Presence

R. Heinemann Stands By "Sabbath Mode" Ovens

The Yeshiva World recently posted letters from prominent Israeli and American rabbis against the use of "Sabbath Mode" ovens. The letters made reference to an individual opinion that they believed to be erroneous. That opinion, although not explicitly attributed to him, was that of R. Moshe Heinemann of Baltimore's Star-K.

Today, the Star-K sent out an email stating that R. Heinemann stands by his ruling:

June 5, 2008

Regarding Star-K certified Sabbath Mode ovens

Rav Heinemann, shlita, stands by his Psak that it is permissible to raise and lower temperatures on Yom Tov on ovens equipped with that particular Sabbath Mode feature. Please see Star-K website at http://www.star-k.org/consumer.htm , or call our office for details about your particular model. Star-K will, in the next few days, post an audio presentation from Rav Heinemann explaining his views.

For those who wish to refrain from placing their ovens in Sabbath Mode and still use their oven on Yom Tov, please be aware of the possible serious "Michshol" on many models. Opening the oven door will immediately shut off the heating elements, an act clearly forbidden on Yom Tov. Thus, even if you don't raise or lower the temperature, it is still important to keep the oven in Sabbath Mode.

Star-K Certification

Below is R. Heinemann's original teshuva on Sabbath Mode ovens, which can also be found on the Star-K's website, along with additional information regarding Sabbath Mode appliances:

My Vote for Best Super Bowl Commercial

Humor + Creativity. And the myriad of Charlie Brown references.

The rest are here.

Balsalazide (Generic for Colazal) Now Available

Generic versions of the popular drug Colazal, commonly used to treat ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are now available; just ask your pharmacist.

I got a pleasent surprise today when I refilled my monthly prescription: instead of the normal $45 for Colazal, my pharmacist gave me a the generic balsalazide disodium, which was free under my prescription plan. At times I've paid over $300 for a month's supply of Colazal, so this is good news for those with Crohn's and colitis.

Salix, owner's of the original patent for Colazal, had convinced the FDA to extend their exclusive rights to manufacture the drug. And just as their exclusive rights to Colazal expired, Salix submitted an application to the FDA for a new colitis drug.

A Kosher McDonald's?

Menachem Lubinsky, editor of Kosher Today, wrote an essay in the latest Kosher Today email entitled "Why a Kosher McDonald's in the U.S. May Not be a Good Idea!"

With the number of glatt kosher Subway branches continuing to grow, there is a growing feeling by some in the kosher food industry that McDonald's may not be far behind. I have heard from reliable sources that to date, the mega fast food chain has resisted overtures by entrepreneurs to franchise a kosher McDonald's. The only glatt kosher McDonald's exists in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Many leading rabbis have voiced concern over the prospect of having both kosher and non-kosher branches of McDonald's. They are already concerned about the possible confusion of kosher and non-kosher stores for such brands as Crispy Crème, Baskin-Robbins, and Dunkin Donuts. Several rabbis have written me about stores that sell both kosher and non kosher products. One rabbi cited an ice cream store where only two of 9 toppings are kosher.

In discussing the potential for McDonald's in the glatt kosher market, I received an earful from many different sources. Here is some of what I heard: It is apparent that the big name brands may not exactly appreciate the nuances of the glatt kosher market beyond the kashrus. One example is that customers generally are not enamored by limited menus with specific numbers to identify the menu. They prefer extensive menus where they can mix and match what they wish to eat. To obtain a proper hechsher, the stores would have to be closed on Shabbat and open on Motzoei Shabbos and make accommodations for Jewish holidays as well. Finally, there already are good stores in most of the Jewish neighborhoods and there may not be enough business to go around.

A few of the points are highly debatable and after having a Big Mac in Buenos Aires, I am part of the cheering squad hoping that there would be a glatt kosher McDonald's in the U.S. one day. But keeping in mind what I heard from kosher and rabbinic sources, I am not so sure anymore.

Hanukkah for the Little People

Came across this today on Amazon: Fisher Price Little People Hanukkah Set.

If you're not Jewish, don't feel left out; you can always pick up the Little People: A Christmas Story:

Dutch Wonderland Tickets For Sale

We've got some extra tickets for Dutch Wonderland for sale. We got rained out yesterday after only a few hours of fun. Tickets are normally $28.95, we're selling these for $20 a piece, and if buy four or more, their $18.75 a piece (that's four for $75). The passes are good for ages 3-59, for any day of the 2007 season (which is over October 7, 2007, check schedule for exact dates). We've got around 12 tickets, first come, first serve, so get them while they are hot.

Contact me at greggersh AT yahoo DOT com, or leave a comment below with an email address I can reply to.

This was my first trip to Dutch Wonderland, I was very impressed. It's perfect for kids between the ages of 2 and 10.

UPDATE: The tickets are all sold. Thanks!

Protect our Cultural Treasures (and, Free Hat!)

South Park Ep. 609 Free Hat

Somehow I missed this episode of South Park. I'm glad to see Matt and Trey agree with me.

On Jewish Fiction

A while back I meant to compose a post about the paucity of religious Jewish fiction. I did a little research and found very little in the way of serious, introspective literature that dealt with life as a contemporary Orthodox (or even traditional/affiliated) Jew.

Then I found an article by Yoel Finkelman entitled, "Medium and Message in
Contemporary Haredi Adventure Fiction" (via the now-defunct AJHistory, who also links to a bunch of good reads). I was all in a twitter. I read the article two weeks ago, and was very impressed; I would say that this article is about 40% as important as Rupture and Reconstruction. It provides a very cogent analysis and deconstruction of modern haredi culture by focusing on the kind of literature (and, by extension, popular culture) it supports. In addition, the insight into the idiom of Yair Weinstock is fascinating; when first approaching this subject, I dismissed Weinstock's work as insignificant due to it's pop/pulp nature. After reading this article, I think Weinstock's works are central to understanding modern haredi popular culture (and, if you read the article, you're spared having to read any of it).

Anyway, give the article a read, it provides excellent insight into modern haredi culture, as well as affirms and presents what I have been thinking for a while about the Orthodox Jewish world. Triumphilism be damned. Good stuff.

I Pod

Please help me get a free iPod. All I need to do is refer 5 people to FreeiPods, and I will get a free iPod. This service looks really basic; you just have to sign up for one offer (like a credit card) and then refer 5 other people to do the same.

Anyhow, please click here and sign up, and I'll get a free iPod. I signed up for the video iPod, so when I get it, everyone is invited over to my house to watch the latest episode of Lost.

Thanks!