyses, limited by missing covariates, found that adrenal incidentalomas were associated with significantly increased incidence of malignancy (aHR 1.61; 95% CI, 1.22–2.12), diabetes (aHR 1.43; 95% CI, 1.18–1.71), heart failure (aHR 1.32; 95% CI, 1.07–1.63), peripheral vascular disease (aHR 1.28; 95% CI, 1.95–1.56), renal disease (aHR 1.21; 95% CI, 1.01–1.44), and chronic pulmonary disease (aHR 1.22; 95% CI, 1.01–1.46) compared with controls.
Adrenal incidentalomas are associated with increased mortality and may represent a clinically valuable biomarker.
• Adrenal incidentalomas are associated with increased mortality.
• Adrenal incidentaloma size is not predictive of mortality.
• On exploratory analyses, adrenal incidentalomas are associated with chronic illnesses.
The online version of this article ( https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-019-06202-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
The preliminary findings were presented as an oral presentation at the Radiological Society of North America Annual Meeting, November 26, 2018, Chicago, IL.
This study has received funding by the Einstein Montefiore Department of Radiology and a National Institutes of Health Clinical and Translational Science Awards grant number 1UL-1TR001073 from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.
The scientific guarantor of this publication is Michio Taya, MD MS.
The first author has significant statistical expertise.


A quick trip to Dorset for February half term will right any wrongs; sometimes all you need is a little time away from the everyday to clear your head, relax your body and take the weight off your shoulders. Take time away just the two of you, a late Valentine's treat, or gather up the little ones for a holiday making memories in a family house. We've plenty of places to stay no matter who you bring with you, the dog included! Our exclusive collection of properties are handpicked so you can have a great holiday.
Your Dorset holiday awaits, this February half term. A quieter time for appreciating being together and exploring the area under its wintry blanket - it looks like a different world. Spring flowers will start poking through underfoot while the horizon still glistens with frosty sparkles. You might even be lucky enough to see some snow - there's some fine sledging hills in this county. We've got some suggestions for things to do in Dorset during Feb half term, whether you bring a car full of happy holidaymakers with you, or venture away alone for a long weekend, enjoy a little luxury this Feb half term.
We've chosen properties in Dorset for February half term that we'd want to stay in ourselves; cosy, comfortable with luxurious touches, we want you to have the best holiday you can. Every one of our exclusive collection is personally inspected and we make sure they are fully equipped above and beyond your expectations, even down to counting the teaspoons so you can have a much needed cup of tea.
Hide away in the countryside for a long weekend away from it all, or get yourself and the gang to the Jurassic Coast for finding fossils without the crowds. February half term is prime exploring time when you can have the whole beach to yourself at times! And you'll have the comfort of your self catering cottage to return to; curl up in front of a wood-burner with the dog at your feet, put the kettle on and relax.


image: SustainUS delegates at COP 22 talks in Morocco.
The second day of the COP 22 talks coincided with the US elections. President elect Trump has called climate change a hoax that was created by the Chinese.
SustainUS delegates also visited the U.S. State Department offices inside the U.N. first thing the morning after the elections asking for an immediate meeting with representatives to sit down and discuss the implications of the election. They were greeted with a closed door and a firm "No comment." Daniel Jubilirer says that there are other legal avenues for the youth environmental activists to take to tackle climate change.


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This past week, between Chanuka and the Fast of the 10th of Tevet, we re-experienced both Jewish Joy and Jewish Sorrow-- the beginning of the end, the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, and their re-building and re-dedication by the Macabbees. Via Temple korbonot (sacrifices), we Jews "feasted with God", relishing His Covenant, as did Yaakov at Beer Sheva, upon leaving Canaan (46:1), and the Jews at Sinai; but when we betrayed Him, he no longer wanted our insincere outward manifestations of loyalty, and kicked us out of His house; thank God, today, at the beginning of our Zionist redemption, He has welcomed us back to his house, tho He still has not invited us to return to His sacrificial table (Rav Yehoshua Berman at a Nishmat evening at the new home of Dr. David and Jo Morrison-- may it be the venue of many such holy and happy gatherings. I highly recommend any lectures given by Rav Berman, whose depth, breadth and knowledge belies his youth! His traditional, yet innovative, study, The Temple, is published by Jason Aronson, purveyor of quality books to the well-to-do, some eventually remaindered, sold at normal Feldheim-like prices for the not-so-well-to-do. The poor have to use libraries until everything is available cheap on-line. HUC is about the best friendly and helpful Jewish library in our neck of the woods, H.U. the best general library-- its Frank Sinatra Cafeteria has A-1 cheap meals (about 15Sh).
Rabee Chalafta ben Dosa, a man of Kfar Chananya (a disciple of Rabee Meir), says: "When 10 people sit together and occupy themselves with the Torah, the Shchinah abides among them, as it is said: `The Lord stands in the Godly Adah (congregation, which consists of at least 10 people; cf. Avraham's pleas for Sdom, IF at least 10 righteous men are found there; see Ber. 21b)'" (Avot 3:7). He goes on to affirm that this is also true for 5, 3 and 2 folks (Jews are not specified) who study together, and even for one who studies alone; nevertheless, the more people who join in performing a good deed, the greater its cumulative value; a multitude studying Torah together is better than a group of unrelated individuals (R. Yona, quoted in the Artscrolls siddur; cf. Ber. 6a).
Single Dr. Yehuda Lave (27) will conduct 4 more independent seminars on "5 Steps to Controlling Anger and Having More Joy", together with Rav Zelig Pliskin, on Wednesday evenings, 8 PM, at the German Colony's dynamic Ezrat Yisroel Synagogue, Hildeshimer 17 (12/25; 1/1, 1/8, 1/15; there is no charge; call him at voice mail 654-0135, extension 7173 for further info).
Ezrat Yisroel is rapidly becoming a leading Jerusalem Torah center, with lectures in English, French and Hebrew. For info on scheduled events and using the synagogue, call Shoshana Koginsky, 563-3217. Single Rav Mordecai Gafni (35) delivers an exciting spiritual-psychological exploration of the weekly Torah reading there on Sundays, 8:30 PM; it's repeated Monday in Hebrew-- Tell your Israeli friends. Rav Gafni can reach those turned off by more establishment or constipated teachers of Torah. Rav David Aaron, dean of Isralight, explores The Art of Spiritual Growth-- Psychological and Mystical Insights; Tuesdays 8 PM at Yad Harav Nissim, 44 Jabotinsky, opposite Van Leer (based upon his forthcoming Simon & Schuster book, Endless Light; #15 bus). Call Isralight at 627-4890 to sample their Jewish 1/4 classes at 25 Misgav Ladach St., right above The Wall and Aish. Their orientation is both intellectual and spiritual, featuring great religious Zionist Rav A. Y. Kook's inspiring teachings, not taught in Jerusalem's non-Zionist programs for neophytes. A free memorial lecture for Judy Hurwitz, z"l, Models of Learning Torah, will be delivered, in Hebrew, by Leah Rosental-- Thursday 12/26, 7:30PM, at Y'didya, in the basement of the school at the corner of Yehuda and Gad; Y'didya is a truly Great Synagogue, whose upbeat Shabbat services feature lilting melodies, rather than fastidious formalities.
