New York - Rabbi Levin: Earthquake A Message From Hashem Over Gay Marriage |
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August 24, 2011 10:32 AM
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New York - Rabbi Yehuda Levin, who last month blamed the murder of an 8-year-old Brooklyn boy on the passage of marriage equality in NY, has posted a new video in which he claims yesterday’s earthquake on the east coast was because G-d is angry about homosexuality.
Says Levin: “We saw today an earthquake. The Jerusalem Talmud tells us that one of the reasons that God brings earthquakes to the world is because of the transgressions of homosexuality. The Talmud states, ‘You have shaken your male member in a place where it doesn’t belong. I too, will shake the earth.’”
Watch below.
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Read Comments (104) — Post Yours »
1
Aug 24, 2011 at 10:37 AM uhrkasdim Says:Report as Inappropriate
Hey for that we had the tradegy of Lieby U"H
C'mon Rabbi you got to be a littler more creative!!!
2
Aug 24, 2011 at 10:38 AM lamdan Says:Report as Inappropriate
Before everyone starts screaming on him he has a right to his opinion just like all other gedolim from the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah that know why hashem does this & why hashem does that he has daas torah as well (he has smicha)
3
Aug 24, 2011 at 10:40 AM yaakov doe Says:Report as Inappropriate
Why is he refrring to August 25th which is tomorrow? The earthquake was on August 23rd.
I'm very pleased that we have our own Navi in Flatbush, but I wish he's get the date right.
4
Aug 24, 2011 at 10:49 AM Dan_Daoust Says:Report as Inappropriate
Why even report what he's saying? Hey, look, there's a guy on the corner yelling about repenting! Quick, write it up!
5
Aug 24, 2011 at 10:49 AM sunsetyenta Says:Report as Inappropriate
is he kidding anything could be twisted to mean whatever you want
6
Aug 24, 2011 at 10:53 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
He is so right. The gay marriage and lack tznius. Elul is coming we better daven hard
7
Aug 24, 2011 at 10:53 AM menachemwh Says:Report as Inappropriate
come on. why even post what this self proclaimed prophet has to say.. Who knows why it happened. he so dehumanizes tragedy with false predictions.
8
Aug 24, 2011 at 10:57 AM TATTYOF14 Says:Report as Inappropriate
Who is this man and where is his kehilla? Am I the only one that noticed he twice referred to August 25th which on my calendar is tomorrow. Does that date have some special significance?
9
Aug 24, 2011 at 10:57 AM LGinsburg Says:Report as Inappropriate
Poor aim. Gay marriage is illegal in the quake epicenter - Virginia.
10
Aug 24, 2011 at 10:58 AM Trolly_McTrollerston Says:Report as Inappropriate
Ok, report the story. But please don't post the link or embed the video, that only gives him more hits and eggs him on.
12
Aug 24, 2011 at 11:02 AM YYYguy Says:Report as Inappropriate
Must VIN post everything this person says ??? Unfortunately comments in response to these types of posting always end up in needless machlokes which is not worthy of this website
13
Aug 24, 2011 at 11:03 AM SherryTheNoahide Says:Report as Inappropriate
Ok, earthquakes, sure... maybe I can understand.
But personally... I think the Rabbi should have kept his opinions about poor little Leiby, to himself!
Sometimes I can't help but wonder if people say stuff like this JUST to help get a push for their anti-gay marriage agenda. And there's nothing WRONG with being against gay-marriage, based upon scripture & etc.
But that's not what's being said here, and I just think he ought to be a little more sensitive to Leiby's family, and to the community at large, who hears a Rabbi complaining that the torture, death & eventual dismemberment of an innocent 8 year old boy... was *all* because of homosexuality!
The public at large doesn't always understand the *spiritual implications* of certain actions, discussed in works like the Talmud. Your average public at large, will just hear 1 Rabbi, make 1 statement like this.... and they could run with it!
Pretty soon, we're ALL having to defend his statement, and reassure some of our friends that actually no... "not *ALL* of us think Leiby was horribly killed because of gay people!" (lol)
I'm sorry... but there are *other* ways to make the case against gay marriage.
Just sayin.
14
Aug 24, 2011 at 11:03 AM shlomo Says:Report as Inappropriate
Mr. Levin earthquakes happen when people are filled with anger like yourself. Why do you only have negative things to say???
15
Aug 24, 2011 at 11:07 AM inNY Says:Report as Inappropriate
Rabbi Levin reminds me of an old Joke by Jackie Mason, " Have you ever seen Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson at a happy event, you always see them at funerals, riots, and sad moments".
16
Aug 24, 2011 at 11:08 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
I always assumed that the reason that there was an earthquake was becuase there was a FAULT LINE. Suprise to me.
17
Aug 24, 2011 at 11:10 AM kollelfaker Says:Report as Inappropriate
it is time that this self promoter is put on ignore seems he said same thing for that tragic young boy perhaps if this person showed a little love for his fellow man and a little less hatred maybe then god will look favorably on us
18
Aug 24, 2011 at 11:12 AM Miguel Says:Report as Inappropriate
The good rabbi needs some help finding his way out of the deep, dark closet that he's so hopelessly lost in.
