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Thursday, May 31, 2007
Sale On Seforim Hard Drives
Otzar Hachochma - Hard Drive System
Full version (23,000 seforim)- $1380 (reg. $1980)
Bney Torah (21,500 seforim) - $1240 (reg. $1780)
G'mara V'Halacha (15,800 seforim) -$930 (reg. $1320)
Torah U'Midrash (15,800 seforim) - $930 (reg. $1320)
Library Edition (23,000 seforim) - $950 (no search option)
FREE shipping on all orders.
Updates for previous owners available at 20% discount (i.e. owners of Otzar HaChochma who have not updated to the latest version can now do so during the sale and receive a discount price on the update).
It should be noted that if someone buys any of the "smaller" versions, they can update the program whenever they wish to a "higher" version (i.e. from Bney Torah to Full, or Gmara Vhalacha to Bney Torah etc.). The price would be based on the current sale price at the time they do the update.
There is an option for paying for the program in THREE payments.
Otzrot HaTorah (Morgenstern) - Hard Drive System
Full version (13,000 seforim) - $1296 (reg. $1600)
(if payed by cash or check discount of $156, final price - $1140)
Small version (12,000 seforim) - $990 (reg. $1200)
(If payed by cash or check discount of $120, final price - $870)
Morgenstern is also giving a free upgrade to the next version (version 5) which will include an additional 2,000 volumes as well as the complete Bayis Molay Seforim (Rosenberg) and will also have an update to the Otzar HaShu"t program (inc. parts of Yoreh De'ah). There is an option for paying for the program in 36 payments (three years).
The sale for both Otzar HaChochma as well as Otzrot HaTorah is scheduled to last for TWO weeks. After the sale is over the prices will go back up so if anyone is interested NOW is the time.
Also, readers of the Seforim Blog who mention it when purchasing will be given an EXTRA bonus.
Thanks much.
Moshe Flohr / Computer Maven
Finally, both Bar Ilan and DBS have updated their respective databases and Mr. Flohr has those available as well
Bar Ilan ver. 15 update from ver. 14 is $99.
DBS ver. 13 update from ver. 12 is $80.
there are prices for updating for earlier versions as well but please contact Mr. Flohr for those specifics.
Monday, May 21, 2007
The Custom of Akdamut on Shavuot
This poem, composed by R. Meir ben Isaac who lived in
The placement of akdamut is the subject of some controversy. According to the earliest sources which record the custom, they place the recitation of akdamut after the first passuk is read from the Torah. This was the accepted custom for many years. In the 17th century some began to question the propriety of interrupting the Torah reading with this poem. This controversy was brought to head in
R. Ephraim HaKohen was asked a host of questions related to this controversy. First, can a Sefardic court decide about the propriety of an Ashkenazic custom, or are they considered "suspect" as they do not follow that custom? Second, is the custom of akdamut correct – to read it after the first passuk? And, finally, what is the effect of Sefardic customs vis-à-vis Ashkenazic ones when one group is in the majority?
He responded that first, there is no issue of a Sefardic court deciding on the customs of Ashkenazim. But, he explained that although in
Finally, he discusses whether it is correct to pause and recite akdamut during the Torah reading. He explains that this is a correct custom, in part, because those who decided to do this to begin with were obviously aware of this issue and decided to do so anyways. He concludes that as this is a well-established custom it should remain in effect.
While R. Ephraim HaKohen spent a considerable amount of time justifying this practice (it is a very long responsa), his descendant R. Ya'akov Emden felt, irrespective of his great-grandfather, that it was wrong to interrupt the Torah reading. In his siddur, R. Emden takes issue, recognizing that although his great-grandfather justified the practice, there can in fact be no justification. The only proper place is prior to the start of the entire Torah reading – but one can not interrupt the Torah reading for akdamut. R.
A similar stance to that of R. Emden is found in R. David ben Shmuel haLevi's work – Turei Zehav or TaZ. He also complains about interrupting the Torah reading with this piyyut.
Based himself upon the same concerns as R. Emden and the TaZ, R. Aryeh Gunzberg (Sha'agas Aryeh) when he took the Chief Rabbi position of Metz argued that the community should change their custom from reciting akdamut after the first passuk and move it before the Torah reading. The community, however, would have none of that and refused to agree to the change. The Sha'gas Aryeh then threatened to leave Metz. In the end, the "compromise" was the Sha'agas Aryeh only came to the main Shul four times a year to give a derasha in protest of the community keeping their custom of akdamut.
Although one may justify the practice, as R. Ephraim HaKohen did, based upon the notion this is an established custom, the ultimate question is why was this established in the Torah reading at all? In the journal Ve'Laket Yosef, an interesting explanation is offered. Akdamut is in Aramaic, and it was the custom to have a translator during the Torah reading. This translation was done into Aramaic. There are two rather estoric readings – the Torah reading of the first day of Shavuot and the haftorah of the second day of Shavuot. Perhaps, prior to attempting to translate these difficult readings, the translator offered a justification and request from the congregation to allow him to translate this. Akdamut was the translators introduction – thus as his first time he would translate would be after the first verse – his introduction, and akdamut is after the first verse.
Setting aside when one is supposed to say akdamut, who was R. Meir the author? R. Meir lived in
There are all sorts of legends told about R. Meir. Although it is typically understood that R. Meir Shatz was a chazzan, there is another explanation to this name. There is a legend which has a priest challenging the Jews in
It is unclear where R. Meir is buried, some say in Tiberius, others place him somewhere in
R. Ephraim HaKohen, Sha'arei Ephraim, no. 10; Va'yelaket Yosef, no. 175 (1916); Landshuth, Amudei Avodah, pp. 164-65; Jacobson, Netiv Benah, vol. 4, pp. 99-105; R. Weinstock, Sheni Asar Shevtei Yisrael, pp. 70-77; Yuspah Shames, Minhagi Worms, vol. 1 ; Grossman, Hakmei Ashkenaz, 292-96; Frankel ed., Goldschmit Shavous Machzor, pp. 28-35; T. Rabinowitz, Iyunei Halacha, vol. 2 pp. 452-67; Hamburger, Gedolei haDoros 'al Mishmar Minhag Ashkenaz, pp. 108-112.
Also, see A. Habermann, Toldos HaPiyyut V'hashirah, vol. 2, p. 184 where he says that akdamut is in Aramaic as it is such a marvelous piyyut if it was in Hebrew (a language the angels can understand) the angels would be jealous.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
The Custom of Azharot on Shavous
by R Eliezer Brodt
The Yom tov of Shavous called Yom Matan Torahsenu as it is the day we received the Torah thousands of years ago at Har Sinai. It has many minhaghim that we do to remind us of this such as putting up grass and flowers or eating dairy dishes. Another minhag which many Jews have is to say azharot today. In this post I would like to discuss a bit of interesting bibliographic information about some specific azharot and their authors. On this topic, we will (1) discuss the numbering of the mitzvos in general; (2) next the meaning of azharot; (3) those who took exception to reciting the azharot; and (4) specifically which azharot are frowned upon.
In order to understand this topic a small introduction is needed. According to most opinions Jews are commanded to follow 613 mitzvos from the Torah. While 613 the most common number used, it is actually disputed by a few people. R Yeruchem Fischel Perlow records that R Yonah Ibn Ganach questioned the number. A little later than R. Ibn Ganach, we find that the Ibn Ezra questions this number and does so at great length in his Yesod Moreh, Shar Shenei (pg 91 and onwards). After that we find that the famous kabbalist R. Yosef Gikatilla, says (in his K'lalei Hamitzvos Erech Manah) that it's impossible to give a number to the mitzvos. The Ramban also questions this number at length in the beginning of his work on the mitzvos. Gersonides (RaLBaG) in his commentary on shmos also questions the number (pg 76 Mossad Harav Kook edition). If we now skip a few hundred years, there is an interesting statement, attributed to the Gra, recorded by his brother R Avrohom at the beginning of his work Ma'alos haTorah where he has the Gra saying that the 613 is only the shoroshim (see there at length and the menucha vekedusha pg 20). R Shlomo Zalman Auerbach writes that this is the reason why we do not find that the Gra wrote on this area although he wrote on every other area of torah (Halichos Shlomo, Shavous, pg 374) due to its unending nature.
Aside from the above opinions, the 613 number has been accepted by most. After one agrees on a final number, the next question is commandments are included in this number. There was two main groups of numbers counters - the BaHaG who gave one listing of the 613 mitzvos and for a few hundred years this was the accepted method of counting the commandments. Then along came the Rambam with many arguments on the BaHaG's method of counting which he devotes his introduction to his Sefer haMitzvos where he explains why he why he argued against the other shitos and counted the ones he did. Afterwards a whole collection of literature has been written on this topic from many rishonim and achronim.
Besides for the actual count of the mitzvos, there were many composers in the era of the Geonim and Rishonim who composed poems (piyyutim) counting the mitzvos some of these poems are known as azharot.
First, what is the meaning of the word Azharot? Professor Ezra Fleischer writes (Shirat Hakodesh Haivrit B'yemi Habenyayimm pg 73) that it's not clear from where did the name אזהרת come from, it appears to be the opening sentence of a piyyut now lost. Others point out that אזהרת is the gematriah of 613. Moritz Steinschneider writes (Jewish Literature pg 159) that these piyyutim were based on halachic subjects which instruction was to be given on the Shabbos before the Yom tovim therefore they were called azharot meaning instructions. There are also azharot said on Shabboas Hagodal. A sample of one from R Klonomius can be found in the Shomer Zion Haneman (issue 95-97 year תרטו) (see also Davidsin Otzar Hashira Vhapiyyut vol 2 # 1042). Professor Ezra Fleischer also writes (Shirat Hakodesh Haivrit B'yemi Habenyayimm pg 384) that others such as R Yehudah Halevi wrote azharot for Pesach.
Zunz says the earliest azharot we have are from the end of Eighth century called אתה הנחלת (see also Otzar Haseforim from Ben Yakov pg 33). Amongst the other early ones we have are from R Saddiah Goan, R Binyomin ben Shmuel, R Eliyha haZaken R Shlomo Ibn Gabriel and R. Yitchack Albargeloni.
The Chida in Shem Hagedolim says that the recitation of azharot on Shavous, is done by most Jews. Much earlier we find in the Tzeda laDerach (mamar 4 klal 4 perek 6) that in Spain they said from R Shlomo Ibn Gabriel's and in Ashkenaz and France they said the one from R. Eliyahu Hazakan The Abudrham (p. 246) also brings that they said from R Shlomo Ibn Gabriel. Even earlier we find both the Siddur Rav Amram Goan (Goldshmidt edition pg 131) and R Saddiah Goan (pg 156 and onwards) also discuss when exactly azharot were said during mussaf. R Saadiah Goan went even further he writes that he saw that everyone says during mussaf the 613 mitzvos from a piyyut called אתה הנחלתה (the earliest known azharot) but saw that it was missing a bunch of mitzvos so he composed a completely new version including all the mitzvos. One of the versions he composed was showing the 613 mitzvos in the asres hadebros (see the article of R Shmual Askenazi in Kovetz Beis Aaron V'yisroel 1991 issue 5 pg 109-114).
The Shelah, Sedar Hayom, and Chida bring that there were those that said the azharot of R Shlomo Ibn Gabriel when they stayed up Shavous night (See Shorshei Minhag Ashkenaz Vol 3 pg 296-298).
The reason for saying the azharot on Shavous suggests Profesor Frankel is perhaps based on a medrash which says that at matan torah the Jews were told after every mitzvah do you accept it with all its applications and after each one they said yes so it could be on shavous the day we got the torah we do this as its like a review of what happened than (Goldshmidt Machzaor Pg 11).
Aside from all the above, not everyone was so enamored with azharot. Two people specifically – Ibn Ezra and the Rambam – were against at least some azharot.
The Ibn Ezra writes in his Yesod Moreh (Bar Ilan 2002 pg 107) "that the authors of azharot are like people who count the blades of grass mentioned in the medical books not realizing the purpose of each one thus these people count the same thing twice because its mentioned twice." The Rambam writes in his introduction to Sefer haMitzvos while talking about the different minyan hamitzvos that "there are many azharot from Spain and you can not blame them for making mistakes as they were composers not Rabanim."
It is possible that the Rambam's opinion was influenced by Ibn Ezra. In the Rambam's last will and testament, he spoke highly of Ibn Ezra and recommended his son R. Abraham study Ibn Ezra. (See the Koreh haDoros pg 19 and R Emanuel Abuhav in his Bemavak Al Archa Shel Torah pg 247). But, using this source would be a mistake. As was already noted by the Mahrshal who questions whether in fact the will attributed to the Rambam is in fact from the Rambam. Similarly, R Yakov Emden in his Mitpachas Seforim (pgs 101-02) also writes that it must be a forgery. Today, Yitchzach Shilat, has demonstrated conclusively that in fact the will, attributed to the Rambam is a forgery. (Iggros Harambam vol 2 pg 697-698; see also G Scholem in Mechkeria Kabblah Vol 1 pg 190). While the will may not be real, this is still some evidence that the Rambam was influenced by the Ibn Ezra's work Yesod Moreh in general (see R Yeruchem Fischel Perlow in his introduction to his work on R Saddaih Goan pg 15).
Setting aside where the Rambam got this anti-azharot idea, the next issue is which azharot were the Rambam and Ibn Ezra disapproving of?
R Chaim Heller in his notes (#34) on the Sefer Hamitzvos references a teshuva written by the Radbaz (vol. 3 siman 645) where the Radbaz writes that the Rambam is referring to Reb Shlomo Ibn Gabriel. R Y. Kapach also writes the Rambam is referring to R Shlomo Ibn Gabriel and R Yitzchack Albargeloni. The Sefer HaYechsin (pg 219) also assumes the Rambam was referring to both R Shlomo Ibn Gabriel and R Yitzchack Albargeloni. The Koreh Hadoros when quoting the Rambam's above statement about the azharot takes this attribution one step further where the Koreh Hadoros just includes in the quote from the Rambam R. Shlomo Ibn Gabriel and R Yitzchack Albargeloni making it appear as if the Rambam says these names specifically. Landshuth, in his Amudei Avodah also assumes the Rambam is referring to R Shlomo Ibn Gabriel (pg 313).
The attribution to R. Shlomo Ibn Gabriel is problematic, mainly because it seems both him and his piyyutim where highly regarded. Although the Tashbatz already writes in his Zohar Harokea (a commentary on azharot of R Shlomo Ibn Gabriel) that this composer was not a great expert in Talmud; most others dispute this characterization. The Rogachaver Goan in his notes (see also Tiferes Zvi on the Zohar Vol 1 pg 189) on the Tashbatz writes that it's a chutzpah to write such a thing on this amazing composer! [In a joking manner I wanted to suggest its strange that the Rogatchver would stick up for a a rishon as its well known he argued on Rishonim all the time so I wanted to suggest that he wanted to defend R Shlomo Ibn Gabriel so that he would be able to argue on the Tashbatz.]
But one thing we see from this for certain is that the Rogatchver held he was a great Talmud Chacham. Further more there is a different teshuvah (vol 3 siman 532) from the Radvaz where he writes that R. Shlomo Ibn Gabriel was a great person and Ibn Gabriel's words are holy! This would seem to contradict the previously quoted words of the Radbaz. R. Matsyahu Strashun (Mivchar Kesavim Pg 116-118) suggests because of this apparent contradiction and some others that the Radbaz lived a very long life of 110 years and he wrote over 2000 teshuvot so its possible that over this great length of time he forgot his own earlier words.
