ZVI!! I FOUND IT!!

Folks and friends... This is one of my favorite songs in the world. It is so funny. Tenacious D has some really good songs. But mainly, their singer is Jack Black (He's Jewish).
Oy Vey!! Genius song.

Zvi, this one is seriously for you! Let me know what you think of it.

There's no free lunch!!

So these are my Houstonian thoughts (Some of them are too embarrassing to record, so I will keep those memories in the recesses of my brain)...

1) A big lesson I've learned from that trip is... Plan my next trip more thoroughly.
2) To see a close friend 'hanging in there'... There's nothing like it in the entire world. I thank the 'best head couselor' for giving me that opportunity to be with him for a Shabbos. It had an extremely strong and positive effect on me.
3) It's honestly the first time in my life that I've seen Shluchim who are in it for the cause and are given over heart and soul. There was a time during the Friday night meal with Rabbi Lazer and Rochel Lazarrof, where I wanted to jump up onto the table and scream "I don't understand you guys!! Why in the world are you so worried about improving the living conditions of your Aishel house, when you don't get any money from it?... All you get are people complaining, when they should owe you their life... How can you not just blow up at people who aren't appreciative of all that you do for them?!!! PASS ME THE CHRAIN!!!"
Let me start from the beginning: A little over ten years ago, Rabbi Lazer and Rochel lazarrof moved into 'The Medical Center' district of Houston. It's probably the biggest medical center in the world. It's like it's own city of Hospitals. There are about 25/30 hospitals in this little area. It looks sort of like Las Vegas' strip of all the casinos, except all the big buildings are hospitals... Really cool. Some of the hospitals are seriously world famous. People from all over the world come there for treatments and stuff like that.
Unfortunately, there are Jews also who come to Houston for treatment. Many times family members accompany them there and stay there with them as well. Sometimes the people come for a week, sometimes for several months. It all depends.
Now, when the people come, they have no idea where to start with themselves. They don't know how to get Kosher food, where the Shul is and other important things like that. That's when the Lazarrof's come into the picture. They have a building with living facilities for these family members and these patients to be able to stay in while they are in Houston. It's pretty much free. They also supply you with a car and Kosher food. They also have a Minyan. In short, they hook you up with all your physical needs... For free.
It's called the Aishel House. The amazing thing about it, is the amount of love and care that they have for it. It's not like they give you everything and then expect you to bestow blessings upon them all day and continue to live in the dirty conditions asigned to you. They care so much about you truly being comfortable. If you want a couch in your place, they will get in touch with all their volunteer's and get you a couch. It you want a new matress, they will arrange a new matress for you. They make sure that the person is really comfortable with his little living quarter. I was so touched by it this past Shabbos. I have never ever seen anything like it.
It's physical Shlichus. The job is not worrying about people's spiritual, but rather their physical needs. It's definitely alot harder a job. I think the founder of Friendship circle once spoke about that type of Shlichus and the hardships and pressures that comes with it (Peretz told me that part), but it's well worth it. It definitely is where truth lies. Spiritual Shlichus is not the Emes (In a sense). Being all spiritual and Farbrenging all day is easy. But when it comes to physically taking care of saddened and embittered patients who can't appreciate what you're doing for them, but still continuing to show them love and support... Ah! That is TRUTH!

Anyways, L'chaim! All of us Jews should be redeemed and freed from all of our problems. Some of us have bigger problems, some of us have smaller pettier problems. Some of us worry about how we are going to live through another day alone, while others worry whether or not the cleaners can take out the Ketchup stains on our collars... But they are all worries nonetheless. May Moshiach finally come and take away all worries from us forever.


Gosh! I had so much to blog about when I was in houston... So many thoughts just spill over that it becomes too overwhelming. I forgot most of the things I was thinking about.
Just to mention one that I do remember: Do memories of the past affect our lives in the future? Experiences in life affect our lives and change our character. But can mere memories have a similar effect as well, or are memories just memories?

A final word: On Friday night, Peretz and me were singing the Poltava niggun for his mother. It was seriously a beautiful moment (By the way, hospital rooms have amazing accoustics). Motzaei Shabbos, when I went back to the hospital, The Big Rabbi Lazarrof was there visiting. When we told him about our Poltava singing, he told us how he once composed words for the Poltava which have the theme "There's no free lunch!" ... Hence, this post was named.

