Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
The Shift
I think no one in the world understands the similarities between Judaism and African (pre-Christian, pre-Islamic) spirituality. Only someone who's studied both and that is very unlikely because Blacks usually are taught to hate Jews; and Jews think they have nothing to do with Blacks.
Oh well, I'll be interested in watching when they meet at some intersection. meanwhile...
There is a movement in the Black world to shift back to the old way, the way that is supposedly more compatible to an African descended person. I don't know the name of it yet, but there is talk of building "Ile Kweli" centers (HOUSE OF TRUTH) Ile - House in Yoruba and Kweli - truth in Kiswahili. Sort of like Chabad houses to help Black folks return to their root spirituality.
Sounds nice so far...
(I want to add that I am not endorsing this religion. I think it has alot of advantages to Black people -more so than Islam and Christianity. But it also has its meshugana /crazy parts such as a deity for this and a deity for that and a diety for some other thing, and so on and so forth -so much deities to keep track of!
If I had to endorse something, it would be Judaism. But even Judaism has its quirks lol. But one thing somewhat similar is that in Judaism there is the belief that there are little "deities" controlling various things -those are called angels and the difference is that we can rise above even them!)
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Linking Links
What's happening around the blogosphere?
Afrospears blog has a fantastic youtube piece on how America and France conspired against Haiti's elected president, Aristide.
Want to know which foods are safe to buy even non-organic? Check out Living Essence blog, she got the list.
Shirat Devorah gives you the low down on just how bad the nuclear generator situation is in Japan, and elsewhere.
For the French speakers, Guershon Nduwa makes a comparative study on how the world decides Haiti's disasters are divine where as Japan's are technically scientific.
Electronic Village says Freedom = owning your own business!
Lots of good stuff out there!
Afrospears blog has a fantastic youtube piece on how America and France conspired against Haiti's elected president, Aristide.
Want to know which foods are safe to buy even non-organic? Check out Living Essence blog, she got the list.
Shirat Devorah gives you the low down on just how bad the nuclear generator situation is in Japan, and elsewhere.
For the French speakers, Guershon Nduwa makes a comparative study on how the world decides Haiti's disasters are divine where as Japan's are technically scientific.
Electronic Village says Freedom = owning your own business!
Lots of good stuff out there!
Israel Silicon Valley Chips Away at Australian Boycott - Inside Israel - Israel News - Israel National News
Israel Silicon Valley Chips Away at Australian Boycott - Inside Israel - Israel News - Israel National News
An Australian city was anxious to enforce a boycott against Israel, but after its city council discovered that Intel, HP and Motorola operate from the Jewish State, the city chose computers over boycotts.
well, well, well...
An Australian city was anxious to enforce a boycott against Israel, but after its city council discovered that Intel, HP and Motorola operate from the Jewish State, the city chose computers over boycotts.
well, well, well...
Passover in S. Sudan
I like that he's telling them that he and the Jewish people were slaves once. Like this they will understand that its not them alone.
Slightly irrelevant, someone gave me an interesting idea: donating organic seeds to farmers in Haiti. Since I'm pretty close to an organic farm, this seems like a doable thing. Its definitely important since Haiti is one of the countries on the front line battling Monsato. I wish I had a contact in South Sudan, I'd like to send some there too. First I have to get the prices of this. Hope its not too expensive...
Back on the After-Divestment Tract
Once a year in the Jewish community, after Passover, we go over our attributes and revise, improve, repair....so..here is a flashback post on this topic:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So onwards and upwards, we keep going towards self improvement. I won't even hope to have time to blog about it so this will be it. I didn't get to week one which was about kindness, but we are already on week 2 so lets begin there. (hopefully I can back track later).
One thing many people do after Passover,(as I've stated before in a previous post) we arrange ourselves to merit past recent miracles and position ourselves to receive more. This week is a look at Gevurah --restraint and strength, and taking.
How much is too much? How much is too little?