R. Shlomo Ibn Gabriel's contemporaries also held him in high regard. The Ravad (Sefer Hakablah pg 81) Meiri (Sefer Hakablah, Ofek ed., pg 136) Avudraham and Yechsin all call him a great chacham. In one place the Sefer haYeuchsin writes that לא קם כמוהו לפניו ואחריו. The Chida also writes that it can not be that the Rambam was referring to R Shlomo ibn Gabriel. R Yeruchem Fischel Perlow in his work on the Sefer haMitzvos of the Rasag he calls R Shlomo Ibn Gabriel a Godal. The Yechsin writes (and from there the Tzemach Dovid and Koreh Hadoros) that he was the rebbi of Rashi! However R Shmuel Askenazi already points out that the years are impossible because Rashi was ten years old living in France when R Shlomo Ibn Gabriel died in Spain (see his notes to the Kav Hayashar pg 20).
The Kav Hayashar writes that R Shlomo Ibn Gabriel was a great mekubal. The Sefer Metzref Lechochma even (pg 9b) brings that he created a woman golem! (see M Idel, Golem pg 200 and 343) This story shows he was familiar with kabblah maseyois.
There is a famous story brought down by many people [Shalsheles Hakablah (pg 89) Yesod Yosef (perek 87) Kav Hayashar (perek 86) Sefer Zechirah (pg 243) others bring down this story with R Shlomo Alkabetz see Amodei Ha'avodah pg 310.] in regard to R. Shlomo Ibn Gabriel's death. A non-Jew was jealous of Ibn Gabriel's wisdom so he killed him burying him under his fig tree. In time, the tree started bearing excellent figs, so great were these figs, that the king heard about it. The king wanted to know what his trick to get such good figs. The fig tree owner obviously did not want to reveal his secret. The king was not satisfied and had the fig tree owner tortured. The fig tree owner eventually confessed that he killed a Jew and buried him there. The king had the fig tree owner killed.
The Kav Hayashar and others use the above story to demonstrate the authors of our piyyutim were great people so we should be say them having the authors name in mind and that his merits should help us. However R. Shmuel Ashkenazi has already pointed out based on the Sefer Tachmoni that this story is not true and instead, R. Shlomo Ibn Gabriel died at the age of twenty nine from a harsh sickness in 1040 (see his notes to the Kav Hayashar pg 19 not the date 1070 given by the Sefer Yuchsin and Zinberg Toldos Hasafros B'yisroel vol 1 pg 72 For more on his sickness see Chaim Shirman in Toldos Hashira Haivrit b'Sefard Hamuslamit pg 265-268).
Abraham Haberman brings down in his Toldos Hapiyyut V'haShira (vol 1 pg 179) a legend from a Temani manuscript that describes the story behind R Shlomo Ibn Gabriel writing of his azharot. R Shlomo Ibn Gabriel was learning in a Yeshivia where the Rebbe had a daughter of marriageable age. The Rebbi said who ever gives me a new fruit can marry her. That night R Shlomo Ibn Gabriel wrote the azharot gave it to the Rebbe and the Rebbe announced the engagement. They got married eruv Shavous!
Another piyyut which R Shlomo Ibn Gabriel is famous for is Keter Malchus which in nusach Sefard machzorim it was said on Yom Kippur at night others say it during the day (see I. Davidson, Otzar Hashira Vehapiyyut # 581). Many people discuss how there are many kabblastic concepts in this piyyut (see Chaim Shirman, Toldos Hashira Hivrit B'sefard Hamuslmit pg 331-345).
Besides for composing songs R Shlomo Ibn Gabriel authored a few seforim one called Tikin Midos Hanefesh others attribute to him the Mivchar Pinenim. However besides for this he authored another sefer which was a classic in philosophy called Mekor Chaim. An interesting thing happened with it it was translated to Latin called Fons Vitae and it became a world classic but the authors name was written as Avicebron and know one knew that a Jew was the real author. In 1846, S Munk figured out that it's really from R Shlomo Ibn Gabriel and he printed it. Eventually it was printed in Hebrew. There has been much written on this sefer to show that R Shlomo Ibn Gabriel was familiar with kabblah (see G. Scholem, Mechkeria Kabblah Vol 1 pg 39-66).
[For more on R Shlomo Ibn Gabriel see Elbogen, Hatefilah B'yisroel pg 258-259: Zinberg in Toldos Safrus B'yisroel vol 1 pg 34-73: A Haberman Toldos Hapiyyut Vehashira vol 1 pg 175-180: Chaim Shirman in Toldos Hashira Hivrit bsefard hamuslmit pg 257-345.]
From all this, it is clear that neither the Rambam or Ibn Ezra were referring to Ibn Gabriel, so we now turn to another candidate - R Yitzchack Albargeloni. R. Albargeloni lived in the era of the Rif and Ravad. The Sefer Hakabalah also says that R. Albargeloni was a great talmid chacham who wrote works on Kesuvos and Eruvin. The Meiri in Sefer HaKabbalah also (pg 134) writes that he was a great chacham. These works of his on kesuvos and eruvin were lost however Profesor Ta-Shma has found some pieces of his in other works of Rishonim (See his Hasafrut Haparshnut Le'talmud volume 1 pg 168-169). Besides for this he also translated the sefer Mekeach umemkar of Rav Hai Goan from Arabic to Hebrew when he was thirty five years old (see amudei havodah pg 126 and Or hachaim Chaim Michael pg 510). Thus the Chida writes the Rambam was not referring to R Yitzchack Albargeloni.
Another early composer of azharot which was recently found active before R Shlomo Ibn Gabriel and R Yitzchack Albargeloni was from R Binyomin Ben Shmuel. Professor Ezra Fleischer printed them in kovetz al yad (vol 11 pg 1-77) R Binyomin lived according to Zunz before Rashi in the first half of the eleventh century. According to some he was the brother of R Yosef Tov Elem. [For more on this Rishon see Fleischer in his extensive intro to his work and Professor A Grossman in Chachmei Tzarfat Harishonim pg 47-51.]
Another early composer of azharot – before R Shlomo Ibn Gabriel was R Eliyayhu Hazakon his azharot are quoted in Tosafot throughout shas and by many other Rishonim so its highly unlikely that the Ibn Ezra and Rambam were referring to him. The Marshal (shut siman 29) and Chida write that he was the brother in law of Rav Hai Goan but recent historians show that he might have been mistaken and he was a bit later than that See Prof A Grossman in Chachmei Tzarfat Harishonim pg 88-90 . [For a listing of the rishonim who bring him down see Amudei Avodah pg 14-15: Chaim Michael, Or Hachaim pg 180: Davidson, Otzar Hashira Vehapiyyut vol 1 #6022 and the introduction of the Mezack Azharot by R Yisroel Shaprio.] Professor A Grossman discusses his life and works at great length in his work Chachmei Tzarfat Harishonim pg 84-107.
Many commentaries were written on these different azharot by Rishonim and Achronhim. On the azharot of R Saadiah Goan we have the excellent encyclopedic work of R Yeruchem Fischel Perlow where he basically has and average of ten pages per every word of R Saadiah Goan he also discusses all the other opinions of the geonim and rishonim on the relevant topics. On the azharot of R Yitzchack Albargeloni we have the commentary Nesiv Mitzvosecha from R Shaul Hakohen from Gerba (he also wrote on the azharot of R Shlomo Ibn Gabriel.) On R Eliyhau Hazakan we have an early in depth commentary from him printed in the Kovetz al Yad (vol 11 part 1) from E Kuffer from some talmidim of talmidi Rabenu Tam. In 1900, R Mordechaei Slutski printed a pirish called Hiddur Zakon. This work has haskamas from the Meshech Chochma and Minchas Borouch. In 1972 R Yisroel Issur Shaprio (son of R Refael Shaprio) wrote an excellent in depth work called Matzack Azharot where he has a lengthy commentary on every word of R Eliyahu Hazakan. In 2001, Yitzhach Meiseles put out a complete critical edition of these azharot.
On the azharot of R shlomo Ibn Gabriel we have many works amongst them the Tashbatz's Zohar Ha'rokeah. The Zohar Ha'rokeah has its own recent extensive edition from R A David including many useful footnotes and the notes of the Shoel U'mashiv, Rogatchver, R Yeruchem Fischel Perlow and R Menachem Kasher. A while back in a sinai a few pieces of the Adres's notes were printed on the azharot of R Shlomo Ibn Gabriel.
Another person who we find wrote a commentary on the azharot of אזהרת ראשית was R Shmuel Chassid the father of R Yehudah Hachassid but they are only in manuscript as of now (see E E Aurbach ed., Arugot Habosem vol 4 pg 89 ) For a complete history of R Shmuel Hachassid see the article from Abraham Epstein in his Ketvim vol 1 pg 247-268.
So at least these few authors can not be the ones the Ibn Ezra and Rambam were referring to. So the Chida writes it must be they were referring to the many other composers of azharot. It is clear that this is the case as the Ramban writes in the beginning of his notes on the Rambam shorshim that there were many piyyutim and azharots written of the mitzvos.
General sources see: Chida in Shem Hagedolim Erech Azharot: Elbogen, Hatefilah b'yisroel pg 163: Extensive introduction of Prof. Yonah Frankel in the Goldshmidt Machzor on Shavous pg 11-14 and pgs 36-48: Introduction of R. A. David to his Zohar Harokeah.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Review of a new edition of the Sefer Chasidim
Review of a new edition of the Sefer Chasidim
Review of a new edition of the Sefer Chasidim
by R. Eliezer Brodt
by R. Eliezer Brodt
As recently mentioned on this blog this generation is privileged to have many seforim especially rishonim being reprinted in critical editions based on manuscripts etc. One of the publishing houses which has been involved in publishing such works is Mechon Otzar haPoskim. A few years ago they released a few volumes of a critical edition of the Mahzhor Vitri which to date its still not complete. And now, a few weeks ago they published two volumes (of eventually four volumes) of the Sefer Hassidim. In this post I would like give some background on Mechon Otzar haPoskim, the Sefer Chassidim in general and this recent version in particular.
Mechon Otzar haPoskim was founded in the 1950's by two great gedolim R. Isser Zalman Meltzer and R. Yitzchak Isaac Herzog. R. Herzog explained (introduction to Otzar haPoskim compendium on Even haEzer) the reason for founding of the organization was due to the almost limitless nature of Halacha and thus at times poskim find themselves having to deal with very difficult topics and do not have access to most of the seforim of the many great Gedolim of the past that would help them deal with these difficult topics. Attempts to deal with the vast amount of halacha literature had been previously attempted by the Peschei Teshuva and Darkei Teshuvah. But, today, both of these works are limited as the body of literature has expanded significantly since these earlier works came out. R. Herzog thus had the idea to create a modern compendium using what he had available. He then heard that R. Isser Zalman had the same thoughts so they decided to work together and gather a group of Gedolim to systematically go thru the teshuvot literature, abridge it, and place it in the parallel place in the order of the Shulchan Orach. R. Isser Zalman had an additional reason why he wanted to start this organization. He felt that many talmdei chachamim needed parnasah so this was a great way to help them by employing them to go thru all the seforim (Derech Etz Chaim vol. 2 p. 327).
With the help of Dr. L. Magnes, R. Herzog was able to raise funds to start this organization. Card catalogs were made and the seforim were cataloged according to topics forming the now-famous Otzar haPoskim catalogs. These catalogs are the notes culled from thousands of seforim. A look in the index of earlier volumes of the Otzar haPoskim will show that they in the fifties were going thru more volumes of seforim than the Frankel edition of the Rambam did in their recent, final volume! Interestingly, R. Isser Zalman inherited an excellent library from R. Chaim
Otzar haPoskim's main work has been the Otzar haPoskim on Even haEzer. Anyone needing sources on topics relating to Even haEzer; this has a tremendous amount of sources. One interesting point about this work is that one finds all kinds of Rabbonim getting along – quoted side by side. A few years ago they mentioned that the volumes of Otzar haPoskim on Orach Chaim are in preparation one only hopes that they will come thru to create such an important necessary work on Orach chaim [This is actually available on the Morgenstern, Otzrot haTorah, hard drive as well as on the Otzar haPoskim on Hoshen Mishpat.]
Recently they have expanded their repertoire to include the publication of Rishonim such as the Machzor Vitri and, now, the Sefer Chasidim.
The Sefer Chasidim has been reprinted many times ever since it was first printed in
The tzavah itself is the subject of many teshuvot and even some entire seforim. Without going into the whole history of this topic (which R Gutman promises us will be one of the forthcoming volumes) its worth mentioning aside from the well-known teshuva in the Nodah beYehudah (Even haEzer Tinyanah no. 79), where he writes that there are many things in the tzavah which conflict with Chazal and those statements do not need to be followed. There is an additional, lesser known statement from the Noda BeYehudah about the tzavah. R Eleazer Fleckels (most well know for his Teshuvah m'Ahahva), in his Olat haChodesh (vol. 1 p.15) records that the Nodah beYehudah would respond when asked if there is a problem marrying someone if that will cause the future father-in- law and future son-in-law will share the same name (which the tzavah states is a problem) "before you ask me about following the tzavah of R. Yehudah haChasid ask me about the tzavah (or statement) of Chazal which decries marrying the daughter of a am ha'aretz! [This sentiment, however, is disputed in the Teshuvos Matzav haYashar (volume 2 pg 44) where he writes "in his old age that whenever he saw people going against various statements in the tzavah nothing good ever came from it!]
The true authorship of the Sefer Chasidim is unclear. Some attribute it to R. Yehudah haChasid (Chida and others) but R Avrohm ben haGra records that his father, the Gra, held R. Eleazer Rokeach wrote it (Yeshurun, vol. 4 p. 250). R Frumkin also records this statement from the Gra– R. Frumkin's source is a manuscript of R. Yisrael of Shklov's Pas haShulchan (Toldos Chachmei Yerushalim, vol. 2 p. 102 the end of note 1; see also Chaim Michal, Or haChaim p. 456). Abraham Epstein writes that the Sefer Chasidim doesn't have a single author but instead it is from three different people – R Shmuel haChassid, his son R Yehudah haChasid, and R. Eleazer Rokeach (Kitvei R. Avrohom Epstein, vol. 1 pp. 258-261). R. Gutman in the introduction to his new edition of the Sefer Chasidim brings many other different sources in regard to the authorship of this sefer. Recently Professor Haym Soloveitchik shows in a beautiful article based on Yakov Reifman that not only are is the work of different authors but there are completely different styles and what one writes completely contradicts what the other does. (JQR XCII no. 3-4 pp. 455-493).
Many manuscripts exist of the Sefer Chasidim , however, from the 1538 until 1891 there was basically one version printed based on only one of the manuscripts. In 1891, Yehudah Wistinetzki printed a new edited from another manuscript - the
In 1955, Rabbi Avrahom Price from
In 1924, R. Reuven Margolis first published in Lemberg, what would become the most popular version of the Sefer Chasidim, in a critical edition . Subsequently, this was corrected and updated and eventually published by Mossad HaRav Kook. This edition to date is the best job done on the Sefer Chasidim. He has excellent notes, as many are familiar with from his many seforim - he writes straight to the point referencing all kinds of sources from everywhere – showing the sources which form the basis of the Sefer Chasidim. He also shows, with his unbelievable bikyus, whether the various authorities - rishonim and achronim - agree with the statements of the Sefer Chasidim. Besides for all this he has many excellent and original comments on the Sefer Chasidim which he is famous for in all of his works. He also includes notes from nine different people on the Sefer Chasidim. Until now, there was one other worthwhile addition to the Sefer Chasidim. In 1984, R. Moshe Herschler printed in his Kovetz Genuzot (vol. one) some thirty more pieces of the Sefer Chasidim which he found in a different manuscript.
We now come to this most recent version published by Otzar HaPoskim and edited by R. Gutman. As mentioned above, thus far, two volumes have been issued of what is supposed to be four volumes of the Sefer Chasidim. The first impression one has when one picks it up is this is a beautiful job as the print is very clear and the layout it very organized. This is keeping with the famous statement of R Akiva Eiger where he writes to his sons in the introduction of his teshuvot that "one should print his sefer on nice paper and ink because one learns much better from such a sefer". Although this statement is attributed to R. Eiger, in fact, this idea is found much earlier in the famous introduction to the Maeseh Efod (p. 13) of where he writes this concept at great length it's quoted by R Yakov Emden in his work Migdal Oz (p.50 ) in short.
