Monday, September 29, 2014

Monday's Musings on Mussar - An Aseres Yimei Teshuva Thought

While the Monday Night post usually reflects a Sports/Torah crossover, I occasionally deviate from the format during the Aseres Yimei Teshuva (10 days of repentance) to discuss a derasha or thought that I had read which I found inspiring. Here is a brief summary of one such thought.

On the first night of Rosh Hashanah, there is a custom to eat foods which have symbolic significance including fish, carrots, pomegranates, celery (my sister claimed that it should be eaten with raisins as a segulah for parnasah), dates, beets and of course apples dipped in honey.

When eating the carrots/pomegranates there is a prayer which is said that Hashem should increase our zechuyus (loosely translated as good deeds). The Sefer "Shalal Rav" asks  - how can we pray that our good deeds should increase if its within our hands? On a similar note, the prayers during the Aseres Yimei Teshuva ask that we should be inscribed in the book of good deeds. But again, isn't this in our hands?

The Shalal Rav answers by making reference to the story of how King Shaul utilized a necromancer to raise the spirit of the Navi Shmuel in order to ask him a question. When Shmuel came "up" he was scared and the meforshim explains that the reason he was scared was that he was concerned about facing a judgment day. The meforshim ask - but wasn't he already judged when he died? They answer that every year after a person dies, he is judged as to the results of his actions - if he inspired others to do mitzvos he will receive reward. But if he inspired others to sin the results are not so positive. Shmuel was afraid that he was facing this judgment.

The Shalal Rav explains that when we ask to have our zechuyus increased, we are asking that those who we inspired should be given opportunities to utilize what they learned from us so that our zechuyus will increase.

The concept actually ties into a gemara in Chagigah 22a (last Tuesday's daf yomi!) which discusses how a tzaddik can have places in two worlds and a rosha could as well. The gemara explains that a tzaddik who inspires others to do good earns his place in the world to come, as well as piece of those who he has inspired. Similarly, the rasha picks up his place below and a piece of those who he inspires.

The concept ties into a story that I heard from R' Zev Cohen of Adas Yeshurun. when I was in Chicago over Pesach. The story involved R' Meir Shapiro, the formulator of the daf yomi cycle. As related by R' Cohen, soon after the Rosh Hashanah when the first daf yomi cycle began, R' Shapiro received a letter from his sister. She wrote that she had a dream the first night of Rosh Hashanah that their mother was being honored in shamayim and was wearing a crown. The obvious correlation that the sister drew was that because R' Shapiro had initiated the daf yomi cycle that Rosh Hashanah, whereby many people would become a system of learning gemara, their mother was being honored for his actions.

However, R' Cohen explained that there was more to the story. When R' Shapiro was a seven year old boy, his mother hired a tutor to come and learn with him because he was so far ahead of his classmates. 

One day, his family moved from one city to another and his mother arranged to have a new tutor come to their house in the new city on the day that they arrived. After unpacking, the mother sat with young R' Meir waiting for the tutor. As the hours wore on R' Shapiro's mother broke down and started crying. When he asked her why she was crying, she explained - "it's a day without Torah, its a day without learning."

It was this lesson which R' Cohen believed was the motivation for R' Shapiro to begin the daf yomi program so that no day would be without Torah. Is it any wonder that his mother was honored in shamayim because she had inspired her son to create a daily learning program?

If you have seen this post being carried on another site, please feel free to click www.kosherbeers.blogspot.com to find other articles on the kosherbeers blogsite. Hey its free and you can push my counter numbers up!

Belated Sunday Night Suds - Saranac Ginger Pale Ale



This week's belated Sunday Night Suds looks at Saranac's Ginger Pale Ale (aka GPA).

Although the Sunday night post is always reserved for a beer review, I just could not contemplate opening a beer last night as our Sunday night dinner was the break fast for the Jewish fast day of Tzom Gedalyah.

As  I have detailed in past posts, when I was younger I used to be able to eat a meat meal after a fast, but I am finding as I get older that I just can't stomach that anymore (no pun...well maybe pun intended). As such, we have been making it a habit of having dairy meals for the breakfast. Even with this lighter fare, I admit that I was not up to beering last night, so the SNS post is making a belated appearance on Monday.

But enough about my digestive proclivities, since the average reader not related to the KB family does not come to this blog to read about my eating habits.

