Los Angeles Master Thread

[davidd75]

I'm not sure it counts as "Le'Shem Shamyaim" if the reason for doing it is so that someone can stay overnight in Oxnard on vacation instead of driving back to LA in time for Maariv.

trying to find a minyan instead of davening byechidus whether in Oxnard in LA is not Leshem shamayim?  The fact that one is on vacation and still trying to find a minyan proves otherwise of what you are saying.   Wish thee was Marriv closer but to five to LA and back to oxnard is challenging

[Dan]

So don't stay there.

[davidd75]

I certainly would not count on a Maariv dinner there. And I think it would be unfair to ask someone in middle of their $$$$ meal about Maariv.
Figure out a different way to daven maariv with a minyan.

Never said I would count on it always maintained to try and specifically mentioned doing in a polite manner ie not asking while they are dining bur rather after the meal or ther opportune time.
 
One thing to say not likely to happen and I get that; another to discourage getting a minyan.  Chabad Rabbi said it happens on occasion in a side room and the restaurant is fine with it so yes it is unlikely but lets not get overly sensitive on a leshem shamayaim issue.

I guess it depends how important it is to you.  I once heard you see what things are important to a person by what they fight for.  Some people will argue and fight on the basketball court; others over their food and yet others etc......

[Dan]

There's about a 0% chance of 10 men there finishing their meal at the same time.

[davidd75]

There's about a 0% chance of 10 men there finishing their meal at the same time.

chabad Rabbi said sometimes you have a big group or simcha so it can happen but anyways I get the point

I will hope for the best and have a plan B

[tzifanya54]

Never said I would count on it always maintained to try and specifically mentioned doing in a polite manner ie not asking while they are dining bur rather after the meal or ther opportune time.
 
One thing to say not likely to happen and I get that; another to discourage getting a minyan.  Chabad Rabbi said it happens on occasion in a side room and the restaurant is fine with it so yes it is unlikely but lets not get overly sensitive on a leshem shamayaim issue.

I guess it depends how important it is to you.  I once heard you see what things are important to a person by what they fight for.  Some people will argue and fight on the basketball court; others over their food and yet others etc......

You seem to be confused as to what constitutes Lishaim Shamayim. Everyone will have a different approach as to wether or not minyan bothers them and to what extent. Saying “I am not going on this vacation cruise etc... due to minyanim constraints” would be doing something lishaim shamyim. If you had said that, and someone was poking fun at it, you would be 100% correct in your complaints.

However, when going to gorge oneself in (what is arguably) the finest food the kosher world has to offer, and wanting the convenience of staying the night.... calling that lishaim shamyim is downright ludicrous. 

[davidd75]

You seem to be confused as to what constitutes Lishaim Shamayim. Everyone will have a different approach as to wether or not minyan bothers them and to what extent. Saying “I am not going on this vacation cruise etc... due to minyanim constraints” would be doing something lishaim shamyim. If you had said that, and someone was poking fun at it, you would be 100% correct in your complaints.

However, when going to gorge oneself in (what is arguably) the finest food the kosher world has to offer, and wanting the convenience of staying the night.... calling that lishaim shamyim is downright ludicrous.

Firstly as many on this forum will tell you tasting fine food and staying at nice hotels while at the same time maintaining certain spiritual standards is not necessarily contradictory.  But leaving that alone, what in the world is trying to get a Marriv minyan in a not so convenience place if not Lesham shamayim?  Granted not going to certain places due to minyan constraints is also laudable and leshem shamayim and may be on a higher level but it does not mean that trying to get a minyan at remote places is also not lshem shamayim(albeit on a lower level).  There are different levels for everybody(some schedule their plane flights in way not to miss a minyan).  Does that mean anybody that does less than that is not leshem shamayim?  Your argument is flawed

Second how do you know I am going there to gorge myself.  Maybe I want to treat my DW.  Is treating one's DW to nice food and hotel also gorging oneself and takes away from the lshem shamayim aspect of trying to find a Marriv minyan?

