Wednesday, December 31, 2008
In response to Amnon Yitzchak's internet intimidation tactics
Once again the internet is doing what it's supposed to do and someone doesn't like it. Thanks to the dissemination of information and knowledge by the internet, the Frum Oilem is no longer a gullible group of sheep that will buy just any malarkey that is being peddled, and the silver tongued swindlers don't like it at all.
This post is in response to the lawsuit brought by Amnon Yitzchak against a popular Frum discussion forum about allegedly slanderous comments against him.
Amnon Yitzchak has no case against the discussion forum and he knows it. He is simply using fear and intimidation to shut down people who may have some true and very strong points about him and may pose a serious threat to his very lucrative business.
If the comments made on the forum truly are slander and not truth, why doesn't Amnon Yitzchak simply subpoena their information in court instead of demanding the names of the posters from the forum administartor? By taking this backwards route to put a stop to the comments it seems to indicate that what is being said on the forum really is true. If so, it's not slander, and the public, who's monies he is taking, has a right to know.
His approach is quite reminiscent of the propaganda machines of Russia and other communist countries. He never answers direct questions, but rather mocks the questioner and deflects. If his motives and operations are truly legitimate, how about some honesty and transparency in his organization.
We all have yet to know where Amnon Yitzchak comes from, who he really is and what he really does. Where has he been hiding for the last three years until he just recently popped up again? He constantly pops in and out of the public view as the climate towards him changes.
Further, much of Amnon Yitzchak's approach seems very similar to secular celebrity. Big limousines, helicopters and basketball playing in an empty Madison Square Garden. Cutting off pony tails and throwing out yarmulkas and tzitzis to people who have long been speculated to be actors in cahoots with him. These publicity techniques are grandiose and shameful, and at the very least border on fraud and deception. It's about time our questions about Amnon Yitzchak get answered and not just laughed off by him.
This post is in response to the lawsuit brought by Amnon Yitzchak against a popular Frum discussion forum about allegedly slanderous comments against him.
Amnon Yitzchak has no case against the discussion forum and he knows it. He is simply using fear and intimidation to shut down people who may have some true and very strong points about him and may pose a serious threat to his very lucrative business.
If the comments made on the forum truly are slander and not truth, why doesn't Amnon Yitzchak simply subpoena their information in court instead of demanding the names of the posters from the forum administartor? By taking this backwards route to put a stop to the comments it seems to indicate that what is being said on the forum really is true. If so, it's not slander, and the public, who's monies he is taking, has a right to know.
His approach is quite reminiscent of the propaganda machines of Russia and other communist countries. He never answers direct questions, but rather mocks the questioner and deflects. If his motives and operations are truly legitimate, how about some honesty and transparency in his organization.
We all have yet to know where Amnon Yitzchak comes from, who he really is and what he really does. Where has he been hiding for the last three years until he just recently popped up again? He constantly pops in and out of the public view as the climate towards him changes.
Further, much of Amnon Yitzchak's approach seems very similar to secular celebrity. Big limousines, helicopters and basketball playing in an empty Madison Square Garden. Cutting off pony tails and throwing out yarmulkas and tzitzis to people who have long been speculated to be actors in cahoots with him. These publicity techniques are grandiose and shameful, and at the very least border on fraud and deception. It's about time our questions about Amnon Yitzchak get answered and not just laughed off by him.
Comments:
The man is (allegedly), in muy opinion, no better than the revival tent evangelical faith healer preachers who put on a performance that would be more in the category of a carnival-like sideshow act.
These charlatans, swindlers and tricksters prey on the weak and vulnerable in order to exploit them and squeeze out as much as they can of their few meager dollars. In turn, they provide the illusion of inspiration, direction and meaning in life.
I think that debunkers such as James Randi and Michael Shermer should investigate and expose Amnon Yitzhak as they did other such charlatans.
These charlatans, swindlers and tricksters prey on the weak and vulnerable in order to exploit them and squeeze out as much as they can of their few meager dollars. In turn, they provide the illusion of inspiration, direction and meaning in life.
I think that debunkers such as James Randi and Michael Shermer should investigate and expose Amnon Yitzhak as they did other such charlatans.
One example of how Mr. Yitzhak is (allegedly) a self-promoting blowhard:
Following his performance (yes, performance) at Nassau Coliseum earlier this year, a person in attendance (or possibly a planted shill) called the Yakov Spivak show and said that he was inspired to do Teshuva.
Rabbi Spivak asked the caller what steps he was instructed to do in order to begin doing teshuva.
The caller replied "he told me to go to www.shofar.net".
Rabbi Spivak, who saw right through this blatant and low attempt at self-promotion immediately hung up on the caller and moved on.