A. THE BACKGROUND, & AN OVERVIEW, OF VAYIGASH.
C. A SYNOPSIS OF VAYIGASH, WITH MANY CITES & INSIGHTS.
G. YAAKOV'S FAMILY & THE JEWISH 1/4.
In last week's study, Miketz ("at the end"), all of Yosef's trials and troubles ended. As is so often the case, his trials and tribulations matured him, as he emerged from adolescent egocentricity; his natural leadership traits, broad outlook, and keen insight could now benefit humanity. Only when he ruled himself, taking his God-given talents as a challenge, rather than a source of pride, could he rule others (Rav Shlomo Aviner; cf. Israel's leaders today). He then gave his brothers their own trials and tribulations, to develop their empathy and brotherhood with Rachels' sons, he and Benyamin. True, they had already mouthed sincere regret for selling him (42:21), but talk is cheap-- pretty words often substitute for noble deeds (N. Rabinowitz); cf. Luther & beautiful German music, USSR's Constitution, Crusader and PLO rhetoric; the opposite may also be true-- ugly words, expressing alienation, may mask deep unexpressed inner beauty and values (cf. Tugboat Anne); Eugene Borowitz (The Mask Jews Wear) claims that well-to-do Western liberal Jews are unconscious marranos-- they verbally deny their Jewishness, even in their own homes; yet their affinity for morality, expressed in social activism, as opposed to a hedonistic life style, stems from strong, howbeit unconscious, Jewish identity; so both Rav Kook and Rav Soloveichik saw deep unconscious faith in Torah among early Zionist pioneers, despite their rabid outward anti-Torah stance.
The nascent return of assimilated Israeli secular Jews to their own roots and source is finally beginning to burgeon-- see Zionism, Phase II, Secular Israelis Reclaim Judaism (JR 12/26/96); even the most disrespectful satiric approach to Torah, e.g. that of Gil Kopatch, greatly publicized and popularized by Shas' Shlomo Benizri, may lead to serious involvement with the text-- absorption in Torah, even for the wrong motives, may eventually lead to doing so with higher motives: mitoch shlo leshma ba lishma (Pes. 50b, Kallah 8, Jer. Hag. 1:7, Zohar 50:85, P'ticha Acha Raba 2).
So Jacob Neusner (Judaism In Modern Times, 1995) observes that early leaders of the Conservative Movement, reared in high level European traditional yeshivot, e.g. Louis Ginzberg of Slobodka, a descendant of the Vilna Gaon, strictly observed halacha (orthopraxy), out of deep emotional attachment to the Orthodox way of life; yet they publicly denied its very basis-- a God-given immutable written and oral Torah; HUC cancelled Ginzberg's appointment in 1899, when they discovered 2 strikes against him-- 1) very pious practice and 2) he promulgated the absurd and heretical German Wellhausian Bible Criticism-- the Reform Movement (back then!), as the Christians, whom they slavishly imitated, claimed that the Written Torah was indeed given by God, tho He expected them to change it periodically in accord with their own developing Divine inner awareness!!!!! Neusner pithily describes contemporary trends in Judaism: Reform eats tref and thinks tref, Conservative eats kosher and thinks tref, Orthodox eats kosher and thinks kosher; I'd add that some Jerusalem groups eat only badatz and just don't think!
Neusner's odd thesis is that the only truly traditional Judaism is narrow separatist haredism, which he, as a man of his age, can't possibly accept; as Rav Shach, he claims that only the distorted life in Eastern Europe, amidst terrible persecution, for the last few hundred years is the real thing; he labels modern Orthodoxy, together with Reform and Conservative Judaism, as a radical departure from truly traditional Judaism, a response to the 19th century paradigm shift from other-worldly theological absorption to a modern secular rational and scientific approach to life; but Neusner virtually ignores the vast Jewish history that preceded Eastern Europe, e.g. the Roman and Spanish periods, when pious and learned Jews were fully part of the world, just like modern Hirschian Orthodoxy; even the Vilna Gaon himself was involved in math, music, science, etc., tho his alleged spiritual descendants might claim that he did it all in the bathroom-- if so, why don't they, constipated personalities, do at least that? But to recognize this true Jewish Torah and Derech Eretz tradition, and that the last few hundred years in the ghettos were but an aberration, might compel Neusner to share Modern Orthodoxy's ardent faith and precise practice, and to leave the Conservative movement for true tradition, Florida for Jerusalem.
Yet Neusner was the only leading Conservative spokesman committed to observance of the Torah's laws of Shatnes, in the AJC Commentary symposium on The Condition of Jewish Belief. Milton Himmelfarb concluded, in his book on the symposium, that there are only two basic Jewish belief systems-- that called truly traditional or Orthodox, the belief that God gave an immutable written and oral Torah, and that shared by Conservative, Reconstructionist and Reform theology-- that He did not, tho they differ in temperment; some, called Conservative, as the "conservative" British, like to retain or only slowly change old traditions; others, called Reform, like many Americans, would rather do their own thing, their own feelings becoming their true guide and god.
Borowitz, in exploring the true beliefs of contemporary Jews, notes: "To get to know someone these days means to pay as much attention to his emotions as to his ideas, if not more (cf. Oslo). Experience and the psychologists have taught us that people are far more likely to act in terms of their childhood fantasies and youthful associations (cf. Ginzberg above) than in terms of their philosophy... Some possibilities move and arouse the person. Others are firmly shut off or are expressed only with resentment. One quickly learns to listen to professional people less in terms of what they say than in terms of what excites them. They may know all about what someone in their role should do, but one may count on their doing effectively only that which touches their emotions. He cites the case of a returnee who espoused Judaism so seriously, but only as a morally acceptable means of unconsciously killing off his assimilated father, while creating in God the good father he felt he never had; he went on to become a devout Maoist... though the verbiage has changed, the emotional realities have not... The same need to reach for our emotional depths is true of our coming to understand what being Jewish means to us"-- cf. Return to Tradition, Danzger.
Yosef threatens to enslave Benyamin for stealing his "planted" magic goblet; he thereby tests his brothers' rhetoric, via their readiness to save the sole survivor of Yaakov's most beloved wife, tho she was their mother Leah's rival. Yehuda then pleads to be enslaved instead of Benyamin; his devotion binds Benyamin to him and his kingdom, rather than to Efrayim (Tanhuma); God's Presence rests in the Temple, located in the territory of both Yehuda and Benyamin.
YEHUDA DREW NEAR TO HIM (Yosef) AND SAID: "THIS IS MY AFFAIR, MY MASTER (Abarbanel). PLEASE LET YOUR SERVANT SPEAK A WORD IN THE EARS OF MY MASTER... (44:18)". The pronoun "him" shows a continuation of last week's dialogue. Why interrupt it with a new portion? Why does Yehuda argue for more-- Benyamin's release-- after Yosef generously let the other brothers go?-- better to escape before he retracts, and work from Israel for Benyamin's release.
Rav J. B. Soloveichik explains: By LAW, Benyamin deserved death; all his brethren, accomplices to theft, could be enslaved (44:9); such laws, e.g. cutting off hands that steal and prosecuting one present when drugs are taken, are cruel when applied, but also merciful, in that they protect society-- crime disappears. Ultimately less people may die or be hurt (cf. Saudia, and expelling Hamas). Yosef announced, however, that he'll imprison ONLY the thief, Benyamin (44:17)-- he also values EQUITY; law must not create injustice. Once Yehuda hears this, he passionately initiates a NEW dialogue-- enslaving Benyamin, tho legal, is unjust; his innocent father Yaakov will die and Yehuda's life will be ruined. Indeed Yosef is himself ultimately responsible, for unreasonably demanding Benyamin's appearance (did Yehuda's similar attempt to judge Tamar, when it turned out that he himself was the bad guy, inspire this argument?). Indeed, how would bringing someone claiming to be their youngest brother prove that the Jacobsons weren't spies? So some Israeli laws, vestiges of socialism, oppose equity today-- one buying a video or auto is treated as a criminal, who must pay a 100-300% fine for his indulgence. Secular zealots measure his engine size as strictly as any halachist. Woe if your car has a 2001 cc. motor! Many folks leave restrictive arbitrary societies for more tolerant and rational ones-- such laws should be repealed at once to preserve our nascent Messianic State.