Refuah Shlaima to Masha bas Sonia!!! May the rest of life give us shocks of goodness. Goodness that will shake us with the same shock that we experienced when hearing about the tragedy.

Niggun of the week #4 (I think)

Shew! It's been a long time since we've had a Niggun of the week.
This week's niggun has a tinge of happiness to it. The third part, is the famous 'Hoiche Tenuah'. It's where the soul screams out to it's maker in a form of thanks and gratitude.
DeComposed hundred's of years ago by some random Hassidic masters, this tune reaches the depths of the heart and inspires its singer to diet better and to begin exercising more regularly.

Niggun: Der Garfiunkel
Ershteh Tenuah!
Di-di-Ya-ma-ma-ma-oy-yi-nam-di-di-li-oy-oy!
Di-di-Ya-ma-ma-ma-oy-yi-nam-di-di-li-oy-VEYYYY-oy!
Oy-yi-na-nam oy-yi-na-nam oy-diddle-doo Di-di-yoch nam diddle dee dom!
di-di-yoch-nam-diddle-dee-OY-VEY-dom!

Tzveiteh Tenuah!
Ach-nam-diddle-lee Ach-nam-diddle-lee Ach nam diddle lee oy yoy!
Ach nam diddle lee ach nam diddle lee ach nam diddle lee yamamam
Oy yi na nam oy yi na nam oy yi na nam oy yi na nam diddle doy diddle dee diddly steve diddle doo diddle kak diddle pee diddle lee diddle doo OY VEY! (Li'Erech three times)

Der Dritteh 'Hoiche' Tenuah!
(Scream) AAAAAAAAAAAH (Whisper) oy yi nam.
(Scream) AAAAAAAAAAAH (Whisper again) Oy yi nam!


As mentioned before, this song evokes great inspiration on the body and soul. It may also reduce the chances of heart disease (It has the same effect as Cheerios)

Maccabees

Here is the first article advertising the Chanuka show.

Oy Houston Houston!

I'm back in the BIG CITY!!! And big it is.

Houston was amazing. I don't have time or patience to write the entire experience now. But someday soon I might. (Maybe after I get the cell phone.)

Ciao!

All except two!

Last night we had the most incredible Kumzits! It lasted until 12:30am, but the after-effects didn't let me go to sleep until about 3:00am.
Such Kumzitz' are what give us the understanding of why Snags' were put into the world... They invented the Kumzitz after all! But we did sing the Pastoch in the middle of it all. Even in the depths of darkness and Grohbkeit there is still some hope of holiness and Aidelkeit.

Random person: Alright, Whoever has a cell phone raise your hand!
All the people in the room raise their hands proudly. One person sits in the back of the room with his arms folded and is silent.
Random person: Hey you in the back. You don't have a cell phone?? What's your name anyways??
Person without the cell phone: Hershky84
Random person: You mean to tell me that you actually don't own a cell phone?? How can people get in touch with you??!!
Hershky84: First of all, no! I don't own a cell phone. Second of all, I've been here three weeks and I'm loving the time being spent. Why in the world would I need a cell phone?
Random person: ... Duh! so that people can get in touch with you when they need you!!
Hershky84: Well, I'm happy as I am. Comfortable with the peace and serenity that encompasses me. I don't want a cell phone.
Random person: Silence...

End of Show!!

So there! I don't own a cell phone. It's very hard not to own a cell phone in the middle of New York. Much harder than if I were, say somewhere in Canada (uhum). Is it a good thing? I don't know. Perhaps it tix off other people when they're trying to get in touch with me but it seems easier to contact me via email than it is with the telephone. The fact is that I'm really enjoying the time here and I'm not so sure owning a cell phone is going to enhance my experience.
Then again, this all sounds dandy. But the question of the night is: Can a person really survive through the year without his trusty Motorola/Nokia/Erricson or Seimens on hand. Should I try to make the record for longest lasting Bochur without the cell phone. I don't know how long I will be able to stay afloat for... Taking a deep breathe aaanndd... GO!

