Ask JTF for Sunday January 31, 2010

[TruthSpreader]

Dear Chaim, can you explain why Malaysia has a higher average IQ than most of the rest of the Muslim world?
In the Arab world for example, the average IQ is like 85 or 86 but in Malaysia, it is 92 which is still quite low comapred to western standards but much higher than in Egypt or Saudi Arabia. How is this possible?

[Irish Zionist]

Dear Chaim

I have two questions for you if you don't mind.

1. What is your opinion on America and Britian giving aid to Afghanistan and starting negotiations with The Taliban?

2. Do you agree that women should be allowed to join IDF or do you think they should be home caring for their family? Feel free not to answer this because it may offend our female members.

Gd Bless you, your loved ones, your family and all of Gd's people.
Bryan.

[Moshe92]

Dear Chaim,

1. Unfortunately, many American Jews, including religious and right wing Jews, are too attached to America. How should we convince people that Israel is the only country for us?

2. Are you familiar with the Israeli singer Chaim Yisrael? Do you like his music? What about Haim Moshe?

[The One and Only Mo]

Dear Chaim,

     Once again I have very personal questions for you so don't hesitate to not answer. 1) Do your family and the friends you had before JTF approve of your life as the head of JTF? Are they at all a part of the movement? How do they feel about this?
     2) At the end of your 120 years (if chas v'shalom Mashiach isn't here) what will happen with JTF? I imagine you have a will. Without getting into too much detail, what are your plans for JTF if chas v'shalom something happens to you? Who will take your place? What will happen to the movement? Do you have plans in place? You are irreplaceable. I feel that if you die, chas v'chalila, JTF will die, too. Nobody's like you, Chaim. May you live a long, happy, healthy life and may Mashiach come B'mheira V'yameinu.
                                                                            Thanks and may Hashem help us

[Lewinsky Stinks, Dr. Brennan Rocks]

Shalom Chaim,
 
1: What be you doin' to celebrate Schvartze History Month? It starts tomorrow!

2: How do you think most Israelis would feel about large piles of Korans being torched?

3: Please share a hilarious Arabian Action Story. If you can't think of one, make one up!

G-d bless you, Dr. Brennan Fan

[Spiraling Leopard]

Hello Chaim,

how do we fight Western decadence, since it is one of the biggest demolitiors of Western civilisation.

Thanks as always,

Robert.

[Jorje15]

Dear Chaim,

What are your thoughts on Obamas State  of the Union address? What do you think of the 1920's, The Great Depression, Black Thuesday and The Great Migration of African Americans? What do you think of Blacks back during the 1800s? Why is February called Black History month?

[Rubystars]

Greetings Chaim. I've heard many times that there are Jewish people who don't believe in an afterlife at all. Do you think that this is a valid disagreement that you simply take a different side on, or is it completely contrary to all Torah? Why do some people believe that way and say they worship God and follow Judaism?

[Dr. Dan]

Shalom chaim


Recently I was talking with my wife about our spiritualality when we were growing up. I told a story of how in 1998, when I graduated college, I decided to pick up the Tanach and read it.

She told me a story about how in another part of the world around that time, she made a neder, a promise to H'shem, when she was in high school that she would read the Tanach. However, she never had the chance to follow through.
 
Chaim, do you think I might have answered her neder?

If so, some people will say it was a coincidence. But in Hebrew there really isn't such a word.

Thank you

Dr. Dan

[Manch]

Shalom Chaim,
I can not comprehend this contradiction: while Jews are required to be Brit Olam - a Light to the Nations, we completely refuse to proselytize. I see this as a fundamental contradiction! Look at most Chassidic Jews, with a rare exception of Chabad, and the impact they have on Gentiles and other non-chassidic Jews - what positive message is there?

What about Jews in general - what kind of positive message we are sending to the world if we completely refuse to proselytize Judaism or to teach the World about Noahide laws? Who is even aware of the true Judaism message?
Isn't this why G-d sent Christianity? To make Judaism "palatable" and familiar to Gentiles?

[Dan]

hello Chaim,
   if we are going to make any type of impact on the upcoming elections in 2010 and 2012 we should have weekly updates on which candidates we should support and why.
 as i remember we had a hard time convincing all of our members in the last election that mike huckabee was indeed the better of the candidates, and we should have fully support him.
 i suggest we begin to map out plans and set forth the ground work to better prepare to defeat the current evil that is occupying the white house.
 thanks for all your hard work,
   Dan

[Ari Ben-Canaan]

Dear Chaim,

  Are Jews allowed to use our computers during Shabbat to study Torah specifically?

  Is "Ileh" Arabic for G-d, and not "Allah"?  I have heard "Allah" is actually a pagan "moon god" in the Kaaba from pre-Islamic times, is this true?  I have heard it suggested that the Kaaba was a Hindu temple before Mohamed's time more than once on the internet.  If "Allah" was a "moon god" it would make sense that Islam uses the moon as their symbol, no?

