Tampa, FL - Rabbi From NYC's Yeshiva U To Give GOP Invocation |
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Rabbi Meir SoloveichikTampa, FL - An Orthodox rabbi from New York City’s Yeshiva University has been chosen to give the invocation at the opening session of the Republican National Convention in Tampa.
Rabbi Meir Soloveichik (Soh-loh-VAY’-chick) said Monday that it is an extraordinary privilege to deliver Tuesday’s invocation. He said he has been teaching courses about the connection between Jewish ideas and American democracy and that makes it all the more meaningful.
Soloveichik is the director of the Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought at Yeshiva. He is also associate rabbi at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun (Kuh-HEEL’-ath JESH’-uhr-run ) in New York.
The head of New York’s Roman Catholic Archdiocese, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, has been chosen to give the benediction on the night Mitt Romney accepts the Republican presidential nomination.
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2
Aug 27, 2012 at 02:18 PM kehati Says:Report as Inappropriate
Rav Soloveichik is a grandson of Rav Aharon and a grand nephew of "the Rav". He is a huge talmid chacham plus has a Ph.D from Princeton - Amazing choice!
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Aug 27, 2012 at 02:26 PM Reb Yid Says:Report as Inappropriate
Very interesting for a number of reasons, including the fact that his grandfather, Rav Aharon Soloveitchik, was well-known as being a "liberal", anti-Vietnam war, etc.
4
Aug 27, 2012 at 02:44 PM Sociologist Says:Report as Inappropriate
R. Soloveichik is a tremendous lamden and a great speaker. But unfortunately his invitation is another sign of political pandering. Maybe TS/Hurricane Isaac is a way of preventing him from serving Their purpose.
I wish him a safe journey.
5
Aug 27, 2012 at 02:47 PM Moishe Says:Report as Inappropriate
What a kiddush hashem
6
Aug 27, 2012 at 02:48 PM Sociologist Says:Report as Inappropriate
BTW, the opening prayer for the second session of the convention will be by a pagan priest, Ishwar Singh.
7
Aug 27, 2012 at 02:59 PM yenta Says:Report as Inappropriate
I read a few weeks ago that Rabbi Soloveichik is a leading choice to take over as Chief Rabbi of The Britsh Empire. After Rabbi Sacks retires. Kol Hakovod.
8
Aug 27, 2012 at 03:01 PM 5TResident Says:Report as Inappropriate
We have an opportunity here for a tremendous Kiddush Hashem.
9
Aug 27, 2012 at 03:02 PM Buchwalter Says:Report as Inappropriate
I wonder what his forebearer A'H would say, highly ambitious young man and candidate for British chief rabbi
10
Aug 27, 2012 at 04:17 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Its a great honor for him but also a smart political move. He was among the biggest critics of the Obama decision to mandate contraception coverage for women in all health insurance policies and spoke at several Republican events on the subject. That doesn't take away from the kovod to him. The Rav is probably kvelling in shamayim, although I'm told he voted a straight Democratic ticket.
11
Aug 27, 2012 at 04:19 PM ExpatriateOwl Says:Report as Inappropriate
Don't the GOP Convention planners know any Mormon clergy?
Oh, I forgot! If they bring in the Mormon clergy to give the invocation, they will need to get hotel rooms for all of their wives and children.
12
Aug 27, 2012 at 04:40 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
This is great. G-d will listen to an orthodox jewish rabbi and we will have a republican president. So don't worry if you are poor or disenfranchised or otherwise on disability or social security. This world belongs to the Ayn Randians and we are going there soon! AMEN! (right?)
13
Aug 27, 2012 at 04:42 PM sane Says:Report as Inappropriate
No needs for Jews to be so exposed. Just gives anti semites propaganda material that Jews control everything. Jews wishfully think that now the goyim will love us because the Rabbi is giving the invocation. Better to remain behind the scenes than to make a scene of yourself.
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Aug 27, 2012 at 05:20 PM Buchwalter Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ We have an opportunity here for a tremendous Kiddush Hashem. ”
Could you explain the Kiddush Hashem
15
Aug 27, 2012 at 05:43 PM robocop Says:Report as Inappropriate
Great exposure!