Prior editions of the Sefer Chasidim included the perush of the Chida, Bris Olam, but it seems that many pieces were missing. R Gutman corrects these omissions. In addition to those corrections to that commentary, another common commentary Pirish Kadmon by R. Dovid Greinheit also suffered from lack of completeness and R. Gutman has correct that as well. Besides for all this R. Gutman includes a collection of comments of R Eliezer Papua from his Yalkut Chasidim that relate to the Sefer Chasidim and the Perush Mishnat Chasidim from R Sadiah Chalonah (it is only on the first seven simanim in the sefer).
Rabbi Guttman includes many notes (totaling twenty-nine) from different gedolim on the Sefer Chasidim many of them which he obtained from unpublished manuscripts amongst them from the Adres and R. Y. Palagai. In the back of volume two he includes a sixty page kuntres of notes from R. Chaim Sofer who is famous for his incredible bikyus. In addition to all this he has many lengthy comments on the whole sefer from a wide rang of sources to explain the Sefer Chasidim. He also has a section on each page where he brings down various readings from the different manuscripts on the particular pieces.
All the above are the positive things about this reprint, unfortunately, there are notable points of criticism. It is true its is always easier to criticize than to the actual work oneself but here are some points I feel worthy of mentioning.
Some of what has been found in these manuscripts has been the subject of great controversy causing great people to claim these manuscripts must be forgeries (see Kovetz Minchas haKayitz vol. 6 pp. 251-252). But besides for this there has been a great many manuscripts found in the past twenty-five years and printed such as the Rokeach al haTorah and Megilos or the Rokeach's work on siddur and many other of his works, R. Efraim al haTorah. Other works by the Chasidei Ashkenaz have been put out in critical editions such as the Sefer Gematriyos of R. Yehudah haChasid and the Amaoros Tehoros (which I hope to return to in later posts) all containing many important explanations about all sorts of topics from the Chasidei Ashkenaz.
To date there is no way to many unknowns (for me at least) to even paint a brief picture of this group of rishonim but one hopes with the help of the recent seforim printed and what will be printed in the future we will be able to get a clearer understanding of these great rishonim. Being aware of the explosion in this genre of literature, any version of the Sefer Chasidim should keep this companion literature in mind and should take it in account as much of the printed torah of the Chasidei Ashkenaz as it relates to this most famous work, Sefer Chasidim, of this school.
Now R. Gutman seemed to be aware of this and he does use some of these new seforim. For example, he quotes the Sefer Gematriyos many times however the rest of this no mention to the many other recent seforim of Chasidei Ashkenaz. [For a comparison see the recent edition of the Sefer Gematriyos where the footnotes are full of such cross-references (although he might of done to much).] The purpose of referencing the other literature of the Chasidei Ashkenaz is many times they can help understand certain comments if one can see all the ways similar ideas are brought down by the different talmdim. In learning Gemara with rishonim this is very important to help one understand the particular shitos and so to here.
For example, the Sefer Chasidim (siman 548) writes if one wants to see if he will live the year light a candle during assert yemih teshuvah if it remains lit you will live the year if not, not. On this R. Gutman references nothing. Where as without going much into this topic I will just give a reference to the Sefer Hashem of the Rokeach (recently printed from manuscript for the first time) where he talks about this (p.140) which complements the statement found in the Sefer Chasidim.
I feel this is a very important part to anyone writing on the Sefer Chasidim and R. Gutman should have put in more work in regard to this part. If he could not do it himself because he is not trained in this sort of work he should of gotten people who are familiar with such this field. R. Reuven Margolis who did know how to do this in general unfortunately could not do this as most of these seforim of Chasidei Ashkenaz were not available in his lifetime.
Another point that I would like to highlight is the many times R. Gutman cites to the Sefer Gematriyos he almost never references the exact page (see, e.g, pp. 23, 35, 39) in the Sefer Gematriyos making it very hard to find the piece he is quoting as it's a massive two volume work. The same failing is apparent when R. Gutman quotes from the Sefer Amoros Tehoros (p. 23) or when R. Gutman cites the Sefer Hashem of the Rokeach (p. 429).
A more glaring omission is when Sefer Chasidim (p. 424) discusses the weird creature called שטריאה R. Gutman references the Sefer Gematriyos again not quoting the page and then R. Gutman writes ובסוף המאמר נשים הליליות ברושאם הנ"ל כתב which is an unintelligible citation. What R. Gutman means to say is that R. Stal in the back of his edition to the Sefer Gematriyos has a whole chapter devoted to this topic, however, this is totally unclear to the reader. Aside from the cryptic citation R. Gutman should have mentioned this is a comprehensive article on the topic.
Another point I would like to criticize is the use or lack thereof of R. Reuven Margolis edition. As I have mentioned earlier the Margolis edition is the best work to date on the Sefer Chasidim. It's quite interesting that there is not a single mention of R. Margolis's name in the introduction mentioning that R. Gutman used this work. However, it is obvious from hundreds of places throughout this Gutman's edition that in fact he did use this edition.
What is perhaps even stranger is the many times that R. Gutman says nothing on a very important point and R. Margolis has already discussed it in depth. Some examples are on page 180 -181 where the Sefer Chasidim (siman 158) writes against tefilah בקול רם and the Margolis edition references the famous collection on this topic called Yanenu B'kol there is no reason why R. Gutman could not mention this. Another example is on page 172 where the Sefer Chasidim (siman 155) has a long discussion about stealing torah from someone so R Gutman has a lengthy note of sources about this but once he is on the topic one should quote the Sefer Shem Olem of R. Margolis where he discusses this topic at great length. This omission is even more bizarre as later on R. Gutman does cite this work (p. 744).
One more example is on page 274 the Sefer Chasidim (siman 258) ויום כיפור קרוי כמו כן ראשית דכתיב ביחזקאל בעשרים וחמש שנה לגלותינו בראש השנה בעשור לחדש אלמא בעשור קרוי ראש השנה on this R Margolis references a comment of his from other places (see his Toldos haMahrsha p. 51 and the notes therein and his Nitzozei Or p. 158) proving that sometimes it says Rosh Hashanah and it refers to Yom Kippur affirming the statement in the Sefer Chasidim –again no mention at all on this by R. Gutman. Another such example is where the Sefer Chasidim (siman 822) talks about wiping ones feet off before entering a shul in the R. Margolis edition there are many sources on this topic. But, again R. Gutman mentions nothing about this custom.
Another example is where the Sefer Chasidim (Siman 858) talks about saving seforim from a fire on Shabbos again R. Gutman does not quote the excellent reference of R. Margolis citing in turn the Adres who says that if one has manuscripts of his own that he worked hard on he may save them from the fire first because it's like pikuach nefesh! Throughout R. Gutman's edition there are many such examples. Perhaps R. Gutman assumed what whomever purchases his edition already has R. Reuven Margolis edition and R. Gutman was merely adding to that. Even so, he should mention it in the introduction.
Another deficiency in this edition is R. Gutman, in the section he includes comments collecting sources etc., his style is difficult as much of what he has could have been done shorter and more to the point. Unfortunately, this is a common weakness that many authors have today as I have previously mentioned on this blog. Besides for that I feel there are many more sources that he could have added to this part making it a true encyclopedic work that it should be.
Just to list a few examples of sources that he missed and on this there for sure is an element of lo alechu hamlacha ligmor. One where R. Gutman talks about the cherem to live in Spain (p. 394) he misses much on the topic amongst the omissions is the famous discussion of the Teruos Melech in Rosh Hashanah (siman 13 sec. 2) (for more on this see the great article of Marc B. Shapiro in Sefarad 49:2(1989) pp. 381-394).
Another such example is both times where the Sefer Chasidim talks about stealing torah from someone (pp. 172 and 774) he could have added the piece of R. Efraim Zalman Margolis in his introduction to the edition of the Maseh Rokeach which he printed. Another such example is where the Sefer Chasidim (siman 822) talks about wiping ones feet off before entering a shul so besides for not mentioning R. Margolis's comments at all he could of referenced to the excellent discussion in the Minhaghei haKehelos of R. Golhaber (vol 1 pp. 3-8).
Another example is where the Sefer Chasidim (siman 158) writes against tefilah בקול רם he missed the very original discussion of the Matzevh Hayashar (volume 2 pg 28 and onwards). One last example is where the Sefer Chasidim (siman 461) discusses the topic of if something bad happens three times it is a bad sign he could of added the teshuvah of the Avnei Chefetz from R. A. Levine (siman 64). Many more examples could be given but this is not the place.
Another point is in the introduction R. Gutman speculates that based on the pieces he has included it seems that the Adres wrote an entire work on the Sefer Chasidim called Mishnat Chasidim. There is no need for speculation – this is correct – as the Adres in his autobiography (pg 33) writes "I bought a Sefer Chasidim with wide columns and I learnt it twice and I wrote a biur on it with sources … and I called it the Mishnat Chasidim." Unfortunately, later in his autobiography the Adres writes (pg 56) that it was burned in a fire that destroyed most of his writings!
Another minor point on page 181-182 where he talks about a story brought down from various sources including the Kav haYashar he should of included the comments of R. Shmuel Askenazi appended to the Kav haYashar (end of volume 2 pg 8). Another example is where the Sefer Chasidim speaks (Siman 768) against singing tunes of non-Jewish origin, R. Gutman (pg 645) includes a number of nice sources on this topic at the end he mentions R. Yisroel Najara that he was a nizutz of Dovid haMelech. He should have at least referenced the Sefer Chizyonos of R. Chaim Vital against R. Najara (and this was actually the person the Shtei Yodos was writing against who R. Gutman quoted earlier in that same piece!) – which was discussed at greater length in an earlier post.
In conclusion I feel that although there are some areas which this edition is weak in but there are a great many pluses to owning it the including the many sources that R. Gutman does add and especially the notes of 29 different gedolim. However there is definitely a need for an expert on the Chasidei Ashkenaz to put out a critical edition quoting all the relevant sources from Chasidei Ashkenaz.
Kabbalah Books Online
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Anti Neturei Karta Book
There is a new book discussing the recent tactics of the Neturei Karta. What is perhaps unique about this book, Milchemet Charma by R. Daniel Biton, is that it devoted to demonstrating the Neutrei Karta are wrong; and doing so this from their own perspective. That is, he uses anti-Zionist texts – V'Yoel Moshe, letter of R. Elchonon Wasserman and the like – to show that although they are anti-Zionist they do not advocate praising anti-Semites or advocating for the demise of Israel.
R. Biton pulls no punches when he discusses his views of He uses rather flowery language to attack the Neturei Karta for instance he says
ככל הדברים . . . אצל כת החדשה שהתעטפו באצטלא של קנאות ונוטרי קרתא . . . [ו]נתכתרו בג' כתרים, כתר תורה עמי הארצות, וכתר כהונת כסילות, וכתר מלכות העזות . . . ובארבע אבות הנזיקין הללו, עמי הארצות, כסילות, עזות, ודמיונות, הולידו והצמיחו שורש פורה ראש ולענה
The book is divided up into three works, Machrive Karta, Derech HaShem, and Ve'Yestarfu Rabim. The first book, discusses mostly the various events the Neturi Karta has recently participate in and how their philosophy runs counter to that of the R. Yoel Teitelbaum, the Satmar Rebbi. The second book which is a play on a Neturei Karta work describing their reasons titled Derech HaHatzolah, is comprised of letters and a speech R. Biton gave regarding the falicies of the Neturi Karta's position. The third part is mainly an expansion on the prior section. R. Biton finishes with letters from members of the "old" Neturei Karta on how this new strategy of joining with anti-Semites etc. does not comport with their ideals.
Friday, May 04, 2007
Kuntres 'al Inyan Shabbat HaChatuna - A "Found" Book
The book, as the title implies, discusses the Shabbat following ones wedding know as Shabbat HaChanutah or Shabbat haHatan. It was customary in many communities, mainly Sefardic but there is also evidence for some Ashkenazi as well, on this Shabbat, aside from the regular reading from the Torah, the parsha of V'Avrahom Zakan Bo B'Yamim was read for the groom. One may be asking so what could have possibly have been the controversy? In one community,
The question is whether as part of the seven obligatory aliyot can you read a parsha that is merely a custom? To this, R. Supino said yes. Well, somewhere between 1735-36 on one such Shabbat, there was a vistor from another city,
R. Meldola didn't stop at printing his own book on the topic, he wanted to make sure his book would be the only record of events. First, I must point out that R. Meldola published his book after R. Supanu (and other important figures) died so there was no one to dispute his events. Second, R. Supino, did not wait until anyone died, rather he published his version and the defense of his position in Kuntres 'al Inyan Shabbat HaChatuna. Sometime around 1743, R. Supanu sent this to
Shmuel Glick, the editor of the new Kuntres haTeshuvot, was looking through all the libraries to find all the responsa literature, and in Schocken Library he found the only remaining copy in the world of this book. The copy he found also contains some annotations which Glick thinks are that of R. Supanu himself. In this republication, Glick has done a beautiful job (as well as Mossad HaRav Kook). First, he includes an extensive introduction where all the above is from. Second, as mentioned above, until now we had a one sided story of the events, now we have both sides. Glick discusses and highlights the various differences between R. Meldola's and R. Supino's versions of the events. Third, he has completely reset the type of the book and included notes as well. Fourth, he then includes a photo reproduction of the actual work. And, finally, he includes to letters from R. Supino which were in manuscript.
In part, the reason this work is important aside from the actual question is its broader implications for the force of custom. R. Supino's basic argument is the additional reading for the groom is a custom – but as a custom has the same status as the rest of the regular parsha. R. Meldola disputes this understanding of custom.
While this edition is excellent, I want to point out two small things, one is typographical error and the other not an error but an elaboration. The main footnote (which is terrific in scope) which discusses the custom of the special reading for the groom is in the Introduction, footnote 6. But, the references to it in the actual Kuntres (e.g. footnote 2, 62, 158) it refers to it as footnote 2. The second minor point is in a footnote (p. 28 n. 146), Glick discusses the usage of the saying מנהג ישראל תורה, but left off perhaps the most comprehensive discussion of this usage in R. Shmuel Ashkenazi's Alfa beta kadmita, pp. 210-18.
In all, Shmuel Glick should be commended for an excellent work of a fascinating book. The book is printed by Mossad HaRav Kook and should be available wherever finer seforim are sold.


