Black Fire, White Fire

Parnossa

2012-01-31T14:03:00.001+03:30

segula for parnossa today. Shemot, beshalach, chapt 16. verse 4 to the end.

Introducing Ayala Ingedashet

2012-01-26T10:39:00.002+03:30

(a "u did me wrong, dragged ur feet, so good bye" song).

I guess I should post her sister's stuff too..

(this is pretty advanced Hebrew for me.)

Keepin it Real

2012-01-25T11:30:00.001+03:30

There are somethings I just don't know how to explain. Or perhaps I'm just unsure of them.

This is one.

I posted this picture on my facebook and said, "somethings I REALLY like about Obama"

and people responded, 'oh that's a publicity stunt' and 'he'd never do that if the camera wasn't there'

but what they are missing and what I failed to convey is this:

He is EXPECTED to do this. Maybe it is a publicity stunt. But to see a Black person with his nose up in the air, to many, is abnormal. So when the cameras are rolling he does this. If this were a white person, if the cameras were rolling, he would still not feel the need to do this.

So, perhaps I want to just pat Black folks on the back for having this "keep it real" thing going.

Please Help Zimbabwe

2012-01-25T08:38:00.001+03:30

There is a small community of Lembas who claim Jewish ancestry. They want to return to practicing Judaism, but need alot of things.

Please help and donate for the purchase of mezzuzzahs and prayer shawls and may you be blessed!

Please contact me via email for the place to ship via western union. Thanks!

Or you can order for yourself at HaSofer:

http://www.hasofer.com/index.htm

I am hoping to get 165 mezzuzzahs for their doorpost. that = $4,620
Plus the parchment that goes inside= $4,455
Yes, its pretty ambitious, but you never know!!

Help me out, y'all!

Thanks so much.

Just for Fun: Smash Mouth All Star

2012-01-24T09:35:00.001+03:30

Believers don't be Afraid

2012-01-22T14:45:00.001+03:30

Ethiopians on the Move

2012-01-20T10:15:00.002+03:30

Yeah, the news you'll never hear..

Sparks of Science from Israel Up Close on Vimeo.

Book of Exodus /Shemot

2012-01-12T16:41:00.001+03:30

This Shabbat we read the beginning of the book of Shemot/Exodus.

.

Just for Fun --Too Cute

2012-01-11T10:54:00.001+03:30

Jewish Schools in Uganda for the Abayudaya

2012-01-09T20:07:00.001+03:30

America Go Away!

2012-01-09T18:48:00.000+03:30

As much as I love America. I love her in America, not in Israel. Go away!

http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/01/08/187141.html thousands of US troops deployed to Israel.

Nigerian Uproar

2012-01-08T09:52:00.002+03:30

Much goings on in Nigeria. Check out Nigerian Village for more.

The World of Asiyah

2012-01-05T12:27:00.003+03:30

THE WORLD OF ASIYAH.

There are five worlds, according to kabbalah. The lowest is the world of Asiyah -the world of action and function. Its where things are completed. Creation is done. For example, say you are building a computer. You put in this part and that piece and use the screwdriver to do something (or whatever it takes to build a computer) and finally, your done. Then you turn on the computer and there it is- functioning. That is the world of asiyah.

It has a physical and a spiritual component.

Applying this to human behavior (as chassidut does), in the physical part of the world of asiyah, it is very comfortable! Comfortable because its routine. There is where you can do dishes and let your mind drift away. Or clean or work or do some sort

of labor and let your mind drift. This is the place where the spirit does not dwell. Its also the place of

sleeping -physical and spiritual.

Most people actually like this place -definitely businesses like this place--for their consumers. They don't have

to think. And effectively, there are many forms of distrations invented in the world to help us to stay in

that world. TV shows, movies, stories, long work hours, etc. But Judaism, does not want us asleep. We need to be

awake. There is much to do and little time.

Just yesterday, I went on a bus to Telzstone, a small town right outside of Jerusalem. The driver was doing his job driving. I was not used to that town and wasn't sure where to get off. So I asked the driver, "where is haGra street?"

The driver replied that he has no idea. He just drives his route and doesn't really know the place!! Talk about the world of Asiyah. There was no thought involved in his actions. He just functioned like a machine or an animal.

Honestly, I tend to be like that if i'm not careful. Just get the most minimal information that I need to function without thinking. I have to push myself not to be that way -like a work ant.

In Judaism there is a value in being inquizitive and desiring knowledge. In fact, the Jewish stories found in the Talmud and that the rabbis write, are meant to wake us up as opposed to stories putting people to sleep.
May we have awareness of our surrounding and be knowledgeable in what we do.

Thinking of North Korea

2011-12-28T13:27:00.002+03:30

This last day of Channukah, for some reason I've got North Korea on my mind. May Hashem have mercy on those who are still locked up in the concentration camps -which North Korea denies exist. May Hashem hear their cries, and the cries of those who cry for them and with them, and grant them their freedom.

Quotable Quotes

2011-12-26T02:46:00.000+03:30

"Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand"

Albert Einstein

2011-12-20T09:57:00.000+03:30

Tuesday night is the first night of Chanukah. It goes for 8 nights.

Practice: People light an eight candled menorah at a low point either on the ground or on a low table. The point is to have the light in a low place to represent how low the light can reach (even to the lowest places). The menorah is placed either right outside the house or near a window -somewhere where passersby can see the proclamation. What's being proclaimed?

BACKGROUND: During the period of the second Beit HaMikdash, the Greek kings (descendents of Yaffet) ussued harsh decrees against Israel. Religious practices were outlawed, even Torah study was outlawed. Their outlook was very different than the Jews for example: to the Greeks, the human body was a most perfect creation and so to circumcize it was seen as wrong. The Greeks entered the Sanctuary and ravaged it , defiling all that was ritually pure.