19
Aug 24, 2011 at 11:13 AM proud-mo-israeli Says:Report as Inappropriate
don't say that I didn't tell you so! The real question is why are so many Rabbis OBSESSED with gays? This Rav & also Rav Aviner etc.. makes you wonder...
20
Aug 24, 2011 at 11:15 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Come on Levin the earthquake was no big deal . What you really meant to say is that as punsihment for gay marriage NY is stuck with the Mets! Now that's an oinesh.
21
Aug 24, 2011 at 11:15 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
If you had taken a survey after the second Churban of why this terrible event occurred, very few people would have said," It was because of Sinas Chinam" Let's stop guessing Hashems ways and why things happen. WE JUST DON'T KNOW!
22
Aug 24, 2011 at 11:16 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
The kind of garbage that comes out of his mouth is amazing.
23
Aug 24, 2011 at 11:17 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Before everyone starts screaming on him he has a right to his opinion just like all other gedolim from the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah that know why hashem does this & why hashem does that he has daas torah as well (he has smicha) ”
Did you ever see his smicha? He learned in the Mir. The Mir does not get smicah( probably cause they dont want to give it to people like him)
24
Aug 24, 2011 at 11:19 AM JackC Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ come on. why even post what this self proclaimed prophet has to say.. Who knows why it happened. he so dehumanizes tragedy with false predictions. ”
False predictions indeed. Let him next time tell us a week AHEAD of an event what particular tragedy is coming as a message/punishment from G_D.
25
Aug 24, 2011 at 11:19 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Who is this man and where is his kehilla? Am I the only one that noticed he twice referred to August 25th which on my calendar is tomorrow. Does that date have some special significance? ”
Avenue K. Go there you cant miss is Levin spends most of shabbos morning begging 9 men ( ouch can i say that word) to come in.
26
Aug 24, 2011 at 11:20 AM daniel boone Says:Report as Inappropriate
The words of the poet apply aptly to this unfortunate fellow: 'Evil minds change good to their own nature'. PLEASE stop reporting every mindless, cruel statement this nebach , unbalanced individual makes! You are simply enabling his twisted desires.
27
Aug 24, 2011 at 11:21 AM G-Bro Says:Report as Inappropriate
1) that was ONE opinion in the mesechta.
2) it behooves him to show humility and use words such as 'possibly' or 'could be'...again, he is playing God and saying he knows the reason. That is why people can't stand him.
28
Aug 24, 2011 at 11:25 AM MazelKGH Says:Report as Inappropriate
I remember learning in Kaballah that earthquakes occur because Hashem is angry at the over sized and palatial homes being built in Galus while his home is still in ruins. That aside, know that Rabbi Levin is sincere but too specific. The earth does have an obligation and mandate to uncover ALL the sexual crimes being covered up and swept aside.
29
Aug 24, 2011 at 11:28 AM kasamba Says:Report as Inappropriate
and he knows this..... how?
30
Aug 24, 2011 at 11:29 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Ok, earthquakes, sure... maybe I can understand.
But personally... I think the Rabbi should have kept his opinions about poor little Leiby, to himself!
Sometimes I can't help but wonder if people say stuff like this JUST to help get a push for their anti-gay marriage agenda. And there's nothing WRONG with being against gay-marriage, based upon scripture & etc.
But that's not what's being said here, and I just think he ought to be a little more sensitive to Leiby's family, and to the community at large, who hears a Rabbi complaining that the torture, death & eventual dismemberment of an innocent 8 year old boy... was *all* because of homosexuality!
The public at large doesn't always understand the *spiritual implications* of certain actions, discussed in works like the Talmud. Your average public at large, will just hear 1 Rabbi, make 1 statement like this.... and they could run with it!
Pretty soon, we're ALL having to defend his statement, and reassure some of our friends that actually no... "not *ALL* of us think Leiby was horribly killed because of gay people!" (lol)
I'm sorry... but there are *other* ways to make the case against gay marriage.
Just sayin. ”
Sherry I agree with you 100%.
I'd like to know how people have the audacity to say why certain events occur as if they were told by God himself. I mean, really, HOW DO YOU KNOW?????????
31
Aug 24, 2011 at 11:33 AM notsofrummie Says:Report as Inappropriate
Come on Vos- why are you encouraging disturbed 'rabbis' media attention. I would compare him to the Neturai Karta and that wurtsborough church group.. you have crazy views and want all the attention they can get. the more you ignore the more they become irrellevant.
32
Aug 24, 2011 at 11:34 AM Leroy1 Says:Report as Inappropriate
Trembling under G-D!
33
Aug 24, 2011 at 11:36 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Before everyone starts screaming on him he has a right to his opinion just like all other gedolim from the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah that know why hashem does this & why hashem does that he has daas torah as well (he has smicha) ”
Putting the title of Rabbi before your name does not make one a Gadol. No one knows why Hashem does things because we are all mortals. Hurricanes, earthquakes, Tornadoes, innocent children dieing have been happening throughout history. One day it's gay marriage, the next it's lack of tznius in women and then it's because men are not learning enough during bein hazmanim. Apparently each "gadol" gets a different message directly from Hashem. They all like the sounds of their own voices and nothing more.