Gevurah is represented by the left hand. It stands for holding back and for being strong. Its like a red light warning us of poison or danger ahead or a stop sign. Gevurah personified was Isaac. At times I wonder, was it because of Abraham's great lovingkindness that Isaac became almost opposite? Anyway, Isaac was so restraining on himself that he would re-open only the wells that Abraham had made previously. Very rarely does he create a new well. He tried to follow in his father's footstep quite meticulously. Even dealing with almost the same problems as Abraham (going into Egypt, dealing with someone who wants his wife, calling his wife his sister, building wells, etc)
Gevurah is like going all the way to the left. Perfectly. Although, interestingly, he was the one personified as the gevurah one, (holding back his will when Abraham was about to sacrifice him) but Isaac is the only one I know of where the Bible describes him as having fun and being playful with his wife!
Also, his name Yitzhok in Hebrew is from the root word "to laugh"
Gevurah with a measure of kindness (the right hand) brings us to beauty (tiferet). A beautiful blend of giving and taking. Pretty interesting for someone whose known for their restrain.
Gevurah with a measure of kindness with the goal being to restrain brings us to empathy. Being able to help and be kind SPECIFICALLY BY not being intrusive or domineering. Like a therapist, just listening to a friend without judging or giving your input (unless they ask).
Gevurah with a measure of more gevurah =very rigid. At times this is necessary. But the key question is when?
Gevurah with beauty = holding back to give and /or take beautifully. This makes me think of myself trying not to punish the children out of my own anger and hurt dignity, but because they need to know that something is wrong. That already softens whatever punishment they get, plus it allows that the punishment corresponds to the "crime" -no heat.
Gevurah with domineering intent (netzah) = Being strong or empathetic consistantly. Not wishy washy. For example,in the work place you may do a feat which shows gevurah, strength. But with not being consistent in that strength, that image goes limp. You loose the dominion -no longer known for being solid, or whatever it was that you did.
However, if you remain consistent, showing strength, discipline, focus without falling for judging others, criticizing, etc. you can corner whatever market, group, field, provided you have the knowledge to back up this character!
The hardest part to control is the tongue.
Gevurah with a measure of yesod (I'm not sure how to translate yesod: foundation. sexual purity. creativity?) = This is basically being empathetic with a good measure of dominance. Knowing how wide you want to make the playing field for the other person, and not fuddling with the borders for your own sake.
Gevurah and malkhut (kingship)= All the previous traits noted above were things that emanate from yourself. Malkhut is the trait that receives from others and gives back. So exercising gevurah while giving back is basically maintaining you cool in a tough situation. At a time when you have to be strong, restraining, etc. knowing how to keep your cool is a worthwhile ability.
That is the focus for this week. Hopefully I can write more about it later. The most important thing of all is prayer though. No matter how much we work on ourselves, verbalizing what we want to attain and combining it with faith in God helps.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So onwards and upwards, we keep going towards self improvement. I won't even hope to have time to blog about it so this will be it. I didn't get to week one which was about kindness, but we are already on week 2 so lets begin there. (hopefully I can back track later).
One thing many people do after Passover,(as I've stated before in a previous post) we arrange ourselves to merit past recent miracles and position ourselves to receive more. This week is a look at Gevurah --restraint and strength, and taking.
How much is too much? How much is too little?
Gevurah is represented by the left hand. It stands for holding back and for being strong. Its like a red light warning us of poison or danger ahead or a stop sign. Gevurah personified was Isaac. At times I wonder, was it because of Abraham's great lovingkindness that Isaac became almost opposite? Anyway, Isaac was so restraining on himself that he would re-open only the wells that Abraham had made previously. Very rarely does he create a new well. He tried to follow in his father's footstep quite meticulously. Even dealing with almost the same problems as Abraham (going into Egypt, dealing with someone who wants his wife, calling his wife his sister, building wells, etc)
Gevurah is like going all the way to the left. Perfectly. Although, interestingly, he was the one personified as the gevurah one, (holding back his will when Abraham was about to sacrifice him) but Isaac is the only one I know of where the Bible describes him as having fun and being playful with his wife!
8 And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife. Genesis 26:8
Also, his name Yitzhok in Hebrew is from the root word "to laugh"
Gevurah with a measure of kindness (the right hand) brings us to beauty (tiferet). A beautiful blend of giving and taking. Pretty interesting for someone whose known for their restrain.