P.s. the reason the heading of this post is called "All except two!" is because by last nights Kumzitz, we had all the HK guys there except for two of them. One being in China, the other one occupied with bigger and better attractions (tee hee). *I'm still waiting to see you partner!!*

Good night!

Maccabee's

I'm on a role tonight! I'm just bored I guess. Check this out.

INDEED!

Some people in CH are very very interesting.


Favorite line that someone told me today in Shul: "Any girl that's crazy enough to agree to marry me, I wouldn't want to marry!"

Hong Kong update!

This past Sukkos at the Chabad Sukkah. Carmel School made their anual visit to the Sukkah for a day of lunch and games on Chol Hamoed!

This one was by Chabad's Sukka hop! Arranged by the one and only... NUSSI!! Awesome! I'm so happy for what's going on there now. Keep sending me the pics so that I may keep my *boring* blog updated with interesting stuff once in a while.

It's really great that I'm able to update on what's going on in the 'kong' world! I wonder if this shows that I somehow still care about the place somewhere in the thick - oisgekvetchteh heart of mine?

Basically, the Rabbi sent me an email telling me how this past Tishrei was on a serious roll and he's surprised and saddened that it's already over. I don't know what the guy's are doing there, but from the gist of the email, it sounds like they are totally rocking casa! Baruch Hashem! I'm really so happy and thankful that there's a great group doing great stuph in the bestestestestest place on earth!
Kol Hakavod Nussi!

I have Grandpa humor!

You know the way there's such a concept of 'Zeidy jokes' in the world. They're the jokes that younger, cooler, hipper, spunkier (?) people tend to be ashamed to say because of their extreme corny'ness.
Well, I have to shamefully admit that there are some times when I mistakenly let these corny, Zeidy'ish jokes slip from my mouth and I end up feeling stupid.
Rather than be embarrassed to admit the cheesy jokes and my cheesy mind which creates them on the blog, I'm just going to publish some crazy thought that struck me last night in 770 which I repeated to a friend and then regretted saying it. (Note: The Bochur who I said the Zeidy joke is still my friend... So it couldn't be all that bad.)
I was standing in 770 last night, when someone came up to me, threw out his arm and gave me a hearty "Good Shabbos." I responded politely. But when he left, I thought to myself "Hey, when you say 'good Shabbos' very quickly, it sounds like you're saying 'Chavez.'
So, in proud Zeidy fashion, I told some friend standing by, how all Jews are haters of America, because every Saturday they all say to each other "Chavez, Chavez!"
Now now... I know you think I'm crazy! Well, that's the exact look my friend gave me when I said that. I then realized the stupidity of the joke. It's not a funny joke. Truthfully, it's not even a corny joke. It's a ZEIDY JOKE!!
I've evolved into a Zeidy prematurely!! YAAAAAYY!!!

Gutt Voch! ... oh, and Chavez!

Today's thoughts!

So... Today I had 2 Chakirah's about 770 which I wanted to share. They may sound extremely insane and exaggerated, but in middle of Mincha Shmoneh Esrei, what isn't??

Here goes:
1) I was standing in 770 Davvening Mincha when this thought struck me like lightning! (Ba-da-da-dum) The floors in the 770 men's section are so holy! How can we possibly stand on so many "13 Attributes" which stem from the Yud Gimmel Tikunei Diknah?! How many thousands upon thousands of beard hairs have fallen from people lately which we so brazenly trample on??!!
Thinking about all this didn't necessarily make me run out of 770. But the idea did cross my mind.
2) I was about to enter 770 for Micha, when I looked around, took a wiff and thought to myself "Wow! There's this aroma to 770 in Tishrei with so many Israeli's. It's almost like you open the doors to go into the big shul and this huge gust of "armpit-tooth decay-fungus" stench attacks you."
Then I thought "770 is so smelly... What about in ancient times, when ALL the Israeli's packed into the Beis Hamikdosh for the Sholosh Regalim? What must it have been like then?"
My mind's ramblings were not over just yet. "It must be, that for this very reason the holy Temple in Jerusalem had no roof. The Beis Hamikdosh was open straight to the heaven's only because of the horrible smell that would have emanated, had they covered it."
You think I'm finished??!! I had another question. Why then, was the Heichal and the Koidesh HaKodoshim covered with a roof. The Kohanim after all, were also a bunch of Israeli's.
But as I walked into 770, the answer came to me and made it all too clear for me... That must have been why the Kohanim were constantly going to Mikva and bathing when changing their clothes and stuff.
Yom Kippur, the day when the Beis Hamikdosh was the most stuffed with (Gasp! Dare I say) DIBS, the Kohen Gadol was secluded from all his desires for an entire week... What happens? He is obligated to go to Mikva five times and bathe when doing the service for that day! Why you ask?? That's because he was the only one who entered the covered area of the holy temple. He was the only one with the possibility of smelling up the Temple area and therefore needed to bathe!