One family of Cohain, the Hashmonaim, (Matisyahu and his 5 sons) decided to fight against the Greeks. This was interesting because the Cohain are not suppose to be leaders, but rather priests. Nevertheless as they say "where there is no man.. be a man" So they took on the role of leader and lead the Jewish people into battle against the Greeks. First one brother, then when he died, another brother, then another. Total all 5 brothers fought valiantly to the end.

An added struggle was that there were many Jews who were only to happy to give up Torah, give up mitzvot, everything in exchange for being 'just like their non-Jewish neighbors'. These were the Hellenist Jews. Unfortunately, the Cohain family and their people had to do battle with both the Greeks and the Hellenist Jews.

AFterwards they went into the Holy Temple and searched around to light the candles of the menorah. They found only a small flask of oil -seemingly too small to last a day, but they tried it anyway. To their suprise, the candle stayed lit for 8 days. A miracle happened here!

Worst Nightmare turned Beautiful

2011-12-18T10:04:00.005+03:30

I have a hard time understanding Hebrew spoken with a Russian accent., even harder time with Hebrew spoken with an Ethiopian accent. Well one fine morning, at a bus stop, I had both a Russian man AND an Ethiopian lady trying to give me directions AT THE SAME TIME!! It was funny because I just couldn't get it. But when I finally did get what they were saying, they had such a look of relief on their faces, it was worth all the trouble.

A Lynching -Almost

2011-12-18T09:03:00.001+03:30

The Vatican Wants to Lay its Hands on Jerusalem - Inside Israel - News - Israel National News

2011-12-16T09:35:00.000+03:30

The Vatican Wants to Lay its Hands on Jerusalem - Inside Israel - News - Israel National News

Christian Persecution -What can be done?

2011-12-16T09:13:00.001+03:30

Just for Fun

2011-12-14T01:17:00.002+03:30

Have YOU ever heard of the Jabawakeez? so fun. lol

Matisyahu Shaves is Beard

2011-12-14T00:46:00.000+03:30

http://blogs.jta.org/telegraph/article/2011/12/13/3090715/matisyahu-shaves-beard

Hmmmm what's in store? life is like a box of chocolates... you just never know..

Just for Fun

2011-12-13T17:23:00.001+03:30

Matisyahu: Channukah

2011-12-07T11:22:00.001+03:30

Venezuela's first batch of repatriated gold comes home

2011-12-03T21:35:00.000+03:30

Venezuela's first batch of repatriated gold comes home

Imagine if other countries follow suit...

Stories from the Talmud

2011-12-02T17:00:00.000+03:30

There was a Torah scholar who let lust get the better of him. He went to a brothel and wanted to be with not just anyone, but the "famous one" who had 7 beds stacked one on top of the other. 6 made of silver and the top one made of gold. Her rule was that anyone who approaches her must remove a layer of clothing each bed he mounts while she waited for him on the top golden bed. So, this Torah scholar debased himself and climbed as fast as he could, duly discarding an item of clothing as it climbed. However, when he got to the last bed, the last item to remove was his tzitzit. In his haste to remove that item, the tzitzit whipped him across the face!!! It gave him pause. He began to think what was the purpose of the tzitzit --one of its purpose was to protect one against immorality (like a shield around the groin). Then slowly, filled with guilt, the Torah Scholar backed away and climbed down, putting his clothes back on and finally, he left.

The woman was thoroughly impressed. What could be stronger than the pull of lust?! She began to take steps asking around about these fringes. No one knew what she was talking about. She finally reached a person who knew. "these are things the Jews wear. Go ask them about it." he said. She went to a rabbi and asked about tzitzit. The rabbi wanted to know why she was curious about it. She told him the whole story including the part about the Torah scholar.

So the rabbi began to teach the lady. Slowly slowly the lady learn and eventually she became Jewish.

In conclusion, the rabbi did matchmaking and found the Torah scholar and told him he has a possible match for him. Then the lady entered. Jewish, holy, waiting for him for a holy union. He accepted. So he got the beds of silver, gold and the woman he wanted. the end.

Get Your Crown of Wisdom reminder

2011-12-02T09:15:00.000+03:30

http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/the-lemonheads-the-crown-of-wisdom/15210752?productTrackingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/1

Gold Repatriation-Electoral Ploy - Global Agenda - News - Israel National News

2011-12-01T10:53:00.000+03:30

Gold Repatriation-Electoral Ploy - Global Agenda - News - Israel National News

WOW!!! this is big news! imagine the domino effect if other countries do the same.

Jews stand Alone? Good stands Alone?

2011-12-01T10:45:00.000+03:30

I am so done with these blogs that are trying to fight against islamization of the world. Though I do think its
happening. I have to realize at the end of the day its Edom battling Ishmael and none of my business. Trying to get involved on either is ....demoralizing.

Better to just watch from the sidelines and not comment or get involved real or virtual. Anyway, isn't both Edom and Ishmael supposed to team up and come after us in the end of times?

Jananao

2011-11-30T12:59:00.000+03:30

Just for Fun

2011-11-30T09:26:00.002+03:30

haha a flash from the past...

Israel's “Codes of Success” - TechIsrael - News - Israel National News

2011-11-30T03:17:00.000+03:30

Israel's “Codes of Success” - TechIsrael - News - Israel National News

Reading bar codes with your cellphone???

Hebrew Stoudemire School?

2011-11-29T12:59:00.000+03:30

http://deadspin.com/5863039/amare-stoudemire-is-contemplating-founding-a-hebrew-school

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AMARE STOUDEMIRE

BY JACK DICKEYNOV 28, 2011 12:10 PM

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Amar’e Stoudemire Is Contemplating Founding A Hebrew School

Per today's New York Daily News gossip pages:

Amar'e Stoudemire wants to get into education, but it has nothing to do with basketball. A source close to the New York Knick tells us the power forward is interested in opening a Hebrew school, which would focus on teaching the language and Jewish history. The insider says the idea appears to be on the back burner for the time being but that Stoudemire has discussed it seriously.