35
Aug 24, 2011 at 11:37 AM realistic Says:Report as Inappropriate
He's quoting a Gemara so I don't think there's anything to argue about unless you're an apikoros and don't believe in chazal
36
Aug 24, 2011 at 11:39 AM eighthcomment Says:Report as Inappropriate
Truth hurts- the Rabbi is possibly right- does it not occur to any of you commenters that maybe the reason why NY had its first significant earthquake has to do with something we did? Do u all really feel that we are not responsible for our actions? Did u ever learn Maimonides laws of fasting? Wake up everyone! If it had to do with a fault line why didn't it happen last year?! Cause and effect- welcome to Judaism 101! When it didn't rain, when there are problems Jewish people fast- WHY?
38
Aug 24, 2011 at 11:55 AM ProudMO Says:Report as Inappropriate
If this is what we get for gay marriage, what do we get for pedofilia and coverups in Orthodox community?
39
Aug 24, 2011 at 12:00 PM JerusalamiKugel Says:Report as Inappropriate
I see from these comments he is well respected (Not)
40
Aug 24, 2011 at 12:02 PM Rabbi Warner Bros Says:Report as Inappropriate
The reason for sun today is because we all did teshuvah!!
41
Aug 24, 2011 at 12:04 PM Josh Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ He's quoting a Gemara so I don't think there's anything to argue about unless you're an apikoros and don't believe in chazal ”
were arguying about this particular case- how does he know why a earthquake in Virginia and felt in Ny is because of Ny. Wouldnt the earthquake epicenter have been here?
42
Aug 24, 2011 at 12:06 PM Maimomides Hospital Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ He's quoting a Gemara so I don't think there's anything to argue about unless you're an apikoros and don't believe in chazal ”
At least hes not picking on us today
43
Aug 24, 2011 at 12:09 PM JerusalamiKugel Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Truth hurts- the Rabbi is possibly right- does it not occur to any of you commenters that maybe the reason why NY had its first significant earthquake has to do with something we did? Do u all really feel that we are not responsible for our actions? Did u ever learn Maimonides laws of fasting? Wake up everyone! If it had to do with a fault line why didn't it happen last year?! Cause and effect- welcome to Judaism 101! When it didn't rain, when there are problems Jewish people fast- WHY? ”
The earthquake was in Virginia-welcome to news101 -get your facts straight
44
Aug 24, 2011 at 12:10 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Ladies and Gentelman...you can all bad mouth this Rabbi as much as u want.How does he know this? And how does he know that? But...Chas Vesholem..if a big one comes ,all you big talkers will become mute ,deaf,no place to be found. Hashem is talking to US JEWS ,wake up,do Tshuva before its to late.He is sending this sign for a reason. Its easy to critisize, but hard to face the fact. IM HASHEM LO YISHMAR IR....
45
Aug 24, 2011 at 12:18 PM HUH___ Says:Report as Inappropriate
I CANT BELIEVE YOU! if G-d didnt care HE WOULDNT SEND IT TO US!
He is obviously is sending us a msg. and whatever the Rabbi is saying is his way he interprets this msg from HaShem. Each individual should ask his Rav in which area he should improve in.
And regarding all this terrible language spoken about a Rabbi???????
I dont care whether he has smicha/ minyan or whatever. That is not our concern. He is a Rabbi and we MAY NOT speak against him. If you disagree with him, FINE!!!! BUT DONT PUBLICIZE DEROGATORY COMMENTS!!!!
IF YOU DONT HAVE A RAV YOU ARE IN BAD SHAPE
46
Aug 24, 2011 at 12:24 PM LashOut Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Truth hurts- the Rabbi is possibly right- does it not occur to any of you commenters that maybe the reason why NY had its first significant earthquake has to do with something we did? Do u all really feel that we are not responsible for our actions? Did u ever learn Maimonides laws of fasting? Wake up everyone! If it had to do with a fault line why didn't it happen last year?! Cause and effect- welcome to Judaism 101! When it didn't rain, when there are problems Jewish people fast- WHY? ”
Significant? The epicenter was hundreds of miles away from NY! (In a state that forbids gay marriage, too!)
I live in Cleveland, which is also near a fault line, and we felt this earthquake and one that happened last year as well. Care to guess why that happened? (Gay marriage is illegal here as well, so you'll have to make up some other reason)
If you wanted to punish a specific group of people (like NYers, for example), would you strike hundreds of miles away, making sure that a lot of other places get hit as well, and making sure that those other places get more damage than your target? I could think of a lot of better things to use to get that message across (tornados, hurricanes, sever lightning, etc.)
Don't pretend to know what Hashem's doing. And if you decide to do so anyway, please look inside yourself first and see if YOU are doing anything that you should change. Don't start blaming other people if you yourself are not perfect.
47
Aug 24, 2011 at 12:28 PM JeweyJew Says:Report as Inappropriate
Hey Rabbi Levin,
Earthquakes are caused by plates in the earth shifting. They are going to happen if there are gays, or no gays or no people. You think earthquakes don't happen on mars? They do and guess what there are no people there.