Gevurah with a measure of kindness with the goal being to restrain brings us to empathy. Being able to help and be kind SPECIFICALLY BY not being intrusive or domineering. Like a therapist, just listening to a friend without judging or giving your input (unless they ask).
Gevurah with a measure of more gevurah =very rigid. At times this is necessary. But the key question is when?
Gevurah with beauty = holding back to give and /or take beautifully. This makes me think of myself trying not to punish the children out of my own anger and hurt dignity, but because they need to know that something is wrong. That already softens whatever punishment they get, plus it allows that the punishment corresponds to the "crime" -no heat.
Gevurah with domineering intent (netzah) = Being strong or empathetic consistantly. Not wishy washy. For example,in the work place you may do a feat which shows gevurah, strength. But with not being consistent in that strength, that image goes limp. You loose the dominion -no longer known for being solid, or whatever it was that you did.
However, if you remain consistent, showing strength, discipline, focus without falling for judging others, criticizing, etc. you can corner whatever market, group, field, provided you have the knowledge to back up this character!
The hardest part to control is the tongue.
Gevurah with a measure of yesod (I'm not sure how to translate yesod: foundation. sexual purity. creativity?) = This is basically being empathetic with a good measure of dominance. Knowing how wide you want to make the playing field for the other person, and not fuddling with the borders for your own sake.
Gevurah and malkhut (kingship)= All the previous traits noted above were things that emanate from yourself. Malkhut is the trait that receives from others and gives back. So exercising gevurah while giving back is basically maintaining you cool in a tough situation. At a time when you have to be strong, restraining, etc. knowing how to keep your cool is a worthwhile ability.
That is the focus for this week. Hopefully I can write more about it later. The most important thing of all is prayer though. No matter how much we work on ourselves, verbalizing what we want to attain and combining it with faith in God helps.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
The Error of My Ways: The Loan
.
A long long time ago, way before family, I was single and lived in Chicago. Well, I made up my mind that I wanted to do a certain project but I needed some money. I knew Mr. So and So was a wealthy Jewish philanthropist and so I decided to pay him a visit.
I marched right in to his office and informed the whispery -voiced secretary that I would like to speak with Mr. So and so. After communicating with him via her intercom, she said I should go into his office.
I went. I felt pretty confident. Had on my best clothes, had my script ready. I was on! I stated my cased and made my request....
He agreed!!! He gave me some money and we agreed on a time to pay him back.
Time passed, life happened and lo and behold it was near the time to pay back the loan! I had been slowly accumulating money to pay him back but I was nowhere near at the amount that I needed to have. The time was fast approaching and as hard as I worked there didn't seem to be any way that I would have that money in time. So I had to make a decision: Either I call him and apologize profusely and request for an extended time or I hide away. In my great twenty something year old intelligence, I decided to do the manly thing and hide away!
The date came and went and I didn't go to see him. I was hiding. All the while praying that i don't bump into him in the streets. Slowly slowly I worked until I was finally able to gather the money to pay him back!
I was elated. I could finally show my face again! No more shame and humiliation. As soon as I gathered the money I ran straight to his office. Convinced I was that he would be so happy to receive his money back that he would understand and forgive and forget my previous hiding away.
I boldly knocked and entered his office. There was the whispery-voiced secretary as usual. I told her who I was and proudly announced that I was ready to pay Mr. So and so back. Again, she communicated via intercom in her whispery voice...
"Mr. So and So, Ms Miriam is here to see you..."
"Send her in!!" was his response. It sounded alittle angry, I thought. Sort of like a...growl... But clutching the money I figured he'd instantly change once he saw what it was about. So I innocently marched into his room.
Rich people are truly rich! Just looking around his room was amazing. His office desk was made of this thick beautiful wood. Everything said "rich" in his room.
"Hi Mr. So and so, Its me, Miriam, I'm sure you remember our interaction?"
silence.
Suddenly, there was a pretty sizable lump in my throat.
I began to realize, this guy is not in a very good mood to see me. I felt some beads of sweat appearing on my forehead. At that point, I wanted my momma. I wanted so badly that Haitian-Creole speaking, belt using, nice when they want to be-parents. I tried to be tough. Surely, i'll make him happy when I present him his money back. I tried to convince myself once again.