Although another source close to Stat tells the NYDN that he has no such plans in the works, we hope this thing happens. Because we're really enamored with the idea of someone asking Jared Jeffries for a recommendation.

The Girl Effect

2011-11-29T11:09:00.001+03:30

Woman Lashes out at Blacks

2011-11-29T00:39:00.004+03:30

Not very modest video!! **Cuss words Alert**

Does this lady look drunk to you? Here is a woman lashing out at "Blacks" for being in Britain and "taking over" her country. Now I don't know, this is totally my guess, but I always feared that because Muslim terrorists crimes are labelled as coming from "Asian immigrants" or "African immigrants", that the backlash would come to Blacks and Asians rather than anyone associated with Islam.

(hat tip= Vlad Tepes blog -can be found on my link list)

Check out Vlad Tepes's blog for the real racist coming out on the comment section: http://vladtepesblog.com/?p=40905#comments

This is the reason we are losing the fight in Islamization of the world: because the battle is simply not about good vs evil, but rather which evil reigns supreme. Can any sane person not see this video and not see she's out of line to insult foilks on the bus/train like that? However many are just dismissing her as "drunk" (the old create a history and proceed from there routine, just like they did when they "decided that surely Black people are subhuman and can therefore be put into slavery). Just random outbursts are now okay? Please someone correct me if i'm wrong.

This is dangerous. The group that wants to fight against wromg are teaming up with true racists and haters. What will be?

Love, Wealth, and Success

2011-11-28T10:06:00.004+03:30

B”H

The last part of Rabbi Shlomo Price’s Dvar Torah e-mail of this week on Parshas Vayetze:

A woman came out of her house and saw three men with long white beards sitting in her front yard. She didn’t recognize them. She said, “I don’t think I know you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and have something to eat.”

“Is the man of the house home?” they asked.

“No,” she replied

“Then we can’t come in,” they replied

In the evening when her husband came home she told him what had happened.

“Go tell them I am home and invite them in.”

The woman went out and invited the men in.

“We do not go into a house together,” they replied.

“Why is that?” she asked.

One of the old men explained, “His name is Wealth, pointing to his friend, “and he is Success, pointing to another one, and I am Love.”

Then he added, “Now go in and discuss with your husband which one of us you want in your home.”

The woman went and told her husband what was said. Her husband was overjoyed.

“How nice!!,” he said. “Since that is the case, let us invite Wealth.

Let him come in and fill our home with wealth!”

His wife disagreed. “My dear, why don’t we invite Success?” Their daughter-in-law was listening from the other corner of the house. She jumped in with her own suggestion.

“Would it not be better to invite Love? Our home will then be filled with love!”

“Let us heed our daughter-in-law’s advice,” said the husband to his wife.

“Go out and invite Love to be our guest.”

The woman went out and asked the three old men, “Which one of you is Love? Please come in and be our guest.”

Love got up and starting walking towards the house. The other two also got up and followed him. Surprised, the lady asked Wealth and Success, “I only invited Love, why are you coming in?”

The old men replied together, “If you had invited Wealth or Success, the other two of us would have stayed out, but since you invited Love, wherever he goes, we go with him. Wherever there is Love, there is also Wealth and Success!!!!”

Stretched

2011-11-22T19:24:00.000+03:30

I want to apologize for my lack of blogging these days.

I've stretched my self so thin, I barely have time to do anything.

(1) Trying to get this new book out.
(2) Trying to figure out computer graphix.
(3) Got to learn more Hebrew.
(4) Stuff going on in real life (guests, etc).

Anyway those are my real excuses. Hopefully I'll have something to show for all of this.

Interesting Ad

2011-11-16T09:59:00.002+03:30

Quotable Quotes

2011-11-13T09:44:00.000+03:30

"I'll tell you what. I'm about to commit homicide on this "Nobody" person, who keeps messing up my house. According to the children, Nobody moved all the pillows on the couch to make a fort, Nobody dripped chocolate on my couch and Nobody took my good hair brush."

Christelyn Russell-Karazin

Just for Fun: India Arie and Elmo

2011-11-09T10:09:00.002+03:30

Naftaly loves this:

Just for Fun: Apple Pie

2011-11-06T14:34:00.002+03:30

Bye bye Racist!

2011-11-06T06:03:00.000+03:30

I used to have this secret fear that deep, deep down, way inside of me was a racist!

yep. It was my skeleton in the closet.

Well, recently I decided to drag it out and really examine this fear...

I'm Black, married to a White man. That automatically should say, I'm not racist right? However, I am so weary when it comes to friends. With my husband, I can run around, we play, we chase each other, we laugh, have discussions and I feel perfectly fine -no thoughts of color.

When I'm with friends, I wonder if they are truly my friend. We can have discussions and I feel like a whole person when I'm around them. Oddly enough, alot of these usually were married to Black people or dated them or had some sort of "badge" that shows they are okay with Blackness.

Some I know they are not truly my friends. Some are my friend as long as I stay shut. Like a good little girl. As long as I just receive and not put out anything of my own (basically, as long as I work towards my inevitable implosion).

After a while, If i'm not careful, this can make me turn passive aggressive. Then I have to avoid those "frenemies" so I don't do or say anything wrong. If it still goes undealt with, then I get more outwardly nasty or make snippy remarks which I hate!!!

Anyway, thank G-d I am really good at avoiding the frenemies.