48
Aug 24, 2011 at 12:28 PM Chaim_Ben-Yehuda Says:Report as Inappropriate
'Will nobody rid me of this turbulent priest?'
--King Henry II
49
Aug 24, 2011 at 12:35 PM Phineas Says:Report as Inappropriate
I don't want to mock something from the Gemara (assuming his citation is correct) but what does he expect people to do about homosexuality? Are straight people supposed to march with torches and pitchforks and yank gay couples out of their homes and line them up for execution? What is wrong with living our lives and not getting involved in the issue of homosexuality other than to say that the Torah forbids it?
50
Aug 24, 2011 at 12:36 PM JP Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ I CANT BELIEVE YOU! if G-d didnt care HE WOULDNT SEND IT TO US!
He is obviously is sending us a msg. and whatever the Rabbi is saying is his way he interprets this msg from HaShem. Each individual should ask his Rav in which area he should improve in.
And regarding all this terrible language spoken about a Rabbi???????
I dont care whether he has smicha/ minyan or whatever. That is not our concern. He is a Rabbi and we MAY NOT speak against him. If you disagree with him, FINE!!!! BUT DONT PUBLICIZE DEROGATORY COMMENTS!!!!
IF YOU DONT HAVE A RAV YOU ARE IN BAD SHAPE ”
We all have RAvs. but not those that attack hospitals, take money to make it rain,
should I keep going? why cant the earthquake be because of all the sick rabbis molesting kids?
51
Aug 24, 2011 at 12:37 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Truth hurts- the Rabbi is possibly right- does it not occur to any of you commenters that maybe the reason why NY had its first significant earthquake has to do with something we did? Do u all really feel that we are not responsible for our actions? Did u ever learn Maimonides laws of fasting? Wake up everyone! If it had to do with a fault line why didn't it happen last year?! Cause and effect- welcome to Judaism 101! When it didn't rain, when there are problems Jewish people fast- WHY? ”
The Earthquake was not in NY - it was felt in NY. The epicenter was Virginia.
"Wake up everyone! If it had to do with a fault line why didn't it happen last year?"
Do you really believe that last year no one was sinning, everyone was tznius, no one was acting out homosexuality....?
I think you should go fast - if for no other reason because G-d has apparently afflicted you with lack of brains and you need to apply reason for that.
52
Aug 24, 2011 at 12:37 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Must VIN post everything this person says ??? Unfortunately comments in response to these types of posting always end up in needless machlokes which is not worthy of this website ”
"Must VIN post everything this person says?"
No, not at all - but there is a reason for everything. W Randolph Hearst used to say, "Bad news sells newspapers". In the case of VIN "bad news increases circulation", which is more or less the same thing. Look and see how many comments this story has garnered.
53
Aug 24, 2011 at 12:38 PM awacs Says:Report as Inappropriate
I don't doubt what Rabbi Levin is saying is correct.
But why, oh why, don't the Rabbis ever come up with predictions I can use, like stock market picks or lottery numbers?
54
Aug 24, 2011 at 12:41 PM Chaim_Ben-Yehuda Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ I CANT BELIEVE YOU! if G-d didnt care HE WOULDNT SEND IT TO US!
He is obviously is sending us a msg. and whatever the Rabbi is saying is his way he interprets this msg from HaShem. Each individual should ask his Rav in which area he should improve in.
And regarding all this terrible language spoken about a Rabbi???????
I dont care whether he has smicha/ minyan or whatever. That is not our concern. He is a Rabbi and we MAY NOT speak against him. If you disagree with him, FINE!!!! BUT DONT PUBLICIZE DEROGATORY COMMENTS!!!!
IF YOU DONT HAVE A RAV YOU ARE IN BAD SHAPE ”
Please do not SHOUT; we can read perfectly well without you using capital letters.
55
Aug 24, 2011 at 12:41 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Ladies and Gentelman...you can all bad mouth this Rabbi as much as u want.How does he know this? And how does he know that? But...Chas Vesholem..if a big one comes ,all you big talkers will become mute ,deaf,no place to be found. Hashem is talking to US JEWS ,wake up,do Tshuva before its to late.He is sending this sign for a reason. Its easy to critisize, but hard to face the fact. IM HASHEM LO YISHMAR IR.... ”
Do you realize that everything you said is not at all what this so called Rabbi said. He specified a problem to an event - that is not okay. You just acknowledged that we should see it as a sign to do Teshuva. I think Galus for thousands of years is really enough of a sign but at least you did not specify a specific idea we should do Teshuva for. Do you see the difference?
56
Aug 24, 2011 at 12:42 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Since this earthquake caused very little damage, I guess Hashem isn't terribly upset about gay marriage.
57
Aug 24, 2011 at 12:45 PM bored Says:Report as Inappropriate
maybe he's right. And maybe the cause of reform/conservative/teens at risk is because of him and people like him.
58
Aug 24, 2011 at 12:46 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ I CANT BELIEVE YOU! if G-d didnt care HE WOULDNT SEND IT TO US!
