Jews need mitzvos

The studio heads were Jewish. 

 

trust him

 

most pleasant from where?

 

Jonathan Lee writes "I was in the live Sports and Entertainment industry for about 35 years, so I had the opportunity to be around quite a few celebrities. There have been quite a few pleasant celebrities. Carmelo Anthony did a commercial shoot at the LA Sports Arena during my time there and could not have been more pleasant. Arrived precisely on time, with an entourage of exactly one and introduced himself at the security guard station, assuming people didn’t know who he was. It seemed like he had a smile on his face the entire day, and even shot around with the staff and extras and gave some shooting form tips. There have been plenty of others that were very pleasant to be around (Dwight Howard, Lebron (once he had been in the league a few years), former 49ers Linebacker Patrick Willis, Joe Flacco, Dick Butkus, Paul McCartney, etc) but Anthony stood out."

So I looked up Carmelo's bio and was surprised to see that he was born in New York City. Such a gentleman from NYC? But I read further. "When Anthony turned eight, his family moved to Baltimore."

So that explains it. 

no anger

 In the 1960s, Harvard graduate student Jean Briggs made a remarkable discovery about human anger.

At 34, she traveled beyond the Arctic Circle and lived in the tundra for 17 months. No roads. No heating. No grocery stores. Winters dropped below –40°C.

Briggs convinced an Inuit family to “adopt” her so she could observe their life in its natural rhythm. Soon, she noticed something extraordinary: the adults had an almost superhuman ability to control their anger. They never lost their temper.

One day, someone spilled a boiling kettle inside an igloo, damaging the ice floor. No shouting. No blame. Just a calm, “Too bad,” before fetching more water. Another time, a fishing line—painstakingly woven for days—snapped on the very first cast. The only response? “Let’s make another one.”

Next to them, Briggs felt like an impulsive child. So she began asking: How do Inuit parents teach their children this emotional mastery?

One afternoon, she found her answer. A young mother was playing with her angry two-year-old son. She handed him a small stone and said, “Hit me with it. Again. Harder.” When he threw it, she covered her eyes and pretended to cry, “Ooooh, that hurts!”

To Briggs, it seemed strange—until she realized it was a powerful lesson. The Inuit believe you never scold a small child or speak to them in an angry voice. Instead, they use gentle play to teach empathy and self-control. Even if a child hits or bites you, you respond with calm, not rage.

Maybe the rest of us could learn something from a culture where anger isn’t feared... because it’s understood.✍️

TA Junior

The TA Junior this week says the following:

“Tell me, boys,” Totty asked. “What do you want to do when you grow up?”

“We always thought we’d learn in kollel for as long as possible,” said Shimmy.

“And then if we needed parnasah, we would maybe get a job as a rebbe or a

rov or something,” Yitzy added, as Shimmy nodded in agreement.

“Beautiful!” Totty said. “Now in Parshas Noach, which of the people I

mentioned were saved from the mabul?”

“Uh…” thought Shimmy. “None of them. Only Noach and his children.”

“Exactly!” Totty said. “Hashem didn’t save those so-called important people.

He saved the tzadik and his family, regardless of what the rest of the world

thought of them. By striving to be the best eved Hashem you can possibly be, you

will be more important in Hashem’s eyes than any doctor, lawyer or scientist!”

This is a contrast to the following words from Rabbi Miller:

Question: “How can one cope with the stress of having chovos. He has debts,” 

Rabbi Avigdor Miller:

Number one is that you have to have a job. Very important to learn a parnassah. There are so many ways of making a living. America is the land of opportunity. Only if you think you’re a choshuve person and that it’s beneath your dignity to work. You want to act like a talmid chocham and live on charity and on debts. You should know, Ha-Kadosh Boruch Hu is not satisfied with you.

     יפה תלמוד תורה עם דרך ארץ, שיגיעת שניהם משכחת עון  

You have to work and make a living, together with learning, and if you work, you’ll pay off your debts. But if you don’t work, your debts will increase and multiply. It’s a very important principle in life not to live a life of idleness. You’ll say, “I’m learning all day long. I have bitachon.” No, no. That’s not bitachon. It’s just wildness. It’s just wildness. It’s just yielding to the yetzer ha-ra. And therefore, it’s so important for people to learn a parnassah.

Now, you might say, “That’s a contradiction. We should sit and all day and learn all our lives.” You’re contradicting the Torah. הרבה עשו כרבי שמעון בר יוחאי ולא עלתה בידם.  Many people didn’t succeed like him. No, it’s not for many people. It’s for a mi’ut. The majority of people cannot do that.

And therefore, it’s necessary for people to be honest with themselves and go out and make a living.

The TA Juniors should reflect Rabbi Miller's views. They should not be propaganda pieces for kollel culture. We already receive that every day of the week. 

looking at history differently

 

Jean-Marie Valheur

lover of history1y

What is something in history that you strongly feel was lied about or exaggerated?