Alas, I was consoled.


As I was walking through 770, a third thought struck me. Nothing connected with the previous ones. Just a bit interesting: "Is it a bit too ambitious for a Bochur learning in 770 to make the Hachloto of going through an entire "770 learning year" without looking 'up'?? (Just another random thought. Though I already got seriously reprimanded for asking some Chassidishe Bochur this 'Q'.)

It's so good to finally put these thoughts of mine down on screen! I was waiting an entire day to record these wacky thoughts forever!

Good night!

P.s. The name "lights" was changed to "Maccabees" today. It sounds slicker and better. It was the original name we gave to it and I'm kinda' glad that it was taken back. It's a more grabby name (If you know I mean).

The words didn't come through. but the basic idea!

Just an update from agent #613

STEVEN!!! I have to post something and I have no idea what to post. I'm busy, as Gehinom is in the off-season (Around mid-November I think).
Lights is coming along. I mean COMING ALONG!! I don't have any idea what is goin' on. But, Like I say when I've had a few 'too many'... The same way Hashem split the sea for all the children in the Museum's exodus (... What? you thought those were effects?!), so too will he make some sort of miracle for us by this Chanukah experience and let everything run smoothly and fine.

hershky84 has just signed off and gone back to working on this immense project.

Take that Colorado!!!

... And though nobody has any clue what I'm talking about, it don't matter.

David Aebischer is one of the Goalies for the Montreal Canadiens. We traded for him from Colorado Avalanche last year. We had to give away a "hart trophy" winning goaltender, Jose Theodore to get this backup goalie. But we did it. People thought it was stupid at first.
I just wanted to mention how David Aebischer is now the best goaltender in the league. He has the lowest goals against average with 1.44 and I'm very excited about that.

Note: His name is also very close sounding with Hashem's Heiligeh name. I knew it would turn out good when we traded for him. How could it not??

Nice articles I've come across

Articles that other bloggers have written about Peretz and his situation. Inspiration and Mottel's blog.

I love

Mottel's blog

A note on Peretz' sitch. His spirit is officially very high, though he lost his only sibling and a father. His Mother still needs lots of prayers, good deeds and Tehillim for her Refuah. I'm going to go and visit within the next two weeks (Not sure exactly when). Lastly, I'm also going to try and get more updates on how he's doing. I love him!!

Simchas Torah

Here is the Simchas Torah update for this years Crown Heights experience.
I was walking through 770 last night and kept thinking "Is this the ultimate in happiness?" Bochurim getting their heads cut up from ceiling fans while trying to stand on the beams. Drunkards throwing up all over the floor.
I witnessed a fight. Some Israeli got hit from behind and totally flipped. It was cool, but depressing at the same time.
You see people hugging and kissing each other when reuniting and when random rushes of 'drunk' love pop up. But is that what real happiness is? Lots of Lubavichers talk about how we're all Chayos'dik during Simchas Torah while the rest of the Jewish world is depressed. Perhaps real happiness is not drinking. Maybe, just maybe that's all a false happiness. Fake joy.
Can it be that real joy comes from the inside? When the inner feelings get overwhelmed naturally and are expressed. Real joy is not loud dancing and hollering like a maniac. Real joy is a quiet, honest love and happiness that's only felt between the person and the one he loves... Just might be a possibility. I haven't worked out the correct answer yet. But those thoughts did hold me back from totally "phasing out" this Simchas Torah. I would have like to experience 'real Simcha.' A happiness that I would be able to say forever and ever that I remember. Not some hazy, blank memory of another Simchas Torah gone by.