He is obviously is sending us a msg. and whatever the Rabbi is saying is his way he interprets this msg from HaShem. Each individual should ask his Rav in which area he should improve in.
And regarding all this terrible language spoken about a Rabbi???????
I dont care whether he has smicha/ minyan or whatever. That is not our concern. He is a Rabbi and we MAY NOT speak against him. If you disagree with him, FINE!!!! BUT DONT PUBLICIZE DEROGATORY COMMENTS!!!!
IF YOU DONT HAVE A RAV YOU ARE IN BAD SHAPE ”
"Each individual should ask his Rav in which area he should improve in."
Did Hashem not give you brains? Did Hashem not give you the ability to reflect on yourself and realize in an honest matter what your faults are and where you can improve? Why do you need a Rav to tell you what area you should improve on. I bet if you spend some time alone in a room reflecting and thinking about yourself and how you conduct yourself in life and what you do and do not contribute to the world - you can come up with it all on your own.
Do you also ask a Rav how to go about it when you have to sneeze?
Don't delude yourself into believing that everyone with the title Rabbi who has a long beard and peyos and Yeshivish/Chassidish attire is someone worthy of being called Rabbi or listened to.
59
Aug 24, 2011 at 12:58 PM A Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Truth hurts- the Rabbi is possibly right- does it not occur to any of you commenters that maybe the reason why NY had its first significant earthquake has to do with something we did? Do u all really feel that we are not responsible for our actions? Did u ever learn Maimonides laws of fasting? Wake up everyone! If it had to do with a fault line why didn't it happen last year?! Cause and effect- welcome to Judaism 101! When it didn't rain, when there are problems Jewish people fast- WHY? ”
Actually, if it DIDN'T have something to do with a fault line why didn't it happen last year? Did klal not have bad things going on last year? How many chilul Hashems were we subjected to last year? We have not been sinless, according to your belief we should have been hit with an earthquake not only last year but every year for the past 50 years.
60
Aug 24, 2011 at 12:58 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
There are discussions in Tanakh and the prophets about how our Creator will create earthquakes in Jerusalem in the time that we are so egregiously aberrant that it will be a message to our people. That said, I regard this as a figurative embattlement and that our true earthquake will be that of a lack of peace and a lack of protection against other mishaps. True you could look at the state of unrest in Israel today and say that has come true. On the other hand I will argue that our people are indeed on the mission that our Creator has sent us forth to be upon and that we must simply continue to improve. I do not regard Israel as being afflicted with these sorts of earthquakes in that manner that the bible explains today, but we must all be careful not to be wicked and pass our own wickedness on to the rest of our nation as we try to build larger contained dwelling spaces for our own hedonism and our in fact dismal fascist leaning ways. This is the true message. Repent and bring the world to a higher state of purity and worth. That is our mission.
61
Aug 24, 2011 at 01:03 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ "Each individual should ask his Rav in which area he should improve in."
Did Hashem not give you brains? Did Hashem not give you the ability to reflect on yourself and realize in an honest matter what your faults are and where you can improve? Why do you need a Rav to tell you what area you should improve on. I bet if you spend some time alone in a room reflecting and thinking about yourself and how you conduct yourself in life and what you do and do not contribute to the world - you can come up with it all on your own.
Do you also ask a Rav how to go about it when you have to sneeze?
Don't delude yourself into believing that everyone with the title Rabbi who has a long beard and peyos and Yeshivish/Chassidish attire is someone worthy of being called Rabbi or listened to. ”
It is dismal that every time you may have some improved idea as to how to be a Jew today and I don't mean going off the derech, some bozo will tell you that you need to get with a rabbi and discuss your situation in full with that particular rabbi. You are correct, we are given torah not to the rabbis alone but to all of our people. Have faith that G-d will guide you and seek rabbinic assistance when you deem it necessary, not when the ballclub does not like the way that you hit the proverbial baseball to the stands.
62
Aug 24, 2011 at 01:11 PM yochy Says:Report as Inappropriate
I can't believe the foolishness of the posts in this audience- G-d help us all. When messages are sent you have to try to interpet them. If you ignore them when they are small they will just get bigger. People-stop making fun of a rav that is trying to learn a lesson from an event. You can hide your heads in the sand all you want but you have not answered any points in his article and you should really think it through a little better rather than shooting off your mouth from the cuff. Please consider this.
63
Aug 24, 2011 at 01:11 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Hey for that we had the tradegy of Lieby U"H
C'mon Rabbi you got to be a littler more creative!!! ”
all he is quoting is a gemara. If you believe in judiasm than the gemara is emes also
64
Aug 24, 2011 at 01:14 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ If you had taken a survey after the second Churban of why this terrible event occurred, very few people would have said," It was because of Sinas Chinam" Let's stop guessing Hashems ways and why things happen. WE JUST DON'T KNOW! ”
If their is an explict gemara then WE KNOW
65
Aug 24, 2011 at 01:27 PM Babishka Says:Report as Inappropriate
He should just go and hang out with the Westboro cult.