Don't worry about Jews in the limelight at GOP convention. Don't kid yourself that this will fan flames of antisemitism. Rabbi Avigdor Miller had mentioned several times that politically induced antisemitism is a direct result of Jewish Liberal politicians! Remember- there is a great bible belt out there. USA does not revolve NY & LA.
16
Aug 27, 2012 at 06:28 PM DanielBarbaz Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ This is great. G-d will listen to an orthodox jewish rabbi and we will have a republican president. So don't worry if you are poor or disenfranchised or otherwise on disability or social security. This world belongs to the Ayn Randians and we are going there soon! AMEN! (right?) ”
Yes.....right. I don't see how anyone can read Atlas Shrugged and not see the similarities to what is happening to American society and the scenario depicted in that book. I hope it is not too late to prevent our descent into a society that is crippled by not rewarding excellence and mandating that those who work hard, take care of those who are too fearful or lazy to do so.
Who is John Galt?
17
Aug 27, 2012 at 07:15 PM 5TResident Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ No needs for Jews to be so exposed. Just gives anti semites propaganda material that Jews control everything. Jews wishfully think that now the goyim will love us because the Rabbi is giving the invocation. Better to remain behind the scenes than to make a scene of yourself. ”
Listen, they're going to hate us no matter what. If we're out there, they say we control everything. If we're behind the scenes, they'll say we have puppets controlling the world to take the heat off us. If we're Democrats, they'll say we're amoral, bleeding heart liberals who want to destroy the country. If we're Republicans, they'll say we're racist warmongers who want to destroy the country. If we're neither, they'll say we're forming a shadow third party and want to destroy the country. If we keep to ourselves, they'll say we're selfish, secretive and insular. If we intermingle, they'll say we're trying to weaken them by infusing our ideas into American society. If we give lots of charity, they accuse us of money laundering. If we give no charity, they accuse us of being cheap and not caring about the rest of the world.
Its not what the Jews think, feel, eat, drink, smoke, earn, spend, say or hear that bothers them. Its that we exist at all. Eisav Soneh es Yaakov.
18
Aug 27, 2012 at 09:00 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
5TResident, nicely said!
19
Aug 27, 2012 at 09:15 PM Howard Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ 5TResident, nicely said! ”
No, not so nicely said. It encapsulatres the paranoia and ill feelings to 99.999 percent of Hashem's creatures that too many frum Jews feel. That statement about Eisav soneh es Yaakov was not understood to mean all non-Jews until about 150 years ago, when some European rabbis, in the face of the anti-Semitism they experienced, began interpreting it to mean what people like you think it means.The fact is, you don't know who is descended from Eisav, so people like you allegorize the statement and make it apply to everyone. It must be a horror to go through life thinking everone who's not a Yid is automatically a Jew hater -- the fireman rescuing your child from a fire, the surgeon who saves your life, the neighbor who's always there if you need him, etc. I wonder if they know what you really think of them.
20
Aug 27, 2012 at 10:12 PM 12 replies Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Yes.....right. I don't see how anyone can read Atlas Shrugged and not see the similarities to what is happening to American society and the scenario depicted in that book. I hope it is not too late to prevent our descent into a society that is crippled by not rewarding excellence and mandating that those who work hard, take care of those who are too fearful or lazy to do so.
Who is John Galt? ”
John Galt is a witness for the jewish extremism of the 80s which is totally void since we did not even have jewish extremism in the 80s.
Ghosts exist to destroy the future. John Galt is a ghost of the presence of indigence and anti-liberty behavior.
Israe does not need Atlas Shrugged and America highly honors industry and even fortune. We do not need a society of anti-democratic informers of indignity who hate that the poor have a right to exist and play with the other children.
Either way you look at it. Israel has a place in the future and Democracy can not exist in a totalitarian anti-liberty model such as Ayn Rand. She is a fantasy novel. Lets leave her there.