The Saranac Ginger Pale Ale is another of  the beers included in this past summer's "12 Beers of Summer" variety pack. The other beers included in this box were the Wild Hop Pils (reviewed here http://kosherbeers.blogspot.com/2013/07/sunday-night-suds-saranac-wild-hop-pils.html); Cloud Splitter (reviewed here http://kosherbeers.blogspot.com/2014/09/sunday-night-suds-saranac-cloud.html); Jugglernaut (reviewed here http://kosherbeers.blogspot.com/2014/08/sunday-night-suds-saranac-jugglernaut.html); Kolsch (reviewed here http://kosherbeers.blogspot.com/2008/08/sunday-night-suds-saranac-kolsch-ale.html) and Session IPA.

Although I put off drinking the GPA until tonight due to my concerns coming out of the fast, there really was no reason to worry. The GPA is first and foremost a ginger beverage and I was unable to finish my drink this evening due to the strong ajax/floor cleanser flavor emanating from the brew. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy ginger flavored beers (see my review of the Shiner Ruby Redbird here - http://kosherbeers.blogspot.com/2011/05/sunday-night-suds-shiner-ruby-redbird.html). However, the strong ginger flavor makes this beer undrinkable in anything other than small sips. At least there is only one other bottle of it in the mix box, so I can try to pass it off on some unsuspecting soul...

Saranac GPA is under the Kosher Supervision of the Va'ad of Detroit as is every other beer produced at the Matt Brewery plant in Utica, NY. Keep in mind, Saranac brews some of its High Peaks series off site and these bottles do not have kosher certification from the Va'ad of Detroit.

To see what the experts on Beer Advocate think about the GPA, please follow this link www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/99/116793.

As always, please remember to drink responsibly and to never waste good beer unless there is no designated driver.

If you've tried this beer or any others which have been reviewed on the kosher beers site, please feel free to post your comments (anonymous comments are acceptable).

Finally, if you have seen this post being carried on another site, please feel free to click www.kosherbeers.blogspot.com to find other articles on the kosherbeers blogsite. Hey its free and you can push my counter numbers up!

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Sunday Night Suds - Saranac Cloud Splitter Ale


This week's Sunday Night Suds looks at Saranac's Cloud Splitter Ale.

The Saranac Cloud Splitter was one of the beers included in this past summer's "12 Beers of Summer" variety pack. The other beers included in this box were the Wild Hop Pils (reviewed here http://kosherbeers.blogspot.com/2013/07/sunday-night-suds-saranac-wild-hop-pils.html); GPA; Jugglernaut (reviewed here  http://kosherbeers.blogspot.com/2014/08/sunday-night-suds-saranac-jugglernaut.html); Kolsch (reviewed here http://kosherbeers.blogspot.com/2008/08/sunday-night-suds-saranac-kolsch-ale.html) and Session IPA.

Interestingly, the packaging of the 12 Beers of Summer variety pack indicates that only the Session IPA and GPA are "new" beers, but I cannot recall ever seeing and cannot find any prior reference to the Cloud Splitter Ale.

The Cloud Splitter tastes like a wheat ale with a little extra kick from the bitters. Although the label indicates that there are oats, coriander and orange peel included in the brew, I did not taste any spice. I did enjoy the extra hop bite and the tang from the wheat. 

The Cloud Splitter Ale would pair well with brisket (in case you were still looking for a beer to pair with Yom Tov fair) as well as other smoked or stewed meat.

Saranac Cloud Splitter Ale is under the Kosher Supervision of the Va'ad of Detroit as is every other beer produced at the Matt Brewery plant in Utica, NY. Keep in mind, Saranac brews some of its High Peaks series off site and these bottles do not have kosher certification from the Va'ad of Detroit.

To see what the experts on Beer Advocate think about the Cloud Splitter Ale, please follow this link www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/99/116794.

As always, please remember to drink responsibly and to never waste good beer unless there is no designated driver.

If you've tried this beer or any others which have been reviewed on the kosher beers site, please feel free to post your comments (anonymous comments are acceptable).

Finally, if you have seen this post being carried on another site, please feel free to click www.kosherbeers.blogspot.com to find other articles on the kosherbeers blogsite. Hey its free and you can push my counter numbers up!

