by Ner Tamid | Mar 30, 2025 | Sermons
This past Thursday night, a rabbi friend of mine texted me, “Watcha got?”
This is what rabbis do when they need an inspiring story, a new angle, or just to get those drasha-juices flowing.
I replied that I am thinking of talking about YU. I was referring to the news that this past week, how Yeshiva University came to an agreement with a group of students who wanted to open an LGBT club in the college. This controversy has been raging on for years in and out of court. There are legal issues at play as the college is officially a public institution, and of course, there are matters of Halacha and Hashkafah that have to be addressed.
My friend surprised me by saying that he was also thinking about talking about YU. “Really?’ I wrote back. My friend’s not the controversial type. He said, “Yes. But it has nothing to do with the club. My message is that no one should ever go to Yeshiva University, club or no club.”
The particular controversy around this club in YU is a very important one, one that I would like to revisit at a later time. Sorry, not today. Today, I’d like to reply my colleague and good friend, who will not be named, who, like many people before him, have suggested that Yeshiva University is intrinsically flawed, that one cannot have an institution that is both a yeshiva and a college, that the merging of the holy and the mundane is a grave mistake.
For starters, let me get this out of the way, I did not go to YU. I went to Ner Yisroel so I have no skin in this game. (Once we’re on the topic of where I did not go, I also did not go to any Chabad yeshivas despite my little beard and my tzitzis hanging out. I get that question a lot. Now that we got that out of the way…)
Yeshiva University was established in 1886. But the controversy around secular studies goes back almost 1000 years. It came to a head in the times of the Rambam, Maimonides, who famously incorporated Aristotelian thought into his worldview. Perhaps more accurately, Aristotelian though guided his worldview. One of the Rambam’s most famous works was Moreh Nevuchim in which he addressed every possible critique against the Torah, using what some would describe as secular logic.
In his lifetime, most people disagreed quietly, but after he died, the controversy exploded. His opponents were concerned that his openness to secular knowledge would suck people into a world that rejected G-d and the Torah. Ultimately, some of his opponents turned to the local authorities telling them that the Rambam’s book, Moreh Nevuchim, was a threat to all religions which led to one of the most tragic moments in Jewish history. In 1232, encouraged by enemies of the Rambam, a group of Dominican monks went through France, confiscated all the copies of Moreh Nevuchim they could get their hands on, and burned them in a public square.
In 1305, the Rashba, the leading Torah scholars of that time, tried to make a compromise between the opponents of learning secular studies and those who embraced it. He suggested that one can learn secular philosophy but only after the age of 25. His attempt at compromise went nowhere. Each side dug in even deeper.
On one side you had those who believed that a deeper knowledge of philosophy, of science, of history, broadens us. By extension, this group of Torah leaders believed that we should embrace and grapple with the world around us. On the other side, there were those who believed that any engagement in the world around us posed too many risks. They believed that worldviews that do not align to the Torah will draw us away from G-d and will distort our understanding of the Torah. The Vilna Gaon, after disagreeing with a ruling of the Rambam, famously quipped: “The Rambam’s engagement in philosophy caused him to err.” (Yoreh Deah, 179:6:3)
***
On Thursday night, I had the great joy of seeing one of my Rebbeim from Kerem B’Yavneh, Rav Mendel Blachman who was visiting Baltimore. He is a towering individual who I credit in so many ways for anything I have learned and accomplished in my life. One specific story is worth sharing in this context:
One Shabbos, our yeshiva, Kerem B’Yavneh, was visited by Rav Hershel Schachter, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva University. After Friday night dinner there was a Q and A session. One of my good friends, a bright guy with zero tact, got up to ask a question. “Rav Schachter, does it bother you that virtually all the Gedolim, all the great Torah scholars of the day, disagree with your worldview?” Among other things, my friend was referring to Rav Schachter leading Yeshiva University, a place where secular studies are explored side by side with Torah study, he was referring to Rav Schachter’s unabashed Zionism. These are positions that many of the great Torah leaders of our time disagree with. Rav Schachter being the humble person that he is, did not answer the question.
Sunday morning, my rebbi, Rav Blachman, came into our class. He opened the Gemara we were learning and then he closed it. Instead of delivering his regular Talmud class, he spent the next hour railing on those who believe there is only one hashkafah, one approach to understanding how a Torah Jew, is supposed to live their life. That is not the Jewish way. There has always been divergent views within Torah Judaism. And yes, there have been views beyond the pale; the Sadducees, the Karites , the Sabbateans, other denominations of Judaism and others. But within Torah Judaism, within a worldview that subscribes to absolute fidelity to the Torah and to the Sages, there has always been more than one way.