text:
Last week, the younger third- through sixth-grade team traveled to Mancos, Colo., for a tournament on Saturday, Feb. 1. The 'PsychoSpikers' took third place overall out of 32 teams.
The PsychoSpikers team members are Jordyn Reidhead, Jessica Jones, Jaci Shumway, Taylor Bryant, Paige Shumway and Lainey Bohannon, according to volleyball coach Deb Hren.
The Speedy Spoilers, which include team members Chloe Book, Alexis Carroll, Kaci McKinney, Ombra Gruskiewicz, Lexi Butterfield, Neelie Relph and Grace Johnston, took fifth place in their 'B' division tournament.
In the 'D' division, Moab's team took fourth place. That team includes Annie Kopell, Brianna Benally, Jenna Bertuzzi, Marek Relph, Ali Jones and Rhiannon Hren.
The younger teams are scheduled to travel to Dove Creek, Colo., to play in a tournament next Saturday, Feb. 8.
There is still time for players to sign up for league play, Hren said. Enrollment can be done online at www.moabcity.org.
She said the seventh- and eighth-graders have already started to practice but will not have their first tournament until Feb. 15.
Volunteer coaches are also needed, Hren said. For more information, or to volunteer for a team, contact Hren at 435-260-1785.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
My son Sam will be 4 on Labor Day and already he's a budding Beatlemaniac. Without sounding too boastful, and acknowledging that most kids don't have rock critics for parents, I still suspect he can name more Lennon/McCartney songs than most teenagers at a One Direction show.
I can't quite remember what started this obsession. Was it the time I foolishly introduced him to "Yellow Submarine," after which, much to my chagrin, he insisted on hearing nothing but that silly ditty in the car for at least two weeks? Or was it the day he found my DVD of A Hard Day's Night tucked in among his tattered Elmo compilations and episodes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse?
Either way, that flick has been in heavy rotation ever since, as have a growing number of Beatles staples and basic factoids he fires off with pride. ("Hey, that's on Beatles for Sale!" he exclaims every time "Eight Days a Week" comes on.) He routinely grabs my iPod, snaps in kid-safe headphones and scans through arguably the greatest songbook ever recorded, questioning me endlessly about tunes he doesn't recognize and making instant dismissive judgments on cuts he can do without (he's not into George's sitar stuff, not surprisingly, but to my delight he's also not much for "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da").
Must be in his genes. Like so many other Gen-X kids growing up in the '70s, Sam's old man was weaned on everything Beatles by a boomer mom who had seen the real thing at the Hollywood Bowl in '64 and '65. It was inevitable he'd get exposed to their complete catalog, and obviously children are sponges for knowledge of any kind – yet his capacity to soak up more and more music that's nearly five decades old keeps startling me.
Maybe it's just easier these days for impressionable minds to take in everything the legendary Liverpudlians put out. When I was twice his age, the only items I could get my hands on (or was allowed to wear out on my cheap record player) were retrospectives like those red and blue time capsules from '73 or the nifty (if oddly packaged) double-LP Rock 'n' Roll Music that arrived a month before the Bicentennial.
Sam, on the other hand, regularly asks me to pull down the remastered box set from 2009, so he can pore over every classic disc like young William Miller tracing his fingers over his sister's copy of Tommy in Almost Famous. At least once a week the lad asks to play Beatles Rock Band, garbling verses and hollering choruses for hours. By the time I was a teenager in the '80s it was still hard to come by decent-looking copies of any of their movies, but at Sam's fingertips is most of the group's filmography in high-quality versions; he's already gone through fleeting phases of loving Help! and Yellow Submarine and random parts of the group's Anthology.
And then there are the tribute bands, a trend he (and seemingly scores more young'uns) experienced for the first time Saturday night at Pacific Amphitheatre, where locally loved outfit the Fab Four, as great a Beatles tribute as you can find these days, gleefully returned for their annual visit.
There's almost always an extra gimmick involved when these first-rate copycats come back to Costa Mesa. Two years ago they rose to the challenge of re-creating Sgt. Pepper in full; last year they staged a live pairing that never existed by enlisting the help of Rolling Stones salute Jumpin' Jack Flash. This time they had Beach Boys homage Surfin' Safari at their side – literally, trading sets with that act throughout the two-hour, intermission-free show, separated by introductions from oldies radio icon Brian "Mr. Rock 'n' Roll" Bierne.
Mirroring the evolution of those two musical forces was a logical approach that nonetheless would have required an extra hour (or two) to fully work. The structure and time constraints meant that significant chunks of each band's history had to be glossed over.
The Beatles' mold-shattering mid-period, for instance, from Help! to Revolver, yielded only three tunes, two of them obvious ("Yesterday" and "Yellow Submarine") while a less-effective third (a fairly canned "Got to Get You into My Life," with horns reproduced by synths) was used as a means for the group's very sharp John Lennon impersonator (Ron McNeil) to change out of Pepper gear and into Imagine-era protest garb.
Likewise, Surfin' Safari squeezed in plenty of pleasantly delivered early gems ("I Get Around," "Fun, Fun, Fun," "All Summer Long") but curiously skipped a few later staples (most noticeably "Sloop John B") in favor of relative obscurities like "I Can Hear Music" and a really shaky rendition of "Kokomo."
Sam was no more into that mix initially than I was. "Daddy, where are the Beatles?" he asked after the Beach Boys preservationists opened with the Summer of '62 single that lends the quintet its name.
It helped that Christopher May (who plays Mike Love more amiably than the man himself ever is) got the crowd to do an amphitheater-wide wave every time his group sang the title "Catch a Wave" amid that song. Moments like that, as well as a rousing round of "Barbara Ann" to start their second set, kept the audience (and Sam) engaged when harmonic flubs and sketchy transitions became too evident.
But my boy was all about the Fab Four from the second they came running out, and after an opening blast through "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "All My Loving," he started hearing some major singalong faves: "A Hard Day's Night," "I Should Have Known Better," "Eight Days a Week," "She Loves You."
He was mesmerized, as well he should be, because unlike the genial Surfin' Safari, who dress in striped shirts and white pants but otherwise look nothing like the heroes they emulate, McNeil and his gang – Neil Candelora (a properly left-handed Paul McCartney), Gavin Pring (a believable George Harrison) and Erik Fidel (a spot-on Ringo Starr, in both look and execution) – all go to great lengths to re-create the Beatles as accurately as possible. Their characterizations are often uncanny and their attention to the minutest details doesn't go unappreciated; Candelora even has the appropriate patches on the arms of his Pepper military coat.
For an almost-4-year-old, it was a whoa-inducing sight, even if the set list left something to be desired.
I understand costume changes are essential to the illusion, but there must have been a better way to let McNeil switch it up offstage than to indulge the reprise of "Sgt. Pepper" so soon after playing the full-length version, then follow it up not with "A Day in the Life" but rather an overlong intro for "Got to Get You into My Life." Also, much as I found it inspiring to encounter several thousand people heartily singing "Imagine" with the same serious allegiance they'd give to "The Star-Spangled Banner," I think under these tight circumstances it might have been wiser to stick to actual Beatles material.
Sam – who, like so many other little kids I spotted among the crowd, spent most of the evening alternating between open-mouthed awe and cheering smiles – would have been more delighted by another half-dozen favorites, or better yet an entire night of just the Fab Four. The idea of closing with both groups joining forces for "God Only Knows" and "Surfin' U.S.A." (with a knowing reference to Chuck Berry's "Sweet Little Sixteen" from McNeil) was also as lost on me as it was him.
On the drive to the venue, Sam announced he'd decided upon four must-hear selections: "Here Comes the Sun," "All Together Now," "A Hard Day's Night" and "Ticket to Ride." I knew he'd never hear the second number – that's too simplistic for a large-scale gig – and as the night wore on and restlessness set in ("when is this going to be over?"), I feared he wouldn't get to enjoy any of the others.
Granted, he'd already made me proud by shunning "Yesterday," a flawless composition I can still do without; "Daddy, I don't like this song," he whispered, without the slightest prompting from his pop. But I let out a big sigh of relief when Pring plucked out the first few notes of "Here Comes the Sun," spiking Sam's energy level so high, he was still wide awake at midnight and eager for more.
"Why did they not play 'Ticket to Ride'?" he asked on our way back into the fair. I'd ask the same question about "Hello Goodbye," "Can't Buy Me Love," "Strawberry Fields Forever," "I Am the Walrus," "I Feel Fine," "Revolution," "Let It Be," "Back in the U.S.S.R.," "Drive My Car," "Something" … it's a long list.
"I don't know, kiddo," I replied. "I would have liked to have heard that one, too. They must have run out of time."
"Oh, because they were tired?"
"Umm … yeah, I'm sure they're pretty tired."
"Yeah. It's been a long day. Let's go home and play it on your Beatles game."
Setlist: The Fab Four and Surfin' Safari at Pacific Amphitheatre, Costa Mesa, Aug. 4, 2012
Surfin' Safari: Surfin' Safari / Surfer Girl / Catch a Wave / Fun, Fun, Fun / In My Room / Wouldn't It Be Nice / I Get Around
The Fab Four: I Want to Hold Your Hand / All My Loving / A Hard Day's Night / I Should Have Known Better / Eight Days a Week / Yesterday / She Loves You / I Saw Her Standing There / Twist and Shout
Surfin' Safari: Barbara Ann / All Summer Long / Do It Again / Help Me, Rhonda / I Can Hear Music / Kokomo / Good Vibrations / California Girls
The Fab Four: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band >;;;; With a Little Help from My Friends / Yellow Submarine / Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise) > Got to Get You Into My Life / Imagine / Here Comes the Sun / Hey Jude
Both groups: God Only Knows / Surfin' U.S.A.
What's left at Pacific: Jeff Dunham, Aug. 5, $39.50-$69.50 … the All-American Rejects, Aug. 8, $25-$45 … Heart, Aug. 9, $22.50-$52.50 … Martina McBride, Aug. 10, $35.75-$65.75 … Duran Duran, Aug. 11, $29.75-$89.75 … "Weird Al" Yankovic, Aug. 12, $17.75-$37.75.
- Cinderella, Sebastian Bach sets marred by rough vocals
- Victoria Justice thrills kids of all ages
- Tears for Fears unchanged but solid
- Guess Who set leaves Three Dog Night racing against clock
- Earth, Wind & Fire prove mighty as ever
- Steel Pulse, the Dirty Heads rock steady
- Allstar Weekend outshines Hot Chelle Rae
- Sheryl Crow plays it predictably
- Young the Giant roars at crowd-rousing homecoming
- Aussie sensation Cody Simpson leaves girls squealing
- Bachman & Turner, Foghat deliver mostly satisfying rock
- Adam Lambert returns still soaring
- Scotty McCreery impresses with poise
- Mastisyahu re-emerges with new look, revamped sound
- Happy Together Tour's nostalgia trip clicks with cheering fans
- Willie Nelson gets season started with hearty helping of classics
- Sizing up Pacific Amphitheatre's summer season