Nevertheless, I just wanted to meditate on it a bit. I have found that if a person has actually dated and/or married a Black person, then that makes me more receptive to them if they are White. But also, if they are into kabbalistic or mystical things or if they are into "different" cultures other than their own culture that also relaxes me. Some how, if they are Black, i seem to be less inhibited already. I can have opposing views from them, but we can still go to the shuk together, be around each other for Shabbat, etc. I can even show effection and care more readily...

Some months ago, I bunch of friends -all White, when together to hang out in the park. It turned into a fun water fight, but somehow I just could not participate. I wanted to. But something held me back and so I stayed with the other ladies who didn't participate for whatever reason. The ones who didn't participate were the ones who viewed themselves as the "spiritual leaders" of the group. I didn't participate, not because I thought I was "up there" with them, but because I just wasn't sure of their true grit, in-the-trenches, friends til the end, friendship. I just wasn't sure if their friendship was real or not (nothing to do with hair). And its usually the heads that I avoid or tend to have the most problems with. The 'little people' usually not so much.

Anyway, based on all this, I don't think I'm a racist. Even the Israeli army discovered that having two Ethiopians in a brigade was more effectively positive than just one. Its a funny need.

Just for Fun

2011-11-01T17:14:00.003+03:30

Come Home..

2011-10-31T13:27:00.001+03:30

Chanufa /Flattery

2011-10-31T12:35:00.001+03:30

Flattery is a "despicable trait". There are words and words in the Jewish world decrying this trait.

But are we doing chanufa to Edom (America, Britain, Nato, UN, all those) by tooting what democracy we are? By boasting how gays are allowed to have their parades here?

I think If Jewish people -religious Jewish people were honest, they would say that the goal is to hopefully have Moshiach ruling--which would be more of a kingship. And I doubt gay parades to the Holy Temple would be permitted. (I doubt gays would be mistreated (hung or stoned as in Arab countires). But sometimes I wonder if we are trying too hard to gain the favor of Edom -which causes us to lose our own awareness of our own strength....?

Then again, its not the religious who are in power. Most of the politicians are seculars who would not want any sort of moshiach coming and ruining their game. Very interesting things...

King or Dictator??

2011-10-31T02:59:00.002+03:30

Occupy Wall street!! All the protesters are tired of the babylon system that exists in their place and they are crying for socialism rather than capitalism. Over in the socialists countries, the people there were also tired of the restraints there and cried out for capitalism and democracy. Everyone wants the other thing. Everyone wants easy life, things going well, etc. and they will and must search for it.

The Jewish people -many of us live in Israel. If not Israel, than the USA. both countries do not have dictators. USA has a type of capitalist w/a socialist lean??? where as Israel has socialist with a capitalist lean? lol. Democracy. You hear promoters say, Israel had the only functioning democracy in the middle east.

But truly, we are supposed to await Moshiach to come a rule. Moshiach is not going to have a parlement I don't think. He's going to be king. At least the difference between a king and a dictator is that the KIng is annointed whereas the dictator takes his place by force... but neither are democracies.

So what does that say? How can we accept the concept of Moshiach if we've been trained to appreciate democracy and hate dictators and those types of rules?

I don't have an answer, just posing the question.

Picture of the Day

2011-10-28T09:16:00.000+03:30

Oprah prepares to make a show about Judaism.

Circassians in Israel

2011-10-27T19:19:00.001+03:30

There is a small group of people called Circassians. They are originally from Europe and have endured alot of battles from different countries. Part of their people also live in Jordan. They have a nice tourist attraction area for those who want to come and learn about their history.

To visit this group, call your local tourist agent!

A Slice of History: Iron Lady of Liberia

2011-10-27T09:02:00.001+03:30

Asher Meza : Ahavas Yisrael /Loving your fellow Jew

2011-10-26T14:52:00.001+03:30

This makes me think of long ago in the Black community people complained about the ...what was it called... the ABC crew? the crew that decides who's in and who's out in the Black community.

Well, other communities suffer the same problem just in a different form.

What to do with This??

2011-10-25T09:42:00.001+03:30

A Canadian's Khaddafi Question

2011-10-25T09:28:00.001+03:30

Just for Fun

2011-10-24T17:00:00.002+03:30

Update:

My 7 year old saw this video and started a conversation..

Yael: "what does "dang" mean?"

Me: "She is saying that she doesn't care about anyone else."

Yael: "So why is she singing this song to everyone?"

lol!

next up: a lesson for Yael on commercialism.

Is there a Cure for Stupidity?

2011-10-21T14:18:00.006+03:30

If there is no cure, then there must be a good side to it. Otherwise why would it exist?

Take drunkeness for example. Its disgusting! (to me). A drunk lolls around and everyone avoids him. But drunk does also have good points: It makes for a glad heart. A jolly state of being. Merry making. Forgetting one's problems. And so on and so forth down that line.

Also, when someone consumes alcohol, if you really think about it, its more like the alcohol has consumed the person. So, someone who is capable of getting "consumed" like that, is very easily "consumable?"

There is a saying that the Land of Israel "consumes its Inhabitants." I wonder if someone who is prone to 'consumption' will more easily be consumed by the land. Being consumed by the land means: The land is very holy. People who come here and dwell here tend to acquire some of the holiness of the land because they are consumed. (it either consumes a person or spits them out).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On the topic of stupidity...

I think its a line. when doing something without sufficient knowledge-like bypassing the brain and going straight from the heart it makes for a certain level of confidence. But if that action proves foolhardy then its called stupid. "Stupid" is like the judgement call on the action. If, they do the same things but it proves good and beneficial, then the person is judged differently. If the action goes against logic or common sense, but its still proving to be good and beneficial for the doer, then he's called "stubborn" if his actions prove beneficial and then sometimes detrimental and back and forth, then he's labeled "foolhardy" or "risky". so, I guess what I"m asking is based on this (assuming its correct) how to re-direct someone labelled "stupid" on account of their actions, to a different set of actions that prove beneficial?