There are exceptions, there are Mitzvos that our Sages decided cannot have divergent views. Mitzvos like Kiddush Hachodesh, the sanctification of the new moon, the Jewish calendar. Imagine a world in which there were two views on what day Pesach starts, that would be a disaster. Such a debate would rip us apart as a people and that’s something we cannot allow. The Gemara shares a story in which Rabban Gamliel forced his colleague Rav Yehoshua to travel on the day Rav Yehoshua thought it was supposed to be Yom Kippur based on his interpretation because two calendars would upend Jewish unity. But this story is the exception! For the most part, honest, Torah-driven debate, was the rule. And that’s more than okay. It’s necessary. G-d created us with different temperaments, with different proclivities. Inasmuch as we have different tastes, there are different flavors to Judaism.
Rav Blachman concluded, not only was the question rude, it was wrong. Find yourself a Gadol, find yourself a great Torah scholar (not some guy with the title rabbi before his name who writes well on social media). Find someone who is immersed in Torah, and if his Torah worldview speaks to you, if it resonates with you, follow him. And stop looking over your shoulder, stop worrying about the fact that this or that great Torah scholar disagrees. Find your Torah leader and follow your own path.
Centrist Orthodoxy or Modern Orthodoxy or whatever you want to call it has a complex. Those who subscribe to it are constantly looking over their shoulder, and that’s ridiculous.
Is Rav Yosef Soloveitchik not worthy of following? Is Rav Avraham Yitzchak Kook not worthy of following?
In a world in which there are great rabbis telling people not to support the IDF and there are other great rabbis arguing that IDF soldiers are the holiest people on the planet, I don’t know about you, but that second group is far more compelling to me.
In a world in which all of us, whether you live in Teaneck or in Lakewood, is engaged in the secular world around us, and there are great rabbis pretending the world around us does not exist and there are great rabbis grappling with how to engage, what to keep and what to throw away, I don’t know about you, but that second group is far more compelling.
So no, Yeshiva University is not a bad place. If you are deciding between a college in which there is no Torah learning and a yeshiva college in which there is; if you are deciding between a college where the rate of attrition is sky-high, where a significant percentage of Jewish boys and girls are not remaining committed to their upbringing, which is virtually every secular college, and Yeshiva University, where yes, there may be a club that we will one day discuss, but for the most part, the students are able to live fully immersed Torah lives, the decision is clear. Yeshiva University is a gift.
Yes, our community needs to strengthen itself in its Torah observance. Yes, our community needs to elevate the way we pray, and it needs to step up the level of Torah learning. But do not be embarrassed. Do not be afraid. To walk in the footsteps of the Rambam, of the Ramchal, of Rav Kook, of Rav Soloveitchik, admas kodesh hu, we are on holy ground.
***
We just said the words, Chazak, Chazak, V’nis’chazeik, as we completed the book of Shemos. The Sefer Hamanhig points out that those words, “Chazak, be strong!” were first said to Yehoshua. This is not a coincidence. As opposed to his teacher, Moshe, who led the Jewish People in the desert, sequestered away from the distractions of the world, Yehoshua led the Jewish People in battle, he led the Jewish People into a life of commerce, into a life of worldly engagement, a life that we, our community, believes in. It takes strength to live a life of worldly engagement. So let’s be strong. Chazak, Chazak, V’nis’chazeik.
(Inspired by https://www.ou.org/sacred-and-profane-conflicts/)
by montessori | Mar 28, 2025 | Uncategorized
De wereld van online gokken evolueert voortdurend, waarbij technologische innovaties en veranderende spelerbehoeften centraal staan. Live dealer spellen blijven een kernonderdeel van deze ontwikkeling, doordat ze de authenticiteit en spanning van een fysiek casino naar je computer of smartphone brengen. In dit artikel nemen we je mee langs de meest opvallende trends die momenteel de sector vormgeven, en leggen we uit wat dit voor jou als speler betekent. Van geavanceerde technologieën tot nieuwe spelvarianten, deze trends zorgen voor een meeslepende en veilige speelervaring die steeds meer spelers aantrekt.