Another thought of this year. There was another thing which really impressed me this year in Crown Heights. It was a little miracle that I felt. Sort of like the Beis Hamikdosh miracles. I was worried about 770 on Simchas Torah, being among throngs of dunkards. After all, when people get drunk, they usually want to stick out in some way. They want everyone to look at them while they scream, or even while they sleep on the floor amidst their Brech. That's what being drunk usually brings about (I'm probably wrong about that fact. Someone's going to argue). But in 770 nobody looks twice at you. If someone gets drunk in 770, it's all a waste of Mashke. He's going to scream, he's going to get naked and hang from the rafters, he's going to throw up and drown in his puke. But nobody is even going to bat an eyelash. That's because there are 7,649 other people doing the exact same thing on Simchas Torah.
Like I said, I was worried about going to 770 because of that very fact. There is absolutely no individuality there. Everyone is just another black hatter. The miracle occured as soon as I stepped foot inside the huge Synagogue, this huge rush of B.O. and humidity blew into me. I walked in and my attitude immediately switched. I started dancing and all those cares about individuality went away. I didn't mind that I was just another 'nothing' amidst all the throngs of 'nothings.'

Maybe, just maybe it WAS real happiness...

To whom it may concern: the singing last night was amazing. But it was the right thing at the wrong time. When there's dancing in 770, it's not the right time for Kumzitzing.

Another thought: Would you rather a very short and difficult life, but spiritually fulfilling. Or would you take a long, healthy and beautiful life... But spiritually empty and boring?? That's just something that's been bothering me lately. When I look back at my life and see how empty I've become since the Yeshiva days... Oy!

A Gutt Yohr. Welcome Pizza!

So... It's almost official. "Lights" will be playing in the Jewish Children's Museum this year. A wonderfully interactive 'Never-been-done-before' Chanukah experience for two entire months.
Is it going to start on schedule? Will the props arrive? Are the actors going to do their parts correctly? Nobody's to know. But one thing is for sure... I'm pumped like Hecht about it.
I've been busy with it day and night since I arrived here. It's real hectic.

I haven't been to a Simchas Torah in CH in ages. Last time I was here I actually hated it. I walked for hours on end to Lower East side for Tahalucha, then back. I was dead tired and had drank Mashke, so I went to bed. Horrible ending to an awesome Yomtov.

Here's a new thought. Interesting I've actually never yet seen a post about a Simchas Beis Hashoeiva in Crown Heights (Again, it's partly because I'm in the mood of blabbering at this time of night).
Oy Simchas Beis Hashoeiva in Crown Heights! What a wonderful time, yet what a horrible time. I was sitting inside of a Sukka last night, when in barged about 5 young Snags from Flatbush and started guzzling Mashke. They must have been about 15 years old. When they left, someone commented about how the parents of these kids are going to come complaining to Lubavich that we're the ones that make them drunk. It's true. Why do we have to sit back and tolerate this? Beat the Kak out of these kids or get them arrested. We have enough problems inside the community here to start dealing with their issues!
The dancing is amazing... Only when you're Mamosh totally enclosed within the whirlpool so nobody can see you. I mean nobody can see you!! (Not even the Israeli Bochur selling hotdogs on Montgomery with the funny earlobes!) As soon as you get closer to the crust of the dancing - that means the edges, - you start getting all self conscious about your dancing. I'm talking "self conscious" to the fullest extent - Are the Snags dancing better than me or are they not?? (Why? What did you think I meant?). Anyways, I danced a bit, ate some donuts, had a couple of Cokes and chilled... Obviously all of it was L'Sheim Shamayim!
I remember when I used to enjoy Sukkos. It used to be something like my second to favorite YomTov (After Purim and Upshernishes). But this years Sukkos actually started to tick me off. No snax outside of the Sukka and I'm in CH. So I don't exactly have a Sukka in the backyard... Whatever. That's the story of the life of mine with some of the minor details.

I'll be in touch with you dearest blog! for now, Good Yontiff.

I can't anymore!