In a Torah perspective, according to the Vilna Gaon, he breaks it down into three categories: the simpleton (Peti in Hebrew) the scoffer (letz) and the fool (k'sil).

The Peti/simpleton have been enticed by the evil impulse to abandon Torah in favor of worldly pleasures. They believe that this will always be the true good. (I guess in the secular perspective that would mean someone who just wants to have fun and not be bothered with the serious parts of life). The letz/scoffer neglect Torah because of their love for idle talk, jokes, stories, gossip, etc the whole gamut of useless and harmful talk that comes under the heading of scoffing and mockery. Even though this affords them no physical pleasure, it is sweet to them and they covet it. (secular persp. they could lose jobs, friendships or other important relationships simply because they couldn't keep their mouths shut about things). The k'sil/fool resist the diligence needed to study Torah properly; they want Torah knowledge to be bestowed upon them spontaneously, without any effort on their part.

According to this I would think that what drives a stupid person is lust, inconsideration and laziness. In other words, this has nothing to do with IQ. Anyone can lapse into a strong lust, everyone gets inconsiderate momentarily, and everyone has had bouts of laziness -the need to skip a step that proves folly.

I remember long long ago, I read a very impressive book called "Spiritual Midwifery" by Ina Mae Gaskin. What was impressive about it was that it was giving tips mainly for American and European woman on how to have the best and natural childbirth possible. And they were gleening their information from what they learned from Africans in rural areas, Native American Indians, Asians in rural countryside, etc. What was also impressive was the slander and insult that was hurled at these people even as information was being learned from them. They were described as "savage" and as "primitive" and with no prologue from the author decrying such descriptions. It was as if these people were declared stupid and backwards, and yet from the backdoor, America and Europe was learning from them. Not only that, but a particularly really great move that can prevent ceseareans even got called the "Gaskin manoever" --wow!

As much as that book made me fume, I had to admit, life in a tribal setting doesn't make for much intellectual refinement. There is a head and/or elders and everyone else must pretty much do as they are told to keep society functioning. And a lack of intellectual refinement can make someone prone to stupid moves more likely -since they don't know enough to make a better judgement.

Again, I suspect "stupidity" is when the person by-passes the brain and shoots straight from the heart -where lust, inconsideration, laziness can all be found--if not taken care of.

And effectively, many of these tribal living people are very scantily dressed. As if they didn't eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. As if they didn't even know they were naked. (In the Biblical recounting, Adam and Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This put both good and evil into their very beings. Then they could no longer distinguish what was good and what was evil -everything they did, they had doubts about it. Doubt was thus introduced inside them.)

So what to do? No amount of academic training will "cure" stupidity. It's not the IQ that makes someone stupid. Its character traits. Understanding the downside of lustfulness; understanding the ruinous trait of unconsiderations; and understanding the folly of laziness.

However, there is a good side to "stupidity". It gives a person confidence. They boldly go and do what they "know" they ought to do. There is no doubt. As if -again- that they did not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. If person does what they know they must do and it comes out wrong -they are again labelled stupid. If it comes out okay, they are labelled "stubborn" and "stiff necked" -especially if they don't want to comply with people who feel they are more 'civilized' than they are.

With the proper character traits combined with the information that they already have, I think this can propel a person to develop more and more intellect, and gain more knowledge. The character traits are like vessels that can contain knowledge. The more refined the character trait, the more knowledge that can be contained; the more knowledge that can be contained, the more intelligent a person will behave.

Gilad Shalit's return

2011-10-18T15:06:00.001+03:30

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/8833179/Gilad-Shalit-release-live.html

Heart Wrenching -literally

2011-10-17T10:13:00.002+03:30

This video gets me every time. it is like a reminder to me that the world simply doesn't care. I need to hear that every once in a while.

Portable Electric Chairs?

2011-10-16T01:48:00.000+03:30

Electriconic Village has a post on taser killings in America.

Pretty deadly stuff, but no one seems to be doing much about it. So, here I am making some kind of noise against it!

Let's make noise about it. It needs to stop.

Gilad Shalit Due Back

2011-10-14T10:05:00.000+03:30

The Israeli government made an agreement with the terrorist organization holding Gilad Shalit. A swap of Gilad for 1024 terrorists currently in Jail.

OKay. on the one hand what have we lost? We got more terrorists to add the the current terrorists. But at least Gilad Shalit will be returned.

On the other hand, it increases our fear and apprehension.

bear down, this is sukkot time --the harvest time...

"dwell in the land and cultivate faith..."

Time to get to work...

Good News for Africa

2011-10-12T17:49:00.001+03:30

Check out Living Essence blog to hear some good news about AFrica!!

sneakpeek...

Move over China, here comes India!!

And a story about African women engineers ....barefoot?!

Makes my heart happy!

Arabs Scrawl ’Death to Jews' on Tzfat Synagogues - Inside Israel - News - Israel National News

2011-10-12T13:03:00.001+03:30

Arabs Scrawl ’Death to Jews' on Tzfat Synagogues - Inside Israel - News - Israel National News

Oh yes! my lovely neighbors...

Muslims bother everyone. its tiring but we're waiting for us to stop it all. I wonder how long we'll wait...

copts in Egypt are having it much much harder...

Just for Fun

2011-10-12T07:04:00.000+03:30

This was "just for fun" but it's truly scary to see, we can recognize nike, mcdonalds and all these commercial brands, but we can't even recognize the weeds and plants in our backyards that provide healing.

That reminds me of two stories...

story 1: My husband went out to buy some willow to have for Sukkot festival. As he headed for the vendor's house, the vendor's little son came out and said, "Oh don't come now, my Abba is not here."