Following his performance (yes, performance) at Nassau Coliseum earlier this year, a person in attendance (or possibly a planted shill) called the Yakov Spivak show and said that he was inspired to do Teshuva.
Rabbi Spivak asked the caller what steps he was instructed to do in order to begin doing teshuva.
The caller replied "he told me to go to www.shofar.net".
Rabbi Spivak, who saw right through this blatant and low attempt at self-promotion immediately hung up on the caller and moved on.
From: The Golem
WOW... Chaptzem you read my mind... I always told my freinds this guy is everything except what he claims to be... when I saw him with this Helicopter and Stadium I thoght Oh No... while he looks like uncle moishe's uncle to me... next thing he is going to be Moshiach... please we have rabbis and rebbes and great speach givers and we dont need one big celebrety to control this market... please get your own little shul and teach torah and stuff and who ever is interested will come to you. the most shocking point to me was that even my Satmere freinds - who dont beleive in anything - where talking about him like he is a real something while the guy is a real fruit cake. Please Rabbi Yitzchok get out of your helicopter, out of your stadium, out of your shofer boardroom and get a little shul with a shtender and 10 people, and never look back. (Chaptzem I hope u never gonna rveal my identity if they decide to sue me for hurting the big helicopter rabbis feelings...lol...)
yours: the golem
WOW... Chaptzem you read my mind... I always told my freinds this guy is everything except what he claims to be... when I saw him with this Helicopter and Stadium I thoght Oh No... while he looks like uncle moishe's uncle to me... next thing he is going to be Moshiach... please we have rabbis and rebbes and great speach givers and we dont need one big celebrety to control this market... please get your own little shul and teach torah and stuff and who ever is interested will come to you. the most shocking point to me was that even my Satmere freinds - who dont beleive in anything - where talking about him like he is a real something while the guy is a real fruit cake. Please Rabbi Yitzchok get out of your helicopter, out of your stadium, out of your shofer boardroom and get a little shul with a shtender and 10 people, and never look back. (Chaptzem I hope u never gonna rveal my identity if they decide to sue me for hurting the big helicopter rabbis feelings...lol...)
yours: the golem
to the golem, it's amazing that you can say such a bad thing about such a great person, i myself was at the nassau colliseum and i was greatly moved at what he told everyone there(i am not one of his people), just because you don't know where he comes from dosen't mean anything. have you ever watched any of his videos where he explains very simply how there is a god, and how people there are truly amazed, so bring real evidence instead of lashon hara you shmuck
He knows how to "move your emotions", and perhaps this is where the problem lies.
2 years ago, he was in Zurich and staged a great reconciliation between a father and a son.
The fahter said: "I have not seen my son in X years, I do not even know my grandchildren". A.I. asks: "Is your son's name XY? Here is a photo of him and of your grandchildren".
So obviously this was prepared in advance (I suppose the father was manipulated into asking the question, the son studies at A.I.'s Yeshiva).
To people who did not see that this could not be "unprepared", it was really very impressive.
Perhaps this staging served the purpose of reconciling the father and the son, perhaps they lived happily ever after, so be it.
But why impress the audience with such cheap tricks?
In the same show, he agreed to give a Bracha to anyone who donated 1000 CHF (roughly 1100$). Then he started out reading the names of people who agreed to donate the 1000 CHF (they were quite a few). One Israeli wanted the Bracha for less money. He would not give it, and staged a whole discussion/negotiation with this person, in front of the whole audience...
People would stand up in front of the whole audience and say what their problem was... Do they really want to live with the fact that the whole jewish community of Zurich will be aware of it?
If you want to verify whether what I say is true, I guess you can check on Shofar net, since they have videos of all the shows.
2 years ago, he was in Zurich and staged a great reconciliation between a father and a son.
The fahter said: "I have not seen my son in X years, I do not even know my grandchildren". A.I. asks: "Is your son's name XY? Here is a photo of him and of your grandchildren".
So obviously this was prepared in advance (I suppose the father was manipulated into asking the question, the son studies at A.I.'s Yeshiva).
To people who did not see that this could not be "unprepared", it was really very impressive.
Perhaps this staging served the purpose of reconciling the father and the son, perhaps they lived happily ever after, so be it.
But why impress the audience with such cheap tricks?
In the same show, he agreed to give a Bracha to anyone who donated 1000 CHF (roughly 1100$). Then he started out reading the names of people who agreed to donate the 1000 CHF (they were quite a few). One Israeli wanted the Bracha for less money. He would not give it, and staged a whole discussion/negotiation with this person, in front of the whole audience...
People would stand up in front of the whole audience and say what their problem was... Do they really want to live with the fact that the whole jewish community of Zurich will be aware of it?