66
Aug 24, 2011 at 01:31 PM Trolly_McTrollerston Says:Report as Inappropriate
From the Borowitz Report:
Pat Robertson Blames Mild Earthquake on People Who Seem Kind of Gay
Evangelist Pat Robertson sparked controversy in today’s broadcast of his 700 Club program by saying that yesterday’s mild East Coast earthquake was God’s revenge on people “who act kind of gay.”
“All across the Eastern seaboard, there are men who get manicures, wear designer eyewear and know about thread counts,” Rev. Robertson. “God finds this somewhat gay-like behavior confusing, and He responded by getting mildly peeved.”
The televangelist warned that if Americans persist in their “seemingly sort-of-gay behavior,” the country should brace itself for additional ambiguous acts of retaliation from the Almighty.
“God will strike back at people who act sort of gay with all kinds of mild responses,” he said. “If you keep getting pedicures and facials, you can expect two to three inches of rain and some really hot humid days in your future.”
Rev. Robertson said that New Yorkers who reacted in an over-the-top way to yesterday’s temblor “run the risk of moderately annoying the Heavenly Father yet again.”
...
67
Aug 24, 2011 at 01:44 PM yaakov doe Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ and he knows this..... how? ”
Because of his Nevuah, of course
68
Aug 24, 2011 at 01:45 PM N0Name Says:Report as Inappropriate
Every Please cut Rabbi Levin some slack. He is lookin out for our neshamas
69
Aug 24, 2011 at 01:46 PM kollelfaker Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ all he is quoting is a gemara. If you believe in judiasm than the gemara is emes also ”
rabbi levin is a loser and fighting for fame and notice his pronouncements are made to gather attention its time that he is ignored just like when he ran for public office
70
Aug 24, 2011 at 02:01 PM Yechi Says:Report as Inappropriate
How lucky we are to have a person among us who undersatnds the workings of the creator. WOW
71
Aug 24, 2011 at 02:04 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Every Please cut Rabbi Levin some slack. He is lookin out for our neshamas ”
no he isn't. He is looking to gain attention and "fame". He wants everyone to hear "his" voice ... that is all.
72
Aug 24, 2011 at 02:15 PM eighthcomment Says:Report as Inappropriate
Its sad...you people jump on rabbi Levin like u are scared that Hashem sends messages. Did u all know that for ten years before sedom was destroyed Hashem sent earthquakes as warnings- and u know what they probably said? Its a fault line, etc. the rabbis are bothering our comfort zone...I cannot believe how sad all ur comments are. Yes, rain has to do with clouds, but does that not mean if it doesn't rain its because of clouds?! We fasted because what we do has an effect on the world, if that bothers u, maybe its time to realize that if u don't get a message...for a couple of years...ur Jews u have a responsibility to realizeur actions have an effect- the Rabbis who spoke the truth were usually not popular until klal Yisroel woke up too late!
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Aug 24, 2011 at 02:17 PM HUH___ Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ "Each individual should ask his Rav in which area he should improve in."
Did Hashem not give you brains? Did Hashem not give you the ability to reflect on yourself and realize in an honest matter what your faults are and where you can improve? Why do you need a Rav to tell you what area you should improve on. I bet if you spend some time alone in a room reflecting and thinking about yourself and how you conduct yourself in life and what you do and do not contribute to the world - you can come up with it all on your own.
Do you also ask a Rav how to go about it when you have to sneeze?
Don't delude yourself into believing that everyone with the title Rabbi who has a long beard and peyos and Yeshivish/Chassidish attire is someone worthy of being called Rabbi or listened to. ”
i suggested that every individual speaks to his Rav in which area he can improve in, because it seems like many ppl who are posting comments here, dont think they need to do any further than lashing out at a Rabbi. Maybe their Rav will put them in place.
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Aug 24, 2011 at 02:20 PM oiber-chacham Says:Report as Inappropriate
this so called rabbi,is a 350 pound walking and talking piece of CHILLUL HASHEM,
why VIN would quote this ignorant savage is beyond me
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Aug 24, 2011 at 02:38 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ If their is an explict gemara then WE KNOW ”
The Gemara mentions other reasons as well. We don't play pick and choose.
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Aug 24, 2011 at 02:41 PM Raphael_Kaufman Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Truth hurts- the Rabbi is possibly right- does it not occur to any of you commenters that maybe the reason why NY had its first significant earthquake has to do with something we did? Do u all really feel that we are not responsible for our actions? Did u ever learn Maimonides laws of fasting? Wake up everyone! If it had to do with a fault line why didn't it happen last year?! Cause and effect- welcome to Judaism 101! When it didn't rain, when there are problems Jewish people fast- WHY? ”
This was not New York's "first significant earthquake". The Ramapo fault that runs near Indian Point (and Monsey) is seismically active. I recall a quake that woke me up a few years ago that registered 4.2 on the Richter scale. that would make it ten times as powerful as what was felt yesterday in New York. earthquakes in the eastern U.S. are not so uncommon. Part of the old town of Charleston S.C. is under water from a quake back in the early 1700s. the strongest earthquake ever in the lower 48 states wasn't in San Francisco or anywhere on the west coast. It was in New Madrid Missouri. It was said to have rung church bells as far away as Boston. It was over 7 Richter.
