The Boreham Woodpusher

The man on the Clapham Omnibus is said to hold typical, ordinary opinions. When it comes to sampling the average views of mainstream British Jewish orthodoxy, the Boondocks of Borehamwood is the place to find the answer. In brief, elements of the Charedi Orthodox World had whipped up a controversy over Rabbi Dweck's more inclusive approach to homosexuality. Ironically, his main protagonists expressed their considered halachic views on YouTube, a medium that contains more treifa offerings than an insect farm. One particular American Rabbi with a penchant for internet sermons included vitriol more suited to a fertilizer plant. The Chief Rabbi was thankfully called in to adjudicate, with the results coming out the following week. The consensus in the Wood at the Cholent kiddushes and Shabbat tables was firmly with Rabbi Dweck, abetted by the odd nod and wink from the local ecumenical hierarchy. The view was that a classic British compromise would be reached (which broadly proved to...

I enjoyed watching Humans on Channel 4, the dystopian alternative where humanoid robots are common place. The interaction between humans and robots was fascinating, as were the moral issues it raised. But it won't happen for years in reality... It is now July 2017, and the Daily Telegraph published an article stating that doll brothels already operate in South Korea, Japan and Spain, and similar services are available in West London. It seems things are moving fast in this area. A whole new lexicon will become mainstream.   The moral issues around robots (e.g. see http://responsiblerobotics.org) are widely discussed on the internet, so won't dwell on them here.  But I was thinking: How will Orthodox Judaism react as more human-like and attractive robots come on the market. One day, a Rabbi may get a call from a woman complaining that their husband is paying too much attention to their domestic android? Or will men complain about competition from their butler-bot with...

E cclesiastes 7:1 tells us that "A  good name  is  better than a good oil". I n 1973, Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir famously told then West German Chancellor Willy Brandt.  "Let me tell you something that we Israelis have against Moses. He took us forty years through the desert -- in order to bring us to the one spot in the Middle East that has no oil!" After the Yom Kippur War in October 1973, the oil price quadrupled from $3 to $12 a barrel and the Arab states of OPEC held the world economy by the short and curlies. A number of  countries broke off diplomatic relations with Israel - who wants to back a loser? Israel has never had it easy with its water and energy needs. The Talmud tractate Taanit relates that Israel does not have a plentiful source of water like the Nile in Egypt, so that its inhabitants need to constantly pray for rain and sustenance. Fast forward two thousand years, and the development of world leading technology ...

Flying BA Club Class Having saved up my AVIOS from Tesco shopping, it did not cost many more points to travel overnight from London Heathrow to Jerusalem in Club Class. Doing this for the second time, I noticed how one or 2 orthodox Jewish men were again in club class, while their wives and possibly family went economy. One assumed this was due to rules of modesty, particularly lying down near strangers. However, a more economic reason may be behind this. The allowance of 3 hold cases of up to 32Kg giving 96Kg applies on the way back even returning economy under mixed cabin rules. Nice one. West Jerusalem, November 2015  Sporadic, unprovoked knife knife attacks inevitably make one a little cautious. Maybe people are eyeing each other down a little more and check who is behind them from time to time. The odd soldier or group of soldiers at bus stops and certain key corners is a comfort. On the leafy side streets, everything seemed normal at night. Young women jog with ipods an...

Haven't put down the thoughts of chairman Ant for over a year, so I guess my fans are getting a bit restless....A shopping list catch up to start with. Chess. During the 2009/2010 season, I won about 75% of my games, dispatching bunnies like Sarah Palin zaps moose. Also scored against some decent opponents. Reward , a BCF grade of 174 (ELO 2000 ish). Suddenly, Board 1 Division 1 for Ilford in the Essex League, and fewer easy pickings. Not looking promising. The rabbit terminator is facing better opposition and his cheeky Little Bishops Gambits and other quirkies no longer wash. More sober openings will have to be introduced. But in case my rivals are looking for clues, wait and see... Pilates. Getting better at the basics, but continue to struggle with the bootcamp abs exercises. Yoga. Different teachers have different approaches - even more so than Pilates. Your body goes into positions you never imagined, short of alien abduction. Tai-chi, the 3rd component of Body Balance (with...

Valentines day, 7.30pm outside Heathrow Terminal 5, the erstwhile mecca of lost luggage. I dropped off Mandy & Leora for their mothers and daughters bonding Tour in Israel. Roads were clear, so I popped into ASDA on the way home to buy my son one of their famous £25 suits (if you rub the legs together you can power a small town) and a few BOGOFS. Got home, started unpacking the shopping. Noticed there was a man lying at the left top of the driveway (2 entrances, and I drove in through the right one, your honour). Went to have a closer looked. So did 2 young ladies in a fiesta. I was non-plussed. One of them suggested I call 999. "Is he breathing? (yes) conscious? (on and off) Don't move him etc. ." A few people slowed down to look and some likely lads took an interest (No I hadn't decked him, yes I had called 999). Paramedic came, followed by the Police, so I unloaded ASDA's finest and watched match of the day. And forgot to tell anyone for a couple of weeks. ...

Welcome to Ant's Diary. Kicking of with quick review of 2008, then who knows. 2008 Economy caught a cold (Lehmans, Madoff the Ganoff, Woolworths, Uncle Tom Cobly) Global Warming? World temperatures peaked in 1999 and 2008 was wet and 'orrible. But those expenses paid conferences are a hoot, aren't they Al? Environment? Less column inches whilst LIDL and ALDI boom. Bottom fell out recycling market as prices plummet. Gordon 'Prudence' Brown cocks up and then says he is the only man to sort out what he caused. Chutzpah par excellance. Messiah Obama woos the Yanks (am I the only Sarah Palin fan this side of the pond?) Britain did pretty damn well at the olympics. Superstar Becky A too young to be a Dame. Maybe she sho get a grey wig. Brucie did not get a knighthood. What's the going rate these days, Gordon? Arsenal have not won any silverware for yonks. Deliberate ploy to save buying Brasso.