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What a lot of people forget, is the Yankees not only erased a 14-game deficit, but actually moved ahead of Boston and it was the Red Sox who needed to come back to force the playoff. That only happened on the last day of the season when Cleveland's Rick Waits beat New York at Yankee Stadium.
Dent's homer came off Mike Torrez and Ron Guidry won his 25th game of the season. The game ends when Goose Gossage gets Carl Yastrzemski to pop out to third with two on.
Does anybody remember watching that game and what they were feeling that day?


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So, have you been watching The Bible? As in, the ten-hour television series created by famed reality TV producer Mark Burnett and his wife, Roma Downey, which is airing on the History Channel? Apparently it's doing quite well, having pulled in 14.1 million viewers last week, which is more than any other show on cable television in 2013. Maybe it's because people have been hungering for a fresh visual take on a familiar religious epic … or maybe it's because everyone's freaking out over the fact that they cast Obama as Satan.
Okay, it's not actually Obama -- but there sure seems to be an uncomfortable resemblance between the ultimate bad guy, played by actor Mohamen Mehdi Ouazanni, and the Prez.
I'm not 100 percent sure I would have noticed it on my own if I were watching, but plenty of folks reacted via Twitter once Satan appeared onscreen:
Oh my word....watching The History Channel's The Bible...does Satan look familiar to anyone else?
Just caught 5 minutes of #TheBible on History Channel... Satan looks like Obama-- say what?!
Oh my ! Watching the Bible on history channel. Satan looks like Obama. Who ever played satan looks like Obama.... CREEPY
The Bible on the History channel portrayed the temptation of Christ in the desert and satan looked exactly like Barack Obama. Coincidence?
Of course, it probably didn't help that noted conservative Glenn Beck weighed in with this comment: "Anyone else think the Devil in #TheBible Sunday on History Channel looks exactly like That Guy?"
So, DOES he look like That Guy? I'm getting more of a Sith Lord vibe from his image than anything else, but it is kind of weird how, at least in this one particular photo, Satan sorta does resemble Obama's evil older brother. (And nothing at all like the actor himself -- check out this picture of Mohamen Mehdi Ouazanni from 2008.)
This whole thing reminds me of that time a severed head that suspiciously resembled George Bush appeared on Game of Thrones. The show creators said it wasn't a political statement ("We just had to use whatever heads we had lying around"), but HBO got a ton of flak for it and ended up removing it from future DVD releases.
"There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again. Look, I'm just a decapitated HEAD, I can't get this stuff straight."
HBO also got a ton of attention for it, of course, and the same thing's happening for The Bible. Whether or not someone intended Satan to look like Obama, it certainly can't be hurting viewership. Heck, I might tune in next time just to see what all the fuss is about.
Do you think the Satan character in The Bible is meant to look like President Obama?
Images via History.com, HBO