A seemingly superfluous phrase,"Yehuda drew near to h(H?)im", may also refer to God-- drawing near to your brother brings you closer to God. As these 2 opposite archetypes are reconciled, we return closer to Eden. Yehuda, sacrificing himself for Benyamin, also "DRAWS NEAR" to Yosef-- approaches the greatness which Yosef attained by suffering. Per Abarbanel, he physically "draws near"-- he asks to whisper his messsage in Yosef's ears, so that Yosef's entourage won't hear his proposal to ignore the law; Per Marsha, he begged to drop the interpreter, fingered as their misinterpreting enemy.
"Drawing near" denotes closeness, intense interaction with another. The purpose may be to attack (2 S 10:13), to appease (Josh. 14:6), to pray (1 K 18:36), or all 3-- Yaakov's response to Esav (Genesis Raba 93:6). One "draws near" to make peace (I S 30:21), to comfort (Gen. 27:27), to sacrifice (Lev. 8:14), to censure (Gen. 19:9) and to feel (Gen. 27:21).
If the brothers didn't repent, Benyamin would have stayed with Yosef, and they would have returned crestfallen, to confess their sins to Yaakov; Yosef had to make them repent and confess, to avoid Divine retribution; he may have planned that Yaakov eventually come and bow down too, but he forgot his dreams amidst Yehuda's sacrificial filial love- Rav Yehuda Henkin.
IS LAST BEST? That which emerges last-- e.g. man in creation, Israel in history, the latest version of Dos-- is often greatest. So in Israel's return to Israel, first Yosef and his worldly Messiah will solve natural problems of Israel and the world (e.g. bread for Russia?)-- man will achieve harmony with his fellow man and Elokim (= 86; Bosnia?), the impersonal aspect of the Lord of nature, "hateva" (= 86; ecological concern, preservation of the Earth God gave to Man, is both very Jewish and very ecumenical, tho Rav A. Miller ridicules clean air campaigns, as he thanks God for the air he breathes in Brooklyn); then the Messiah of Yehuda and David will connect man with Hashem, the transcendental, yet intimate, aspect of God (see Biur Hagra, Is. 11:13). One messiah gets the Jews out of exile and the other exile out of the Jews (Rav Reines, whose religious Zionism was more motivated by alleviating Jewish suffering than Rav kook's later messianic transcendance)! Per Rav A. Y. Kook, Yosef represents the Jewish universal gesture, testimony to mankind; Yehuda represents Jewish separatism, Israel's testimony of self-acknowledgment (Rav Y. Metzger; cf. Ps. 78:5 and M. Hirsch infra, on the haftara).
Rav Shlomo Aviner: a new bicycle might outpace a neglected Ferrari; but once the Ferrari's tuned up, the bike doesn't stand a chance! God's rusty Kingdom of Priests and Holy Nation is now beginning its Israeli overhaul at dawn, after limping thru the dark night of a 1900 year exile. Once back in shape, they'll lead humanity back to Eden via Jerusalem's Temple-- site of Adam's soul infusion and formation, from dust of the whole earth (Zohar, Vayigash 205b; but some say the Third Temple will be about 45 mil north of Jerusalem-- see Artscroll's wonderful Ezekial, Chs. 40, 45, 48). "Neck", a metaphor for the Temple, links head and body, heaven and earth; thus Yosef cries over Benyamin's "necks"-- 2 temples-- and Benyamin over Yosef's "neck"-- the Tabernacle at Shilo-- all to be destroyed (Gen. Raba 93:12-- but in OUR present Torah text, both have neckS-- see Mizrachi and Matnot Khuna ibid; the other brothers' necks aren't mentioned at all). East Coast Jews adore Great Neck, N.Y.-- may all Great Neckers come soon and build Israel with their skills and wealth, that the truly "Great Neck", the third Temple, be speedily rebuilt (cf. TeaNECK)! West Coast Jews dig L.A.-- may they too soon leave it for the true "City of (Yaakov's) Angels"!
Kabbala, as Jewish philosophy, often sees global principles, forces, and historic cycles in Biblical tales and commandments (see The Anointed by Ze'ev ben Shimon HaLevi for this theme, despite its universalist, rather than Jewish, orientation); they're perceivable in proportion to the reader's own inner development. One's blinded by looking directly at the sun, but can experience its shaded light; so the ultimate light, "the Mind of God", "white fire", can be grasped by mortals, even Moshe, only via the shade of the written Torah, "black fire"; R. Akiva needs more "black cues", the crowns upon the letters. The Oral Tradition itself serves as black fire, comprehension, to the otherwise obscure white fire of the written Torah. Both the primordial Torah of Eden and the clearer Messianic Torah may involve different arrangements of the same letters, higher messages for those beyond the temptations of today's man (Rav M. Cordevero, per Rav Natan Cardozo's tape-- The Torah as God's Mind; all his tapes are now available at TOP).
Kabbalists view Yosef, whose descendants lead 10 tribes, as representing the highest development of the normal hierarchy of worldly existence; he's equated with the tabernacle, whose replica of reality begins with an inanimate dirt floor, progressing to wooden (plant kingdom) walls, culminating in a covering of animal skins. Yehuda, whose kingdom will include the tribe of Benyamin, represents the flipside hierarchy of higher worlds; there that most subservient in this world becomes the most significant; he's equated with the higher Temple, completely built of lowly trod-upon stone, wood being forbidden (Torah Ohr); but Tanna D've Eliyahu Rabba 25 claims that the tabernacle was more sacred than the destroyed Temples; perhaps this kabbalistic tradition refers to the indestructible 3rd Temple, which won't be built until we reach a high spiritual level-- then even the Arabs will agree (see Ramban, Gen. 25:22).
Something done right, with proper foundations, tho on a lower plane, may endure; when one reaches for higher worlds, without corresponding lower integrity, destruction may result; so Rav Chayim Lifshitz posits that males, essentially spiritual, find it difficult to function on this earth; they often respond by giving up spirituality, leaving it to more earth-oriented females. The female's AM blessing to God, WHO HAS MADE ME LIKE HIS OWN PERSONALITY, naturally good, suggests the opposite. The male must constantly remind himself that he's not a female, intuitively oriented to goodness and Godliness, that he needs elaborate social and intellectual structures and institutions, e.g. synagogues and yeshivot, to transcend his existential condition. When women claim equality in male houses of worship, they do make it more spiritual-- but, as a result, the men leave and the synagogue's purpose, to domesticate, spiritualize and intellectualize the savage male, is defeated.
Yaakov and Leah's first 4 sons-- Reuven, Shimon, Levi and Yehuda-- are involved in Yosef's sale and vie with him for leadership. Reuven, tho first born, proves unfit in his impetuous attempt to oust Bilhah from his dad's tent. Shimon and Levi have too much holy wrath-- Yosef and Yehuda now come around the bend, neck and neck, in the race for Egyptian exile leadership. Yosef takes the lead with Yehuda, #2, only drawing near, until David comes. During the other-worldly desert trek, Levi (via Moshe & Aharon) takes over both secular and religious leadership (cf. the victorious Maccabees). Reuven (joining Korach) and Shimon (joining wild Midianite women) both attempt to regain their positions by breaking the rules-- they are destroyed. Yehoshua revives Yosef's role. Benyamin produces Saul and the Temple site. Finally, Yehuda, the repentant sinner, yields the Davidic dynesty; his great descendant, Meshiach, will clean up our corrupt world, which righteous Yosef's progeny cannot do. Are dead "messiahs", no matter how righteous and effective, by definition failed Messiahs, if total peace did not come in their era-- e.g. Bar Kochba and the Rebbe?-- cf. Christianity.
