Sunday, January 31, 2010
Jesus knows you're here ;-)

A burglar broke into a house one night. He shone his flashlight
around, looking for valuables when a voice in the dark said,
'Jesus knows you're here.'
He nearly jumped out of his skin, clicked his flashlight off, and froze.
When he heard nothing more , after a bit, he shook his head and continued.
Just as he pulled the stereo out so he could disconnect the wires, clear
as a bell he heard
'Jesus is watching you.'
Freaked out, he shined his light around frantically, looking for the
source of the voice.
Finally, in the corner of the room, his flashlight beam came to rest on a parrot.
'Did you say that?' he hissed at the parrot.
'Yep', the parrot confessed, then squawked, 'I'm just trying to warn you that he is watching you.'
The burglar relaxed. 'Warn me, huh? Who in the world are you?'
'Moses,' replied the bird.
'Moses?' the burglar laughed. 'What kind of people would name a bird Moses?'
'The kind of people that would name a Rottweiler Jesus.'
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
SNOW:
Saturday, January 09, 2010
without words.
For my German readers
Dieses Inserat erschien vor einigen Tagen in einer der Pforzheimer Lokalzeitungen! Ob der gute Mann wohl einen passenden Job gefunden hat?Wednesday, January 06, 2010
A long due update!
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Vacation in Israel.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
The end of May 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Lingo weekend
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Lingo I am sick.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Lingo and weather in Pforzheim 2.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Lingo and weather in Pforzheim.
d wx hre n Pforzheim duznt seem 2 improve realy. We had scheduled BBQ 4 Sunday. We jst hav2 w8 n C hw d meteorological situ develops. lets hope 4t bst.Sunday, April 26, 2009
Weather in Pforzheim
Monday, April 20, 2009
Weather
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Weather in Pforzheim
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
My wife Sandra as a little girl.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Time for a new photo.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
P E A C E !!!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Peace, Shalom, Salam!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Dog
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Seychelles 2008
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Holidays
We will be away for a few days. On the left you can see where we go. We have not been there for 25 years. I will post original photos when we are back (by the end of August). Sunday, July 13, 2008
Uups, I forgot this one!
Friday, July 04, 2008
Marouan
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Sandra resting with dogs!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
My daughter with my grandson.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
My new and 2nd grandson
Marouan Mael was born on April 27th 2008. You see him here, 1 day old, together with his sister Anouk Naima.Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Joram Levin
. Saturday, April 26, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
A "Stolperstein" for my great-grandaunt from my mother's side
GUNTER DEMNIG, Cologne, Northrhine–Westfalia
Nominated by Johanna Neumann, Silver Spring, MD Gunter Demnig first catches your eye, then your thoughts. Although the Cologne artist’s stolpersteine (stumbling blocks) are neatly paved into the sidewalk, they force passers-by to stop and read them. “Here lived” begins the inscriptions engraved in brass on the concrete squares measuring about four inches—on each side, just the name, date, and place of death of an individual killed by the Nazis. But this basic information about the fate of one person among 6 million has the power to create questions in the minds of pedestrians.
“The stumbling blocks become reminders and voices; they call out, ‘Every human being has a name,’” says Miriam Gillis-Carlebach, daughter of Hamburg’s last rabbi, who had stones paved for family members deported from that city. Demnig has placed stumbling blocks in about 277 cities, towns, and villages throughout Germany; there are more than 12.500 so far. What he began in 1993 is becoming the largest monument to the victims of National Socialism; it is a constantly expanding mosaic. “It is for all the victims,” says Demnig, “Jews, gypsies, homosexuals, and resistance fighters.”
The monument is being built with the help of numerous local initiatives. Not only do relatives and descendants of victims contact Demnig; schools, associations, and other groups apply for official permission to add blocks, as well. At Max-Planck Elementary School in Berlin, a class started one of many projects inspired by Deming. To prepare for the installation of the stumbling blocks, students researched archives, talked with historians, and interviewed survivors and their families to learn about that time. “Behind the facts, there are numerous fates and tragedies that can touch you and make history come alive,” explains teacher Christoph Hummel.
Sometimes, however, Demnig’s idea provokes opposition. Cities such as Munich and Leipzig don’t allow the stones, and there are homeowners who try to avoid them in front of their doors. But that can’t stop the project. “It has become an avalanche: Every day we have requests for stumbling blocks”, says Uta Franke, Demnig’s partner who has meanwhile taken over the project’s organization and documentation. “In many cities, towns and even villages, just the idea to set a stone starts a new wave of discussion and research about the Nazi past.”
Demnig, who was born in Berlin, has always provoked public interest as a political artist. In 1990, he marked in chalk the route taken by Cologne’s gypsies when they were deported in 1940. When he retraced the signs three years later, the reaction of an older woman gave him the idea for the stumbling stone project. “There were no gypsies in our neighbourhood,” Demnig says she told him. “She just didn’t know that they had been her neighbours, and I wanted to change that.”
