Rav Moshe Vaye Re: pureeing / blending infested fruits/vegetables, etc.

Shatnez Alert

Defining-The Askan [Shtadlan of yester-year] v. the Askan of today

The word Askan/ Shtadlan, the title public servant, has referred to a person characterized by selfless love for the Jewish people who sacrifices himself for the public good. We grew up hearing stories of people ran across Europe meeting with kings and governments in an effort to avert terrible decrees against the Jewish people. All this was done at their own personal peril and their own expense. The early klal workers in this country wanted nothing more than to spread chinuch and literally were moser nefesh for that ideal.    

Every good thing can be abused. This includes public service and community service when a trust of the people with interests other than those of the public they represent. If that happens, the people who suffer the most are all of us, all of klal yisroel, because the true askanim / shtadlanim-and there many out in there in the  trenches helping others lesheim shomayim will have lost the goodwill of the public due to the indiscretions and selflessness of the abusers.

There is a tremendous pitfall in askanus, a pitfall associated with all positions of power, especially those that are based on trust. In other words, the second an askan begins to think that it’s about me not about the cause; he is doomed to failure, because when there is a conflict between the “me” and the “cause”, the “me” is going to win and the “cause” is going to lose. That means that the little guy is going to lose.

The problem is that some Askanim become so swept up with their roles and their deeds even good deeds, that they often have a hard time separating themselves from the cause. They begin to think of themselves as the cause in itself.

If askanim want to retain the goodwill of the people and continue to help them; they must understand a few points. Firstly, it’s not about me. It’s about helping people. Secondly, an Askan is there to fill a need or a void. He’s not there to create a need and then becomes a knight in shining armor who will fix it. Don’t create a need or an organization that’s unnecessary or has already been created by someone else. If you do that, you’re not an Askan, but rather opportunist and a copycat to boot.

In addition, it goes without saying that if a person’s public service will in anyway benefit his own private business, mossad or interest, that person is not an Askan, but rather an opportunist utilizing the public to further his financial or organizational goals.

One particular form of askanus is that which exists in relationship between politicians and public servants. This is especially so when individuals with personal agendas and financial interests try to become liaisons between the frum community and politicians, taking advantage of the naiveté of so many in our tzibur.

These words should not be taken as an indictment on askanus. On the contrary, it is because we feel that altruistic public services are such an integral component of preserving the welfare of our communities and ensuring the flourishing of yidishkeit  that we must weed and out and separate the true askanim / shtadlanim, the true public servants, who selflessly give of themselves and their time for the public with little thought for recognition and remuneration, from the charlatans and  opportunist who sully the ideal of askanus and sully the name of our  communities in an unforgettable, unforgivable  way.

As a prominent Rebebetzin "in the know" said "I never saw an (ex)askan, without full pockets".

Based on an article by R' A. Birenbaum

All kosher certified Sun dried tomatoes "infested"

All of the Sun dried tomatoes with hashgochas were found to be "infested"  with Thrips, Mites, etc . Most of them are from Turkey.

Eating bugs on/in your fruit and Vegies

Why you shouldn't worry about eating the bugs that live on your strawberries

By Alaa Elassar, CNN-Updated 5:52 PM ET, Thu May 21, 2020

(CNN)Bugs crawling on your strawberries? That's normal, according to some experts, despite a recent TikTok trend that suggests otherwise.

On the popular platform, people have been posting videos of themselves soaking strawberries in salt water for 30 minutes to see whether bugs come out of them.

So far, videos posted by users appear to show maggots, spiders, and other bugs crawling in and out of the berries. The results have left users horrified -- and shocked. Videos with the hashtag #strawberry bugs have amassed more than 11.8 million views.

If learning about bugs in your berries made you lose your appetite, you're not alone. But the truth of the matter, some experts say, is these bugs are harmless, and they most likely exist on all your favorite fruits and vegetables.

"If you're eating fresh produce, you're eating bugs," Greg Loeb, an entomologist and professor at Cornell University, told CNN. "Sometimes we entomologists joke that, hey, it's just a little bit more protein."

You've eaten them before and even soaking your fruits in salt water won't mean you'll never swallow a bug again, Loeb, said -- and that's totally okay.

"But the real point is there are organisms on your fruit and even if it makes people uncomfortable, it's definitely not going to hurt them. Eating those bugs won't make you sick."

Most of these bugs live on the outside of the fruit, and made their way to your strawberries at some point on their journey from the field to your local fruit stand or grocery store aisle.

The day'ss to the safest way to wash your fruits and vegetables, Loeb said using water should be enough. By the time you eat your strawberries, the only bugs you'll ingest are the tiny ones that you wouldn't even notice.

So next time you take a bite out of your strawberry, try to ignore what else you might be chewing on.

Contrary to Agudah's "Chaim Aruchim" who work with hospitals & doctors to have the patient die "with dignity"

AN EMERGENCY CALL FOR ACTION!

Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce Spearheads Battle to Preserve Pro-Life Values for End of Life Care.
        It occurs in doctor’s offices, hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers every day - away from the eyes of the public: Life-and-death medical decisions are forced, or subtly encouraged, against the wishes and values of patients and their loved ones. Decisions over whether to provide lifesaving treatment to the elderly or chronically ill are made solely on the grounds of saving money and/or the secular liberal value that some lives are less worthy of saving than others.

This battle isn’t new; there are many families of all stripes who have endured it firsthand. However, the battle is continuously getting more difficult and contentious.

The world watched in horror as 1 year old Alfie Evans was forced off life support against the wishes of his parents, as decided by UK bureaucrats and judges. On one level or another, similar events occur countless times a day across the United States. Recently, a prestigious NYC hospital worked to limit access to Jewish community volunteers who assisted their patients, in part due to the fact that volunteers would sometimes advise on behalf of prolonging life against the will of hospital hierarchy.

“As an organization representing a cross section of families and corporations, including many in the healthcare field, the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce and our partners are working tirelessly to protect the integrity of medical providers and institutions, and improve relationships with patients, families and communities,” says Duvi Honig, Founder and CEO of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce. 

DON'T SIGN ANYTHING-Aguda's "Chaim Aruchim" Assisted Suicide, Euthanasia, Death with dignity, End of life, Hospice, Palliative care =They are all one and the same

Aguda's "Chaim Aruchim" (Passive murder is acceptable??)
Hospice & Palliative care "end of life" medical decisions- 

When the medical professionals state that the individual  has six months to live, protocol is to arrange Hospice or Palliative care.

The Hospice / Palliative providers will have their professionals take over complete care of the patient. including medication, hydrating, food, nourishment, nursing if needed, etc.

It's alleged that The Insurance Companies may advance three months payment in advance. If the individual doesn't make it for the three months, the funds are not returned to the insurance company but is kept by the providers. (Financial incentive)