21
Aug 27, 2012 at 10:14 PM Nachum Says:Report as Inappropriate
To #17- Excellent posting; no matter what we do or don't do, the bigots will always have the same attitudes. Orthodox Yidden have come a long way in the USA. I'm very happy that an Orthodox Rabbi is delvering the invocation at the Republican National Convention.
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Aug 27, 2012 at 11:42 PM DanielBarbaz Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ John Galt is a witness for the jewish extremism of the 80s which is totally void since we did not even have jewish extremism in the 80s.
Ghosts exist to destroy the future. John Galt is a ghost of the presence of indigence and anti-liberty behavior.
Israe does not need Atlas Shrugged and America highly honors industry and even fortune. We do not need a society of anti-democratic informers of indignity who hate that the poor have a right to exist and play with the other children.
Either way you look at it. Israel has a place in the future and Democracy can not exist in a totalitarian anti-liberty model such as Ayn Rand. She is a fantasy novel. Lets leave her there. ”
Your vague intellectual double-speak is all fluff, but the truth speaks for itself. A nanny state cannot succeed. The vibrancy of Ayn Rand's philosophy continues to attract followers. By the way, Barack Obama's version of "America highly honors industry and even fortune" is to tax it to death and bury it under reams of regulations that inhibit capitalism and growth.
23
Aug 28, 2012 at 01:02 AM 20 replies Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Your vague intellectual double-speak is all fluff, but the truth speaks for itself. A nanny state cannot succeed. The vibrancy of Ayn Rand's philosophy continues to attract followers. By the way, Barack Obama's version of "America highly honors industry and even fortune" is to tax it to death and bury it under reams of regulations that inhibit capitalism and growth. ”
Taking 30% of a 5 million dollar income is hardly taxing that poor soul to 'death'. You who are a GOP advocate have been buried in the ignomity of the discretion of indignity today. My 'intellectual' 'speak' is the product of a very expensive education as well as a lifelong experience learning and building my own soul and library. Nanny states are not the outcome of dignity.
24
Aug 28, 2012 at 03:34 AM 5TResident Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ No, not so nicely said. It encapsulatres the paranoia and ill feelings to 99.999 percent of Hashem's creatures that too many frum Jews feel. That statement about Eisav soneh es Yaakov was not understood to mean all non-Jews until about 150 years ago, when some European rabbis, in the face of the anti-Semitism they experienced, began interpreting it to mean what people like you think it means.The fact is, you don't know who is descended from Eisav, so people like you allegorize the statement and make it apply to everyone. It must be a horror to go through life thinking everone who's not a Yid is automatically a Jew hater -- the fireman rescuing your child from a fire, the surgeon who saves your life, the neighbor who's always there if you need him, etc. I wonder if they know what you really think of them. ”
I never said that all Gentiles hate Jews. If you read the post to which I was responding, you will see that by "they", I meant only open anti-Semites. My point was, if someone hates Jews, there is nothing we can do to change that opinion.
25
Aug 28, 2012 at 07:17 AM Buchwalter Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Your vague intellectual double-speak is all fluff, but the truth speaks for itself. A nanny state cannot succeed. The vibrancy of Ayn Rand's philosophy continues to attract followers. By the way, Barack Obama's version of "America highly honors industry and even fortune" is to tax it to death and bury it under reams of regulations that inhibit capitalism and growth. ”
Ayn Rand the atheist is as vibrant as Karl Marx. She is vibrant to those who would march over any one standing in his/her way and extols selfishness as the ultimate goal of humanity. Any Jew who is a follower denies the torah
26
Aug 28, 2012 at 07:20 AM DanielBarbaz Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Taking 30% of a 5 million dollar income is hardly taxing that poor soul to 'death'. You who are a GOP advocate have been buried in the ignomity of the discretion of indignity today. My 'intellectual' 'speak' is the product of a very expensive education as well as a lifelong experience learning and building my own soul and library. Nanny states are not the outcome of dignity. ”
OK...we agree to disagree. Zeit-Gezunt. I wish you a Shonah Tova and good things.