You assumed incorrectly.  I would be more careful next time you accuse someone of gorging themselves.

[tzifanya54]

I am pretty sure you understand exactly what I am trying to say. Yes it’s a plus that you look for a minyan wherever you go. The issue I and others are having with your statements, is that you seem to be be implying that this whole trip is a lishaim shamyim. All we are all trying to tell you is, if minyan is as important as you say it is to you, you would drive back to LA to make it work, or not go at all. Wether you are going to treat yourself or your wife the point remains the same. People love to throw around lishaim shamyim.

[ushdadude]

staying at the residence inn in pico, any restaurants open for friday night? if not, what are good takeout options?thanks

[davidd75]

I am pretty sure you understand exactly what I am trying to say. Yes it’s a plus that you look for a minyan wherever you go. The issue I and others are having with your statements, is that you seem to be be implying that this whole trip is a lishaim shamyim. All we are all trying to tell you is, if minyan is as important as you say it is to you, you would drive back to LA to make it work, or not go at all. Wether you are going to treat yourself or your wife the point remains the same. People love to throw around lishaim shamyim.

Not sure where I even hinted that this whole trip is lshem shamayim?  It was always about trying to find a Marriv minyan in a challenging place.

I am not on a level of not going at all but I do try to make things work out when I can.  I will have plan B which may involve going back to LA for Marriv but remember we will be in oxnard one night so it is challenging going back and forth; didnt think it would be this difficult!

[shaulyaakov]

staying at the residence inn in pico, any restaurants open for friday night? if not, what are good takeout options?thanks

No resturants. Takeout is amazing at Lieders on Pico.

[ushdadude]

No resturants. Takeout is amazing at Lieders on Pico.

thanks

[shiframeir]

But leaving that alone, what in the world is trying to get a Marriv minyan in a not so convenience place if not Lesham shamayim?  Granted not going to certain places due to minyan constraints is also laudable and leshem shamayim and may be on a higher level but it does not mean that trying to get a minyan at remote places is also not lshem shamayim(albeit on a lower level).  There are different levels for everybody(some schedule their plane flights in way not to miss a minyan).  Does that mean anybody that does less than that is not leshem shamayim?

I think i at least was more focused on a part of the halachic cost benefit analysis that i think you may not have focused on. sure going to minyan is great, but interrupting/inconveniencing people, esp on a special occasion (ruining a romantic mood etc) could be a real issue too. its one thing to maybe slip the maitre de a $50 and ask that they note to everyone when they arrive there will be maariv at 9 if they want in the side hall, but to go around interrupting and the guilt etc could really be a leshem shamayim issue too. 

[shiframeir]

No resturants. Takeout is amazing at Lieders on Pico.

yup. lieders is pretty great, i wish they had a place like that in the five towns...

[Dan]

Just ask them if they're having any events that night. Otherwise don't count on having a minyan.

[ushdadude]

yup. lieders is pretty great, i wish they had a place like that in the five towns...

i like my wife's cooking in 5t

[12HRS]

i like my wife's cooking in 5t

You have to like it

[12HRS]

I actually got asked to help make a minyan by a group there when i was on my way out. But i agree without a group there a minyan is not happening

[davidd75]

I think i at least was more focused on a part of the halachic cost benefit analysis that i think you may not have focused on. sure going to minyan is great, but interrupting/inconveniencing people, esp on a special occasion (ruining a romantic mood etc) could be a real issue too. its one thing to maybe slip the maitre de a $50 and ask that they note to everyone when they arrive there will be maariv at 9 if they want in the side hall, but to go around interrupting and the guilt etc could really be a leshem shamayim issue too.

If you read through my posts I constantly mention doing in a way that will not ruin, offend  or rub anyone the wrong way.  I am well aware of the atmosphere of the place.  That was not my beef. 

[thaber]

No resturants. Takeout is amazing at Lieders on Pico.

+1.
PKD and Schwartzs are additional for options for takeout