🕍 Why did Jewish students dig a secret tunnel?

It’s Friday, January 12 — people are talking about the Brooklyn synagogue tunnel, the pros and cons of inside clothes, and more.

As always, we’ve summarized and organized the different shades of perspective, so you can see the big picture quickly. Here at Shades we believe that seeing multiple points of view is the best way to stay informed.

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- Jeff (co-founder of Shades)

🕍 Why did Jewish students dig a secret tunnel?

A secret tunnel under a Brooklyn synagogue has sparked debates touching on religious promises, extremism, and NYPD’s response.

🕍 A group of Hasidic Jewish students dug a secret 50-foot tunnel beneath their Brooklyn synagogue to fulfill a religious promise. The NY Post says it's led to arrests and controversy. The students, who some call extremists, wanted to expand their holy site in Crown Heights.

🕍 AP News reports that the tunnel's discovery sparked all kinds of conspiracy theories, but that the tunnel wasn't used for any illicit purposes.

🕍 NewsOne adds a different perspective: NYPD’s gentle response to those trying to preserve the tunnel (some of whom became violent when the tunnel was being sealed off) exposes racial bias.

🕍 The Guardian thinks the absurdity of the whole situation made for good entertainment. File it under “only in NYC”!

🏠 Can “inside clothes” improve your health?

Is the idea of limiting certain clothes to indoor use a health hack, or completely unnecessary?

🏠 The Guardian highlights the benefits of “inside clothes” — clothes you wear only inside your house — to keep pests and pathogens at bay.

🏠 But WaPo says they're not a necessity: Wearing your outside clothes inside is very unlikely to get you sick.

🏠 Sleepopolis agrees: Ditching outside clothes for bed isn't a health must. Hand-washing and sheet-washing matter more.

🏠 Still, Refinery29 champions inside clothes: It's not about germs — it's about entering a cozy headspace.

Quick hits

⚖️ Hunter Biden pled not guilty to federal charges he faces after allegedly failing to pay his taxes. (CNN)

💵 The Biden administration announced its plans to forgive certain types of student loan debt early. (CNBC)

🏒 Due to security concerns, Israel's hockey teams will not be allowed to compete in the Ice Hockey World Championships. (ESPN)

🚰 A “boil water” notice was issued in Jackson, Mississippi, after E. coli bacteria was found in the city's water supply. (AP News)

Thanks for reading. If you have any feedback or want to share your thoughts or ideas, please email me at [email protected].