Did Esti Weinstein die in vain?

When we were in Jerusalem in late June, we heard the news of the suicide of Esti Weinstein, a 50 year old Israeli woman. She left a suicide note: “In this city I gave birth to my daughters, in this city I die because of my daughters.”

Palestinian terrorists perpetrated another heinous attack in Tel Aviv, murdering four Israelis and wounding nine others. Israeli police were quick to neutralize the two gun-wielding terrorists so that no further casualties resulted.

It is with sadness that I record the passing of Dr. Albert Arking of Potomac, Maryland. The world has lost an outstanding human being. Our family has lost a crown jewel. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother—and our distinguished Mehutan, father of our son-in-law Dan.

In recent years, there seems to be a proliferation of kasher food products that contain multiple rabbinic supervisions (hashgahot). If you buy a box of cookies or a packaged cake, you are likely to find several symbols of competing kashruth agencies. Why isn't one hashgaha enough?

A member of the Institute recently sent me an email. Here are his comments, although I've deleted the name of the rabbi to whom he referred. (Rabbi X isn't his real name.)

Our prayers are with the people of Israel as they once again are compelled to defend themselves against the forces of terror, hatred and destruction.