When the brothers truly repent, Yosef reveals himself. The "drawing near" of Yehuda and Yosef, necessary for the growth of the nation, starts a long, often interrupted, process. One distinct world approaches another (Zohar 206a); when the Tzadik joins the King, they bring much good to the world and peace to all the tribes, causing Yaakov to "live" again (206b-- Vayigash leads to Vayechi). "Beautiful is the study of Torah with the way of the world" (Avot 2:2) may apply to interaction of the saint and the politician, but more likely refers to such integration within one person, e.g. "beautiful" Yosef or the new Yaakov-Yisroel. Is Levi, the desert leader, a compromise between them or a true combination? Gen. Raba 83:2 cites Ps. 48:5: LO, THE KINGS MET (Yehuda and Yosef), THEY WERE ANGERED TOGETHER... TREMBLING SEIZED THEM (the other tribes, who couldn't interfere-- only a king can fight a king).
Per Rav Matis Weinberg (Patterns in Time, Vol. 8, $20 from TOP), Yosef & Yehuda argue over the nature and future of Israel and Creation; each only projects half the picture. Yehuda's greatness only appears after Yosef reigns in Egypt; so Yosef's rulers, tabernacle, and Messiah all precede those of Yehuda; "chan", self-projecting beauty, expressed in "hallel", praise, comes before "hoda'ah"-- other centeredness, debt acknowledgment, thanksgiving, admission and concession. Rav Mordecai Sheinberger claims that such kabbalistic catagories aren't usually visable in daily life; their soul-essence emerges clearly only in the Messianic Era.
Ezekiel thus speaks of eventual Messianic union of Yehuda and his comrades, the children of Israel, with Yosef, Efrayim, and his comrades, the entire house of Israel. In the interim, Yehuda and Yosef's tribes separate into Judea and Israel, also called Efrayim. Yehuda's descendants are better than Yosef's, but also wind up in exile, slightly later, tho they don't disappear. The prophet speaks, even after Efrayim's exile, of antagonism between Yehuda and Efrayim.
Per Dr. M. Hirsch, S. R.'s son, Efrayim represents politically savvy, outgoing, generous, but religiously assimilationist, Jews; they substitute political alliances with other nations for divine protection, which only comes from Torah observance. His "friends" finally reject him (Hosea 13:15, 7:8, 8:8-- cf. Herman Cohen's plea for all Jews to adulate Germany, peak of culture and intellect, our ideals for humanity!!). "Yehuda", the orthodox Jewish archetype, acknowledges the rule of Torah and keeps many of its ritual laws. But they often lack deep faith and connection to God, a prerequisite for the harder part of Torah-- to freely and generously relate to others with 100% integrity, lack of envy, and love (cf. religious establishments, creeps at the kotel, cursing kabbalists). They turn Torah into magical tribal rituals, not an edifying inner cosmic experience (Is. 29:11ff), a substitute for life, not that which sanctifies it. First God will bring both types back to Israel, where His prophet will refine them; they'll then become a united model nation, wherein God will dwell, to redeem mankind. We're well on the way!
Overwhelmed by Yehuda's pleas and self-sacrifice for Benyamin and Yaakov, Yosef reveals himself; his heartache pours out in a storm of tears. As his father may have wept for the children he could have had with Rachel, had he met her earlier (Rashi), Yosef may weep for those good years that might have been. Egypt realizes that Yosef's long-lost family, with whom he's so happy to be reunited, are noble-- a plebian who makes good is embarrassed by his common family and wants nothing to do with them (Abarbanel). The brothers were speechless (they didn't recognize newly bearded Yosef!-- Gen. Raba 91:7). Per Sefer Agada (43a), they first tried to kill Yosef! Then Yosef "drew his brothers near", i.e. told them that selling him fulfilled God's plan to sustain life for a great deliverance. He told them to hurry to Yaakov, to tell him he ruled Egypt, and to urge him to "come right down" (to a lower State). They'll dwell in Goshen, near him, with their families and herds; he'll support them during 5 more years of famine. Their eyes and those of Benyamin see that it's his mouth speaking! His brothers wept and finally spoke.
Not ALL Pharo's servants gladly greet the capable Jews (cf. Jordan's business and professional organizations), tho ALL mourn Yaakov's death (50:7, Mid. Hagadol); cf. Vatican holocaust mourning w/their Esavian refusal to recognize the State of Israel 1948-93. Thru Yosef, Pharo told them to load up their animals, go home, and "come back" to Egypt (this involves no "descent", no comedown, in Pharo's eyes!) with Yaakov and their families. He promises them good land and a good life. He COMMANDS Yosef to give them wagons, and tells them not to bother about their old stuff. Yosef gave the wagons "by Pharo's mouth", provisions and new outfits; Benyamin got 5 outfits and 300 silver pieces. Yosef sent Yaakov 10 MALE donkeys, laden with Egypt's best produce (Rashi: old wine, which old men like!) and 10 female asses with the staples-- men tend to buy luxury foods, women basic necessities. He told his brothers not to get upset on the way, as they ascended from Egypt (Israel's "higher" in their eyes).
Yaakov was flabbergasted; his spirit revived when he heard Yosef's words and saw the wagons. Again called "Israel", he says this is more than he hoped for-- enough that Yosef's even alive (Hirsch)! "I'll see him before I die". On his way to Egypt, he sacrifices to the God of his father Yitzchak, Who lovingly calls out "Yaakov, Yaakov" in a night vision; he replies "Heneni!"-- "At Your service" or "Wow, me!" God proclaims that He'll make him a great holy nation there (implying a long stay), in the next act of the covenantal drama. God will descend and ascend with him; Yosef, who shares Yaakov's vision, connecting heaven and earth, and who can now execute it, will lay his hands on his eyes. God's Presence could be felt in every diaspora shtiebel, when aliya was impossible; once we CAN return, His Presence may also make aliya-- those who can come here may fully sense it only here. Yaakov now sacrifices Zevachim (happy family sacrifices-- Hirsch) to the God of Yitzchak, not of Avraham (46:1-- cf. 28:13).
Yaakov ends Jewish settlement in Canaan and, with all he has, enters Egypt; all his descendants are listed-- 70 souls (not including his non-public daughters or sons' wives-- 46:7, 26; see The Living Torah). Only 69 are listed; Ibn Ezra denies the number's rounded off-- Yaakov's #70. He also rejects the talmudic view, that Yocheved was conceived in Israel, but born and named in Egypt (B.B. 125). If so, the Torah should note her miraculous delivery of Moshe at 130! Ramban takes him to task for belittling the sages' view (but Ramban himself criticizes even Avraham!), tho he respects Ibn Ezra. Ramban defends the Talmud's view-- only old age births to those hitherto barren were then noteworthy. Many Israeli Sephardi women today experience "fertile fifties".
Yehuda's sent ahead to prepare Goshen with Yosef (including Yeshivos, unlike the haphazard beginnings of U.S. immigrant Jewry). Yosef meets Yaakov there, after zealously harnessing his own chariot; Yosef wept profusely. Yaakov was already all cried-out (Hirsch). Now again called Israel, he tells Yosef that he now could die (happily-- Hirsch)-- he's seen Yosef's living face (radiant soul?). Yosef will tell Pharo that they've come with their animals, being shepherds; they're to confirm this profession (disgusting to Egyptians) as their ancestoral occupation-- then they'll be left alone in Goshen Green ghetto. A 5-brother delegation does so; Pharo offers them the best of the land and Goshen, requesting capable Jacobians to tend his own flocks. Yosef presents Yaakov to His Majesty, whom Yaakov blesses. Yaakov told him that his own 130 years were few and bad, no comparison to his fathers' lives in their wanderings (thus he looked much older!-- cf. Kotel denizens who bless you, tho they themselves obviously are much more in need of blessing; was Yaakov questioning the effect of his own blessings of Pharo-- if he can't help himself, can he help another?); he reblessed Pharo and left.
