Crying at the Rebbe's Ohel - Chabad-Lubavitch Grapples With Massive Dropout Problem

 While the massive Chabad-Lubavitch PR machine continues to pump out the propaganda, broadcasting the message that they are the saviors of Yiddishkeit and Judaism around the world, and have some success duping the naive and unknowing (even some leaders who should know better), behind the glitz and out of the spotlight they are dealing with massive problems, especially among their Lubavitch from birth segment.

A good look at it can be gleaned from a recent post by a Lubavitch insider, and follow-up comments at one of their most prominent websites.

Of course, other groups have challenges as well, but sometimes we need a reminder that the grass is not necessarily greener on the other side.

May we merit the fulfillment of our davening request וטהר לבנו לעבדך באמת.

How Many Shtreimels Does a Chasid Need?

 Non-shtreimel wearers may not be aware of this, but there are different types and categories of shtreimlech (we have touched on this previously, but additional info is presented now). 

Chasidim often have multiple shtreimels.

1) Regular shtreimel for Shabbos, Yom tov, etc.

2) Regen (rain) shtreimel, for use during rainy weather (often an old shtreimel assumes this function when it is retired from regular use after a new one is acquired), and humid days, which are allegedly bad for shtreimel fur.

Now we are told that some people get 

3) Another shtreimel for travel to places like the Catskills, Florida, and China, to avoid the hassle of shlepping their regular shtreimel there.

4) Many in the younger generation prefer "fringe shtreimels".

5) Shtreimels will always have "minor imperfections".

ב"ה, those that don't wear them are relieved of such needs, and can save $750 US and up.

א גוטען חודש

A Tale of Two Hillulas - A Look at the Middle Eastern Hillula Culture, with Effy from Bardak

 A number of months ago we featured a humorous video from Bardak, a duo of young talented frum producers of audio-visual material in Eretz Yisroel. While they seemingly took a break from their joint productions recently, Effy has been producing some fine videos of his own of late, I discovered.

I want to focus on two of the productions in particular, to share a look into the "Hillulah culture" that exists in Eretz Yisroel and elsewhere. It will give us an idea of what what this Sephardic, or Edot Hamizrach phenomenon, later joined by Chasidim (to one degree or another, some more, some less) was and is like. Getting a good look at it will also give us a better understanding of, and insight into those גדולי ישראל and עדות הקדושות who decided that it was not in accordance with their Litvish or Ashkenazic way of Yiddishkeit (basically all non Chasidic Ashkenazim).

First, on י"ד אייר was the Hillulah of R. Meir Baal Hanes. Effy was there on that day, and gave us a good view of the scene. It seems that not many Ashkenazim partake in it, and that it is much smaller than the goings on in Meron a few days later, on ח"י אייר.

At Meron, Effy visited a few days before ל"ג בעומר, before massive crowds arrived, enabling a good look at the background of the large event, in a relaxed atmosphere.

One can easily discern how things like the camping out, eating, drinking, making merry, and the hawking of easy "ישועות", are foreign to a Litvishe or Ashkenaz type of mindset.

May הקב"ה help us serve him in truth, וטהר לבנו לעבדך באמת, and in safety and tranquility.