He designed his stolpersteine to bring back the names of Holocaust victims to where they had lived; in his opinion, existing memorials have failed to do that. “Once a year, some official lays a wreath, but the average citizen can avoid the site very easily,” he explains. For the first six years of his project, Demnig had to be unrelenting because officials and bureaucracies put their own stumbling blocks in his way, but his persistent attitude kept him going. “You just have to do it, and then you can achieve more than you imagined,” he says.
Today, the artist is seldom in his Cologne studio, where he both lives and works among his art and stumbling blocks waiting to be finished. He spends much of his time on the road, installing stones and lecturing about them. “He is a tireless worker; he stretches the limits with this project,” says Uta Franke. American Johanna J. Neuman had a stumbling block paved for her step-grandmother, who was deported. “Until the stolperstein for her was embedded in Berlin, there was no place that reminded anyone of her,” she says. “Now when I go to Berlin, I have a place to ... see her name.”
There is a waiting list until winter 2008 to install stumbling blocks, and an effort is under way to bring the stones to other European cities. Demnig is thinking about getting help with the installations, but he wants to continue producing them himself. “It must not become a factory,” says Demnig, who still tears up when he talks about his experiences with Holocaust survivors. “I know I can’t do six million stones, but if I can inspire a discussion with just one, something very important has been achieved.”
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Joram with two of his many cousins
My grandson Joram has many many cousins. I do not know how many. So here you see Joram in the middle with two of his cousins.Thursday, March 20, 2008
My mother
my granddaughter
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
SheshBesh in Pforzheim
SheshBeshThe Arab-Jewish Ensemble
Under the auspices of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
SheshBesh brings together Jewish musicians of the first ranks of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra with some of the finest musicians from the Arab Christian and Muslim communities in northern Israel. It was founded in 1996 , and has later become part of "key Note", the educational program of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.
Their onstage presence and their music reflect their belief that the language of music may bind the hearts and build a real bridge between peoples. Musically they create a unique multi-cultural environment by playing music of the middle-east, classical music and original compositions.
Some of SheshBesh concerts also feature guest singer Haya Samir.
The Ensemble has already performed to great acclaim at the "92 Y" Series in New York, the “Strings of Autumn” Festival in Prague, the Tanglewood Festival, on a special concert for the Alliance for Religion and Conservation in New York, at the Museum of Islamic Art in Jerusalem, Einav concert hall in Tel Aviv, Zemplen music festival, Hungary, the Jezre'el Valley Music Festival, and at the Biennale for Contemporary Music, Tel Aviv.
The Arab-Jewish ensemble appears regularly in schools as part of the Key Note Program both in the classroom, and in concerts for school children. The IPO has commissioned the work “Ode to Happiness” by Gil Shochat to feature SheshBesh as a solo ensemble in a series of concerts for 4000 school children at the Mann Auditorium in Tel Aviv.
For its vision and dedication in Israeli-Arabic relations.SheshBesh won the Tolerance Prize of the European Cultural Forum in 2006.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Our visitor.
To the left you can see our visitor; his name is Samuel or just Samy. He was imported from Spain and now lives in Pforzheim. He seems to be a Podenco ibicenco. He will stay with us for a fortnight. To the right you see our own dog. He is also something very special and was born in Jerusalem. Will this be my last posting this year?
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Birthday 2007
Here you can see the nicest birthday card I received this year. Yes, now I am 66 years old. (and a few days).Friday, December 07, 2007
MY MOTHER
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Family
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Not Purim!
Friday, January 26, 2007
Snow
Sunday, January 07, 2007
My first posting this year.
This is my son Jascha who now lives in Freiburg, Germany. This photo was taken about half a year ago. In the background you can see the lake of Constance.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Autumn in Pforzheim
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Autumn
Monday, September 18, 2006
What is this?
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Unbelievable!
Monday, August 21, 2006
Again an optical illusion.
One of my frequent Blog-visitors sent me a huge amount of optical illusions. During the next weeks I will post some of them. And don't forget: Click on the picture to enlarge!
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Here are some more pictures.
My grandson Joram a few days ago in Italy.
You are editor's pick.
http://jaschahilkowitz.textamerica.com/?r=5001518&go=ep.mail
Hello... This is a little note to let you know that you've been selected as an editors pick for your moblog named "JaschaHilkowitz". You may view it on the front page of textamerica.com.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Yesterday evening. A view from my home.
Monday, May 22, 2006
SCHACHNE family
In my "Please visit these Links:" - section I have added two links today. Please take a look at them and if you know a "Schachne" let me know please. From left to right: Isi Schachne, my mother age 91 !!! Ilse Schachne (maiden name)(now Ilse Weber) and myself.