The Jacobians settled in Ramses, best of the land; Yosef supported them. He distributed famine rations, acquiring for Pharo all of Egypt's money, animals, land and people in exchange. He transferred populations-- thus oldtimers couldn't shun his brethren; cf. DAR. So Jews feel comfortable in the USA, with its huge varied immigrant population. Egyptian priests were exempt from these measures, via Ministry of Religions subsidies. All Egypt became sharecroppers, giving Pharo 20% (things still grew, just not much; cf. USSR). As we end Vayigash, the gilded ghetto drifts into permanence (cf. today). Israel SETTLED DOWN IN THE LAND OF EGYPT, IN THE LAND OF GOSHEN "VEYEUCHAZU BAH"-- this is usually translated THEY ACQUIRED POSSESSIONS IN IT; the literal meaning is THEY WERE POSSESSED IN IT-- POSSESSED by their own POSSESSIONS. The Diaspora Jew's new car, ranch house and swimming pool may keep him from his true destiny in Israel, and his grandchildren from being Jewish. But Israel's Draconian taxes on new cars, TV viewing, etc. drive Jews away, while its TV buries its Jewish soul under layers of western filth; but its socialist leaders, e.g. Peres, have nice big free cars.
The brothers volunteered information about their father and brother in 42:13. But in 43:7, they tell Yaakov that Yosef asked them about a brother! Then Yehuda tells Yosef in 44:19: "MY LORD ASKED HIS SERVANTS: `HAVE YOU A FATHER OR A BROTHER?'" Did Yosef ask? What's the hidden Chanuka message?
WHY DO GOD AND YOSEF EMPTY ISRAEL OF JEWS? WHY DOESN'T YOSEF INSTEAD CREATE A UEJA, A UNITED EGYPTIAN JEWISH APPEAL, TO AID HIS FAMILY BACK IN ISRAEL?
RESPONSE: Yosef stresses to his brothers: MY MOUTH SPEAKS TO YOU (45:12)-- in Hebrew (Onk.). This is no proof that he's Yosef (anyone can go to Berlitz!-- Ramban; cf. Gentile tourists w/kipot); but he's explaining why he COULDN'T send food abroad-- as he retained his Ivri identity and language, he'd raise suspicions of dual loyalty; Pharo must even "command" him to send wagons and supplies to Yaakov (Y. Leibowitz; but, per Ramban, Pharo knows that Yosef wouldn't take a dime without his command, as was the case in Potiphar's house). Yet anyone could buy food in Egypt and bring it back, asks Rav Yanki Tauber!-- perhaps only enough to exist at starvation level (YF).
Sporno, agonizing with Renaissance Italian assimilation, claims that Yosef had no choice-- tho temporarily ending the Zionist enterprise, this was a yerida l'tzorech aliya, a descent leading to a greater ascent. Jews could remain Jewish in Egypt-- Egyptians wouldn't even eat with them; but in friendly pastoral Canaan, they'd quickly assimilate, ending the covenant (cf. the Jews of USA and Syria, of the shtetel and Berlin). The Jews must remain in Egypt until they become a people, capable of conquering Canaan. So today's Arab hostility may prevent secular Israeli assimilation into the Mideast, until all Israeli Jews return to Torah . Thus Baal Hatanya supported the wicked Tzar against democratic Napoleon-- better Jews lose their lives, peace, and money than their religion; other great rabbis supported Napoleon-- more Jews might leave the faith or acquire deep psychological scars, never to be healthy religious souls, in cruel Russia, with its long military conscription.
E. EXILE, GALUT, predates Jews. Adam and Eve leave their only true home-- God, their own inner selves and the perfect world of Eden-- to strike out on their own in a not-so-brave new world. Most of their descendants are collectively absorbed in Flood Generation pleasure trips and Tower Generation power trips. The metaphysical nation of Israel, a model microcosmos of Man and nature, is to bring exiled Man back to Eden; but first it must get its own act together, often only by especially painful exiles, reflecting universal exile; both exiles are preceded by Man breaking his covenant with God (PdRK 119b), and will be terminated by a holy State of Israel. Adam's progeny also had to wander from land to land (ARN-2, 42:116), e.g. Noach & Co., the post-Towerians, and Terach. Jewish exile ends before it starts, as Avraham leaves his alleged home in Babylonia for his true home in the holy land; but his subsequent descent to Egypt, and Yaakov's flight northward to Assyria are preludes to Israel's 2 self-contained regional exiles in Assyria and Egypt. Yaakov's family's exile in Egypt turns into a nation's exile from the land where they've never been; it's also a model for our 1900 year global dispersion and assimilation, just now drawing to a close.
IS DIASPORA GALUT? Prof. H. H. Ben Sasson's masterpiece on GALUT (Ency. Judaica) distinguishes Diaspora and Galut; Galut occurs only when Jews CAN'T live in and control their homeland (the aims of Zionism); even when they can, many may live in the Diaspora. Galut's a tragic state-- we pray daily for its end; yet many (not me) saw benefits in having a diaspora, which predated galut (e.g. Philo, De Legatione 281, Jos. Ant. 4:115).
A Jew outside of Israel is in exile even if, like Yosef, he's rich, powerful and happy. Existentially, he's a stranger, helpless and mendicant (Deut. Raba 1:22, Mid. Ps. 9:15). Israel's survival, keeping faith, is sustained by the Torah, despite the horrors of life among the nations (Sifra, B'chuk. 8:10; cf. Boro Park). Rambam's father, Maimon, compares Torah to a lifeline thrown to those drowning in the sea of exile (Iggeret HaNachamah, written to those persecuted by Islam; cf. London). Per Rambam, Christianity combined two methods historically used to divert Jews from their Torah-- persuasion and coercion; they were copied by Islam-- it too falsely claimed new Divine Revelation.
HOLY POLITICAL SCIENCE: Rambam attributes exile to Jewish study of nonsense, such as astrology (mysticism?), rather than the sciences of war and politics (responsa to the rabbis of Marseilles-- draft yeshiva students?). A sacrificial rational religious Zionist response to the crisis caused by Israel's sins might have engendered repentance and saved the situation. H.U. just held a comprehensive conference on The Impact of Ideas on 20th Century History, in honor of Shlomo Avineri; many of the lectures were sweeping portraits of how societies really function-- but some were dry, even poorly delivered, recitals of prepared papers; it would have saved a lot of time just to pass out a copy.
Susan Okin's survey of the conflicts between Feminism and Multi-culturalism, e.g. recognizing minority cultures which themselves abuse women, was indeed stimulating, thought-provoking and informative; but, like many allegedly academic feminist talks, it was more of a fire-and-brimstone sermon than a dispassionate open academic treatment of her subject; polygamy and anti-abortion views were demonized, rather than being fairly and carefully weighed; the strong case against homosexuality was ignored. Okin simply couldn't even recognize that, at least sometimes, other values, e.g. fetal survival and stable traditional cultures, may override feminist goals, that the Torah may be more than a Jewish myth; the fundamental errors of her and her ilk are well portrayed by Harvard Prof. George Gilder in Sexual Suicide (1971), one of the broadest and finest overviews of society and sexuality that I've ever encountered. H.U. V.P. Honig noted that academic sociologists often simply present that obviously true in a lengthy, complex and verbose format.