Hoe innovatieve technologieën de ervaring van live dealer spellen verbeteren
Gebruik van 4K-video en virtuele realiteit voor realistische gameplay
Steeds meer online casino’s maken gebruik van 4K-resolutie om de beeldkwaliteit van live dealer spellen te verbeteren. Door haarscherpe beelden voelen spelers zich alsof ze aan een echt casino-tafel zitten. Daarnaast ontwikkelt de virtual reality (VR) markt zich snel, met VR-headsets die volledige onderdompeling bieden. Een voorbeeld hiervan is Evolution Gaming’s VR blackjack, dat spelers de mogelijkheid geeft om zich tussen andere spelers en dealers te wanen in een virtuele casinovoorziening.
Implementatie van AI-chatbots voor snellere klantenservice
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Integratie van blockchain voor transparantie en beveiliging
Blockchain-technologie wordt steeds vaker toegepast om de transparantie en veiligheid van live dealer spellen te waarborgen. Het gebruik van blockchain maakt het mogelijk om onweerlegbare transacties en spelresultaten te registreren. Dit vermindert fraude en bevordert het vertrouwen onder spelers. Een concreet voorbeeld is het gebruik van blockchain voor het vastleggen van weddenschappen en uitkomsten, waardoor spelers altijd kunnen controleren of alles eerlijk verloopt.
De opkomst van mobiele live dealer spellen en hun praktische voordelen
Optimalisatie van game-interfaces voor smartphones en tablets
Met de groei van mobiel gamen zijn online casino’s flink gaan investeren in responsieve en gebruiksvriendelijke interfaces. Spelers kunnen nu soepel navigeren op kleine schermen en genieten van dezelfde hoge kwaliteit als op desktop. Bijvoorbeeld, ontwikkelaars zoals Playtech en Evolution Gaming bieden volledig geoptimaliseerde mobiele versies van populaire live spellen, met aanpasbare controls en intuïtieve menu’s.
Mobiele betalingsmethoden en snelle transacties
Mobiele gokplatforms ondersteunen een breed scala aan betalingsopties, inclusief e-wallets en mobiel betalen via NFC of QR-codes. Dit maakt het doen van inzetten en het opnemen van winsten sneller en eenvoudiger. Als voorbeeld kunnen spelers via Apple Pay of Google Pay direct geld toevoegen en opnemen, wat de algehele gebruikservaring aanzienlijk verbetert.
Toegankelijkheid voor spelers op elk moment en locatie
De mobiele optimalisatie zorgt ervoor dat je niet gebonden bent aan een fysieke locatie of tijd. Of je nu onderweg bent, in de trein, of in je comfortabele stoel thuis, live dealer spellen op je smartphone bieden constante toegankelijkheid. Volgens onderzoek van de European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) speelt mobiele gaming tegenwoordig voor meer dan 70% van alle online gokactiviteiten.
Hoe personalisatie en data-analyse de spelerbetrokkenheid verhogen
Gebruik van spelgegevens voor op maat gemaakte aanbiedingen
Casino’s verzamelen continu gegevens over je speelgedrag en voorkeuren om gepersonaliseerde aanbiedingen te ontwikkelen. Bijvoorbeeld, als je vaak roulette speelt, krijg je specifieke bonussen of gratis spins voor dat spel. Hierdoor voelt elke speler zich meer gewaardeerd en krijgt de ervaring een persoonlijke touch.
Adaptieve spelervaringen afgestemd op het speelgedrag
Door data-analyse kunnen spellen zich aanpassen aan je niveau en strategie. Als je bijvoorbeeld een blackjack speler bent die snel wint, kan het spel moeilijkere kaarten of hogere inzetten aanbieden om je uitdaging te bieden. Dit soort adaptieve ervaringen verhogen de betrokkenheid en moedigen je aan om vaker terug te keren.
Effectieve communicatie via gepersonaliseerde notificaties
Gepersonaliseerde notificaties informeren je over aanbiedingen, nieuwe spellen of speciale evenementen die aansluiten bij jouw interesses. Als je bijvoorbeeld eerder poker hebt gespeeld, ontvang je alerts over aankomende toernooien of promoties, wat je stimuleert om actief te blijven en meer te spelen.
De invloed van live dealer spellen op de online gokindustrie en regelgeving
Nieuwe wet- en regelgeving rondom live casinospellen
De groei van live dealer spellen leidt tot aanscherpingen in regelgeving. Overheden willen zorgen voor eerlijkheid, bescherming van minderjarigen en het voorkomen van verslaving. Bijvoorbeeld, in Nederland werd deWet Kansspelen op afstand (KOA) geïntroduceerd om de uitbouw van legale live spellen te reguleren en te controleren.