[I'm not one for self promotion - but I am forced to acknowledge that is post 1,000 for kosherbeers. I give thanks to Hashem for giving me the opportunity, inspiration and strength to complete this task. Mrs KB gets the credit for putting up with/supporting this six year plus hobby and I have my friends to thank for their support, suggestions and for helping me with locate interesting kosher beer. Along with the way I have met some incredible brewmasters and professionals who devote their lives to the perfect pint and have received wonderful guidance from mashgichim who are so giving of their time to educate me about the kashrus of beer. Last but not least, the readers of kosherbeers and especially their e-mails keep me motivated and make this truly a labor of love. L'Shana Tova - here's to 1,000 posts more!]

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Thursday's Parsha Tidbits - Parshios Netzavim & Vayelech

The following is a brief summary of a thought said over by R' Frand on the parshios.Unfortunately, due to transmission issues, I was unable to hear most of the parsha portion of this evening's vort. As such, I have reproduced a prior year's vort in this space. As always any perceived inconsistency is the result of my efforts to transcribe the shiur and should not be attributed to R' Frand.

R' Frand quoted the Maharal who noted that while the Tochacha in Parshas Bechukosai has words of nechama (comfort) after the Tochacha, the Tochacha in Parshas Ki Savo does not have words of nechama at the end.

R' Frand cited R' Yosher Ber Soloveitchik who explains that the Tochacha in Bechukosai is aligned with the destruction of the first Beis Hamikdash and galus bavel. Since the first galus was very brief, the divrei nechama come soon after the Tochacha. However, the Tochacha in Ki Savo is aligned with the destruction of the second Beis Hamikdash and galus Edom. Although this is a long drawn out galus which we are still experiencing, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and nechama at the end of the galus. R' Yosher Ber explains that the divrei nechama comes in Parshas Netzavim at Devarim 30:1-2, where the Torah writes "V'haya ki yavou alecha ..." that it will be when these things come on you, the blessings and the curse, that the Jews will return to Hashem.

The Rambam in Hilchos Teshuva writes that the Nevi'im promised us that the Jews will do teshuva at the end of galus and they will be immediately redeemed. R' Yosher Ber explains that this is the nechama, knowing that there will be teshuva and the galus will end.

R' Frand mentioned that he was always bothered by this Rambam. There are so many people who are not keeping the Torah and do not even know that they are sinning because they lack the basic knowledge of the Torah laws. How will these people do teshuva?

R' Frand said that he heard a vort from the Shem Mishmuel which answered the question. The Shem Mishmuel quoted Devarim 30:3 which states that Hashem will bring back "shevuscha" - translated as your people in captivity. However, the Targum Yonasan Ben Uziel translates shevuscha as your teshuvos - Hashem will gather in all the teshuvos from all the generations and use them to redeem the Jews.

The Shem Mishmuel referenced the line from the Rosh Hashanah davening - Ma'avir Rishon Rishon - the Gemara in Rosh Hashana 17 states that this means that if a person is equally weighted with sins and mitzvos, Hashem will take away one aveirah so that the scale tips to life. However, the sin is not erased completely. If later a person piles on the sins, Hashem will add this sin back to the pile.

The Shem Mishmuel states that if Hashem will store away an aveirah to be added in at the appropriate time, than He certainly is saving the less than perfect thoughts or acts of teshuva that were done for centuries so that they can be added togther at the appropriate time and bring the geulah. The Shem Mishmuel states that this explains how a person can do teshuva at the end of his life and it will be accepted. The teshuva certainly cannot be an acceptance to change for the future since the person will die in short order. The Shem Mishmuel explains that this person had many thoughts or acts of teshuva over his lifetime which did not come to fruition. However, at the end of his life when he has a genuine desire to teshuva, Hashem brings back all these thoughts and deeds and together they cause the person to become a true ba'al teshuva.

The Shem Mishmuel further states that this collection of imperfect teshuvas applies not only to individuals, but also to groups. Hashem has collected our improper teshuvos over thousands of years and geula can happen in our days by adding just a little bit to the scale to put us over the top. This is the answer to the question that bothers people - if we did not merit geulah when we had greater leaders, how can we possibly merit the Moshiach today? The answer is that all those teshuvas have been building up and if we on our lower level can somehow add the final piece through our teshuva, we can bring the geulah and be the nechama.

If you have seen this post being carried on another site, please feel free to click www.kosherbeers.blogspot.com to find other articles on the kosherbeers blogsite. Hey its free and you can push my counter numbers up!

Monday, September 15, 2014

Monday's Musings on Sports - Can Anyone Keep Their Hands to Themselves

Unless you have been living under a rock, you could not have missed the explosion of domestic violence related cases in football this year. It started during the pre-season when NFL President Roger Goodell announced that Baltimore Ravens' RB Ray Rice would be suspended two games in connection with a domestic violence related prosecution in New Jersey. At the time, little was known publicly about the underlying facts, as the only information leaked was a video showing Rice dragging his then girlfriend out of an elevator.