What most impressed me at H.U. was the magnificent Hecht Synagogue (directed by Rav Natan Ofir), with its inspiring panoramic view of Jerusalem; but for some strange reason, the seats appear to be designed for small children! There are 3 minyanim a day for mincha-- those I attended had 50-80 participants, including a fair number of women, for whom the synagogue service is optional. About 80 students are enrolled in Hecht's Bety Midrash program; while the synagogue well meets the needs of students interested in Judaism, University protocal prevents their actively and aggressively reaching out to alienated Jewish students; Jeff Seidel's day and night efforts to do so should be appreciated by all those concerned with the Jewish souls of our youth. Unfortunately, some officials of the Overseas Students Program, overly concerned over controlling their own turf, instead harass and persecute Seidel, a friend and folk hero of so many of their students. God willing, Jewish pride will grow, and H.U., Heretical University, will be transformed into H.U., Holy University. May it's Bible Department, a hotbed of heresy, an enemy and destroyer of the sanctity and inspirational quality of the Bible, and thus ultimately an unwitting enemy of the Jewish People and State, soon be disbanded-- may it be replaced by a modern Yeshiva, blending Torah with all other disciplines, headed by someone like Rav Ofir, Rav Gafni, or Aviva Zorenberg. I met a young undergrad who abandoned her Bible courses, where she sought inspiration, as she received only outmoded Biblical criticism; luckily, Hecht Synagogue filled her needs.
SINISTER SISTER RELIGIONS: Per Ibn Verga (Shevet Yehuda), Jews didn't have to learn war when they didn't sin-- God then fought their battles (vs. R. Bachye, who says God only helps those who intelligently help themselves-- He'll bless you in all THAT YOU DO, Deut. 15:18)! Radak lamented the Jew's helpless position; his only escape from Islam was even worse-- uncircumcised Christianity (on Ps. 22:17). Edels considered Islam relatively kind (in his time); but Esav and his Christian offspring consistantly tortured the Jews (on Meg. 11a, B.B. 74b); Per Rambam, Islamic persecution, e.g. in Yemen, was the worst (Igeret Taman)! Jews have lived with their cousins, who distort Judaism, for 1900 years; but they basically ignored, and were ignored by, the idolatrous Far East.
Jewish acceptance of suffering rebounds to their credit and speeds the coming of the Messiah (Ket. 111a, Mid. Ps. 5:6). This belief kept Jews going, when mocked by Christians, who claimed Jewish suffering and exile indicated God's rejection (e.g. the Catholic Crusades, European Holocaust #1, which devastated Jewry, Isaiah's "suffering servant of God"-- see Rashi on Is. 53, Ps. 102:11; in his times, Christians taunted Jews on 1000 years of Galut). Jews felt the opposite-- their unique universal suffering indicated their election by God, and His stricter standards with His choice pupil: "YOU ALONE HAVE I INTIMATELY KNOWN OF ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH; THEREFORE I WILL VISIT UPON YOU ALL YOUR SINS" (Amos 3:2; Hag. 5a); false fair weather triumphal faiths proclaimed that God changed His mind about the Jews. Eliezer of Beaugency views the Jewish choice of a persecuted life, of death over baptism, as sanctification of God's Name (Ezek. 37:9-15). Galut uplifted the spirit (?), was a penance for sins, and preparation for redemption, G'ulah (cf. Allrightniks Row, S. Ornitz, depicting pleasure and power trips of Jewish youth on the Lower East Side. Holy Rav Chayim Zucker's head was broken when he protested Allen Street's whorehouses).
Saadya sees Exile as part punishment, part test (Beliefs 8:29), to "refine our dross" (Siddur 78). It's inconceivable "that He's unaware of our situation, that He doesn't deal fairly, that He's not merciful... that He's abandoned us" (Beliefs 294). Galut, as all catastrophes, can strike both righteous and wicked (295). In such a climate, Messianic pretensions were readily accepted-- any port in a storm (cf. Crown Heights). Far-flung exile may be needed to gather all the souls of potential converts to Israel (Pes. 87b, Ohr Hachayim, beginning of Ki Satze); Moshe b. Yaakov of Coucy stressed moral excellence in galut, that Jews be a worthy model to enlighten others (cf. Yosef, Israel's image among its Arab neighbors; Smag Assay 74). Jews are always scattered-- no one nation ever controls the world (USA Today?), ensuring Israel's survival (Pes. 87b, SER 20, 11, 4). Exile cramps the emotions and intellect of the Jews (Eliezer of Metz, Sefer Yraim 72:31; cf. JoBurg).
Meiri (Ps. 35) notes Christian persecution, despite Jewish patriotism-- cf. Germany's many decorated Jewish war heroes in WWI. Per Akedet Yitzchak (50), exile, e.g. Egypt, prepares Israel to relate to God. Even Christians claim a lapse of millenia from Creation until their alleged redemptive faith appears (what happens to humanity meanwhile?); a 1900 year delay in Jewish destiny is relatively short (Deut. 88)! The lack of Jewish diaspora farmers is a blessing in disguise-- thus Israel doesn't become overly attached to alien soil (Abarbanel, Yeshuot M'shicho 1:1; 47th St.? Monsey?)! Israel will eventually forgive its torturers, correct their false beliefs, and become their kind teachers (Abarbanel, Henei Yaskil Dodi; cf. Ps. 147-- PLO too? Gershom Tryster discusses our differences with Christianity at TOP and on tapes).
Shevet Yehuda claims that preoccupation with business, tax burdens and government decrees deprives Jews of wisdom in exile (cf. Berkeley, Cambridge, Y.U. and Lakewood, Israel's overly complex and oppressive semi-socialist political and economic structure!). He attributes anti-semitism to the masses, not their leaders (as Edels on Taan. 20a-- cf. Hitler, czars and popes; rabbis didn't want to antagonize their kings). It combines religious bigotry, craving Jewish money and women, and reactions to dominant Jews (e.g. Abarbanel?). Poor Lunshitz notes that Christian and Islamic success is no proof of God's favor, for we see wicked people prosper-- slight temporal payment for their bit of good (Oleiot Efrayim 1, 3, 5-6). So he condemns rich Jews who view themselves as preferred by God (vs. once wealthy Ohr Hachayim). Sensitive Christians and Moslems might well exchange their blood-stained "successful" traditions for Torah's basic moral religion for the Sons of Noach-- see our English, Spanish and German study sheets and books.
F. A MYSTICAL OVERVIEW OF EXILE: Per Kabala, exile stems from an internally fractured cosmos, where darkness and impurity prevail. Israel, guardian of light, whose weapons are deeds, knowledge, and example, is pursued by Edom, Rome and its successors, warriors of darkness. Harsh exile is decreed from Creation, the sins of Israel foreseen by God (Avraham b. Chiya Hanasi, Megillat Hamegalleh). Jewish suffering reflects the lowly state of universal man, of whose body Israel is the heart and essential organs (Kuzari 2:29-44). Tho most Jews don't appreciate their sacrificial role, they still have great merit for not opting out via conversion (1:112-5; e.g. Freud, who could have so advanced his career). Present suffering is like a seed's decay, eventually yielding beautiful fruit (4:23). RAMBAN SAW EXILE AS A CRISIS IN DIVINITY ITSELF! Exile obscures God's special powerful kingship aspect-- LORD OF Israel (Lev. 18:25; see Mid. Ps. 97:1); He too mourns (Ber. 3a). A similar crisis occurs "downstairs" in the Jewish soul-- mitzvos on earth, Divine Service, only reach full expression in Israel (see Song of Songs Raba 8:14). Prophecy, faith, world, and God are all impaired by Galut. Israel remains desolate, yet doesn't yield to Crusader or Arab, a sign of God's unbroken covenant (on Lev. 26:16). But Galut is good physically (on Deut. 28:42)! Jews in Ramban's time were indeed prosperous (cf. the Shoah and 1995).