The French aristocracy pre-Revolution weren't the careless, luxurious bastards lording over everyone cruelly as they are made out to be. This is demonstrated most perfectly by the fact that many of the most prominent revolutionaries were, themselves, noblemen.

In the same vein, Louis XVI wasn't overthrown because he was a tyrant, he was overthrown because he was NOT a tyrant. If anything him being friendly, indecisive and soft-willed moreso than his war-minded predecessors Louis XV and Louis XIV, made him into a target. The Kings before him stayed reasonably popular. By going to war a lot and spending obscene amounts of money that would ultimately lead to the Kingdom's downfall, these rulers were generally rather respected by much of the population. Much like with the last Tsar of Russia, the King who ended up losing his head to the guillotine was a pretty chill, open-minded fellow open to reforms.

There’s this stereotype of these lavishly spoiled big spenders in powdered wigs, Marie-Antoinette telling the hungry should just “go eat cake”, completely removed from reality… and truthfully, this is bullshit. A ton of noblemen were social reformers, generous to the poor, conscientious and cared deeply for the common man. The revolutionaries who took over, quite a few of them were blue-blooded themselves. And were far worse than the elites they ended up killing.

George Orwell

 George Orwell - 1984 - Part 1, Chapter 7

The past was erased, the erasure was forgotten, the lie became truth.

the eagle soars higher

 

How well did the cast of "Gilligan's Island" get along?

 IMHO - There was the cast and then there was Tina Louise (Ginger). Tina had already done some film work and was moving nicely. Her agent brought her the contract for Gilligan’s Island and sold it to her. She signed despite misgivings. The story goes that at first table reading, Tina complained that Bob Denver had more lines, was getting more laughs and it seemed like he was the star of the show. Everyone kind of looked at her with looks of pity, confusion and, just one or two, with contempt. This was when she was advised and reminded that it’s Gilligan’s Island, not Ginger’s Island. Tina Louise was not happy with that at all.

Now there are stories of how Tina Louise would do her lines, perform her character and then would stay separate from the rest of the cast. ... Further stories go on about how Tina would be vocal about not enjoying doing the show. And so you had 6 cast members who would laugh, joke and work well together and then you had Tina Louise. It got to the point that when certain pictures were being taken, Bob Denver refused to take any with Tina Louise being in the shot.

There were several reunion movies but Tina Louise would have nothing to do with them. She wanted to distance herself from the character as much as possible. She did show up for reunion interviews like on the Fox late show with Ross Shafer in 1988. But if you watch these shows, you can see that there is a finite space between Louise and Alan Hale Jr. When she comes out, there are no embraces or kisses. Barely a hand shake. Dawn Wells and Russell Johnson practically don’t acknowledge her. Louise kisses Jim Backus when he comes out and Natalie Schafer gives her a quick handshake but nothing more. Louise spent more time in the interview promoting her indy film The Pool then she did chatting about Gilligan. The host has to draw it out of her by asking her to talk like Ginger.

In an earlier reunion on GMA with Kathie Lee Gifford hosting, Hale Jr. is on her right and leaning away from her and Russell Johnson has defined space away from her on the couch. She has the gall to say they were a family and all had fun. Ha!! Gifford asks her about not having done the reunion flicks and Louise stammers for a moment in response. It was obvious she had to choose her words carefully.

On the whole, the cast was tight and happy together and all but Louise said they would do it again.

Louise was born Tina Blacker on February 11, 1934, in New York City.^[2] An only child, she was raised by her mother, Sylvia (née Horn, later Myers), a fashion model. Her father, Joseph Blacker, was a candy store owner in Brooklyn, and later an accountant.^[1][3] Her parents divorced by the time she was four. Louise attended PS 6, Scarborough Day School and Miami University.^[4] She is Jewish.^[5]

for those who struggle with davening

 https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/havinenu-a-shortened-version-of-the-amidah

Havinenu: A Shortened Version of the Amidah

When and why Jews say an abbreviated Amidah. Full text and translation of Havinenu included.

By Max Buchdahl

 https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/havinenu-a-shortened-version-of-the-amidah

Grant us understanding, Lord our God, to know Your ways, and sensitize our hearts so that we may revere You, and forgive us so that we may be redeemed, and keep us far from our suffering, and satisfy us with the pastures of Your land, and gather our scattered people from the four corners of the earth, and those who go astray shall be judged according to Your will, and raise Your hand against the wicked, and may the righteous rejoice in the rebuilding of Your city and the restoration of Your Sanctuary, and in the flourishing of Your servant David,  and in establishing a light for Your Messiah, son of Yishai. Before we call, may You answer. Blessed are You, Lord, Who listens to prayer. 

and there are bt schools preventing the guys from getting marriied

 

Proof from the Godfather

For fans of the movie the Godfather. I came across a discussion in Quora about non-Italian actors playing Italians (Brando-the Don, James Caan-Sonny, Abe Vagoda-Tessio) in the Godfather and gentiles playing Jews (Alex Rocco-Moe Green), how it's not a problem because acting talent wins out. And the big proof is Brando who was German, Dutch, English, and Irish. It was a politically correct discussion, how ethnic origin doesn't matter.

