What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever gotten from a vending machine? Stale candy? A stick of gum? Subway tickets? Change for a dollar? I don’t know about you, but I think booklets of halakha (Jewish law) would take the cake.

Amongst the dozens of pieces of paper I got from a unnamed local synagogue prior to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (the high holy days which begin this weekend), was a flyer for an Israeli product called קלי צום (a loose translation would be “tool of fasting” however they vocalized it in such a manner as to turn it into a proper noun and trademarked it). It claims to be an all natural herbal pill which can “make a fast day a fast day”. This product was introduced in Israel around 2000, and only more recently has it made its way to the states. (In fact, I can only locate one American store that carries it). Being me of course, I wanted to know what was in it. (My first guess actually was that it was just a sugar pill). I eventually found an Israeli pharmacy that listed the ingredients online. Here is the list in order, with my best attempts at translation (and a little help from Google translator.

Looking at that list a few things jump out at me. First of all, it’s basically an energy drink in pill form. Secondly, I can’t believe they flavor it with Zatar. (I mean, I like zatar and all, but really?)

Lastly, there’s the sixth ingredient – calamus. Assuming my translation is correct (and I’m fairly sure it is), calamus is a psychotropic drug which is banned by the FDA and declared “not for human consumption”, in part due to its carcinogenic effects. (In all fairness though, it is for sale all over the place, sometimes with the pretense that it is being sold for use in perfume only). Webmd says it should not be taken by mouth as this can cause kidney damage, shaking, and seizures. It is also a uterine stimulant, and should not be used by pregnant women. Why on earth the manufacturer felt the need to include it in these pills is completely beyond me. I should mention in fairness to the manufacturer that they do offer a separate product for pregnant and nursing women, which does not contain calamus. (Actually, the pills for nursing mothers appear to contain no active ingredients to speak of, and may just be a placebo, or a substitute to keep the nursing mothers from taking the normal ones with calamus).

As a historic note, Calamus was included in the שמן םשחת – the anointing oil used to anoint Aaron and his sons as priests. It is also mentioned in Song of Songs and Ezekiel.

I’ll admit that I always bristle when people ask me personal questions on a form, and am perhaps a little more concerned about privacy issues than most, but why is it that synagogues always ask incredibly personal (and non relevant) questions on membership applications? Kesher Israel asked my blood type and my employer. KMS wants to know what my occupation is, as well as my business phone. The West End Synagogue asks what the applicants previous synagogues are. Seriously – what is with this?

According to the IBM X-force threat report from the first half of 2009, approximately 8% of the internet is porn. (See page 33 of the linked report for details and methodology).

And now you know.

Windows 7 will be released on October 22. Since Microsoft is giving out free upgrades to people who currently use Vista (which is anyone who bought a computer in the last year or so), I expect a lot of people will be installing Windows 7 in the near future. When they do, they will be faced with a plethora of options, most of which make no sense without some explanation. (Is “home premium” better than “professional”? What’s the difference between enterprise and ultimate?). Engadget has once again come to our rescue, so in an effort to answer questions in advance (and save myself panicked late night tech support phone calls), I suggest you read this article before you upgrade.

Three random TV-related things:

• I have simultaneously joined both the 20th and 21st centuries by getting a flat panel HDTV. (To answer Matt’s forthcoming question, it’s the 1080p Sony 46″ Z series, and yes, I got it on sale).
• I went into the big screen store in Bethesda on Sunday. (Everything there was too expensive – I don’t think I could have even afforded to use the bathroom had I needed to). While I was there I did check out the new 82″ Mitsubishi flatscreen with 3D technology. It is large. I can’t really emphasize that enough. It looks normal sized in the store since it sits next to 70″ TVs and is on a large wall, but then you walk up next to it and realize that it’s about as tall as you are, and you have to take about 4 steps to go from one end to the other. I also checked out the 3D demo. Surprisingly cool. You do have to wear special glasses (there’s just no way to send different images to different eyes otherwise), but they’re nto nearly as geeky as the red and blue ones I had when I was 8. It’s actually a good looking clear image and the 3D really works. This is a lot better than the 3D books little kids have. I’m convinced that this is the next technology that will get introduced into TVs. Look for the NFL to lead the way since they have a source of content which is easily filmed from multiple angles at all times, and the money to do it, and then movies to follow.
• When my new TV comes I will eventually hook it up to a yet-to-be-built home theater PC so I can watch internet based video like hulu and espn360. I will also be installing an NES emulator on said PC, and getting a few USB NES controllers. When I do, you are all invited over for a Saturday night 80s gaming party.