Maharal (Netzach Yisroel) divides the long night of exile into 3 watches-- painful slavery, massacres, and forced conversions and consecutive expulsions. Exile, dispersion, and slavery are temporary anomalies in the eternal natural order. Israel could not survive without special Providence. Edom now prevails in his eternal struggle with Yaakov (as fire and water); he creates a disgraceful world, of whose comforts Yaakov doesn't partake (today too?)-- Yaakov emerges later to guide a perfected world. Jewish national consciousness, Torah, and prayer unite the dispersed folk, bringing redemption. The Galut Jew is society's best critic and advisor, due to his detachment-- cf. Yosef! Censorship of thought and literature and religious coercion repress the free Divine spirit within Man (religious education vs. religious legislation?-- see G. below) Menasha b. Israel interprets Daniel-- Israel must be scattered everywhere before final redemption. The world benefits from their skills and trade development-- each expulsion finds another prince ready to benefit from their presence (cf. Einstein)!
RAV A. Y. KOOK sees exile as correcting overly materialistic Israel-- their only national pursuit in exile is the opposite extreme, an exclusively spiritual life. When their holy light's finally reembodied in a State, they'll first be absorbed by their long-lost national body (army, farming, modern malls, etc.); but their spiritual essence will soon reassert itself to build a land where the material realm itself radiates spirit (Orot Yisroel 6:4-- cf. Israel's classic folk songs); YF: individual Jewish diaspora communities also had to deal with financial and defense problems, but w/o a functioning Jewish nation in its own land.
Many dispute diaspora validity after the shoah and rebirth of Israel. Germany showed assimilation won't solve our problems. How strange to pray for an end to our exile for almost 2000 years, yet not rise to Israel when we can! Tisha B' Av should end with a resounding cry: THIS YEAR IN JERUSALEM-- ONE WAY $700!"
For there is no righteous man upon earth, who does good and doesn't sin (Ecc. 7:20; those who do nothing, overly concerned with perfection, may not sin, but also accomplish nothing-- nothing ventured, nothing gained. Rav Yuden, Koh. Raba, applies this to charity officials, who must make some mistaken judgements re recipients).
The Tanach's heros are real people, often with tragic flaws or character defects; yet, tho it may take thousands of years, the light of Torah and the Divine soul in man will eventually dispel the shadows of darkness concealing their genuine greatness, their Jewish holy essence. Those, seemingly serving piety, who turn Biblical and Talmudic heros into impeccable saints, destroy their effectiveness as role models to us imperfect sinners, torn by inner conflict. Joseph's brothers were all holy founders of the tribes of Israel, redeemers of mankind; Yehuda, their leader, is forefather of King David and the Meshiach. Nevertheless, they were jealous and vindictive, almost murdered Joseph, and finally sold him into slavery. He, in turn, seems arrogant and aloof; Yaakov is not dancing and singing with unswerving faith, amidst his tragedy, but is broken, mourning and unconsolable, devoid of Divine Revelation and Imminence. Our idyllic picture of Yaakov's family, like that of a charming old colonial New England village, is severely marred, upon close examination. But then it suddenly becomes relevant to our own weaknesses, frustrations, and ocncerns. As Kirk Douglas remarked: "When we encounter the family problems of the patriarchs, our own often seem minor in comparison!" (heard from Rav Dovid Aharon).
Many folks have a similar rosy image of the small Jewish 1/4, its 650 families, and its yeshivot; the charming neighborhood suggests to many a womblike nurturing atmosphere, a holy serene retreat, something like Home on the Range, "where never is heard, a discouraging word, and the skies are not cloudy all day". Occasionally, modern people, shipwrecked on the shoals of tough fast-paced competitive modern life, want to just stay day and night in the womb of the Rova; they only venture forth to the threatening new city, 10-15 minutes away, when absolutely necessary. One person told me that God guided her to the 1/4 and she wouldn't leave it just to go to a great lecture, concert, etc. My reply: "God gave you feet too!".
But all that glitters is not gold. The Rova has its Peyton Place side too. The neighborhood has more than its share of broken homes and seamy scandals, especially given its high percentage of returnees, many of whom go from one extreme to another, until they can harmoniously balance their upbringing with their new spiritual discoveries. Haredi and right wing nationalistic attempts to mold the neighborhood in their own image are a constant intrusion on others' lives. So we miss the Shlomo Carlebach Center in the Jewish Quarter, closed about a year ago, after being firebombed, likely by nearby haredi zealots-- they are driven even more crazy by the free-flowing joy of the Carlebach crowd, who don't suppress their women, who don't equate modesty, tziniyut, with lethargy and lifelessness. Local haredi rabbis and roshei yeshiva should have at least condemned the attack; they should have at least expressed support and appreciation for the chevra's wonderful efforts to make Judaism joyful, to attract Jews back to their faith-- none did; some of them, with deep-seated "holy" wrath and long histories of fire-and-brimstone condemnation and persecution of others, even unsuccessfully pressured the Carlebach Center's brave landlord, Moshe Sevillia, to expel them; they then pressured the Center's leaders themselves to leave-- on the advice of the Amshanover rebbe, they left, rather than fighting their oppressors.
A government-appointed neighborhood rabbi also urged them to leave "for peace", but OK'd a more private and secluded future location in the Quarter; may a new center open soon! Anyone who like to help can contact Dr. Yehoshua Ritchie, 643-6771. Meanwhile, there is a Carlbach minyan every Friday night and Saturday morning at the kotel, and they have occasional events in the Rova, such as this past week's Chanuka celebration. Their temporary study center is at the Ritchie home in Bayet V'Gan.
The rabbis in hot pursuit of The Shlomo Center objected to men and women sometimes sitting and singing together there (never during prayers), tho many authorities permit such singing, especially to bring Jews back to the fold. These same rabbis are themselves commiting very clear sins, in persecuting their fellow Jews and establishing a rule of terror in the Jewish Quarter (cf. Peyton Place). Kohelet Raba stresses that God identifies with the persecuted (III:15:1). One of these persecuting rabbis banned the entry of his own grandson (one who flew over the cuckoo nest) into his "holy" hassidic home, while clad in the "disgraceful" garb of Tzahal (he later visited me!); they claimed that the Shlomo people were spoiling their fine rigid haredi atmosphere in the Rova, as tho they control the neighborhood-- none of then reach out to alienated Jews. Anyone concerned with peace and justice in Jerusalem should oppose them and defend their victims-- if they can't tolerate others who differ from them, they can-- and should-- move to a hardei area, where everyone else dresses, thinks and acts just like them; they can also learn from other haredim in the Rova, e.g. the Sheinbergers and Brandweins, Rav Rabinowitz, and many in Habad-- they're tolerant, peaceful, friendly, joyful and loving; they also reach out to our lost brothers and sisters.
Whoever is merciful is certainly of the children of Avraham (Shabetai ben Marinus, Betza 32b).
Suppressed Studies: It is most unworthy to suppress books, or silence teachers. (Judah Loew, Be'er Hagola, 1598, Ch. 7).
Unfortunately, leaders of some synagogues, either overly concerned with collecting leftover sheets, or obsessively insistant that their premises appear antiseptically immaculate, ban from their shul all literature other than their own newsletters, many of which have no Torah content. Sometimes they don't even consult their members, so that a hundred eager readers of a free parsha sheet are prevented from doing so by a few disgruntled officials of their synagogue. Such suppression of Torah is certainly an important enough issue to put before the membership for their vote.
True, some material may be inappropriate, e.g. commercial ads and flyers for camps, caterers, etc. (tho often useful), and distorted Torah material, which preaches hatred or incites to violence. But one needn't throw out the baby with the bathwater. As in the Bet Yaakov shul in Ramot Eshkol, the board can simply weed out hate-literature, advertising, etc., scanning any new material submitted. Beware of Landau's Superclean Badatz Chickens! Every week, in NCSY's Torah Tidbits, they claim and proclaim: "There are 100 ways to cook a chicken-- Only one chicken worth cooking"-- can this possibly be true? Can obvious moral truths, e.g. appreciation of Israel's soldiers and state, and gratefully praying for them every Shabbat, possibly be recognized in the black world of the Badatz? Should we try to avoid products with their seal?
