Seek the Truth

Dedicated by a subscriber in loving memory of Marcel Will.(To dedicate a future Table Talk, send an email.)


Please consider the remarkable story of Israel's newest Nobel laureate.

Wikipedia:
Shechtman experienced several years of hostility toward his non-periodic interpretation (no less a figure than Linus Pauling said he was "talking nonsense" and "There is no such thing as quasicrystals, only quasi-scientists.")

The head of Shechtman's research group told him to "go back and read the textbook" and then "asked him to leave for 'bringing disgrace' on the team." Shechtman felt rejected.

The Nobel Committee at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said that "his discovery was extremely controversial," but that his work "eventually forced scientists to reconsider their conception of the very nature of matter."


And in his own words:

“I was thrown out of my research group. They said I brought shame on them with what I was saying,” he recalled. “I never took it personally. I knew I was right and they were wrong....If you are a scientist and believe in your results, then fight for them, then fight for the truth. Listen to others, but fight for what you believe in."

— Prof. Dani Shechtman, 2011 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Amazing. Should be on the first page of every science textbook.

Question for your table.... What's more important, fighting for what you believe or having friends?

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Today's Amazing Jewish Fact

November 11, 2011

14 Cheshvan, 5772

Star of Whom?

There is no evidence that the six-pointed star was a particularly Jewish symbol prior to the Middle Ages. It can be found in ancient inscriptions all over the world, as can the swastika.

Read more:

Wikipedia article A
Wikipedia article B
Loosely relevant book

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From the Amazing Jewish Fact-a-Day Calendar


Android version: http://tinyurl.com/amazingandroidcalendar
Iphone/ipod/ipad version: http://tinyurl.com/amazingcalendarlink
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Shabbat Shalom

Nobel Oblige

Dedicated to our friend Eric Swergold, who recently raised $60,000 for cancer research with “Swim Across America” - way to go Eric!

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Since the Norwegians have turned the Peace Prize into a political tool, is it food for Table Talk?

After they gave the Prize to Arafat, maybe we should just try to ignore them.

But maybe we could add one thought.

People are saying that this award for the President’s rhetoric is equally a rebuke of the former president.

How does the President's diplomatic rhetoric look from a so-called “Jewish” perspective?

George W., who was touted by some Israelis as “the best friend Israel ever had”, was the first president to use the term “two-state solution.” Even though a Palestinian state would be disastrous for Israel, thanks to him, this goal has become official US policy.

Barak O. has reiterated that policy and further declared that the Jewish People’s connection to the Land comes from our suffering in the Holocaust (see his Cairo speech).

So here’s the Q for your table: Do you think that the President’s rhetoric will have any impact on peace in the Land of Israel? If not, what will?


Shabbat Shalom and Happy Simchas/t Torah


PS – In honor of Simchas Torah (Sunday), here is your happiness video of the week:



“I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught.” - Churchill