Veranderingen in licentievereisten en compliance
Spelontwikkelaars en operators moeten voldoen aan strikte licentie- en compliance-eisen, waaronder transparantie over spelresultaten en veilige inzetmogelijkheden. Dit heeft mede geleid tot strengere toetsing van software en bedrijfsvoering. De nadruk ligt op het beschermen van spelers en het voorkomen van criminaliteit, wat ook belangrijk is voor degenen die meer willen weten over de regelgeving en betrouwbare platformen. Meer over dit onderwerp vind je op de website pokobet casino.
Impact op marktgroei en internationale expansie
Regelgevende ontwikkelingen zorgen voor een gestructureerdere markt, wat de internationale expansie stimuleert. Juridische duidelijkheid maakt het voor aanbieders aantrekkelijker om nieuwe markten te betreden, bijvoorbeeld in Latijns-Amerika en Azië. Tegelijkertijd blijven ze moetet voldoen aan regionale eisen om legaal te opereren.
Praktische voorbeelden van nieuwe spelvarianten die populair worden
Innovatieve live blackjack en roulette varianten
Nieuwe varianten zoals Infinite Blackjack en Lightning Roulette blazen traditioneel populaire spellen nieuw leven in door hogere inzetmogelijkheden en dynamische layouts. Lightning Roulette bijvoorbeeld introduceert willekeurige uitbetalingen met multipliers tot 500x, wat het spel aantrekkelijker maakt voor spectaculair winstkansen.
Nieuw ontwikkelde spelshows en interactieve formats
Werkelijk revolutionair zijn de interactieve spelshows zoals Monopoly Live en Dream Catcher. Deze combineert klassieke spellen met live-action en bonusrondes, waarbij spelers spanning en entertainment combineren. De participatie en sociale interactie worden hierdoor versterkt.
Spellen met uitbreidingsmogelijkheden via augmented reality
Augmented reality (AR) opent nieuwe dimensies voor live dealer spellen. Spelers kunnen via AR-hoogwaardige 3D-omgevingen bezoeken en interactie hebben met virtuele elementen. Een voorbeeld is AR roulette, waarbij de tafel zich in je eigen omgeving projecteert en je via gestuurde bewegingen kunt inzetten.
by montessori | Mar 26, 2025 | Uncategorized
Playing at MilkyWins Casino can be an exciting experience, but it’s essential to understand the nuances of game mechanics, software providers, and volatility to enhance your chances of winning. Below, we’ll explore common questions and bust some myths surrounding effective strategies for maximising your success.
What is Volatility and How Does it Affect My Chances of Winning?
Volatility refers to the level of risk associated with a particular game. High-volatility games offer the potential for larger wins but less frequent payouts, while low-volatility games provide more regular wins with smaller amounts. Understanding this can help you choose games that align with your playing style.
How Can I Identify Games with High RTP?
RTP, or Return to Player, is a percentage that indicates how much a game pays back to players over time. For instance, a slot with an RTP of **96%** is expected to pay out £96 for every £100 wagered in the long run. Look for games with an RTP of **95% or higher** at MilkyWins Casino to improve your chances of winning. You can usually find this information in the game description or rules section.
What Role Do Software Providers Play in Game Variety?
Software providers are responsible for developing the games available at casinos. MilkyWins Casino features a variety of reputable providers like NetEnt, Microgaming, and Play’n GO, each offering unique themes and gameplay mechanics. This variety ensures players have access to different volatility levels, RTP percentages, and bonus features, catering to all preferences.
How Can I Use Bonuses to Improve My Odds?
Bonuses can significantly enhance your bankroll, but they often come with wagering requirements. For example, a bonus with a **35x wagering requirement** means you must wager the bonus amount 35 times before withdrawing any winnings. Understanding these terms allows you to take full advantage of promotions while managing your bankroll effectively.
Common Myths about Winning at MilkyWins Casino
- Myth 1: “All games have the same chances of winning.” – Not true; different games have varied RTP and volatility.
- Myth 2: “Betting maximum amounts guarantees higher payouts.” – This isn’t always the case; it’s more about the game’s mechanics.
- Myth 3: “You can predict outcomes of games.” – Games are randomised; past outcomes do not influence future results.
Can I Increase My Chances with a Strategy?
Yes, employing a strategy can help you manage your bankroll and choose games wisely. For instance, focus on games with high RTP and low volatility if you prefer frequent wins. Alternatively, if you have a higher risk tolerance, you might opt for high-volatility games with the potential for larger payouts, accepting the longer dry spells.