"Have a seat" he said without lifting his head from whatever it was he was writing. I slid over to the cushy soft armchair that was in front of his desk. It was very soft. So soft in fact that I just sunk in deeper and deeper into the chair.
The deeper I sunk, the more the realization sunk in. This guy is not happy with me. And why would a wealthy man care so much about such money? He can burp this amount in his sleep! No, it was the principle that counted. The lack of honesty that i showed by not reporting to him at least on the day that I was supposed to pay him back, just too ask for an extention was bothering him. Money was a non issue -he had plenty of that, principle was more valued. Why didn't I just call him that day? What harm could that have done?? I sunk deeper into that chair.
Finally I felt like two eady beady eyes staring out from inside that armchair. Then he lifted his head to look at me. His eyes said it all: No mercy.
I swallowed hard and braced myself. I had it coming...
(Epilogue: So he pretty much admonished me-quite sternly- for messing with his trust. He would have much preferred that I was straightforward with him and asked for an extension. He said it made him weary to loan money again from that experience. I am so sorry for my foolish decision. Thank God it didn't last too long in there- 10 minutes tops. )
A long long time ago, way before family, I was single and lived in Chicago. Well, I made up my mind that I wanted to do a certain project but I needed some money. I knew Mr. So and So was a wealthy Jewish philanthropist and so I decided to pay him a visit.
I marched right in to his office and informed the whispery -voiced secretary that I would like to speak with Mr. So and so. After communicating with him via her intercom, she said I should go into his office.
I went. I felt pretty confident. Had on my best clothes, had my script ready. I was on! I stated my cased and made my request....
He agreed!!! He gave me some money and we agreed on a time to pay him back.
Time passed, life happened and lo and behold it was near the time to pay back the loan! I had been slowly accumulating money to pay him back but I was nowhere near at the amount that I needed to have. The time was fast approaching and as hard as I worked there didn't seem to be any way that I would have that money in time. So I had to make a decision: Either I call him and apologize profusely and request for an extended time or I hide away. In my great twenty something year old intelligence, I decided to do the manly thing and hide away!
The date came and went and I didn't go to see him. I was hiding. All the while praying that i don't bump into him in the streets. Slowly slowly I worked until I was finally able to gather the money to pay him back!
I was elated. I could finally show my face again! No more shame and humiliation. As soon as I gathered the money I ran straight to his office. Convinced I was that he would be so happy to receive his money back that he would understand and forgive and forget my previous hiding away.
I boldly knocked and entered his office. There was the whispery-voiced secretary as usual. I told her who I was and proudly announced that I was ready to pay Mr. So and so back. Again, she communicated via intercom in her whispery voice...
"Mr. So and So, Ms Miriam is here to see you..."
"Send her in!!" was his response. It sounded alittle angry, I thought. Sort of like a...growl... But clutching the money I figured he'd instantly change once he saw what it was about. So I innocently marched into his room.
Rich people are truly rich! Just looking around his room was amazing. His office desk was made of this thick beautiful wood. Everything said "rich" in his room.
"Hi Mr. So and so, Its me, Miriam, I'm sure you remember our interaction?"
silence.
Suddenly, there was a pretty sizable lump in my throat.
I began to realize, this guy is not in a very good mood to see me. I felt some beads of sweat appearing on my forehead. At that point, I wanted my momma. I wanted so badly that Haitian-Creole speaking, belt using, nice when they want to be-parents. I tried to be tough. Surely, i'll make him happy when I present him his money back. I tried to convince myself once again.
"Have a seat" he said without lifting his head from whatever it was he was writing. I slid over to the cushy soft armchair that was in front of his desk. It was very soft. So soft in fact that I just sunk in deeper and deeper into the chair.
The deeper I sunk, the more the realization sunk in. This guy is not happy with me. And why would a wealthy man care so much about such money? He can burp this amount in his sleep! No, it was the principle that counted. The lack of honesty that i showed by not reporting to him at least on the day that I was supposed to pay him back, just too ask for an extention was bothering him. Money was a non issue -he had plenty of that, principle was more valued. Why didn't I just call him that day? What harm could that have done?? I sunk deeper into that chair.
