Community Magazine July 2012

CONCEALED BENEVOLENCE I was deeply saddened to learn of Rabbi Semah Levy Kadi’s passing from the article about his life in your publication. To be honest, we were at best acquaintances, but these sentiments reflect my regret for not having taken the opportunity to get to know him better when I had the chance. I was stunned to learn about all he had accomplished by himself. I remember Rabbi Levy Kadi as a contractor working on my sister’s house. He was certainly a gentlemen and an honest businessman. But none of us would have guessed that he was involved with such important work on behalf of the community. Over the years, I would see Rabbi Levy Kadi from time to time and we would exchange superficial pleasantries. How easy it would have been for me to ask real questions which could have revealed his incredible work. More than anything, his story has inspired me to take a more serious interest in the people around me. I don’t expect to find another Rabbi Levy Kadi, but I have no doubt that I will discover many worthwhile gems among us. A. Mizrahi CONSENSUS? ON THE INTERNET? Your enthusiastic coverage of the Internet Asifa, where “the halachic consensus” was presented “stating that the internet should not be used for non-essential purposes,” left me perplexed. It seems strange for a religious publication to reverently report this “halachic consensus” when it is published online, virtually every one of its advertisements comes with a web address, and in every issue we are told to visit LearnTorah.com for recordings of Rabbi Mansour’s lectures. The magazine clearly does not follow this “halachic consensus” that the internet may not be used for non- essential purposes, and assuredly the overwhelming majority of readers – and even many community rabbis – would never consider abiding by such a ruling. As a halachically conscientious Orthodox Jew, I find it dangerous to describe as a “halachic consensus” a ruling that is not followed by the vast majority of the community. If this “halachic consensus” is not taken seriously – which it won’t – then people will likely ignore rulings that indeed represent the halachic consensus. If we are not bound by this ruling, why should we be bound by any ruling? We jeopardize halachic observance when we frame rulings issued for certain communities as universal halachic norms. In my view, it was a mistake to approvingly report this “halachic consensus” which does not represent a consensus of the mainstream American Orthodox rabbinate or the Sephardic community’s rabbis. David S. ADVICE FROM A... FUTURE SHAATRA Hi, I am 10 years old and I am writing about cooking because cooking is an amazing thing to know. It’s so much fun. I always watch my mother cook and it always smells so good and yummy! It’s a great thing to know when girls are married. I sometimes watch my mother really closely so I could get all the details. I sometimes help my mother with mechshi peppers and kibbe hamda. I also see my mother make some fried bananas, an old Turkish recipe I am writing this because I feel that girls my age should start to help their mothers with cooking, which is lots of fun and great preparation for when we’re married. Amanda Kassin A BULLY FREE FUTURE The advice given to the Regretful Bully to sincerely repent and not only seek forgiveness was right on target. I think anyone who was constantly tormented would have a difficult time simply forgiving a person on the spot, even if it happened years ago. If it is obvious that you are truly trying to repent, a sincere apology and remorse might not immediately erase old wounds, but it is a start. Otherwise, it seems cruel to open up those wounds just to make yourself feel better. In addition, I hope that those who were bullies when they were young make sure that their children do not behave the same way. You can’t change the past, but you can positively influence the next generation. Encourage your children to be nice to and include everyone, and lead by example. Let them see you striking up a conversation with that quiet woman sitting at your table at a social function, or introducing yourself to someone at their school. When we hear people say that children are just like their parents, let it be for the good, and not the bad. A.N. WRITE US A LETTER Letters submitted become the property of Community Magazineandwillnotbereturnedunlessaccompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. Letters may be edited and revised for length, style and grammar before publication. All submissions are considered for publication unless otherwise requested. Preferential consideration is given to brief comments and insights that relate directly to published content. EMAIL: letters@Community M .com WEB: www. Community M .com MAIL: COMMUNITYMAGAZINE 1616 OCEAN PKWY BROOKLYN, NY 11223 FAX: 718-504-4246 Just scan the Quick Response (QR) code at right with your tablet, smart phone or other mobile device. LETTERS 10 Community magazine