What Should I Keep in Mind About UK Gambling Regulations?
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) regulates all online gambling platforms in the UK, including MilkyWins Casino. It ensures fair play, responsible gambling practices, and the protection of players. Always gamble responsibly and be aware of the resources available to help you if you feel your gambling is becoming a problem.
What Are the Best Practices for Bankroll Management?
- Set a budget before you start playing and stick to it.
- Divide your bankroll into smaller sessions to prolong your playtime.
- Avoid chasing losses; know when to walk away.
Summary of Key Metrics
| Game Type |
Volatility |
Typical RTP |
Wagering Requirements |
| Slots |
High/Medium/Low |
95% – 98% |
35x – 50x |
| Table Games |
Medium |
95% – 99% |
30x – 40x |
| Live Casino |
Medium |
94% – 97% |
40x – 60x |
By understanding the above aspects, you can make informed choices and increase your chances of winning at MilkyWins Casino. Remember, while luck plays a significant role, knowledge and strategy can certainly tilt the odds in your favour.
by Motzen | Mar 25, 2025 | Halacha
The search for Chametz is done on Thursday night after nightfall (8:21 PM). The burning of chametz is done Friday by 12:02 PM (Baltimore, MD).
Although you may eat chametz until Shabbos morning at 10:56 AM, the sale of chametz takes place on Friday morning. Any chametz you plan on eating on Friday and Shabbos morning should be placed apart from the chametz that will be sold.
Shabbos meals should be completely Kosher for Pesach with the exception of the bread (explained below).
Technically, you can set aside an entire chametz meal but due to the logistical challenges it is not recommended.
One should set aside two pitas or soft rolls that do not generate substantial crumbs for every Shabbos meal. They can be eaten at the table if one is using disposable utensils and a plastic sheet. Alternatively, one may eat the bread outside on their porch and then come back inside to eat the rest of the meal.
There are those who allow eating Matza on Friday night, many do not. All agree Matza cannot be eaten Shabbos day.
The bread must be eaten before 10:56 AM. The meal may continue afterward.
In order to enable eating challah before this, most shuls start davening on Shabbos morning earlier than usual.
One is obligated to have Lechem Mishna, double bread, at every Shabbos meal, to commemorate the double portion of man that fell every Friday while the Jewish People traveled in the desert. It is meant to remind us that G-d takes care of all our needs.
According to some opinions, one may use Egg Matzah for Lechem Mishnah. If one relies on this opinion, Shabbos meals need not be eaten early. One should not eat egg matzah on Pesach.
Some are of the opinion that egg matzah is chametz and therefore can be eaten on Erev Pesach as it is not matzah but cannot be eaten after the morning (Rav Moshe Feinstein). Others (Aruch Hashulchan) are of the opinion that it is not matzah or chametz and therefore can be eaten all day. Others, due to the uncertainty around egg matzah, do not eat it on Erev Pesach/ Pesach. And others allow eating it on Erev Pesach alone.
Seudah Shlishi – One is obligated to have three meals every Shabbos. There are three ways to do so on Erev Pesach that falls out on Shabbos.
- Start the first meal really early. Finish the meal and take a little break by reading a short book, or going on a short walk. Then return and eat the third meal with two rolls of bread. Of course this must be eaten before 10:56 AM.
- There is an opinion that one can fulfill the obligation of eating the third meal with fruit, meat, or fish. One can then eat this meal at any point during the day but should not eat too late so they have an appetite for the seder.
- There is an opinion recorded by the Magen Avraham that one can fulfill their obligation by learning Torah. This is not a conventional view. Nonetheless, one can rely on it if need be.
Leftover bread should be broken up and flushed down the toilet before 12:02 PM.
It cannot be placed with the other chametz as that chametz has been sold already. Placing it in the garbage is not sufficient.
At 12:02 PM all chametz becomes muktzah and cannot be handled. One should say Kol Chamira (found in a siddur in the Pesach section), nullifying any remaining chametz, before this time.
One may not start preparing for the Seder on Shabbos. One may only start after Shabbos concludes at 8:23.
Before beginning to do anything for Pesach, one should say, Baruch hamavdil bein kodesh l’kodesh/ daven Maariv.
One lights Yom Tov candles from a pre-existing flame.
*Pro Tip: Set your dining room table for the Seder on Friday. Eat the Shabbos meal at a kitchen table. This enables you to start your Pesach Seder as soon as Shabbos ends.*