Although Rice had already entered a pre-trial diversion program which was intended to address first time offenders, there were more than a few who criticized the punishment as being too lenient, especially in comparison with punishments being meted out for substance abuse and or drunk driving incidents. 

Soon after the two game suspension was announced, Goodell made a mea culpa and admitted that he had been too soft by only assessing a two game suspension. As such, in late August, the NFL announced a policy for dealing with domestic violence offenses - a six game suspension for the first offense and a lifetime ban for a repeat offender.

Goodell's new policy, however well intentioned, was unable to protect him from the fallout when a tabloid website released the video of what happened in that elevator, Once the public saw that Rice had struck his then girlfriend and knocked her unconscious, the NFL came under pressure and the league changed Rice's punishment to an indefinite suspension.

The lawyer in me wondered how the NFL could change the punishment when the underlying facts were unchanged. After all, Rice had entered the pre-trial intervention program and had made a disclosure to the NFL as to the nature of his act. If the NFL had deemed that the act was only worthy of a two game suspension, how could they alter the punishment?

Adding to my feelings of unease with the NFL decision was the heartfelt statement made by Rice's now wife as to how hurt she was by the release of the video of the assault in the elevator. While the public clamored for a more severe punishment, the victim had made her peace with the man who struck her and the two were now married. Instead of putting the incident behind them, the NFL now wanted to punish Rice again and bring the story back to the forefront. Could anyone actually believe that the NFL's action was anything more than damage control?

While all of this was percolating, other stories of domestic violence began to emerge. Pro Bowl Defensive End Greg Hardy of the Carolina Panthers had been allowed to play in week one of the NFL season, even though he had been convicted of domestic violence. Similarly, San Francisco 49er Ray McDonald was not going to be suspended even though he too had been charged with a domestic violence crime. And then news broke late Friday that All Pro running back Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings had been indicted for striking his four year old child with a switch (I have learned this is a tree branch).

All of these incidents incurring within a short period of time can cause one to wonder about this professional sport where athletes get paid for violent behavior. Out of the four major professional sports, there is nothing with more violence than football and maybe questions need to be asked as to whether these athletes can draw the line between aggression on the playing field and aggressive behavior towards their spouses and children.

Although the Monday post is usually devoted to a link between sports and a Torah thought, I find it difficult to make a connection this evening. The Torah does not condone violence towards one's spouse. Even as it relates to discipline of children, there are strict parameters and there are even rules as to the age of the child being subject to discipline. I will leave it with this - I can recall a shiur from R' Mansour where he recounted that a certain Rav hit his child in order to teach him that the child's behavior was wrong. When striking the child, the Rav said to him, "I am not doing this because I am angry." But I think to myself, while a child may need a potch to teach him a lesson, how can anyone justify striking their spouse?

If you have seen this post being carried on another site, please feel free to click www.kosherbeers.blogspot.com to find other articles on the kosherbeers blogsite. Hey its free and you can push my counter numbers up!

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Sunday Night Suds - Samuel Adams Honey Queen


This week's Sunday Night Suds looks at Samuel Adams Honey Queen, an excellent choice for a Rosh Hashanah table.

This past Shabbos we had very special guests for lunch so I opened the bottle of Honey Queen that I had been saving since I picked it up earlier this summer. I had never seen the Honey Queen sold individually, so when I saw it at DiCicco's of Brewster, I plunked down my $7 and put it away for a pre-Rosh Hashanah Shabbos. As we were joined by homebrewer expert Dan R of kosherhomebrew.blogspot.com (check out his kosher home brew instruction video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaeWCLTT_3M) I knew that this was the perfect time to serve the Honey Queen.

As you can see from the picture above, the Honey Queen is classified as a Braggot. I had never hear of a Braggot but the experts at BA explain that:

The Braggot is quite an old drink, there is a mentioned in Chaucer, Canterbury Tales in the late 1300’s, and there are earlier references dating even further back to the 12th century in Ireland. Braggot is simply made by blending spices and herbs with mead and beer, to produce a strong concoction with uncommon flavors. Many taverns would make this blend right at the bar though brewers would also blend them as well. 

There should be a balance between the honey character and malt flavor with the hop bitterness not overpowering the sweetness yet should be noticeable. Today’s Braggot may or may not be spiced.