If you want to verify whether what I say is true, I guess you can check on Shofar net, since they have videos of all the shows.
I believe the man is a huckster, fraud, snake-oil salesman...he is a mix between Benny Hinn (look him up) and Tony Robbins (look him up too).
Well. to EACH his own
Some people become closer to Hashem by siting in beit Medrash. some by fasting and feeling miserable "How bad they are".
Some by "parentches singing" and funny Rebbes movements with funny costumes. wearing fur hats in the summer, boots on Shabbos and holidays ,some by drunken hisvadus Some by yelling in the woods...
and some like the shows that Rabbi Amnon Yitzchak is performing.
You can not take way the many who got inspired by him. his idea yes, and some of his tricks.
The question should really be : Are his actions Mekarev people to their God - and the answer is yes, Many..
So Kol Hakavod.
It may be not the Judaism you like
But - there was 12 shvatim - none has the monopoly on the way to Ribono shel Olam.
May we all be zoche to unit and get our redemption soon.
a Loving Jew
Some people become closer to Hashem by siting in beit Medrash. some by fasting and feeling miserable "How bad they are".
Some by "parentches singing" and funny Rebbes movements with funny costumes. wearing fur hats in the summer, boots on Shabbos and holidays ,some by drunken hisvadus Some by yelling in the woods...
and some like the shows that Rabbi Amnon Yitzchak is performing.
You can not take way the many who got inspired by him. his idea yes, and some of his tricks.
The question should really be : Are his actions Mekarev people to their God - and the answer is yes, Many..
So Kol Hakavod.
It may be not the Judaism you like
But - there was 12 shvatim - none has the monopoly on the way to Ribono shel Olam.
May we all be zoche to unit and get our redemption soon.
a Loving Jew
There is no proof to back up your claim whatsoever.
However there is much proof that he is sincere as you would see in his many videos of people making Bris after a year of accepting mitzvos...
After all this time, if it was'nt true, someone, somewhere, would have admitted to putting on a show.
Additionally, if you had seen when he tried speaking at Hebrew university but the Meretz supporters didnt allow him to, why did he release that film? In order to embarass himself?
Try to remember that unlike you whos living the "American dream" of living a fake lifestyle, there are others out there who lead a normal life.
Yours truly,
However there is much proof that he is sincere as you would see in his many videos of people making Bris after a year of accepting mitzvos...
After all this time, if it was'nt true, someone, somewhere, would have admitted to putting on a show.
Additionally, if you had seen when he tried speaking at Hebrew university but the Meretz supporters didnt allow him to, why did he release that film? In order to embarass himself?
Try to remember that unlike you whos living the "American dream" of living a fake lifestyle, there are others out there who lead a normal life.
Yours truly,
BS"D
The sad think about Baalei Teshuva and everything around Teshuvah is that they draw by some "frum" communities as much hatred as they do from the secular establishment. I prefer a zillion times a Rabbi who brings Jews back to Yiddishkeit to those who dream to keep them away...
The sad think about Baalei Teshuva and everything around Teshuvah is that they draw by some "frum" communities as much hatred as they do from the secular establishment. I prefer a zillion times a Rabbi who brings Jews back to Yiddishkeit to those who dream to keep them away...
Rav Amnon Yitzchak is obviously a very learned, Hashem-loving and Jew-loving individual. How can an average person even presume to pass judgment on him? He is a human being like all of us, but he is a BIG one -- in his kiruv efforts, in his strength and perseverance, in his desire to reach out to every single Jew. How many of us can boast of any achievement in any field that comes even close to the results of his actions? He is a mighty "vessel" indeed, through him Hashem's voice resonates strongly, reaches out to people who -- in all likelihood -- might not have been able to open their eyes and hearts, and start on the most amazing journey a Jew can take. He's shouldered an enormous weight and responsibility over the years, and he hasn't broken -- that is proof that his work is much needed, that Hashem needs him to continue doing what he does. And He gives the Rav strength to carry on.
I'm not idolizing him, G-d forbid, I'm stating the facts that anyone familiar with his work can confirm.
If a person is truly in search of the truth and answers, the Rav satisfies the yearning with straighforward answers. I think he cuts through all denominations of Jews and reaches out to anyone open-minded enough to take the information, digest it and use it as a solid foundation for life-time learning.
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I'm not idolizing him, G-d forbid, I'm stating the facts that anyone familiar with his work can confirm.
If a person is truly in search of the truth and answers, the Rav satisfies the yearning with straighforward answers. I think he cuts through all denominations of Jews and reaches out to anyone open-minded enough to take the information, digest it and use it as a solid foundation for life-time learning.