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Aug 24, 2011 at 02:47 PM Moshe Says:Report as Inappropriate
This Rabbi Is completely Insane. The murder of Leiby Kletzky Z'L Was so klal yisrael should unite as one. Kids go missing and this happens because the person has a problem and killed him. The earthquake is not because of Gay marraige. It was Not directly hit in N.Y.C. so that is out. I think he is full of nonsense.
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Aug 24, 2011 at 02:58 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Ninty nine percent of yidden regard Levin as a sad and pathethic individual who exploits tragedies to get his periodic 15 seconds of fame for his disgusting and repetitive efforts to blame every tragedy on gay marriage (just like the dreche who post here periodically blaming every tragedy on short hemlines and other tzinus violations in BP and Willy). Not sure what more to say than he will get his just reward in the wrong zipcode of olam haboh.
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Aug 24, 2011 at 04:09 PM fat36 Says:Report as Inappropriate
stupid man.
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Aug 24, 2011 at 03:09 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
yochy, right on! kollelfaker! you probably are! chaim -ben yehudah, you say the nastiest and stupidest things. we all know , and will never forget, nebach how little lieby died, but you don't have to keep describing what happedned , where is your sensitivitive.
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Aug 24, 2011 at 03:16 PM PashutehYid Says:Report as Inappropriate
I would be more impressed with somebody who comes along before the fact and says if you don't do X, then Y will happen at such and such a time and place.
Those who come along after the fact and provide all kinds of theories and explanations are less credible.
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Aug 24, 2011 at 03:32 PM DavidCohen Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Every Please cut Rabbi Levin some slack. He is lookin out for our neshamas ”
Huh? No, he's looking out for any and all publicity.
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Aug 24, 2011 at 03:42 PM RebKlemson Says:Report as Inappropriate
looks like our friends at youtube took the video down because its hate speech
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Aug 24, 2011 at 03:55 PM 5TResident Says:Report as Inappropriate
Every time R' Levin opens his mouth, I cringe. He was raised in KGH, as I was, and I know his family well. They are the warmest, most einfach people you could know. As for R' Levin himself, all I can say is that he is an ehrliche Jew and a big Talmud Chocham. He may be a little misguided here, but he comes from an amazing family.
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Aug 24, 2011 at 04:16 PM Yes Says:Report as Inappropriate
Hashem gives advance warnings / wake-up calls, first in far-off places.
If Teshuva is not done, C”V, then the warnings begin to strike closer to home.
IY”H may Teshuva be done B’Mehayra, so that the warnings don’t have to get stronger, C”V.
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Aug 24, 2011 at 04:16 PM luv_pancake Says:Report as Inappropriate
just quoting:
breishes bara elokim
breishes=b'shvil reishes
reishes refers to a lot of things.one of them are the yidden
so b'shvil reishes,because of the yidden, bara elokim
everything that happens in this universe has a direct link to us yidden, to our masim
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Aug 24, 2011 at 04:19 PM Menachem Says:Report as Inappropriate
Hate to throw cold water on your little party here...
Chazal did not know about tectonic plate movement. Earthquakes were terrifying and seemingly miraculous events to people of that era. In actuality, they are an important part of the functioning of God's Earth. On average there are 1300 earthquakes in the 5-5.9 range every year.
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Aug 24, 2011 at 04:27 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
His display has been nothing but a chilul Hashem. His video was posted on youtube and then promptly removed by youtube because it violated their rules on "hate" speech. Yes - hate speech. It is one thing to say you believe Homosexuality is not acceptable and you do not condone the legalizing of marriage between the same genders. It is a very very different thing to make a claim that G-d has sent an Earthquake over the abomination that is homosexuality. He is an embarrassment to the Jewish people.
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Aug 24, 2011 at 04:29 PM Paskunyak Says:Report as Inappropriate
Rav Levin is a Tzadik.
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Aug 24, 2011 at 04:30 PM Moser Says:Report as Inappropriate
How much do you want to bet that he is actually gay?
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Aug 24, 2011 at 04:33 PM Shmuelhart Says:Report as Inappropriate
All those people who are hopping mad at Rabbi Levin's message, what is setting them off? Is it because they are supporters of gay marriage and see Rabbi Levin as a threat? Anyone who seeks truth would realize that whenever any government or society officially recognizes any of the three cardinal sins - idolatry (including atheism), murder and immorality alienates Hashem.
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Aug 24, 2011 at 04:47 PM N0Name Says:Report as Inappropriate
His words speak true. Not sure why HK'B would want to make his point in Virginia tho
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Aug 24, 2011 at 04:51 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ i suggested that every individual speaks to his Rav in which area he can improve in, because it seems like many ppl who are posting comments here, dont think they need to do any further than lashing out at a Rabbi. Maybe their Rav will put them in place. ”
I don't think you differentiate between the concept of feeling that G-d is sending us wake up calls (from various different events) and working on yourself in a general sense vs the concept of a person who makes claims that activity A happened specifically because of action B. That is grossly negligent and it has already caused a chilul Hashem. This man does not have a talk line directly with G-d and he can not then make blanket statements like that.