The Samuel  Adams Honey Queen did not have any hop character, but the sweetness was not overpowering and had some interesting notes from the chamomile and other spices. We enjoyed the Honey Queen between the fish and main course, rather than with a particular dish. I would not recommend pairing this with any savory dish, but if you are looking for something to have with the apples and honey or new fruit on Rosh Hashanah, this would be a good choice.

The Samuel Adams Honey Queen is under the Kosher Supervision of the Star-K. Like many other Samuel Adams brews, this bottle does not have the Star-K certification mark on the label. To see the LOC for Samuel Adams which certifies this beer as kosher click here - http://www.star-k.org/loc/LetterOfCertification_PEFQZ4N3.pdf.

To see what the experts on Beer Advocate think about this brew, please follow this link -http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/35/92899.

As always, please remember to drink responsibly and to never waste good beer unless there is no designated driver. If you've tried this beer or any others which have been reviewed on the kosher beers site, please feel free to post your comments (anonymous comments are acceptable).

If you have seen this post being carried on another site, please feel free to click www.kosherbeers.blogspot.com to find other articles on the kosherbeers blogsite. Hey its free and you can push my counter numbers up!

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Thursday's Parsha Tidbits - Parshas Ki Savo

The following is a brief summary of some of the thoughts said over by R' Frand on the parsha this evening. I have attempted to reproduce these vorts to the best of my ability. Any perceived inconsistency is the result of my efforts to transcribe the shiur and should not be attributed to R' Frand.

Parshas Ki Savo contains two declarations which were made upon the completion of a mitzva. The first declaration is the Mikra Bikkurim which is said by the person who brings his first fruits to the Beis Hamikdash. As part of the Mikra Bikkurim, the Torah states that the person must call out (V'Anisa V'Amarta). Rashi (quoting the Gemara in Sotah) states that there is an obligation to say this with a full voice.

The second declaration relates to the obligation of Ma'aser and is recited by the farmer who confesses that he has given all of his tithes (Viduy Ma'aser).

R' Frand observed that there is a simple explanation for the difference between the two declarations as the Mikra Bikkurim is praise to Hashem for all that he has given us, while the Viduy Ma'aser is merely a recitation of what the individual has done.

R' Frand quoted R' Shlomo Kluger who tied this to the davening on the Yamim Noraim. All year long, a person says his Shemoneh Esreh quietly, but on the Yamim Noraim, a person can say the Shemoneh Esreh aloud if he chooses. The simple explanation given is that all year long a person did not generally daven with a siddur, so if his neighbors says his Shemoneh Esreh aloud there is a danger that he will get confused. However, on the Yamim Noraim when a person generally prays from a machzor, there is less concern as to being confused by the loud prayers of another.

R' Kluger remarked that the reason for the ability to pray louder might also tie back to the difference between Ma'aser and Bikkurim. All year long a person prays for his personal needs and therefore prays quietly. However, on the Yamin Noraim the Shemoneh Esreh is all about Hashem and His glory, so there is no reason to say these prayers quietly.

If you have seen this post being carried on another site, please feel free to click www.kosherbeers.blogspot.com to find other articles on the kosherbeers blogsite. Hey its free and you can push my counter numbers up!

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Sunday Night Suds - Josephs Brau Heller Bock


This week's Sunday Night Suds looks at Joseph's Brau Heller Bock.

After a number of years without producing new kosher varieties of Joseph's Brau (aka Trader Joe's beer) it seems that there are finally a few new beers in the pipeline. Besides the Heller Bock which is being reviewed in this column, there is a new kosher hard apple cider (Henry Hotspur Hard Pressed Cider) and a few more on the way.

The Heller Bock is a Mailbock/Helles Bock which is defined by the experts at BA as:

The Maibock style of beer tends to be lighter in color than other Bock beers and often has a significant hop character with a noticeable alcohol around the same as a traditional Bock. Maibocks are customarily served in the spring and are oftentimes interrelated with spring festivals and celebrations more often in the month of May.

Its been a while since I went beer shopping at Trader Joe's, so I am not certain how long the Heller Bock has been available there. I am relatively certain that I was there in late spring and I don't recall seeing the Joseph's Brau Heller Bock on the shelves, but it could just have been the store that I was in.

The Joseph's Brau Heller Bock poured a rich copper with significant foam and lacing which remained on the glass for more than 1/2 an hour. The beer itself tastes like a bock with no significant hop character. As beer goes, its rather not obtrusive and more sweet malt than anything else.