I disagree. James Caan was a great actor and his performance as Sonny earned him an Oscar nomination, but in my view he was wrong for the part. Firstly, he didn't look Italian. I know Jewish features. His skin was too pale (family from Germany) and his nose not big Jewish but Jewish. But beyond that he was too intense. There was something Jewish about it. When an Italian is intense, there's a certain verve to it, a humor. Caan was humorless in this role and soul crushing in his arrogance. That's often the sign of a Jew who needs mitzvahs.

Alex Rocco played a lovable Jewish casino owner, but there's no such thing. The Italian in Rocco is what made him warm and humorous. He did not come across as a Jew.

Lee (Israel) Strasberg hit a home run playing Jewish gangster Hyman Roth in Godfather II. The arrogance, brilliance, and ruthlessness, not to mention humorlessness, came through loud and clear.

Likewise, John Marley (born Mortimer Leon Marlieb) hit a home run playing the film producer Jack Woltz, the one who woke up with a horse's head in his bed. His arrogance and quick tongue could only be Jewish. "My Krout, Mick friend."

Abe Vigoda, who actually was Jewish, was off the mark in the other direction. He was too soft and lovable for a Mafioso. Why did he err in this direction? Perhaps it's because he was closer to his Jewish roots. Vigoda was born in Brooklyn, New York, on February 24, 1921,[2] the son of Samuel Vigoda (Yiddish: שמואל וויגאָדאַ; Russian: Самуэль Вигода) and Lena Moses (Yiddish: לענאַ משה וויגאָדאַ; Russian: Лена Мозес Вигода), Jewish immigrants from Russia. Marley and Caan's parents were also immigrants (Russia and Germany respectively) but perhaps that we have the Yiddish names of Vigoda's parents tells us they were less assimilated.

So that leaves us with Brando. Isn't that the proof that an actor doesn't have to have the same ethnic origin as his character? That only applies when gentiles play gentiles.  R Yaakov Shapiro notes that the British military officers related better to the Arabs in Mandatory Palestine than to the Jews even though many of the Jews were European. Jews and Gentiles are different. A early 20th century Arab is more like a Brit. than either is to a Jew. Thus, Gentiles cannot play Jews in the movies and vice versa.

We are different. Our intensity is meant for Hashem and Mitzvos. When we try to be gentiles, we overdo it. When gentiles try to play Jews, they are too likable. This doesn't mean Gentiles are better. Horses are likable too. It doesn't mean we can't be likable. But we must do mitvzos and value mitzvos for that to happen. 

here we go again

 

Who was the most pleasant or god-awful celebrity you have ever met face to face?

I’ve met quite a few celebrities and 3 in particular stand out in my memory:

Phylicia Rashad was and still is the most elegant woman I’ve ever encountered. She was dignified and regal like a queen, yet warm and kind and just so together in every way. She had this air about her that was so impressive that it made everyone just want to be near her.

Deborah Winger was demanding, disheveled, irritable, nervous, chain smoking and just gave off this air of being pissed off at everything and everyone. She was like a heroin addict suffering from the early stages of withdrawal. Totally the opposite in every way of Phylicia Rashad.

I’ve worked with Yo Yo Ma several times and he is the most decent, caring, funny, modest, generous and thoughtful person you could ever hope to meet. A brilliant musician and a true master of his craft, yet he seems genuinely modest about his abilities and status.

-------------------

Phylicia Ayers-Allen was born on June 19, 1948, in Houston, Texas.^[6] Her mother, Vivian Ayers Allen, was an artist, poet, playwright, scholar, and publisher. Her father, Andrew Arthur Allen, was an orthodontist.

Debra Lynn Winger  was born in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, into a Jewish family, to Robert Winger, a meat packer, and Ruth (née Felder), an office manager.[2][3]

Yo-Yo Ma[a] (born October 7, 1955) is an American cellist.[1] Born to Chinese[2] parents in Paris, he was regarded as a child prodigy, and began to study the cello with his father at age four

Once again, Jews need Hashem and mitzvos. 

don't make him regret

 

hosenfeld

 

Bill vs. Phil

Bill is from the NYC area, Oradell, NJ

Phil is from Springfield, Kentucky

Where should you raise your kids?

Life lessons from Boris Becker

 

Particularly from 1:25:00 onwards is some important wisdom.