Just take a look at that smile.
And tell me if you’ve ever seen R’ A.Y. smile like that. As if.

Yup, a real Gadol. Old school. Yup.

Indeed, the indigenous indigents in fact insist on incongruously inching along in…

Lately, as it has become the fashion to send to bochurim to Eretz Yisroel, it has become all the rage to bash Eretz Yisroel. They say: What’s the point? There’s no hashgacha there anyway! Better they should learn here…All this and more, I’ve heard, echoing throughout the minds of concerned parents across America. And indeed, they have a point. Its true, there is much less hashgacha here in Eretz Yisroel. There is, however, at the same time, much more hashgacha; albeit a different kind of hasgacha. The Hashgacha. And as frum yidden, we all believe in that higher hashgacha. I’m not referring to the Great Hashgacha here; I’m referring to Torah, and its unique brand of protection that it, and only it, can provide.

While it may be true that bochurim here have the time of their life, and that bochurim here have tons of fun, and that bochurim here…yada yada yada, its also true that bochurim here grow in ways they never could in America. The reasons for this are as many as they are few. That is, many reasons have been proffered, but I’d stick with the Gemara;
“Aveerah D’Yisroel Machkim“.

I rest my case.

(Photo by turmsegler)

Remember the ding-dong niggun of the Good Humor man from those faraway shores of America? That cheerful tune that invoked panic attacks in adults across America? That triggered those Pavlovian reactions in kids, regardless of race, color or creed?

Well, folks, its back! Indeed, I’d thought those days were behind me, once I’d made my way to these fine shores. But it seems that the Good Humor man has found his place here at last.

Of course, you don’t think he’s called the Good Humor truck, do you? Or that the truck is that same hulking monstrosity you fondly recall? Nope, it’s been slimmed down, Israeli style.

Introducing…the Strauss man.

Everyone’s favorite illiterate yeshivishe blog (U’kshmo kain hu”) recently ran a piece submitted by a lady who claims to live near the area of the recent Hafganos near Kikar Shabbos…

The Yeshiva World » Out Of The Mailbag: American Bochrim Wrecking Havoc At Hafganos » Frum Jewish News

What to say here? Unquestionably, she has a point. Bochurim do need hashgacha. For example, I am familiar with one wild hoodlum who maintains some sort of blog, chronicling his experiences in Israel…probably using that unfiltered Internet in his dira, late at night. Also, its true, rov guys do go to have fun. See the action. Perhaps heckle a mishtara or two. You get the point.

At the same time, there are many bochurim who attend these rallies because of a deep seated need to register their feelings of protest at the medina’s treatment of our city. Personally, I’m familiar with at least two bochurim who are locked up, and no doubt; the feelings of pain for our holy Yerushalayim are there. And when these fine, upstanding young men suffer for what they believe in, who are we to deride them? Are they really so different than the many Yerushalayimer men who attend these protests?

She quotes, and I quote, “R’ Avraham Yehoshua of Brisk said this week when one of his bochrim were arrested, “vos tut a bochur bei a mechoa?” – what is a bochur doing by a protest? (Bold and italics mine).

As she may or may not know, our good Rosh Yeshiva is the inveterate politician. Always playing to the crowd. Seriously, take not a word he says publicly seriously.

Either way,the bochur who was arrested?
American.
And does he regret it?
Doubtful.
Why?
See the above paragraphs.

‘Nuff said.

Oh. Almost forgot my cutesy little quote.
“V’shavu vanim l’gvulam”. Amen.

(Photo by sonnglod)