27
Aug 28, 2012 at 07:26 AM Buchwalter Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Your vague intellectual double-speak is all fluff, but the truth speaks for itself. A nanny state cannot succeed. The vibrancy of Ayn Rand's philosophy continues to attract followers. By the way, Barack Obama's version of "America highly honors industry and even fortune" is to tax it to death and bury it under reams of regulations that inhibit capitalism and growth. ”
Ayn Rand's mentality or pseudo-philosophy is the underpinning of Nazi philosophy and Heydrich's racial extermination policy. The Untermenschen who should be exterminated and the right to Lebensraum which made the invasions of Nazis and their elite SS palatable to the Germans. Ayn Rand is the anti-thema of decency and human behavior
28
Aug 28, 2012 at 07:30 AM Buchwalter Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Your vague intellectual double-speak is all fluff, but the truth speaks for itself. A nanny state cannot succeed. The vibrancy of Ayn Rand's philosophy continues to attract followers. By the way, Barack Obama's version of "America highly honors industry and even fortune" is to tax it to death and bury it under reams of regulations that inhibit capitalism and growth. ”
You cannot be a believer in the 10 commendments and follower of Ayn Rand the atheist. You are mixed up person
29
Aug 28, 2012 at 07:47 AM Eli Says:Report as Inappropriate
But by saying "Eisav Sinah L'Yaakov" -- especially in this day and age when that statement has been twisted out of context by the haters among us -- you imply that non-Jews hate Jews, period.
30
Aug 28, 2012 at 08:09 AM Buchwalter Says:Report as Inappropriate
These postings would be a bonanza to a psychiatrist. Supposedly religious Jews extolling the virtues of a female atheist
31
Aug 28, 2012 at 08:22 AM Tardis Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ BTW, the opening prayer for the second session of the convention will be by a pagan priest, Ishwar Singh. ”
Mr, Singh is NOT a pagan priest. He's a Guru at a Sikh temple. The Sikh's are pure monotheists. They believe in the same god as you do.
32
Aug 28, 2012 at 08:30 AM Tardis Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Yes.....right. I don't see how anyone can read Atlas Shrugged and not see the similarities to what is happening to American society and the scenario depicted in that book. I hope it is not too late to prevent our descent into a society that is crippled by not rewarding excellence and mandating that those who work hard, take care of those who are too fearful or lazy to do so.
Who is John Galt? ”
Bill gates, Jeff Bezos, and Steve Jobs are NOT Hank Rearden and Friends. Who's John Galt? Not today's CEO's. Compare: Rearden Steel and Twitter!!
33
Aug 28, 2012 at 09:00 AM DACON9 Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Mr, Singh is NOT a pagan priest. He's a Guru at a Sikh temple. The Sikh's are pure monotheists. They believe in the same god as you do. ”
what about the hundreds of buddahs statues lining their walls and hallways you see in the movies. Thats not the same 'ONE GD' THAT SAID 'No graven image's, There is none longside "ME". They have hundreds and i spoke to a few who said thousands of gods. Are you #31 as protective for TORAH ?
34
Aug 28, 2012 at 09:47 AM Buchwalter Says:Report as Inappropriate
The most amusing issue regarding these postings is most of you dislike Barak Hussein Obama and he is a socialist. However, the entire Kollel system is build on welfare section 8, food stamps etc. Can anyone explain what these benefits if not socialism. You also extol E.Y. but the fact is these fine talmudic scholar despise the IDF. There is an Indian saying white man speaks with forked tongue which is so true when you read the posting on this website.
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Aug 28, 2012 at 01:18 PM Tardis Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ what about the hundreds of buddahs statues lining their walls and hallways you see in the movies. Thats not the same 'ONE GD' THAT SAID 'No graven image's, There is none longside "ME". They have hundreds and i spoke to a few who said thousands of gods. Are you #31 as protective for TORAH ? ”
You are confusing Hindus and Sikhs. Hindus have multiple deities. Sikhs belive in one God.
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Sep 04, 2012 at 05:46 PM Shmooster Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ You are confusing Hindus and Sikhs. Hindus have multiple deities. Sikhs belive in one God. ”
He is also confusing Buddhists and Sikhs.