"Where is he?" my husband asked.

"He went to go collect willows!" was the boy's reply.

Went to collect willows! in our commercial mindset, it didn't occur to us to just go out into the field and collect willows! why go to a vendor. society has taught us that whenever we need something it must be found in a STORE.

. . . . . . .

story 2: A lady wanted to make some tea in a settlement called Bat Ayin. So what did she do? instead of going to buy those boxes of tea bags, she went to her backyard and collected some anise leaves.

Word!

2011-10-11T12:11:00.002+03:30

The people of Papua New Guinea saying the Shema prayer.

Awkward Black Girl

2011-10-11T03:59:00.000+03:30

hat tip = What About Our Daughter's blog

Speaking Engagement

2011-10-10T19:16:00.001+03:30

Serge Etele from the village of Yaunde in Cameroon is leading his congregation to Judaism. Alot of times they've had to gleen information from the internet, other times rabbis would come by and visit them.

Now the organization Kulanu is gearing up to send Serge Etele on a speaking tour across America. If your synagogue would be interested in hosting him, please contact Kulanu for details.

Kulanu, Inc

165 West End Ave 3R

New York, NY 10023

Tel. (2120 877-8082

Sukkot Time -Festival of booths

2011-10-10T10:04:00.001+03:30

Ashkenazi say Sukkos, Sephardi say Sukkot.

A cute thing just happened today. I was reading Zig Ziglar's website about success and there was a huge "start your road to success" button at the bottom of the screen.

My daughter exclaimed, "Look! it says 'start your road to succos!'"

Deveikut with HaShem /Closeness with G-d

2011-10-10T03:41:00.003+03:30

I like going on Facebook. It can almost be an addiction.

But I understand it.

The real addiction, the real love is closeness to G-d. For me, anyway. But that closeness is such a soft, holy, and easily forgotten thing, that its very hard to maintain.

Closeness with HaShem means stealing away and going into prayer. it means doing hitbodedut -talking to HaShem because He is your Friend, Teacher, Master, Lover, Father, Everything. And the truth of the matter is, He responds!

Well He doesn't press the *like* button like on Facebook; He doesn't comment on your post like on Facebook, and He won't "share" your pictures or concepts that you put out. But He does respond. Depending on your emuna (like your computer connection ) will be how fast or clear the response is. It may be that a neighbor will come and say something which will be the answer to the question that you posed during your hitbodedut. Or, after speaking during hitbodedut about a concept that you were thinking, you will feel more confident to talk about it to others-that's the sharing. And, things happen, interesting things -not necessarily with humans, but also with trees, flowers, animals and whatever else from nature that G-d wants to use to post a "comment" on the post you left during hitbodedut.

This is a very beautiful thing. However, its very subtle. A very busy business day and suddenly deveikut is forgotten..... for days, weeks..and the weeks can turn into months or worse.

Facebook is easier because its more concrete. its funny to see how I post a comment or send an email and then I wait around hoping to get a quick response! Because Facebook is so concrete, I can't make it go any faster (unless I call my phone co.) and even then I can't make people respond faster cuz my computer works faster.

So, that said, I hope I will always find some quiet time to have deveikut with Hashem. Start a chat, look for His posts, and never lose focus.

Israel’s Cows - The Best In The World - Jewish World - News - Israel National News

2011-10-09T19:27:00.000+03:30

Israel’s Cows - The Best In The World - Jewish World - News - Israel National News

mooo! lol

More Power to the Punch

2011-10-09T13:49:00.001+03:30

So if you remember Jeffrey Smith gathered up a posse to fight Monsato's lack of transperancy in their labeling (i.e. not informing the consuimer that their products are made from genetically modified cells -which are causing havoc in cell tissue organs in various experiments).

Well now India -the government of India is coming at Monsato as well. India is accusing Monsato of "bio-piracy": stealing indigenous plants from their country and then trying to develop genetically modified versions of them without compensation to the local people or nation where they got it from.

If enough noise can be made about this, maybe the world will wake up and see that people are trying to pull the global carpet from under their feet. You can read more about India vs Monsato via the link.

Jewish Africa

2011-10-09T02:32:00.001+03:30

I knew about the Abayudaya. There are a group of people in Uganda who wanted to be Jewish way back even before the rise of Idi Amin. However, when Idi came into power all Jewish activity was suppressed.

But after his departure, things resumed. Some conservative rabbis offered to do a conversion for the Abayudaya, however a small faction of them resisted. They said that an Orthodox conversion would be better. And truth be told, Orthodox conversion is accepted by everyone, but conservative is not accepted by everyone.

So that group was sort of kicked out of the main Abayudaya group. They live in Putti village. I am writing this just to bring an awareness of them to the world.

There is the grand ole excuse for those who would rather not help them: "Oh! They just want Judaism for the material gain that it will give them!" they say.

These people have been trying and practicing Judaism as best they can for a generation already. With or without conversion or approval from anyone and with no material gain.

Tonight is Yom Kippur -Have an Easy Fast

2011-10-07T15:16:00.003+03:30

Someone who Got It

2011-10-07T14:44:00.002+03:30

Ki Va Moed...

2011-10-06T21:01:00.000+03:30

Its almost time for Yom Kippur (Friday night and Shabbat day). From Rosh Hashana til Yom Kippur, we pray and pray and pray. These are the times when Hashem decides how to make the coming year. Why not put in our request from the beginning rather than try to change things along the way.

Anyway, please remember the gates of wisdom, the gates of healing, the gates of kindness, the gates of repentance....etc etc etc...And pray Israel and the JEwish people and for Africa and AFricans. Pray for the world, that good should prevail and evil should fail!

Polarization to a New Degree

2011-10-06T15:06:00.001+03:30

In the end of the video he says "Europe... this is what you don't see... this is what we live with everyday..."