Monday, May 08, 2006
G U R S
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Laughing cook.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Google Related Links
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Another optical illusion!
Today I found another optical illusion which is absolutely fascinating. The distance from A to B is the same as from C to D. You don't believe it, do you. Just measure it and you will be surprised. Click on the picture to enlarge!
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Animal of the day
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Winter or spring?
Spring or winter?
No signs of spring!
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Unbelievable: A dog on a skateboard !!! A MUST SEE !!!
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Daisy
Friday, February 17, 2006
My grandson Joram Levin 608 days old
Monday, February 06, 2006
My grandson Joram Levin 597 days old.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
My wife with one of our dogs.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
OPENING CEREMONY OF OUR SYNAGOGUE
I received several e-mails and phone calls where people asked why I didn't publish a photo of myself taken during the opening ceremony. OK, here is one.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NEW SYNAGOGUE IN PFORZHEIM, GERMANY
My wife took this picture on January 15th, 2006 during the opening ceremony of our new Synagogue in Pforzheim. The speaker you see here is the former chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Israel Meir Lau who just came to Pforzheim to attend this great day with us. There were about 900 guests from all over the world.
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Snow with different birds.
This zoo is only about 500 meters away from our home; no admission fee! One of the advantages of living in Pforzheim, Germany.
These are the same Kangaroos.
If you have any doubts - the white stuff you see on the picture - yes it is snow. I am not sure, the Kangaroos like that. Temperatures are slightly below freezing point!
Two more Kangaroos!
Yesterday we walked to our nearby zoo and discovered a
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Our guest!
Friday, December 30, 2005
winter has arrived!
winter has arrived!
winter has arrived!
winter has arrived!
Friday, December 23, 2005
Entrance To Our New Synagogue
Today I took this snapshot of the entrance to our new Synagogue which will be officialy opened next year in January.
My birthday was yesterday!
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
This is how I had to work today!
The backlighting on my notebook is gone! This is why I have to use an external monitor which I borrowed from my wife. Today I was shopping for a new Toshiba notebook here in Pforzheim but they were all sold out. I could have bought a Samsung but I didn't. Not that Toshiba is any better - I don't really know. But here in Pforzheim is an authorized Toshiba repair center and that makes the difference! By the time you have finished your coffee, the notebook is repaired. Hopefully this will happen tomorrow! BTW, the notebook is 4 years old. Time for a change.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Frappr!

Create a map for your group. Share Group Photos. Get others to add themselves. It's easy and fun!
Saturday, December 10, 2005
NeoCOUNTER
Friday, November 18, 2005
Another video talk.
I installed it yesterday. You can download the software at http://sony.glowpoint.com/ It is free. In case you have no partner to videotalk to, here is my video number: 2437007309 I speak English, German and Hebrew.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
REICHSKRISTALLNACHT
REICHSKRISTALLNACHT
REICHSKRISTALLNACHT
I am posting this picture today, 67 years after "Reichskristallnacht". This is a drawing of the Synagogue which was built in 1892 in Pforzheim. In 1938 the authorities declared that this building was due for demolition and forced the Jewish congregation to carry this out!
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Opening ceremony of Jewish Culture Weeks Stuttgart
Yesterday evening I attended the opening ceremony of Jewish Culture Weeks Stuttgart. The main event was a discussion about "40 years German-Israeli relations". On the photo you can see from left to right:Prof. Dr. Michael Wolffsohn, University of the German Army, Ulrich Sahm, a German journalist living in Jerusalem and well known in Germany as he frequently appears on TV, Asher Ben-Natan, the first Israeli ambassador in Germany and Dr. Kurt-Jürgen Maaß, Institute for foreign relations, Stuttgart.
Friday, November 04, 2005
No words.
No words.
No words.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Dogs in our home.
The dog in the front is our guest dog. He is going to stay with us for about two weeks. He is a Podengo from Spain and nearly two years old.The two dogs in the back are my wife's own dogs. The one on the right is also from Spain and a very good mixture of all kind of breeds which we are unable to identify. She is 15 years old. The dog on the left is about 8 years old and we only know that he was found in Jerusalem as a puppy.
The picture, unfortunately isn't the best quality. It was taken with a camera which is built into my mobile phone.
Has anyone of you got a Podengo?