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Aug 24, 2011 at 05:12 PM Chaim_Ben-Yehuda Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Every time R' Levin opens his mouth, I cringe. He was raised in KGH, as I was, and I know his family well. They are the warmest, most einfach people you could know. As for R' Levin himself, all I can say is that he is an ehrliche Jew and a big Talmud Chocham. He may be a little misguided here, but he comes from an amazing family. ”
Is that supposed to make everything he says kosher and OK?
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Aug 24, 2011 at 06:10 PM from-here_to-there Says:Report as Inappropriate
Eliyahu Hanovi, the Yerushalmi says, asked Rav Nehorai, “Why do earthquakes occur?” Rav Nehorai said, “On account of the sins of those who do not separate…maaser from their produce.”
Following an analysis of why failing to take maaser carries such severity, the Yerushalmi states, “Rav Acha said, ‘[The earth quakes] on account of the sin of [toeivah]. Hashem said, ‘You [engaged] in an unnatural act. By your life, I shall shake the earth on account of the act of this person.’”
The Yerushalmi then relates that the Chachomim said that “[The earth shakes] on account of disputes,” and Rav Shmuel said, “An earthquake is a sign of the cessation of kingship.”
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Aug 24, 2011 at 07:09 PM Comedy Central Says:Report as Inappropriate
I am beginning to think that this guy might be good fodder for late night television comedy and SNL. This guy could get us to laugh for the next year if we have the right comedians on the move on this one. Good luck "rabbi" Levin. You are soon to be lampooned if they find you in this society.
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Aug 24, 2011 at 07:23 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Before everyone starts screaming on him he has a right to his opinion just like all other gedolim from the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah that know why hashem does this & why hashem does that he has daas torah as well (he has smicha) ”
Fiest of all: No he doesn't have the same right. The MGT is a body elected through not-so democratic means, but at least comprising acknowledged Torah Leasers. This character is simply a wannabe with a rather peculiar bent ....
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Aug 24, 2011 at 07:38 PM HaNavon Says:Report as Inappropriate
It's so shortsighted to say "it was because of this or this", it's more in line with the Jewish theology to say that it's due to a corrupt and decadent society and also because Jews are following in that path. It may have something to do with gay marriage, but not entirely!
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Aug 24, 2011 at 09:13 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
I would think that ascribing a cause for an unknown etilogy event is soothsaying. That is against the Laws of Moses and this "rabbi" is a Torah Violator.
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Aug 25, 2011 at 12:05 AM ALLAN Says:Report as Inappropriate
Levin is totally out of line. Regardless of what one thinks of gay marriage (I'm against it) it had nothing to due with the earthquake. All he is doing is creating a convenient explaination for what happened that will sit well with some.
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Aug 25, 2011 at 12:29 AM fosiacat Says:Report as Inappropriate
how quickly some people forget what segregation, hatred and intolerance does to a group of people. anyone remember the holocaust?
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Aug 25, 2011 at 01:34 AM meir10 Says:Report as Inappropriate
chazack Rabbi Levin well said ! and to all nasty commenters I would like to remind the saying of King David in mizmor shir lyom hashabbos ISH BAR LO YEDA IKSIL LO YOVIN ES ZOS the empty people will not know and IDIOTS WILL NOT UNDERSTAND when the bad behaved people will be blownaway like grass to wipe them out forever.
Hashem is warning the good people so they will have the zchus to be saved .
The wicked sedomites laughed at Lot including his own son in laws . And they all perished .
HISTORY WILL REPEAT ITSELF as its written in the Holy Torah
May Hashem Save all the good people who want to please him.
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Aug 25, 2011 at 08:42 AM J-R-S Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ don't say that I didn't tell you so! The real question is why are so many Rabbis OBSESSED with gays? This Rav & also Rav Aviner etc.. makes you wonder... ”
That's a childish & a cheap shot. 'SO MANY rabbis'? You named two, out of, what, thousands? (yes, there's a fresh scandal every now & then---as with any group of human beings.)
Levin is a fool, nothing more, nothing less. Created by 2 societies, frum & secular, who're afflicted with twin obsessions, tznius and sex---
---and nurtured by the media. He's Sharpton with less flamboyant clothing. Amy Winehouse minus the musical talent.
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Aug 25, 2011 at 01:55 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
A big hurricane is coming. Dear Rabbi Levin, what is the message behind this storm. It may even hit New York City. Do we think that we are going to be paying a price for our American Devotion or is it just a storm like all the others every year. There might be another earthquake too soon. Surely our Creator does not want to penalize us constantly for this same gender marriage issue does he? Maybe this time it will be an earth quake due to people who listen to Pink Floyd. I am worried.
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Aug 25, 2011 at 04:28 PM musicluver Says:Report as Inappropriate
I'm just curious to know, how many people daven in his shul? 10?
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Aug 25, 2011 at 07:20 PM bronxboy47 Says:Report as Inappropriate
What exactly is a ravishing tsunami?
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Aug 28, 2011 at 04:09 AM Mashlover Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ He is so right. The gay marriage and lack tznius. Elul is coming we better daven hard ”
No, YOU better daven hard. His thoughts and words are hurtful and disgusting.