I just read this and I love it

Germans don't do small talk.

They don't ask about your weekend

before a meeting.

They don't comment on the weather

to fill silence.

They just start.

One commenter wrote: In Germany we don't even have a real word for Smalltalk

24nd yahrzeit of Rav Avigdor Miller

 

The 24nd yahrzeit of Rav Avigdor Miller zt'l is the twenty-seventh of Nissan (Tues, April 14th).  Rav Avigdor Miller on Visiting The Grave of A Tzadik Q: What is the function of going to a kever of a Tzadik?  A: And the function is what we spoke about today. And that is, in order to advertise to the world that the greatest thing in the world is to be a tzadik. And in the zechus of you going there and demonstrating that you appreciate the greatness of a tzadik, Hashem will reward you and listen to your tefilla. But you’re not praying to the tzadik, chas v’shalom. Hakodosh Boruch Hu says, “If you understand how much I love this man, and not only him, but I even love his body because his body was kadosh. And now you come there, where his body was placed, for that purpose of showing that you appreciate the greatness, the holiness, of his body, then I’m going to reward you by listening to your tefilla.” That’s the purpose of kivrei tzaddikim. TAPE # E-8 (May 1995) Q: How should one pray at the grave of a tzadik? A: At the grave of a tzadik you're supposed to pray to Hashem in the merit of this tzadik, in the zechus of this tzadik. Suppose he gets on his knees and prays, “Tzadik,” he says, “Tzadik, please save me.” That's wrong. You don't say, “Tzadik save me.” You can say “Tzadik, please pray to Hashem for me. Your zechus should help me.” TAPE # 689 (June 1988)

close the mouth

 In lion's skin, an ass did hide

and none could know who was inside

Until himself he did betray

by opening his mouth to bray.

Written by Avigdor Miller when he was a boy

1901

 https://x.com/i/status/2042585624985718836

What Paris looked like around 126 years ago.

 What Paris looked like around 126 years ago.