Thursday, October 20, 2005
Gurs
http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/article.php?lang=en&ModuleId=10005298
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Some spider babies arrived.
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Invitation.
Now finally I have installed a video camera. If you would like to video talk with me, just click on the skype button further down and we will be connected. I speak English, German and Hebrew. Please do not hesitate to call me. I am looking forward to hear and see you.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Another week has gone.
Ref.: NeoCounter: Simply hover your mouse over a visitor's flag and a map will be displayed next to your counter so you can see, where, geographically, your visitor is located.
2 aL my readers: hav a nIs wknd!
Friday, September 16, 2005
2 aL my readers: hav a nIs wknd!
Thursday, September 15, 2005

Not believable, postage is more than 10,00 pounds Sterling! That is one third of the invoice.
Click picture to enlarge.
Chanukah

Doesn't that look beautiful? This is my Chanukah gift from my wife Sandra which I received in advance. Lucky me!
Click picture to enlarge.
Monday, September 12, 2005
Here I found another optical illusion.
you havent posted anything for a while now............ bz?
Friday, September 02, 2005
102 hours without fast internet.

This was a nightmare. Suddenly, last Monday, my internet connection broke down. Fortunately I was able to read and write my e-mail with that little device shown above. It is also good for surfing as you can see on the photo but it is too slow for serious work.
Click picture to enlarge.
Saturday, August 27, 2005
I have joined Google Talk!

I joined Google Talk yesterday and I must say that it is very easy and impressive. Quality is excellent! If you want to get more information, please visit:
http://www.google.com/talk/
In case you need an invitation please let me know. I am out of invitations in the moment but Google says that within 48 hours I should get more. So please be patient. On this screenshot I have hidden my Google Talk contacts.
Click picture to enlarge.
Friday, August 26, 2005
My experience with the Lifebuoy Soap which arrived yesterday.
- Color: In my opinion it is not the original color it is slightly brighter, it used to be more reddish with a little violet color in it.
- Fragrance: Excellent, I am not sure it is exactly the same as it used to be but if not it definitely is almost the same.
- I am very satisfied. My wife isn't as she doesn't like the smell (Hopefully she still likes me!). Well, she didn't grow up with it.
Thursday, August 25, 2005