  What do the rabbis think about Zoroastrianism?  Zoroastrians worship 1 deity, but they also believe in a evil deity almost as powerful [like the Christian's "satan"].  Younger Persians who are sick of the Arabic virus of Islam are starting to discover they have a religion of their own to be proud of, because of this I have been studying Zoroastrianism for awhile, and I am curious how the rabbis, or Talmud views the Persian religion.

  Can you explain "taqiyya" and "kitman", and how they [very well may] play a role in every Muslim's life?  What are the differences between the two?  I have read a little bit about a 3rd type of lying Muslims do called,  "tu-quoque", any info you can dig up on what this specifically type of lying involves, please let me/us know. 

  Who actually wrote the Koran? - I found this site below to be interesting.  Is this a bunch of unfounded rumor, or an actual semi-expose?  I've always just assumed the Koran was pure blasphemy, standard.  Given that Mohamed was a brainless rube illiterate simpleton who molested 5 year olds* incapable of authorship of anything, and the Koran did not write itself... perhaps history has uncovered the actual authorship.  Mohamed may have been an editor?
*because the Arabic lunar calender is 11 days shorter than today's calender.

http://inthenameofallah.org/Authors%20of%20the%20Quran.html
^Who wrote the Koran?

Chaim - Thanks so much for doing so much on the internet for Israel, the Jewish people, and America [or anywhere people hate tyranny and love good life in its place].  There is always something worth paying attention to in your forum.  I listen a little each day mingled between the online studies I do with Chabad's sites one can download.

Although it is slow going at right now, I have started my own little discussion group on facebook.  I am thinking about getting into a blog, or something a bit more unique than a facebook group. - How long did it take the JTF forum to get going?  Given that you have helped free 1,000,000 or more Jews I am sure it went a bit faster than mine!  Below is my own experiment with the internet group thing.  I call it, "The Maccabee Factor".  Some JTF'ers joined when I had a thread.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=app_2373072738&gid=240759388172

Chaim, what can we do to get a good Jew like you living in Eretz Yisrael?  What needs to happen?  A non-socialist would be a start, but which non-socialists specifically?  I hope to make Aliyah within about 100 weeks from now [I set a goal date: Jan 1st, 2012], which politicians should I be looking into supporting, what online periodicals would get me reading for making informed political decisions in the Israeli voting booths?

[Chai]

Shalom Chaim.
Do you really feel Autism is on the rise because their mothers are drug users?  Don't you think that's insulting to people who have children with Autism, especially listening to this program? 
perhaps I misinterpreted what you meant?

But my real question this week is what you think of my reaction towards my synagogue. I wont say the name of the place or the rabbi because of loshon harah. Basically , the rabbi does not believing standing up for the Israeli national anthem, nor does he have a Israeli flag in the shul. Would Rabbi Meir Kahane ZTL do this if he had a shul today? My reaction is to never go there again. I do not want a leader like this; am I over reacting?

Thanks for clarifying thanks
Ps do you have an affirmative action story featuring a mussie?

[Ari Ben-Canaan]

בס''ד

The Torah forbids Jews from getting any tattoos. Tattoos violate the Torah commandment not to mutilate or desecrate your body. Jews with tattoos cannot even ritually purify themselves in a mikvah. This is regarded as a serious sin.

Chaim, as a Jew who has tattoos what is my best course of action?

Have I canceled my chances as an Orthodox Jew?

Am I not allowed in synagogue's mikvah, or in not allowed in any mikvah period [how about a river, or if I purchased a mikvah for one time use after a bet din?].

G-d already know's about my tattoos; would laser removal improve my situation?

[angryChineseKahanist]

If I stepped back in time and allowed the young aspiring architect into that art school and kept him out of jail, he probably wouldn't have written the German Koran and Jews would probably still be alive.

[patches]

Shalom Chaim,

If you got married to a woman who was too old to have children, would you consider adopting? If so would you ever consider adopting an asian or black baby, as they are more readily available?

Thanks as always,
Patches

[Laughing Sage]

You have said that Mohammed was a pedophile. On the other hand, others especially Muslims, like to say that the Talmud promotes pedophilia. Rather than accept the word of anti-Semites at face value, let me show you images supposedly scanned from pages of the Talmud so that you could set the record straight for decent and honest people.











Lisa Adds:

Laughing Sage,

The text you pasted here is way too small to read.  Even I can't read it, and I have surgically enhanced 20/14 vision.  However, I think I know what passages you're referring to.  From what I understand, there's a passage in the Talmud that says if a little girl's hymen is ruptured it's like nothing. 

All that means is that if a little girl was G-d forbid, raped as a child, she should still be considered a virgin when it came time to marry her off. 

Rabbi Tovia Singer has a radio show where he refutes these anti-Semitic lies spread about the Talmud. 

Also, I see from the properties of the image pasted here that you got this text from a site called Jesus is Savior, in their section on false religions.  But I'll leave your question up here for Chaim to answer, just to set the record straight, once and for all. 

[Christian Zionist]

Shalom Chaim,

Can you please comment on Abe Foxman's recent outrageous activities?