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FairCo 64 LLC has filed a $1.4 million deed of trust through INSOUTH Bank for its strip retail center at 7601 U.S. 64 in Northeast Memphis.
The company filed the loan Jan. 29, with Cato Ellis Jr. and John S. Bomar signing the trust deed as members and Rosemarie Fair signing the trust deed as managing member of FairCo 64.
The owner bought the 15,900-square-foot strip shopping center in August 2007 from William A. Crum and Joan R. Crum for $1.4 million.
Built in 1996, the center sits on 1.38 acres on the south side of U.S. 64 east of Appling Way. The Shelby County Assessor of Property's 2012 appraisal was $1.2 million.
At the time of the 2007 purchase, the center housed Bridal Collection, a tuxedo store and a temporary store called Spirit of Halloween, according to Fair, president of One Source Commercial Inc. and manager of FairCo 64.
Source: The Daily News Online & Chandler Reports
– Daily News staff
The J.M. Smucker Co. will reverse the decision it announced in 2010 to close its Memphis plant and lay off employees by this year if the company, which makes fruit spreads here, gets a tax break for a $55 million expansion it's planning here.
The company is applying for a 12-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes benefit, under which almost $5.5 million in taxes would be foregone. In return, the company would keep 125 jobs in Memphis.
The company's PILOT application explains the project will retrain the company's current remaining workforce to produce products using new machinery and technologies. Its PILOT request will be heard Monday, Feb. 18, by the city-county Economic Development Growth Engine Board.
"The packaged consumer food industry is highly competitive, and profitability is dependent on volatile agricultural commodity prices and other difficult-to-predict variables," Smucker's application reads. "As such, the certainty of tax abatements for a specified number of years influences the company's choice of location for long-term capital investments."
Smucker announced in 2010 it would close its Memphis plant and lay off 161 employees by 2013. The intention was to consolidate its operation to "improve its supply chain as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the long-term strength and profitability of its leading brands," a release stated.
The company's Memphis operation dates back to 1969.
– Andy Meek
Calvary Episcopal Church is busy preparing this week for its 90th Lenten Preaching Series and Waffle Shop – an annual institution that many Memphians have chosen as an annual culinary rite of passage.
From Thursday, Feb. 14, through Friday, March 22, Calvary's famous Waffle Shop at 102 N. Second St. will be open every weekday from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., serving traditional favorites like homemade waffles, salads and daily specials. Calvary will also offer take-out orders and pre-ordered "Lunches to Go."
This year's Preaching Series, held each weekday from 12:05 p.m. to 12:45 p.m., will feature national and local spiritual leaders from a variety of denominations and religions including Rabbi Sandy Sasso, Bishop Spong, the Rev. Dr. John Philip Newell and Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, among others.
A new concept Calvary has created this year for those with time-sensitive lunch hours is a separate meditation room where people can eat their meals in quiet and watch the preaching series via simulcast.
Additionally, Calvary will have a "Waffle Shop After Dark" for those who may not be able to make it during lunch or who want to bring their families for an evening meal. This series will be every Wednesday during Lent, with the Waffle Shop open from 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. and the speaker beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Founded in 1832, Calvary Episcopal Church is a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee and The Episcopal Church, a province of the Anglican Communion. Calvary's parish today comprises more than 1,000 baptized members.
– Sarah Baker
A measure to block courts from granting subpoenas for identities of anonymous commenters on news websites has passed the Senate.
The proposal sponsored by Republican Sen. Brian Kelsey of Germantown was unanimously approved 32-0 on Wednesday. The companion bill was also scheduled to be heard Wednesday in the House Civil Justice Subcommittee.
Currently, a person who gathers information for publication or broadcast isn't required by a court, a grand jury, the General Assembly or any administrative body to disclose information or the source of any information "procured for publication or broadcast."
Kelsey's proposal adds to the current law. It does not apply, however, in cases in which defamatory comments were made.
– The Associated Press
Meritan Inc. has a new president.
Melanie Keller is the new president of the organization, following the recent retirement of Deborah Cotney, who led the nonprofit social services agency for 30 years.
Keller joined Meritan in 2006 and served as Meritan's executive vice president before assuming the role of president. She also has served Meritan as the senior director of the agency's Home Health Services division.
In her role as president, Keller is responsible for the executive oversight of more than 500 employees and Meritan's $21 million annual budget, as well as managing Meritan's quality improvement and strategic planning efforts.
Meritan was created in 1961 and has grown into a nationally accredited, nonprofit health and social service agency now serving a four-state area focusing on the needs of seniors, visually and developmentally disabled individuals and special-needs foster children.
Americans barely spent more last month at retail businesses and restaurants after higher taxes cut their paychecks.
The small increase suggests consumer spending may be weak in the January-March quarter, which could hold back economic growth.
Retail sales ticked up 0.1 percent in January from December, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.
That follows a 0.5 percent increase in December and is the smallest in three months.
Sales fell at auto dealerships, clothing stores and furniture stores. The declines came after big gains in each of those categories in December.
Sales rose last month at home-improvement stores, gas stations and online retailers.
So-called core retail sales, which exclude autos, building materials, and gas stations, ticked up 0.2 percent. That's down from 0.6 percent in December. Economists pay close attention to core sales because they strip out the most volatile categories.
The retail sales report is the government's first look at consumer spending, which drives 70 percent of economic activity.
Nearly all working Americans are taking home less pay this year. Congress and the White House allowed a temporary 2 percentage point cut in Social Security taxes to expire last month.
That means a person earning $50,000 a year will have about $1,000 less to spend in 2013. A household with two high-paid workers will have up to $4,500 less.
Economists were mildly encouraged that spending rose at all after the tax increases took effect. Many expect that spending may pick up later this year as hiring improves.
The Social Security tax increase was a key reason the Conference Board's index of consumer confidence plummeted last month to its lowest level in 14 months. That survey was taken early in the month, when most Americans were discovering their smaller paychecks.
And some retail store chains reported healthy sales gains last month, suggesting that at least some consumers kept shopping even after the tax cut kicked in. Some of the gains likely reflected healthy holiday discounts.
Copyright 1995 -
by The Daily News Publishing Co. Inc. - All Rights Reserved