Another famous soap. Richard thanks a lot. You will receive my order next week!
Click picture to enlarge.
Monday, August 22, 2005
I visited your blog second or third time and all time loading that my dsl connection falling down:)
Thank you to all of you who commented!
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Does anybody else experience this problem? Please respond!
"Hallo!I'm sorry for offtop. I visited your blog second or third time and all time loading that my dsl connection falling down:) It will will be great if you make page to page naviogation with 10-20-30 posts on one page.Regards!"
Friday, August 19, 2005
What will I do without my LIFEBUOY SOAP?
This is the wrap of my last beloved LIFEBUOY SOAP which I bought many years ago in England. Unfortunately it is not produced anymore. :-( It is one of the most famous soaps in the world and has been on the market for over 100 years. "Red Lifebuoy Soap" was a pure anti-bacterial soap with excellent skin cleaning and cleansing properties.Click picture to enlarge.
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Blippity Fling-Flang
Blippity Fling-Flang generates gibberish text that looks somewhat real, which you can use as a substitute for your real post."
On the following link you can have your own website translated ("flangitized") :-)
Here is the link:
http://bff.orangehairedboy.com/
Today I have added "Word Of The Day" produced by "Blippity Fling-Flang". You will find it further down on the very right. Life is so serious, do have some humor!
Sunday, August 14, 2005
If you always have wondered what kind of dog you are - here you can find out!
"Gone to the dogs. Please visit http://gone2thedogs.com/index.html WHAT DOG ARE YOU? There's a dog inside all of us, waiting to be let out. This game is based on a computer called SUKA built in 1975 by Russian scientist Mikhail Volkonsky and now housed in the London Science Museum.SUKA is powered by CATS (Canine Algorithmic Transfer System™) which is able to determine what kind of dog you are. Simply answer 10 questions, being as honest and accurate as possible and CATS will calculate which breed you resemble the most."
I enjoyed this game very much! If you are interested in dogs or even own a dog, I recommend that you visit the above mentioned site and play the game; it's fun! Here are my results:
Dog name
BELGIAN SHEPHERD
Origins
Belgian. A hard working shepherd dog around since the Middle Ages. There are three other well-known varieties of Belgian Shepherd Dog, all of which are considered varieties of the Groenendael, differing only in color and coat type. These are the Tervuren (long coat of various colors), Malinois (short, straight coat) and the Laeken (rough wiry coat). The Groenendael distinguished itself in the First World War as a messenger.
Personality
Hard working obedient, attentive and intelligent dog. Vigilant with strong guarding and herding instincts it makes an excellent guard. Needs a lot of exercise. Enjoys wars.
Image copyright
Diane Pearce / Kennel Club Picture Library /
www.the-kennel-club.org.uk
Click picture to enlarge.
Saturday, August 13, 2005
I am still using this OmniBook 800CT!
As you might have realized by now, I used to be a Hewlett Packard fan. In a way I still am. This device has a pop out mouse, which for me, as a right-hander, is ideal. It still runs Windows 95 and has an external CD-ROM and two PCMCIA-slots. I use this computer frequently but it isn't my main computer today.Click picture to enlarge.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Lingo
Monday, August 01, 2005
My second (third) PC.
As I mentioned yesterday, the successor to the HP 95LX was a HP 100LX. The HP 200LX was introduced shortly after the HP 100LX. These are both very similar devices. The HP 200LX had some improvements which I don't remember now (that was more than 10 years ago). So I will skip the HP 100LX. The HP 200LX wasn't a dual language device as the HP 95LX. The one I have is in English. I took the English version on purpose because of Lotus123. There are many Lotus123 programs readily available with macros. These macros are NOT multi-lingual. So if you have an English Palmtop, the macros for Lotus have to be written in English; they will not run on a German Palmtop. As most of the software available is in English it was a good idea to take the English version. Originally the HP 200LX was clocked with 8 MHz. I had mine "upgraded" to 16 MHz. From there on it was called HP 200LX-DS (DS = DoubleSpeed). Another modification was done: The internal memory was 2 MB; now it has 4 MB. Some of my friends even "upgraded" to as much as 96 MB! But with 4 MB it was possible to install "Software Carousel". With this software it is possible to have up to 12 different sessions. That means that you could have up to 12 different programs open at the same time. For me 3 sessions is enough. The most important built in programs are: Appointments, PhoneBook, DataBase, PocketQuicken, Lotus123 and HP-Calculator (including a financial calculator similar to the HP 12C) and including Solver. Of course I have many more programs installed. Any DOS-program which runs on a 286 processor (CGA-screen) will run on the Palmtop. Initially I had a serious problem with the built in fonts as they were hard to read - for me especially in 80-column mode. So I designed new fonts and my reading problems disappeared. At that time thousands of Palmtop users all over the world used my fonts. I know this because I distributed these fonts as "postcardware" and received postcards from most of the users. Here you can download my fonts: http://hp200lx.net/cgi-bin/search.pl?Cat=Font There is a PCMCIA slot and the Palmtop will work with up to 512 MB!!! The HP 200LX even compared with today's standards is a very powerful computer (DOS 5.0). It is a pity Hewlett Packard dropped that line. They were years ahead! Click picture to enlarge!Sunday, July 31, 2005
My first PC!
In the beginning of 1990 I bought my first PC, a Hewlett Packard HP 95LX. As you can see on the picture, it was able to run Lotus 123; actually it was built in. Also in ROM was DOS 3.0 (if I remember correctly). My first e-mails were sent with this tiny computer (via CompuServe in 1990) and it was quite fast because it was lacking the processor power consuming Windows. I used rechargable batteries which gave about 8 hours off the mains. This little Palmtop could be set to English or German. I used it in English but later I sold it to a German and he just switched it to German. The successor to this little marvel was a HP 100LX and later HP 200LX which I still use. Unfortunately Hewlett Packard never really promoted those devices and finally stopped producing them without ever introducing a new model. A big mistake IMHO. Until today we have a monthly user meeting and all of us are still using our Palmtops. With these new NIMH batteries you get up to 25 hours easily! And it is a real computer which you can actually put in your pocket! Are there anymore readers out there still using a Palmtop?Click picture to enlarge.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
A view of Pforzheim from a satellite!