1.  Abe Foxman attacked Rush Limbaugh as a border-line anti-semite by taking Rush out of context.

2.  The ADL declined to help 2 Jewish students from the University of California Students sought the ADL's help, but the situation didn't improve. Then, with students' support, the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) filed a legal action with the US Education Department's Office for Civil Rights under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.   ADL instead of supporting ZOA, attacked it by commenting that  "changes occur not through lawsuits."

Was Abe Foxman the national director of the ADL when ADL spies informed FBI about the JDL members?  Have you ever met Abe Foxman in person?

Thanks!

Christian Zionist

[Gimatria]

Shavuah tov u mevorach, Chaim!
Like you, I am a fan of Mizrachit music. I enjoy many aspects of the music - the exciting rhythms, the augmented seconds (this is the musical interval that gives Mizrachit its distinctive sound), the instruments and more. But sometimes I wrestle with the content and the messages promoted in the music.
For example, I am not sure if you like him, but I am a fan of Ofer Levi. Some of his songs, especially the older ones, are filled with lyrics that could be described as misogynistic in nature. He also sings about former drug use, infidelity, and raucous parties. All of this is part of the Ars culture that is strongly identified with Mizrachit. Do these things bother you when you listen to the music?
Also, how do you feel about Zohar Argov? I think that vocally he is unmatched, but of course his demise makes it tough to respect him the way he might have been otherwise.
Todah Raba, achi.
Gimatria

[landline]

Chaim,

You mentioned last week that you support yourself through investments.
I also trade stocks frequently.

Perhaps we could create an investment forum for our members?
Such a forum could help us all make better decisions and IM YIRTSEH HASHEM lead us to create the wealth JTF needs to become a mass movement.

What do you think?

[Yaacov Ben Yehuda]

Shalom Chaim,
How are you brother?  Three questions this week:

1. what is better in your opinion? A Jew that is blasphamese, and constantly sinning, and rubbing his sins in Hashems face so to speak..you know the type of Jew that beleives he himself is G-d and thinks that the Torah is fairy tales... but at the same time would stand up to an anti semite and be willing to get violent to defend the honor of the Jewish people.  Or a Jew that is practicing mitzvot, and is humble, and genuinely tries to be a good Jew and is loyal to Hashem and the ways of the Torah, but would never stand up to an anti semite and just shy away from a confrontation...Which Jew in your eyes is a better Jew??

2. I recently read in the Koran something quite interesting and wanted to get your opinion about it.  It was talking about how a man should sleep at night.  Basically it was saying that a man should sleep on his right side, so that the heart is elevated and the weight of the human body doesnt pressure the heart during the time the person is sleeping. To me it makes sense and I gotta admit that i'm surprised that the Koran actually had something smart to teach, even though mohhamad probably just stole that and anything else thats smart in the Koran from the Tanach...what's your opinion on this?

3. What do you think of the story about Lot getting drunk and raped by his 2 daughters?  What kind of sick girls were they to trick their own father into having sex with them....I personally am shocked that this incestual behaviour occured...i'm sure they could of found some other men to pro create with besides their own father....it seems very bizarre to me...your thoughts?

Thanks and may Hashem bless!

[eb22]

Shalom Chaim,


If the horrific scenario of Iran developing one or more Nuclear Weapons actually occurs,    what do you believe Israel's course of action would be?   

If you became the Prime Minister of Israel after Iran developed one or more Nuclear Weapons,   what would your course of action be?

Thanks as always,  eb22.

[Ulli]

Dear Reb Chaim,

I have the results of the poll I started concerning the population exchange between Germany and the Muslim world. This issue is a battlefield. The admins on the German forum where I started the poll had to close the discussion and move the topic to the admin section. It was this bad.

Here it is:

5,71 % where in favour of the proposal I made.

14,29 % do not want people from a foreign culture in Germany.

42,86 % wanted the Muslims here to assimilate/integrate and were in favour of letting the oriental Christians in

37,14 % rejected the proposal totally.

I think this poll is not really representative for the whole population, because there were many pious Christian voters as well as some secular Muslims took part in it. But it shows clearly, specially the agressive discussion, that the oppinion is very divided.

Do you have a hint how to phrase the description of the transfer in order to make it more acceptable?

Sincerly,

Ulli 

[Trace]

Shalom Chaim,

What is your opinion of Howard Zinn, who died recently? Also, what do you think of the attack on the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas? Were they insane cultists who got what they deserved, or was this an abuse of government power? I know many people seem to make a big cause out of it. Thank you, Trace

[jtf1]

Shalom Chaim.
Ma shlomcha?

Something has been troubling my mind.
Throughout history and nowadays, people around the world express endless different interpretations of the Torah.
It seems that anyone can say "g-d wants this to happen, and g-d wants that".
Shouldn't we all approach this subject with more yir'at hashem and be humble and skeptical about it?
With your permission I'd like to pose my question in kind of a provocative manner:
Does g-d have free will?

And also, could you please share with us an interesting dream you had lately?
Maybe a good dream as opposed to a bad dream.

Toda raba lecha vedash latapuach hagadol