View source for Blog/March 2020/Mar 27th

<!-- vim: set ic nocin tw=0 complete=.,w,b,kspell spelllang=en:  -->
{{blog}} {{comment|March 27th}}

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Esther’s father, this past Sunday. He succumbed to the effect of blood clots in his lungs upon his return to Argentina. We join his brother, his other children, and all his family and many friends, in mourning this loss.

He was an unforgettable person whose presence will be sorely missed. יהי זיכרו ברוך.

Esther [https://www.shiva.com/learning-center/sitting-shiva/ sat ''shiva''] at home this week. Because of all the restrictions surrounding the “virus”, she wasn’t able to have anyone come to offer condolences as is customary. Instead, she had “virtual” visits via WhatsApp and Facetime and Skype and Facebook and Zoom. Better than nothing, under the circumstances, and she is very appreciative of all the kind words she heard.

With ''shabbat'' coming tonight, she’ll “stand up” from ''shiva'', and slowly resume normalcy.

Other infobits:

* We ''might'' just finally [https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Likud-Blue-and-White-negotiations-intensifying-622426 have a government]! A “unity government” with Netanyahu in charge for the first half and presumably Gantz in charge for the latter half. If the gov’t lasts that long, that is. In any event, a prediction: Gantz is finished as a politician, and Bibi comes out stronger than before.
* One reason for Bibi coming out stronger: [http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277835 kudos from foreign leaders] for his leadership on “coronavirus”.
* A left-leaning journalist says the traditional media has been lying right and left, and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKq8UYYQTYA Trump’s being vindicated]. Never thought I’d hear that…
* An interesting article on how [https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/03/how-analog-computational-power-shaped-naval-battles-in-both-world-wars/ computational power] shaped naval battles — prior to modern computers — in the world wars.
* Some Rabbis issued a ruling that it would be permissible to use “Zoom” during the upcoming Passover ''seder''. The Israeli Chief Rabbi and the head of the Tzomet Institute [http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277764 attacked that ruling]. I don’t see any ''halakhic'' problem with having a “Zoom” session started before the holiday, but it would be really irritating to have a computer on during the entire ''yom-tov'', in my opinion.


The weather was mostly sunny and cool this week, though it rained last night and we might have some more drizzle on ''shabbat''. Not that it’ll make a difference, since as of the latest restrictions, we can’t walk more than 100 meters from our home…

Also: we’re now on “summer time” here in the Land, so GMT+3. Make a note…

As will be the “new normal” for the foreseeable future: on ''shabbat'' it’ll just be the three of us. I’m preparing:
<br>
homemade ''ḥalla-rolls'',
veggie soup,
pot-roast brisket,
traditional ''cholent'',
various ''salatim'',
and fruit.

Until next time,<br>
''shabbat shalom''!


{{nav|Blog|Blog|Blog/March 2020/Mar 20th|Mar 20th||}}