Google Earth picture. The "New Placemark" indicates where I live. The resolution isn't very good, unfortunately. Google Earth has much better shots from Tokyo or London. It is a fascinating program. If you have a fast computer and a fast internet connection you could take into consideration to download Google Earth.
As you might already know: Click picture to enlarge.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Tour de France comes to Pforzheim!

On Saturday, July 9th, 2005 will be the departure from Pforzheim to Gérardmer (231,5km). The Tour de France has a history of more than one hundred years. The "City of Gold" (Pforzheim) hosted the Tour de France once before in 1987.
If you would like to have more information, please visit http://www.stadt-pforzheim.de/ (there is a button for English). Another interesting website is http://www.adfontis.de/ where you can view more sculptures.
Click picture to enlarge.
Sunday, July 03, 2005
I am still alive!

I received some phone calls and even some messages from people who were a bit worried about me because I didn't blog for a while. Well, everything is fine; I must admit, I just got out of ideas as far as blogging is concerned. Stay tuned I will sure do some more postings. In the meantime enjoy the photo I have taken a few days ago, wonderful roses in our garden and in front you see our little smart (a 2,5 meter car).
Click picture to enlarge.
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
My grandson's first birthday.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Time is passing by.
Friday, June 10, 2005
Hilkowitz - Hillel: Please also see the picture below this one!

Click picture to enlarge.
In the first century BCE, Babylonian born Hillel (later known as Hillel the Elder) migrated to Palestine to study and worked as a woodcutter, eventually becoming the most influential force in Jewish life. Hillel is said to have lived in such great poverty that he was sometimes unable to pay the admission fee to study Torah, and because of him that fee was abolished. He was known for his kindness, gentleness, concern for humanity. One of his most famous sayings, recorded in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers, a tractate of the Mishnah), is "If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, then what am I? And if not now, when?" The Hillel organization, a network of Jewish college student organizations, is named for him. Hillel and his descendants established academies of learning and were the leaders of Palestinian Jewry for several centuries. The Hillel dynasty ended with the death of Hillel II in 365 CE.
Hillel the Elder's friendly adversary was Palestinian born Shammai, about whom little is known except that he was a builder, known for the strictness of his views. He was reputed to be dour, quick-tempered and impatient. Both lived during the reign of King Herod (37-4 BCE), an oppressive period in Jewish history because of the Roman occupation of Palestine. Shammai was concerned that if Jews had too much contact with the Romans, the Jewish community would be weakened, and this attitude was reflected in his strict interpretation of Jewish law. Hillel did not share Shammai's fear and therefore was more liberal in his view of law.
Hillel was the more popular of the two scholars, and he was chosen by the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish court, to serve as its president. While Hillel and Shammai themselves did not differ on a great many basic issues of Jewish law, their disciples were often in conflict. The Talmud records over 300 differences of opinion between Beit Hillel (the House of Hillel) and Beit Shammai (the House of Shammai). The Rabbis of the Talmud generally sided with the rulings of the School of Hillel, although the Sages believed that both views were valid. Sixteenth-century kabbalist Rabbi Isaac Luria (the ÂAriÂ) said that not only are both the words of the House of Shammai and the House of Hillel enduring on the conceptual level, but each has its time and place on the pragmatic level as well. In our present world, we follow the rulings of the House of Hillel, but in the era of Messiah, the majority opinion will shift in favor of the House of Shammai, and their rulings will then be implemented. The Ari believed that in our present reality, where divine commandments must be imposed upon an imperfect world, the rulings of the House of Hillel represent the ultimate in conformity to the divine will, while the rulings of the House of Shammai represent an ideal that is too lofty for our present state (which is why we perceive them as Âstricter and more confining), and can only be realized on the conceptual level. In the era of Messiah, the situation will be reversed: a perfected world will embrace the more exacting application of Torah law expressed by the House of Shammai, while the Hillelian school of interpretation will endure only conceptually.
Hillel's rulings were often based on concern for the welfare of the individual. For example with regard to the remarriage of an aguna, whose husband is not known with certainty to be alive or dead, the view of Hillel (and most of his colleagues) was that she can remarry even on the basis of indirect evidence of the husband's death. Bet Shammai required that witnesses come forth with direct testimony before she was permitted to remarry. Another example of his leniency as compared with Shammai involves converts; Hillel favored the admission of proselytes into Judaism even when they made unreasonable demands, such as one did by demanding that the whole Torah be taught to him quickly "while standing on one foot." Hillel accepted this person as eligible for conversion, whereas Shammai dismissed him as not serious about Judaism.
Sources: Judaism 101
Kolatch, Alfred J. The Second Jewish Book of Why. Jonathan David Publishers, Inc.; Middle Village, New York, 1985.
"The Nullification of the Commandments."
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Find out the origins of your Jewish surname!