Joseph's Brau Heller Bock is under the Kosher Supervision of the Va'ad of Detroit and there is a tiny Va'ad Hakashrus symbol on the back of the bottle. Please keep in mind that not every Trader Joe's brew is under kosher supervision, so check the label or search my site for the link to the latest list of beers under kosher supervision.

To see what the experts at Beer Advocate think about this beer, click this link http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/10707/108016 .

As always, please remember to drink responsibly and to never waste good beer unless there is no designated driver.If you've tried this beer or any others which have been reviewed on the kosher beers site, please feel free to post your comments (anonymous comments are acceptable).

Finally, if you have seen this post being carried on another site, please feel free to click www.kosherbeers.blogspot.com to find other articles on the kosherbeers blogsite. Hey its free and you can push my counter numbers up!

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Thursday's Parsha Tidbits - Parshas Ki Seitzei

The following is a brief summary of some of the thoughts said over by R' Frand on the parsha this evening. I have attempted to reproduce these vorts to the best of my ability. Any perceived inconsistency is the result of my efforts to transcribe the shiur and should not be attributed to R' Frand.

In Devarim 23:4-7, the Torah mentions that the offspring of Ammon and Moab are not allowed to convert and marry into Israel. The Torah explains that the reason for the prohibition is that Ammon and Moab did not provide bread and water for the Jews while they were travelling in the desert. The Torah next states that the prohibition also applies because they (Moab) hired Bilaam to curse the Jews.

R' Frand asked - why is the concept of the failure to provide food and water mentioned along with the hiring of Bilaam? He drew the analogy of someone who robs a bank and parks the getaway car in a no parking zone. When the bank robber is arrested and indicted, is he charged with armed robbery and parking in a no parking zone? The parking violation is an afterthought. Why does the failure to give bread and water get mentioned with the hiring of Bilaam?

R' Frand answered by quoting R' Twersky who cited a series of mishnayos in Pirkei Avos (2:8-9) wherein R' Yochanan Ben Zakkai drew together his five students and asked them to identify the five top attributes which a person should have. The suggestions were - have a good eye, or good friends or good neighbors or the ability to see the future or having a good heart. R' Yochanan then asked the students what are bad qualities that a person should run from. Each of them said the opposite - bad eye, bad friends, etc. However R' Shimon who had said that the good quality was seeing the future, answered that the bad trait was to borrow money and not pay back.

Why is the trend broken --- R' Shimon's concepts were not opposites? R' Twersky answered that a person who sees the future is one who recognizes that when someone does good for you, you need to appreciate their goodness. If a person borrows money and does not repay it, he will start on the downward spiral because he rejects the goodness that others have done for him. The one who does not repay when he has the ability to do so can turn on his parents, spouse or society, because he has no cognizance of what was done for him.

This is why Ammon and Moab's prohibition of joining the Jewish people mentions both the food and water and Bilaam. These tribes had an obligation to recognize the good that was done for them by Avraham who saved their ancestor - Lot. Even though Avraham's act allowed them to be born, they were unwilling to sell the Jews water and bread in the desert. And because they were unable to recognize the good that was done for them by refusing to sell the bread and water, they continued down the negative track towards the Jews as they hired Bilaam to curse the Jews.

[Although R' Frand ended the vort at this point, I would like to add a thought that occurred to me. Perhaps this is also the reason that a Ben Sorrer U'Moreh (aka the rebellious son) is put to death. Earlier in the parsha it states that he is killed because he stole from his parents to buy meat and wine. The gemara asks - why is he killed before he has committed a capitol offense? The gemara answers that he is killed at this stage because he will commit more serious crimes and now he has not yet done so. I wonder if this is another recognition of the rejection of good - since the rebellious son does not recognize the good done for him by his parents, there is a clear and present danger that he will become a sociopath and do worse towards others].

If you have seen this post being carried on another site, please feel free to click www.kosherbeers.blogspot.com to find other articles on the kosherbeers blogsite. Hey its free and you can push my counter numbers up!

Monday, September 1, 2014

Labor Day 2014 Kosher Beers List

As a community service, Kosher Beers publishes a list twice a year of the beers which are known to be certified kosher. The list will be updated periodically until the next edition (Purim 2015). For the Labor Day 2014 edition, I will again be using scribd to upload and maintain list. All newly added beers are in bold.