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Sorry if I get a little annoying with this, but does anyone has the sound chip CMI8338?
The thing is that I can't get the sound to work under Linux, I've tried all the things I was told in a past thread I posted, but, didn't work.
So, now, if someone has or has had the same problem or knows how to figure out, ar anything about the sound not working with that kind of Chip, I'd really apprecciate it.


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Morning report: No fear for The Beard
MoreSplashHits is launching something new today, providing a roundup of each day's news from Giants spring training with links and commentary.
Monday's news focused on pitchers providing optimistic reports (are there any other kinds of reports in late February?), including Tim Lincecum, Brian Wilson, Dan Runzler and Ryan Vogelsong.
We'll start with The Beard.
WILSON: Wilson admitted earlier this spring that he pitched through pain through most of 2011. It started early in spring training with a hip injury that eventually lead to the Giants closer opening the season on the disabled list. It ended with Wilson's season effectively ending in mid-August with elbow problems.
So the Giants are taking a conservative approach this spring with Wilson. He's not scheduled to pitch in a spring training game until at least March 11. But Wilson says that won't keep him from being ready for the season opener on April 6.
"If there's a save opportunity on Opening Day, I'll be saving the game," Wilson declared Monday.
For more on The Beard, check out Andrew Baggarly's report on CSNBayArea.com.
LINCECUM: The Freak faced hitters for the first time this spring and rated the workout an 8.5 out of 10. Lincecum did not allow a ball to leave the infield while facing prospects Connor Gillaspie, Justin Christian, Andrew Sugac and Francisco Peguero. Bochy said Lincecum is on pace to pitch the Giants spring opener on Saturday.
RUNZLER: The left-handers has come to camp looking to tap into the potential the Giants were excited about since making a rapid rise through the ranks in 2009.
But injury and an inability to consistently throw strikes have hurt Runzler's development. He dislocated his knee while swinging and missing during his first major league at-bat in 2010. The Giants dabbled with the idea of converting Runzler into a starting pitcher in 2011, but that idea appears to have been scrubbed. Finally, Runzler pulled a lat muscle in last season's final game.
Now, he's facing long odds of making the opening day roster, but is still working toward that goal. For more, see Baggarly's report.
- Ryan Vogelsong, whose start to camp has been delayed by a back issue, threw from flat ground Monday and felt "really, really good." He may throw again Tuesday.
- 2B Freddy Sanchez developed lower back stiffness Monday. Manager Bruce Bochy called it a "hiccup." But any hiccup with Sanchez this spring will cause Giants fans to hold THEIR breath.
- C Buster Posey, who looks good in facing live pitching in batting practice for the first time over the weekend, got Monday off. All part of his spring rehab plan.


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Posts filtered on Tag
Perry Watch: Houston interfaith leaders sign letter against governor's prayer event
A week after its first amendment forum regarding Gov. Rick Perry's involvement in a Christian prayer rally, the Anti-Defamation League has released a letter expressing their concern over the nature of the event, scheduled to take place in Houston Saturday.
The ADL letter has been signed by about 50 rabbis, imams and pastors, mostly from mainline Protestant denominations.…


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Product Highlights
This item is noncancelable and nonreturnable.
The Chief MSS6602B Flat Panel Swivel Table Stand (Black) can be bolted down for permanent commercial or residential installations.
To confirm the compatibility of this mount with your flat panel TV or monitor, visit Chief's MountFinder Pro.
|Smooth swivel 45°, in either direction; Optional stops at15°, 25° and 35°
|19.25 - 24.5" (467 - 622mm)
|Weight Capacity
|100 lbs (45.4kg)
|Packaging Info
|Package Weight
|41.0 lb
|Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
|31.8 x 26.8 x 12.5"


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DigitalFilipino – PAGCOR Bloggers Networking Event Bacolod Part 2
Janette Toral with the Bacolod-Negros and Iloilo bloggers courtesy of the Digital Filipino and Casino Filipino (Pagcor Bacolod) Bloggers Networking Event.
Related projects
DTI taps multi-stakeholders in business and E-Commerce outlook seminar
The Department of Trade and Industry E-Commerce Office convened stakeholders from different sectors last May 11, 2015 at the Board of Investments building to develop a ten year E-commerce Roadmap. Janette Toral presented the E-Commerce Intensity Index March 2015 – a monthly tracking and measurement study that determines the extent of e-commerce activities on manufacturing,
5 Takeaways from #PeepCon 2015
Search Engine Journal covered the recent PeepCon 2015 event where Janette Toral is one of the resource persons. A snippet of from that article: We use the power of internet to promote our brand all the time. But what about the people behind it? Janette Toral said you should "Sell yourself. Let people know that
A tribute to your #SHEro
Janette Toral was named by Rappler Citizen Journalist Therene Quijano as her #SHEro where she wrote: "Janette Toral is my #SHEro. It is not in her achievements in the IT industry that made me consider her my SHEro. It is a known fact that the IT industry is mostly composed of men and women movers
The Secret Behind her Digital Marketing Success
Janette Toral got interviewed by Maxweb on her perspective in digital marketing. Here is a quote from it: "The biggest misconception about digital marketing is that success is repeatable. I had clients who are expecting repeated success in every (digital) marketing plan they have, but I always tell them that it is not possible. There
Another Business successors for the future of E-Commerce in PH
Janette Toral guested at Vigattin Radio (DZIQ 990 AM) last January 3, 2015 to talk about the e-commerce roadmap. She was also joined by Mica Tan and Ace Gapuz of MFT Group. Also by Beatrice Tesoro of Certified Positive. They talked about their respective project efforts. The program is hosted by Den Maracanas and Elison
TECHIE AKO! Region IV-A Digital Summit "Digital Influencers of Business and Beyond
Janette Toral gave an e-commerce talk at this event last November 22, 2014 along with fellow speakers Mae Ilagan, Jeoffrey Solas, and Ben Francia. Visit their Facebook page for the post-event video.
What is the buying behavior of Filipinos online?
Janette Toral got quoted in this article written by Moneymax.ph. According to Digital Filipino founder Janette Toral, in the years to come, the Philippines needs new business models that are in line with our economic situation and the needs of the rising generation.
"SHIFT + ALT + CAREERS" – Online Freelancing Learning Event
Supported Genesis Reonico of Online Jobs University in pitching for their "Shift + ALT + Careers – Online Freelancing" learning event.
Is it time to be bullish on e-commerce in the Philippines?
Janette Toral got interviewed in this Huffington Post article along with Inanc Balci (Lazada Philippines), Mon Lizardo (ABS-CBN), Scott E. Bales (Mobile Ready), Donald Lim (ABS-CBN), Timothy Go (A-Solutions), Robertson Chiang (Dragonpay), Nix Nolledo (Hatchd), Jojy Azurin (Freelancer.com), Jack Madrid (Lovable Commerce), Jon Santico (701 Search), Me-Anne Bundalian (OLX Philippines). Janette Toral of Digital Filipino
Creative Business interview with Kian Kazemi and Janette Toral
Learn innovative online marketing strategies and how to build a start up business by DigitalFilipino.com Janette Toral. From starting making sandwiches at school for his friends to becoming a Food Entrepreneur and owning 9 full service restaurants – meet Persia Grill President, Kian Kazemi. For information about the annual Entrepreneur Success Summit (ESS) visit www.efe.ph.


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Based on a lot of the blogs I read, I checked into the FamilySearch Indexing site because I really wanted to start giving back to the genealogical community. I just have to say that I LOVE doing this volunteer work...it's so much fun and is rewarding too! I've only done about 3 sessions and I'm already up to 152 points!
Have any of you volunteered your time to transcribe the records for FamilySearch? Have you enjoyed it as much as me? Would you recommend it to others?
© 2011, copyright Chris Odom


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We often fall in love with new smartphones only to be shattered when we discover that they'll ship with old firmware. A lot of shoppers feel the same—and it might be costing hardware makers half their potential customers.
Last week we discussed the phenomenon of new devices shipping with outdated firmware—a pattern particularly evident with recently announced and released Android devices—and asked Gizmodo readers an important question: How much does outdated smartphone firmware matter to you?
The general feeling was clear pretty quickly: Nearly half of the readers would not want to purchase a device unless it was shipping with the latest firmware and about a third of the readers could be swayed with promises of quick updates. The message in the comments of the post was pretty firm though: No one likes to wait for new firmware when holding a shiny new device.
Now with this data and the overwhelming commenter response in mind, we repeat our suggestion:
Hardware manufacturers, once a new firmware is released, stop churning out old phones and get what's already on the market updated asap. Stop putting crazy skins on top of Android that do more harm than good and slow the update process. And—especially when an Android update has been in the open for a few months already already—take the time to incorporate the latest and greatest firmware onto your handsets so that your customers know exactly what they're getting. It's time to get serious about hardware/software synchronicity.
Chart by Christina Bonnington
Update: As clearly stated above, the poll used for this data focused on Gizmodo readers who are often better informed than their less gadget-obsessed counterparts, but it's important to keep in mind that those same readers frequently influence those around them by contributing to reviews and making recommendations to friends and family. That said, the results of any online poll come with a hefty serving of salt.


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We here at Android Central refuse to ignore a bargain, espcially one as great as this: Amazon is currently selling the Galaxy Nexus for a mere $99.99, a full $200 less than what you'll pay Verizon. The sale price is for new customers only, and you'll need to sign a two-year contract, of course. If you've held out for the current Android king, this is likely the best price you've seen to date, though the device is finally starting to see some respectable discounts (newegg.com, for example, is currently offering the Nexus for $200).
Given Amazon's name-brand and solid reliability, this deal is just too good to ignore for those who have been waiting patiently to take a bite out of Ice Cream Sandwich. Hit the source link for Amazon's product page.
Source: Amazon
This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy for more details.