A few years ago I saw this detailed and comprehensive book for the first time. It belongs to a friend of mine. It never came to my mind that my surname could be traced back to Jewish roots. I was pleasantly surprised to find my name in this book! I will post that particular page on Friday.
Click picture to enlarge.
Monday, June 06, 2005
A joke for a change!
Passenger: "Who?"
Cabbie: "Moishe Glickman. There's a guy who did everything right. Like my coming along when you needed a cab. It would have happened like that to Moishe every single time."
Passenger: "There are always a few clouds over everybody."
Cabbie: "Not Moishe. He was a terrific athlete. He could have gone on the pro tour in tennis. He could golf with the pros. He sang like an opera baritone and danced like a Broadway star and you should have heard him play the piano."
Passenger: "Sounds like he was something, huh?"
Cabbie: "He had a memory like a computer. Could remember everybody's birthday. He knew all about wine, which foods to order and which fork to eat them with. He could fix anything. Not like me. I change a fuse, and the whole neighborhood blacks out."
Passenger: "Wow, some guy ehh?"
Cabbie: "He always knew the quickest way to go in traffic and avoid traffic jams, not like me, I always seem to get into them."
Passenger: "Mmm, not many like that around."
Cabbie: "And he knew how to treat a woman and make her feel good and never answer her back even if she was in the wrong; and his clothing was always immaculate, shoes highly polished too."
Passenger: "An amazing fellow. How did you meet him?"
Cabbie: "Well, I never actually met Moishe."
Passenger: "Then how do you know so much about him?"
Cabbie: "I married his widow."
Friday, June 03, 2005
Here is one for the weekend!

Click picture to enlarge. This is the last "optical illusion" I am posting for now. If you have any other interesting examples of optical illusions, which I should post here - just let me know. This is a fascinating topic and I am curious to see if you have other samples to offer. I hope so!
Thursday, June 02, 2005
Here is a similar one.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Another optical illusion.

Please click picture to enlarge it, as the effect is better observed with a large picture. Fascinating, isn't it? In the next few days I will post more virtual illusions, so, if you are interested, please come back.
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Here is another optical illusion.

You get the impression that the horizontal lines are somehow bent or tilted. Are they?
Click picture to enlarge.
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Do you see black dots? How many?
NEW LINK!
There you can view many films about Jewish communities, the Holocaust, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and much more.
Friday, May 20, 2005
Finally spring has arrived in Pforzheim!
Monday, May 16, 2005
Anouk, my granddaughter.
Joram, my grandson.

Today I was playing around with Picasa. Really a great program. This collage was created with Picasa. These snapshots were taken in December 2004. Click to enlarge!
Sunday, May 15, 2005
My new photo!
Sunday, May 08, 2005
What's new today?
Saturday, May 07, 2005
What's going on there?
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Dogs
Monday, May 02, 2005
PHP Luach (Jewish Calendar)
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Walk in the Black Forest

This morning I had a walk in the nearby forest with Sandra (not to be seen as she took the pictures), Oliver (my brother in law) and the dogs.
Saturday, April 30, 2005
Thursday, April 28, 2005

Here is our second dog Mikey. A very special dog, born in Jerusalem! (He has been in Pforzheim since a few years and now of course, holds German citizenship) :-)

My wife Sandra (all the glasses in front of her might give a wrong impression. She doesn't drink that much.)

I was asked to present the rest of my family. So here is my daughter Miriam with her daughter Anouk.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005

I just discovered this superb photo on the internet and thought I share it with you. Click to enlarge!
Google AdSense
Monday, April 25, 2005
Translation-tool !
http://www.google.com/language_tools
This tool translates internet-sites and other text!




















































































