Hi guys I just wanted to report that I had very strong urges tonight for the first time in a while and bh I was able to ride the wave and not give in. I hope everyone has an amazing shabbos

If someone walks over the international date line and skips a day, does he also gain a day on his 90 day chart?

Assuming he does, when he walks back over and loses a day, I don't think he would lose a day on his chart, because he was x amount of days clean.

If so, I think GYE should make a trip to the international date line and we all should walk back and forth, until we're 180 days clean!

And I always thought @yosefthetzadik was married.....

24!

p.s. i reached out to gye, and the technical issue is all fixed up!, thank you gye for everything!

Yesterday I was struck by an epiphany. 

As detailed above, I decided to take on a קבלה of no news and sports until after יו"כ. So far, I’ve managed to stick to it. No radio, no recreational internet usage. If I hear about news that I want to check out, I call Kol Mevaser. BH, I think it has yielded decent results so far. Even though, I’ve been tempted to check the news, or follow sports once or twice, I feel that as a result of abstaining, there’s been a slight improvement in other areas of my רוחניות that makes it all worth it, and helps me stick to it. It’s not quite the level I was hoping for, but every level of תורה or עבודה, no matter how small, it worth fighting for.

The past week, there were 3 different events in the news that did reach me by word of mouth. First, the tragic shooting and killing of 6 and many more injured of אחינו בני ישראל in EY. Second, the failed bombing attempt of the IDF in Quatar. And third, the murder of Charlie Kirk. 

My reaction to these three events were very different then each other, and when I realized the difference, it left me quite uneasy. When I heard about the first, my reaction was to sigh and I thought “Nebach a few more Korbonos”. Unfortunately, I’ve become desensitized to tragedies in EY. I remember the reaction we all had after Oct. 7. The broken hearted, tear filled תפילות that came naturally, passionately, from the depths of my heart. As time went on, and every day in the war brought a few more of our boys killed in action, it slowly became a way of life. Unfortunately, the incessant barrage of news, began to dull my sensitivities, and the sharp pangs of sorrow upon hearing about tragedy after tragedy, began to soften. 

Fast forward to this week. I’ve written in the past, how there were times, that I watched many political Youtube videos. One of the people I enjoyed watching was the victim of yesterday’s murder. I found him to be extremely intelligent, a great debater, and very entertaining. The way he demolished his liberal opponents by making them them feel so dumb, in such a subtle way, had me coming back for more whenever I wasn’t in a good place. I rationalized, he’s defending Israel, and many values that I hold dear, so it’s okay. In reality, Youtube is never okay. One clip leads to a more questionable clip, and if I were to be brutally honest with my self, in his debates alone, not all of the participants were people I should be watching. I wouldn’t want my kids watching them, why should I be any different. 

Anyway, when I heard that he was killed, I admit that I was sad. I thought of his poor wife and children, his parents. Then I thought, who’s going to defend and educate all of “our” conservative values to the youth on university campuses. While the first reaction might be justified, IMHO the second one, has no place in a believing Jews mind. Then all of the sudden, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Why am I thinking more about this guy’s wife and kids, more then the families of my 6 fellow Yidden, who were קדושים, יראים, ושלימים? What a distorted perception of reality? Yes, he was a good person, a family man, good values and all, but  סוף כל סוף, ער איז געווען א גוי. What made me sad was that I felt almost a sort of kinship with him that I didn’t feel with my own brethren. How can this be? Every individual Yid is worth an infinite amount of גוים. Even if there wouldn’t be a grieving family, any Yid lost is a colossal loss to all of עם ישראל and makes us all incomplete. We are not the same every time we lose a member. Multiply it many times over when we’re talking about יראים ושלימים. It’s true, deep down, I do care about my brothers more than this guy, and perhaps the reason I don’t spend as much time focusing on our own, is because if I do it’ll be too painful to bear, so instead I just give a Krechtz and move on. But, why do I feel that pull to the sensationalism of something that doesn’t affect me in the slightest? How can a random American patriot occupy more head space in my brain then my own brothers? 

The only way to explain it, is that the constant following of the news and occasional entertainment that I watched, slowly but surely, chipped away at the reality and healthy worldview that the lens of Torah teaches. Every tidbit of information makes an indelible impression on the brain and bit by bit, fritters away the truth of a Torah perspective. What should evoke a strong emotional response, quickly becomes a news item, and what should only trigger a mild one, becomes distorted out of proportion. 

Reigning in my curiosity from the news, has other benefits. It has had a direct impact on my Shmiras Einayim in general. Being able to not take that second look is a lot easier when one learns to control their curiosity. תפילתי לקל עליון, that I should be Zoche to control my curiosity, and the desire for התחדשות, should be channeled in to the realm of רוחניות and not misused for news and the like.

This is where I say, thank you for making me cry in a public internet kiosk...

Littleneshamale, no words.

Keep on inspiring us.

In awe, CM

Traffic. Especially in the morning. On my way to work. Especially with all the buses. And the horrible taxi drivers. 

I happen to find myself in full agreement with you—though I must add a measured but.

Remember this well: a single man contends with the very same Yetzer Hara as a married one, and the Ribbono Shel Olam will never place upon you a nisayon beyond your strength to overcome.

And Yosef—you, of all people! You’re not some timid soul easily shaken; you’ve built a name, a presence, a reputation. People already look at you as a force, as someone who makes things happen. So why not let this very trial become your crown? If no bochur has ever made it through before, that’s not a deterrent—that’s the invitation. The first trailblazer, the one everyone points to and says: He did it. He showed us it can be done.

This isn’t just a struggle; it’s your stage. Use it, Yosef. Prove to the world—and to yourself—that the impossible bends before you.

yosefthetzadik wrote on 11 Sep 2025 19:18:

Hmm... I guess I really didn't.. I guess please explain in privet. 

hollyari wrote on 11 Sep 2025 14:36:

Actually. It was on a Sunday evening at a very busy store. The bill racked up close to $1600.

The point of this thread is that the Bachurim should have a separate hangout, where they can get support. 

Instead of me going Forum hunting and comenting on every Bachur's thread. All the Bachurim should gather on this thread. Leave a comment. Introduce yourself. Shep chizzuk, give chizzuk. 

Maybe we should ask the admadmin to open a Bachurim only section.

You guys dont get it. I know it is possible. Jewizard is my living proof.

It's just kinda scary for me to think that I'm the only bachur on this entire platform in my day range! I need some of you guys to step up and take it to the next level ASAP.

No more 20 day streaks! We're all going to 90 and then to 1000 together!!! Of course only ODAAT, because otherwise you're just giving the YH free bait.

Yes, but he's very busy. I need someone I can speak to.

odyossefchai wrote on 11 Sep 2025 08:15:

Beautiful!!!