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Hi! My name is Bruno, I am a Bernese Mountain Dog. My mom thinks I am going to be as big as a horse! I love to dig in the dirt, play with squeaky toys and bark at the cats. Most of all I like to be near humans. If you do not pet me when I see you on a walk I will probably sit down and whine :(
Cooper is very playful and cuddly and loves sleeping under our bed. He really likes going on walks to meet new people in the neighbourhood, and he loves to look at himself in store windows. He likes to show off his belly. He is small now, but growing fast!
Ruff! My name is Riley. I love sticks, nylabones, running really fast down hills, and taking naps in my mama's closet. I was born in PA but live in Manhattan, and I just looove city life--my social agenda is so busy, I'm practically a New York socialite (with really big paws). You know what else I love? Posing for pictures! Bring on the pupparazzi!
The Cutest Puppy
Bishop is a 4 month old Bernese Mountain Dog. He loves to swim, play fetch, eat ants, get belly rubs and just being around his friends.


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WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- The United States is on course to meet its greenhouse gas reduction target of 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020, said Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz.
"About half of that progress we have made is from the natural gas boom, in this case the market-driven substitution for coal," Moniz told reporters Thursday during a session hosted by the Christian Science Monitor in Washington, The Hill reports.
"Eventually, if we are going to get down to really low-carbon emissions, natural gas, just like coal, would need to have carbon capture," said Moniz, who was confirmed as energy secretary in May. "But that looks to be quite a ways off. In the meantime, gas will actually be part of the solution."
The energy department's analytical arm, the Energy Information Administration, last week said that fossil fuels are expected to continue supplying much of the energy used globally.
Noting that "natural gas is the fastest growing fossil fuel in the outlook," EIA said global natural gas consumption corresponds with production gains seen from shale and other unconventional deposits.
As for concerns regarding possible dangers of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, a process which involves massive amounts of water, sand and chemicals injected at high pressure to fracture rock and release stored gas, Moniz said, "to my knowledge, I still have not seen any evidence of fracking per se contaminating groundwater."
Yet the secretary acknowledged other environmental concerns and challenges associated with natural gas development including poor completion of wells, surface spills of so-called flowback water, methane emissions and air quality problems around production sites.
"All of these are manageable. We know what to do about completing a well, etc., but manageable still has the requirement of being managed, being managed all the time," Moniz said, noting the need for regulations, enforcement of them, and "self-enforcement" by the industry.
Regarding exports of natural gas, the secretary during the event with reporters said the Obama administration is "working hard" to evaluate such proposals, the Houston Chronicle reported.
"We've committed to trying to do expeditious review -- case-by-case -- in the order as declared by the Department of Energy in 2012."
While the Energy Department has approved two applications to export natural gas to countries that do not have free-trade agreements with the United States, 15 other applications are awaiting a decision, with proposals to export as much as 29 billion cubic feet of natural gas to non-free-trade partners.
In a letter to Moniz last month, 34 senators urged the secretary to make decisions on the remaining applications "in an expeditious manner," noting lengthy reviews could jeopardize the nation's ability to retain a competitive position against other natural gas-exporting countries.


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This paper and pencil activity pad includes simple activities (e.g., connect the dots, fill in the blanks, drawing), fun facts, and information about the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
Learners create scale models of Earth, the moon, and Mars out of playdough. Based on the size of the models, they must determine the relative distance between them and then display them at that scale. This activity was designed for use in a library... (View More) program. (View Less)
Using an online interactive platform, learners will explore our solar system from the perspective of the Sun. They will observe the motion of different worlds to determine their location in the solar system. Then they will launch probes to search... (View More) these small worlds (bodies in the solar system not classified as a planet or a moon) for the caches hidden on them in order to collect the astrocoins inside. A 5E instructional lesson allows students to analyze a model to locate small worlds, define speed/distance relationships, and identify model limitations. Images, worksheets and a rubric are included. Instructional objectives and learning outcomes are aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS); the NRC Framework for K-12 Science Education; Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts; and A Framework for 21st Century Learning. This resource is part of the Infiniscope space exploration experiences. (View Less)
Materials Cost: Free
Microscopic meteorites routinely reach Earth's surface. While challenging to find and identify, this activity provides techniques for searching for them in the local environment.
Materials Cost: 1 cent - $1 per group of students
This collection of 160 math problems covers the 20 science topic themes presented by the NASA/JPL Year of the Solar System (YOSS) website, covering the solar system, planets, the search for life, and robotics. Examples of topics included are: scale... (View More) of the solar system; asteroids; comets; moons and rings; volcanism in the solar system; ice in the solar system; water in the solar system; the Sun, transits and eclipses; astrobiology; magnetosphers and more. It is intended as a mathematics supplement for the science content presented at the YOSS website, and features grade-appropriate and Common Core State Standards-based math problems based on science content for grades 3-12. (View Less)
Materials Cost: Free
Learners select from a variety of fruits to construct a scale model of the Moon, Earth, and Sun. After determining the correct sizes and distances for their models, they remove the Moon. They consider what it would be like if the nearby Moon were no... (View More) longer reflecting the Sun's light in the nighttime or daytime sky. This activity is part of Explore! Marvel Moon, a series of activities developed specifically for use in libraries. (View Less)
Materials Cost: $1 - $5 per group of students
Learners will explore Jupiter's origins through three stories. First, they model their own lifetimes by tying knots in lengths of yarn to represent key events in their pasts. Then, children listen to and act out a cultural origins story, such as the... (View More) Skytellers stories told by Native American master storytellers. Finally, they explore Jupiter's story by modeling a timeline from today back to its "birthday." They use the timeline to visually demonstrate that the Big Bang occurred much earlier in the past. Children will discover how the Juno mission to Jupiter will help unveil how our solar system - including Earth - came to be. The activities are from Explore! Jupiter's Family Secrets, a series designed to engage children in space and planetary science in libraries and informal learning environments. (View Less)
Materials Cost: 1 cent - $1 per group of students
This is a demonstration about the density of the planets. Learners will compare the relative sizes and masses of scale models of the planets as represented by fruits and other foods. They will then dunk the "planets" in water to highlight the fact... (View More) that even a large, massive planet - such as Saturn - can have low density. They discuss how a planet's density is related to whether it is mainly made up of rock or gas. This activity is part of Explore! Jupiter's Family Secrets, a series designed to engage children in space and planetary science in libraries and informal learning environments. (View Less)
Learners will shrink the scale of the solar system to the size of their neighborhood and compare the relative sizes of scale models of the planets, two dwarf planets, and a comet as represented by fruits and other foods. This activity requires... (View More) access to a large indoor or outdoor space (measuring at least 190 feet wide) where the children can model the orbit of Mercury around the Sun. It is part of Explore! Jupiter's Family Secrets, a series designed to engage children in space and planetary science in libraries and informal learning environments. (View Less)
This is a reading strategy guide in a series of guides that utilizes articles from the Great Explorations in Math and Science (GEMS) program. These strategy guides provide teachers of middle school students with a reading strategy (in this case,... (View More) Teaching How Scientists Use Models) and supplemental resources, background information on that strategy, connections to standards, classroom implementation techniques, tips for utilizing this strategy with students with dyslexia, and a two-page reading based on a particular space science concept. The reading incorporated into this strategy guide, WHAT MAKES UP MOST OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM, introduces students to the idea that most of the Solar System is made up of empty space. This strategy guide is also mapped to the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts Literacy in Science & Technical Subjects, Grades 6-8. (View Less)


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, 2018-07-30 00:56:37. Many times the attic is a room seldom used by homeowners. An attic is like a blank canvas in which you can design however you please. A great way to utilize this often overlooked space would be for a children's bedroom. The attic is quite the unique space in which...
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Rams Selected as Preseason Favorite in Women's Soccer
Lawrenceville, N.J. – Fresh off the first
NCAA Tournament bid in program history, the Farmingdale State
College women's soccer team has been selected as the preseason
favorite to capture the Skyline Conference championship as voted
upon by the conference's head coaches.
Head coach Chris Roche returns for his fourth season at the helm, after leading the team to a 13-8-1 overall record and 8-1 in Skyline Conference play last year. Farmingdale State had just two seniors on last season's Skyline championship team. With another strong crop of newcomers, the Rams expect another strong showing this season. The Rams return three all-conference players from last season in senior Kaitlin O'Brien, and juniors Amanda Biondi and Tricia Pickford. Biondi (14) and Pickford (13) were the team's assist leaders, combining for 27 assists on the Rams' 55 goals.
Bard College and St. Joseph's College tied for second in the preseason poll. In its first season in the Skyline Conference, Bard went 13-6-1 overall and 7-2 in Skyline play. The Raptors advanced to the Skyline championship game where they fell to Farmingdale 1-0 in the final. Bard also made its first-ever postseason appearance by earning an ECAC tournament bid. The Raptors will have to replace three all-conference players in graduated seniors Liz Herber (GK), Laura Dorsey (M) and Rose Lee (F). The team returns its top scorer from last season in senior Mozhdeh Zahedi, an All-Skyline first-team selection.
St. Joseph's-Long Island is also expected to have a strong team this season. The Golden Eagles went 13-7-2 overall and 6-1-2 in Skyline play with their only conference loss coming at Farmingdale State in a close 1-0 game. Junior forward Angie Merante, who scored a team-leading 15 goals last season, earned Skyline Player of the Year honors. St. Joseph's also returns three other first team all-conference players in junior goalkeeper Dana Carney, sophomore defender Daniela Esposito and senior midfielder Meghan Brady.
Purchase College, picked fourth, returns a potent offense, led by sophomore forward Susan Bigler. Bigler, the Skyline Rookie of the Year last season, led the conference in both goals (21) and points (44) as a freshman.
Place, Team, Points
1. Farmingdale State (8) 80
2t. Bard (1) 68
2t. St. Joseph's-L.I. (1) 68
4. Purchase 58
5. Sage 49
6. Mount Saint Mary 42
7. Mount Saint Vincent 34
8. Maritime 24
9. Old Westbury 15
10. Yeshiva 12
(first-place votes in parentheses)


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upcoming events.
Saturday, April 7, 2018 | 1 - 3 PM
Let's make some ART! Join us for free art projects:
This day we'll be at the Eau Claire Public Library's Youth Services Department.
Art projects are designed for all-ages. There is a wide spectrum of art projects available to inspire you and your family to create.
The ARTmobile connects Eau Claire's children with the visual arts. Its purpose is to provide fun and relevant art projects that have an educational aspect to them. These art projects are intended to take less than a half hour to create, sometimes in an outdoor setting, under the guidance and supervision of the parent or guardian of the child.
This program is provided by the generous support of our sponsors:
Eau Claire Regional Arts Council
Eau Claire Public Library
And by the generosity of this organization:
Clear Water Kiwanis
Thank you!
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Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,
and Friday: 9 am - 4:30 pm
Thursday: 9 am - 7 pm
The box office and Janet Carson Gallery are also open during main stage performances.
Admission is free to the Janet Carson Gallery.
Eau Claire Regional Arts Center
316 Eau Claire St • Get directions.