I'm too scared to even put the feelings I have into words. One of the dearest friends I've ever had. One of the few people who I actually looked up to and respected for his endless devotion to the proper cause... Was just in an extremely serious accident.
To say that I'm shocked is wrong. To say that I'm sad is a horrible understatement. I cannot even describe the black cloud that came over me last night, when I read that Habochur Hatomim Peretz Golding Sheyichye was in an accident with his entire family.
A week after Peretz read "Mi Yichye Umi Yomus" and asked Hashem to grant him a healthy and happy year ahead, his dear father and his only sister were killed in the car instantly. He only has his mother to mourn with him. Yet, they cannot mourn. That's because they are both lying in beds in the intensive care unit of the Houston Hospital.
Why... why... WHY G-D WHY!!!!!!!
Peretz is a Bochur who spent his last five summers in Yeka. He went for the thrill the first time. Was put through immense pressure. Running around with a bunk, while simultaneously following every American Pisher counselor around and translating for them into Russian. The next three years he came back a counselor... For the kids.
I've seen him get into debt over Yeka. I've seen him cry for his campers in Yeka. CRY! I've seen him push when nobody else was pushing.
He came to Yeka as a head counselor this year. I came to help him out with the little bit that I can do... What can I say. Devotion to the fullest! I have no idea what else to write about this. Anything I write just limits the emotions I have inside.

I'm now in NY.

Please, PLEASE! say Tehillim for Peretz Ben Masha and his mother Masha Bas Sonia.

Bruce... Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I've been extremely busy lately. Sukkos preps, Yom Tov, Farby's, Hockey... You know, the usuals. We'll hook up sometime soon. Maybe you want to invite me for a Yom Tov meal... Uhuhuhuhum!!! Or should I leave such personal questions for a more private convo??

Story.

Here's the story of the previous animated video song that I posted.

There's this animated film that everyone must watch. It's the most brilliant film ever created (In my point of view, even better than Shrek). It's called 'hoodwinked.' It's such a great video, that I'm going to even spoil the plot.

Basically, it starts off with the story of Little red riding hood. She comes to the house, there's this huge wolf in her Grandma's bed, she comments on all the big things that grandma has grown. Finally the wolf lets her know that he's a wolf. Then the huge guy with the ax comes onto the scene. At one point the Grandma falls out of the closet all tied up.

That's the story. But then the movie actually begins. I can't even describe the brilliance of the video. Never again will a person be able to tell the classic 100 year old story without missing out on the details. It justifies every single charachter of the story. It shows the entire little red riding hood story from the eyes of little red, the wolf, the woodchopper and the grandma.

Forget it. I'm not going to spoil the fun. But it blew me away. I can watch this animation like a thousand times and I think it's extremely important for everyone to watch it as well.

That's it for today. I'm dead tired and I'm headed off for a nap, then I'll help with the Sukka.

I can't believe it!

They say that there's no connection between the third shooting and the other two that happened just this past week in America. Hashgocho Protis seems to think otherwise. I'm going crazy!! AMISH-TOWN! If it can happen in Amish town, it can happen in Dayton!


Random thought that popped into my mind this morning:
So, I get out of bed and do the "Neggel Vasser until the fingernails" thingy. Get out of bed, test my voice box, making sure that everything's in order for the long day ahead (Which by the way went great) and begin getting dressed. But then this thought pops into my head and I'm just going to throw it out to the blog and sign off to a good night. Here's the thought... "If you dream about food on Yom Kippur night, is it by any chance be considered a nightmare??"

A Gutte Yohr!

I still want to remind everyone about the video that I put on before. The next song is going to be "incarnacion" from Jack Black (Who's Jewish by the way, so it's legal)

Best ever song!

This is unbelievable!! I loved this song. Someday I'm going to have to tell everyone all about this song! I love it.

Zvi, this bud's for you!

Writing a G'mar Chassima Tova

I know I usually would have had time to tell you all on my blog Shana Tova. But this year I need to save my voice, cause it's kinda' crucial to my future fortune which I am to acquire after Yom Kippur, So I'm just going to have type it this time. I'm sorry I can't say it on the blog.

SHANA TOVA AND G'MAR CHASIMA TOVA TO ALL!!

I love everyone... Even Steve!

I hope everyone forgives me for all the bad I've done this year. Hey, stop laughing! I'm serious!