Only the suppressed word is dangerous (Boerne, Ankundigung der Wage, 1818). Extensive Torah Reading study sheets and video lectures on many Judaic subjects, as well as Jewish educational gifts and music, are available at TOP. Your purchases and donations enable us to continue our mission. The perspective is eclectic and holistic, but traditional-- that the written Torah is the word of God, much of the oral His explanation. Together with science, they comprise His factory authorized instruction manual for mankind.


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SEC Brings Fraud Charges Against Biotech Pump And Dump
William P. Barrett Contributor
I cover personal finance, taxes, retirement, nonprofits & scandals
The beleaguered Securities & Exchange Commission has brought civil fraud charges against CellCyte Genetics and two ex-executives, nearly two years after Forbes became the first in the media to point out the Seattle-area biotech company's research efforts were far less than they were portrayed.
In twin lawsuits filed in the U.S. District Court in Seattle, SEC lawyers say CellCyte; its ex-CEO, Gary A. Reys; and its ex-chief scientific officer, Ronald Berninger, "repeatedly misled the investing public" about prospects for the Bothell, Wash., firm's sole product, a way to transport stem cells through the human body.
In a settlement, CellCyte and Berninger admitted no guilt but consented to a court order barring future improper conduct. Berninger also agreed to pay a $50,000 penalty and be barred as serving as an officer or director of a public company for five years. Reys agreed to nothing, so the litigation continues against him.
But like so many of the SEC's lawsuits, the barn is already empty. CellCyte shares were $5.45 when Forbes wrote about CellCyte in the issue dated Oct. 1, 2007, which hit the streets in mid-September. Over the next two months, the stock rose to $7.50, producing a $500 million market cap, before beginning a precipitous decline. Shares now trade at only 6 cents, a 99% price decline that has cost shareholders essentially their entire investments. The rise and fall in CellCyte shares were a classic "pump and dump," in which some of those with big positions in the stock gin up the price with vigorous promotion of questionable validity and then sell out before the fall.
The SEC lawsuits do not allege that either Reys or Berninger sold shares on the rise. But they say an unnamed Vancouver stock promoter, identified in other documents as G. Brent Pierce, orchestrated the promotional campaign with the knowledge of the two CellCyte executives and by January 2008 had "dumped" much of his stake. Vancouver securities regulators had banned Pierce from the province's markets for 15 years, starting in the 1990s.
The SEC has been under fire for sloth in bringing serious enforcement actions and--in the case of Ponzi scammer Bernard Madoff--missing warning signs altogether. Why such a long gestation period for CellCyte? "We want to bring the strongest case we could," said Marc J. Fagel, San Francisco regional director for the SEC, whose office filed the lawsuits. "It takes time to put these together." Fagel implied that the SEC did not start looking into the matter until after the stock had collapsed, lessening the time urgency because investors had already lost their money. Fagel said the investigation was continuing.
Do you think the SEC is doing a good job uncovering investment fraud? Share your thoughts in our Readers Comment section below.
The suits involving CellCyte came just days before a federal judge in New York rejected a proposed $33 million settlement of an SEC lawsuit charging Bank of America had lied to investors about the bonuses to be paid to executives of Merrill Lynch, a company it was buying. Judge Jed Rakoff said the agency was too quick to settle and didn't go after Bank of America executives.
Reys' lawyer, Jeff Coopersmith, said Wednesday that his client will fight the charges because he didn't sell his own shares and believed the scientific claims being made. "You have to have intent for fraud," Coopersmith. "My guy did not commit fraud."
Berninger's lawyer, Robert S. Mahler, said his client was happy to put the matter behind him and hoped to resume his career as a scientist. He called Berninger "a victim"--he was a large CellCyte shareholder--of what he said was a "pump and dump" orchestrated by Pierce. In a statement, CellCyte said it neither admitted nor denied wrongdoing and "can now devote its attention and resources to the restoration of shareholder value."
The Forbes coverage in 2007 noted that CellCyte's shares had risen 34,500% in less than a year, itself a warning sign. The company vigorously promoted itself to investors, especially in Germany, as a cutting-edge biotech engaged in extensive research. But Forbes said CellCyte had spent just $24,000 in research and development for the first half of 2007 and had just 17 workers and no revenue. The piece said chief executive Reys had no science training and had led several small biotechs "that failed after he left."
Before its emergence in biotech via a reverse merger, Forbes noted, the company had been a mining exploration outfit in Vancouver, B.C. named Shepard Inc. that, in one filing, said its sole mining claim "did not contain any significant quantities of gold." The provenance inspired this Forbes headline: "Striking It Rich On Wall Street."
Later coverage by the Vancouver Sun and the Seattle Times detailed the involvement of Pierce in CellCyte.
The SEC lawsuits say CellCyte in 2005 paid $90,000 to license rights for a process using an unproven, untested compound that might be able to move stem cells through the body for therapeutic purposes. By mid-2007, company researchers had told executives the compound it had tried to formulate wouldn't work. Yet, the SEC says, CellCyte made numerous statements in regulatory filings and in press releases that were false. Among them:
--Its product was in U.S. Food and Drug Administration clinical trials. (The company never even applied to start such tests, the SEC alleges.)
--The compound was "proven in extensive late-stage animal studies." (Untrue, the SEC says, adding that it sometimes killed mice used in experiments).
--The product had potential for "repair of the heart." (CellCyte never tried to research this, the SEC states.)
--CellCyte was "working closely with the Swedish Medical Center in Seattle and their internationally recognized organ transplant group." (The only contact was a single conversation, according to the SEC.)
--Using the compound, stem cells "migrated directly to the bone marrow." (CellCyte never conducted any bone marrow research, the SEC says.)
According to its latest financial statement, as of June 30, CellCyte still had no revenue, and only $923 in cash. Its R&D spending for the first half of 2009 dropped to zero.
SEC Padding Its Score Sheet?
Recession Feeds A Boom In Scams
Questionable Science
William P. Barrett
A journalist for nearly five decades, I've written for Forbes since 1987. I've covered personal finance, taxes, retirement, nonprofits, scandals and other topics that in...


More than a single print. The requirements for the use of paper should be not easy to stretch, and the ink used should not fade easily. Because it is often hung in the hall and exposed to the sun, it is best to protect it with a layer of PP or OPP film after the printing is completed. This will not only enhance the color brightness but also make it difficult to surface. Damage, but also to prevent ultraviolet radiation, reduce the chance of fading.
Its main function is to express the characteristics and advantages of the product. Therefore, it is the most important condition to produce beautiful and attractive. This kind of print must use high-quality paper, beautiful color pictures, exquisite design, careful processing and binding, so that readers like to achieve the effect of publicity.
This is a book that is distributed to the general public. Sometimes there are certain objects. The paper used is mostly coated paper, the printing method is mostly lithographic, the binding method is more saddle stitches, and thick books are used for binding. Production also has time and quality requirements.
Divided into stringed paperback and hardcover books, threading paperbacks for schools, general novels and other books. Hardcover focuses on advanced books and dictionaries. In the production, in order to adapt to its long-term preservation characteristics, it must be long straight for the direction of the trade flow to be more straight.
Often multi-connected, the current use of non-carbon paper is more, you can avoid the use of carbon paper as its main advantage, but the non-carbon paper has the upper paper, medium paper, the next paper, the upper paper for the upper layer, the middle paper for the middle layer, The lower paper is the lower layer. When using, please pay attention to the layer of the paper. When the following paper is placed on the upper layer, there is no replication function.


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Oliech ist der Familienname folgender Personen:

 Dennis Oliech (* 1985), kenianischer Fußballspieler
 Kévin Oliech (1986–2020), kenianischer Fußballspieler