Now I don't know about you, but I think this is a very recent phenomenon. With the rising of "left wing" way of thinking, somehow people believe whites need to be punished for their crimes against humanity. Its a form of soft racism against non-whites in the sense that it implies, they have base anger and need to take it out. Let justice take its course because this is the only way they can express themselves."

Wrong is piling on top of wrong.

Now, in retaliation to the injustice that is being allowed to happen, white Americans are calling for other white countries to "see what the Blacks are doing to us!" sort of cry.

Truly, anyone who loves humanity black or white or other, should be appalled at the wrongs that are happening. Certainly this man is speaking out of anger for the loss of the people he loves. But for those waiting for an excuse to hate, they will see past his hurt, and take this as a validation of their hatred.

Just for Fun

2011-10-06T01:29:00.002+03:30

Candor on the Euros??? A second look

2011-10-05T04:11:00.001+03:30

I was mulling over this video....

you know, it does sound like candor. And it probably is...

But this guy is a trader... and he really wants the economy to not recover.... Makes me wonder about his "candor" because to give bad news and no hope, is to his advantage he said it himself. So though I think yes, he is being candid, the state of the economy is the pits, I also think he has what to gain if it continues this way and so won't give any "free" hope lol.

I am not blaming him. There are other ways to see things besides bad guy /good guy or black /white.

Hishtadlut -Packing a Punch!

2011-10-03T13:12:00.002+03:30

If there's anything I like about "putting forth effort" or called "hishtadlut" in Hebrew, its when I yearn or do a little thing and then before I have to do any more, the whole thing unravels before my eyes. Glory be to the Most High!!

Remember that post about the battlefronts and their commanders (Jef. Smith fighting Monsato's GMO food; etc). Well, I'm happy to announce that a bunch of these groups and their commanders are teaming up -yes, they're forming a circle: we must all be forming our own circles!! - to pack a good punch to Monsato's GMO foods.

Do you know that in Europe, their food administration demands that GMO foods be listed as such? And do you know that in America, the food administration there does not demand the same transparency?! Nope, they don't.

Well, a bunch of people are doing something about it, The Organic Consumer's Fund is poised to fight in California against such empty label. Join the fight, if your in California.

Follow the link to read more about it. Yay, Organic Consumer's Fund!! Kick 'em where it hurts!

Candor on the Euros

2011-10-03T02:46:00.001+03:30

SHANA TOVA!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

2011-09-28T15:04:00.000+03:30

To all my readers, friends, family, acquaintance etc. May this new year bring you sweetness, good health, life, and prosperity!!

Beth Din....??

2011-09-25T20:01:00.002+03:30

I got the forms to fill out to create a non-profit organization. I have to struggle through the high level Hebrew to understand it and fill it out.....

While I am trying to get this non profit thing going...it just occurred to me... why settle for just a non-profit organization? Why not create a beth din (a Jewish court) with hechshers and mashgichim and everything???? Oh my... what a thought..

Abbas: Israel Land of Jesus and Mohammed, not Jews - Features - News - Israel National News

2011-09-25T18:49:00.000+03:30

Abbas: Israel Land of Jesus and Mohammed, not Jews - Features - News - Israel National News

Hmmm... I wonder what's up with Abbas...

Abbas thinking of giving back West Bank to Israel

2011-09-25T15:23:00.000+03:30

Abbas thinking of giving back West Bank to Israel

that's an interesting turn of events...

Natanyahu's Speech

2011-09-25T08:41:00.000+03:30

Prime Minister of Israel made a very good speech at the UN General Assembly.

The next step if for him and Israel to understand that the world simply doesn't care and to begin to act accordingly.

Meanwhile, the nearly forgotten Simon Deng, a Sudanese who was taken captive and made a slave until his escape also made a speech: He called the UN: United do nothing Nations lol.

And Abbas is ....somewhere waiting for everything to blow over to resume the rhetorics.

Troy Davis's call to action..

2011-09-23T14:46:00.002+03:30

I want to thank all of you for your efforts and dedication to Human Rights and Human Kindness, in the past year I have experienced such emotion, joy, sadness and never ending faith.

It is because of all of you that I am alive today, as I look at my sister Martina I am marveled by the love she has for me and of course I worry about her and her health, but as she tells me she is the eldest and she will not back down from this fight to save my life and prove to the world that I am innocent of this terrible crime.

As I look at my mail from across the globe, from places I have never ever dreamed I would know about and people speaking languages and expressing cultures and religions I could only hope to one day see first hand. I am humbled by the emotion that fills my heart with overwhelming, overflowing Joy. I can’t even explain the insurgence of emotion I feel when I try to express the strength I draw from you all, it compounds my faith and it shows me yet again that this is not a case about the death penalty, this is not a case about Troy Davis, this is a case about Justice and the Human Spirit to see Justice prevail.

I cannot answer all of your letters but I do read them all, I cannot see you all but I can imagine your faces, I cannot hear you speak but your letters take me to the far reaches of the world, I cannot touch you physically but I feel your warmth everyday I exist.

So Thank you and remember I am in a place where execution can only destroy your physical form but because of my faith in God, my family and all of you I have been spiritually free for some time and no matter what happens in the days, weeks to come, this Movement to end the death penalty, to seek true justice, to expose a system that fails to protect the innocent must be accelerated. There are so many more Troy Davis’. This fight to end the death penalty is not won or lost through me but through our strength to move forward and save every innocent person in captivity around the globe. We need to dismantle this Unjust system city by city, state by state and country by country.

I can’t wait to Stand with you, no matter if that is in physical or spiritual form, I will one day be announcing,

“I AM TROY DAVIS, and I AM FREE!”

Never Stop Fighting for Justice and We will Win!

~~~~~~

I am in such pain for him. And to add insult to injury, the let mr. white criminal go free. What a slap in the face.

Commanders and Battle fronts

2011-09-19T20:09:00.004+04:30

Commander: Jeffrey Smith
Battle front: Corporations trying to get rid of non-hybrid and hybrid organic seeds and produce.
You can visit his blog at: Seeds of Deception

Commanders: Sally Fallon, Shoshanna Harari, Robert Morse MD,. Dr. Sebi
Battle front: Misinformation on what's really healthy eating

Commander: MIA
Battle front: Negativity about Africa

Commander: What About Our Daughters blogQueen, Gina McCauley
Battle front: Negativity about African Americans
You can visit her blog at What About our Daughters

Commander: Barbara Loe Fisher (?)
Battle front: Truth about the necessity of vaccines

more as I get them...(please keep in mind, these are only from the English speaking world).

Internet back!

2011-09-19T19:45:00.002+04:30

What a relief! After about two weeks, I finally have internet back. **sigh**

"End of" Times

2011-09-14T23:05:00.001+04:30

Shalom readers,

I am experiencing the most outrageous customer service ever. I still have no internet at home, but thankfully my sister lets me use her laptop. I am just not used to it so I am not posting so much. My fat fingers are always pressing the wrong buttons haha.

We are truly living in the End of Times period as I see it. Except I think it should be written more like "end of" times. As in, lots of things are ending or WILL end if we -goodness in the world- remain despondent.

Already, we have monsato working hard at getting rid of various hybrid organic seeds. Soon there may not even exist seeds of old.

We have Washington (USA) attempting to ban incandescent light bulbs -the one light bulb that actually helps us to save energy and money. What company would want you to save energy and money really? That's less money for them!

Its now or never. pick up arms folks - get your seeds ons, your gardens on, your knowledge on.

In the Jewish world -and maybe in the rest of the world too? - I see us returning back to tribal life. I think that was attempted with the advent of kibbutzim, but that time is ending too. G-d willing, a new form of tribal life that is more compatible with today's crazy daze will emerge.

Be well. Be vigilant. Gain knowledge.

Quotable Quotes

2011-09-14T15:02:00.000+04:30

“The great enemy of clear language is insincerity. When there is a gap between one's real and one's declared aims, one turns, as it were, instinctively to long words and exhausted idioms, like a cuttlefish squirting out ink.”

George Orwell

September 11

2011-09-11T03:21:00.000+04:30

A real tragedy.

About 3,000 people died. Correction, about 3,000 people were killed.

I don't know which is the bigger tragedy the killing or the fact that we would rather keep their details of their murder vague in the hopes that all will be well with us -even as more crimes are being plotted.

Just for Fun

2011-09-06T09:50:00.000+04:30

I can't wait til I get internet again. This company is making me suffer!

Michael Coren

2011-08-30T13:53:00.000+04:30

i don't have much internet access, so hopefully i can posting more next week.

Hard to Fool Orthodox Kosher Customers - Jewish World - News - Israel National News

2011-08-24T16:53:00.000+04:30

Hard to Fool Orthodox Kosher Customers - Jewish World - News - Israel National News

So much for Shefa Shuk...

Miracle Recovery of Terror Rocket Victim - Inside Israel - News - Israel National News

2011-08-24T16:50:00.000+04:30

Miracle Recovery of Terror Rocket Victim - Inside Israel - News - Israel National News

Another miracle in the midst of it all.

Somethings Definitely Coming down from Shamayim

2011-08-24T15:41:00.000+04:30

....and then we have the earthquakes in America.....

............................and the hurricanes in Haiti and Dominican Republic.....

Something is definitely coming down from heaven and the world is having a hard time "catching" it.

Affirmations

2011-08-24T05:39:00.003+04:30

.
They are bombing us and the world doesn't care. That's normal. I have to be okay with that. Missile attacks are raining down the south part of Israel and everyone is okay with that. In fact, if /when Israel retaliates we have to be ready for backlash. Okay. I have to be okay with that.

It doesn't matter what happened with Jordan, with Lebanon. History is forgottten and the Jews are hated and blamed. Okay okay. Yes.

Well we have Glenn Beck who maybe can't wait to start preaching his religion as the answer to everything. Are we facing two war fronts? Am I getting delirious? Is this Edom riding on Ishmael's back? Is this a trojan horse? like an evil riding on the serpent towards Adam and Chava? I need a chill pill. Perhaps its good for Israeli?? haha.

Miracle in synagogue: Grad fails to explode - Israel News, Ynetnews

2011-08-23T13:14:00.000+04:30

Miracle in synagogue: Grad fails to explode - Israel News, Ynetnews

its raining missile again...

Igbo Israel International Music and Film Festival plus Book Fair 2012. | Igbo Israel Online

2011-08-23T13:02:00.000+04:30

Igbo Israel International Music and Film Festival plus Book Fair 2012. | Igbo Israel Online

I'm seriously thinking about going....

Life's Lemons

2011-08-23T08:47:00.003+04:30

A true example of making lemonade from life's lemons...

Just for Fun -Who Let the Dogs Out??

2011-08-22T20:43:00.001+04:30

Remember this one?

Obama?

2011-08-21T05:19:00.000+04:30

Wouldn't it be interesting of Obama would speak and stop the flash mob that's been happening in Wisconsin and Philadelphia?

Wouldn't it be interesting if he used his position and had a "victory" by bringing peace to his own nation?

Looks like a golden opportunity for ratings....

Okay. back to observation mode.

Hip hop Detox

2011-08-21T04:56:00.002+04:30

An interesting website designed to help people detox from the detrimental messages in hip hop music.

Hip Hop Detox

I got this from Huffington Post's Zack Isaacs.

Anybody remember him as a blogger so long ago?

.