Finally I felt like two eady beady eyes staring out from inside that armchair. Then he lifted his head to look at me. His eyes said it all: No mercy.
I swallowed hard and braced myself. I had it coming...
(Epilogue: So he pretty much admonished me-quite sternly- for messing with his trust. He would have much preferred that I was straightforward with him and asked for an extension. He said it made him weary to loan money again from that experience. I am so sorry for my foolish decision. Thank God it didn't last too long in there- 10 minutes tops. )
Quotable Quotes
"Deep calls to deep..."
Psalm 42:7
My friends, it behooves us to work on ourselves. Evil is gaining way too much in the world. How is it so successful? Because we all have a bit of greed, we all have a bit of jealousy, etc. Evil is calling that part of us and we are heeding. Stop.
By evil I mean corporations who have no problem destroying the environment, destroying -in the long run- the food supply, destroying countries, peoples, etc.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Quotable Quotes
"To the many people who have questioned why I came, I say: Israel worked very closely with the apartheid regime. I say: I've made peace with many men who slaughtered our people like animals. Israel cooperated with the apartheid regime, but it did not participate in any atrocities"
Nelson Mandela
Picture of the Day
(could this have anything to do with the rage from the incident of the 26 men gang raping an 11 year old girl?)
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Just for Fun
We Are Africans
Nice!!
I wonder if Africans would accept me knowing that I am Jewish and married to a Jewish man.....???
Nice!!
I wonder if Africans would accept me knowing that I am Jewish and married to a Jewish man.....???
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Happy Passover!!
Hope you are all enjoying your matzot and friends and family. If not, hope you have a great day!!!
Much love!!
Much love!!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
The Moshiach In You
(Hi all! I'm Chaya, Miriam's sister guest blogging today.)
We are commanded to leave Egypt every day.
Although the Exodus from Egypt occured thousand of years ago, we find that "Egypt" can still exist within us. The Pharoah of today lusts to keep us his slaves through depression, despair, apathy, selfishness, and other negative character traits.
When we succomb to this foreign rule, our joy is stifled, and we cannot even hope for a better tomorrow. We all know that in life, there are hardships that can really crush us, seemingly too difficult to overcome. If, however, we find the strength to fight, we not only escape to freedom, but we become the agents to help others escape as well.
Moshe, son of Amram, dared to defy his Egypt. Born with a speech impediment and raised in Pharoah's palace, he witnessed the injustice done to his people. How easy it would have been to remain silent and hidden! But no. Moshe mustered tremendous amount of courage to return to his birthplace and demand the Jews' freedom.
And because of his humility and courage, he became Moshe Rabbeinu, the greatest Prophet that ever was.
And his holy boldness infused the Jews with the energetic boost they needed to leave their Egypts. He was their Moshiach/Messiah.
After leaving Egypt, the Jews recieved the Torah at Mount Sinai and became their own nation. Our sages teach us that the Jewish nation was like a newborn with a lot of growing up to do. They wandered 40 years in the wilderness, refining their character traits until they were worthy of entering Israel.
Not easy. Even as they stood at the borders of the Holy Land, they succombed to lack of faith in G-d and spiraled into negativity. They complained that they would perish in this new land and desired to RETURN TO EGYPT!
Could it be that their immaturity and negativity prevented them from being a "Moshaich" to another?
Moshe Rabbeinu erred at the Waters of Merivah when he became angry at the Jewish people when they complained of thirst. They had complained one too many times. But, Hashem judges the Tzaddikim at a higher standard and therefore Moshe was denied entrance to Israel.
But what if the Jews had put aside their own needs and focused their attention on Moshe. What if they had banded together and demanded Hashem to let Moshe enter? What if they had tried to negotiate? Our Sages say there is strength in numbers, and that Hashem delights when His children work together. Could the Jewish people have been Moshe's Moshiach?? I believe YES.
This is why we are commanded to leave Egypt every day. To go to those places that stretches us out of our "speech impediments" and out of our selfish-ness so we can help others. We need each other so much. We are the keys to each others' salvation!! We can emulate Moshe Rabbeinu, gathering courage, energy, and G-'dly power to help others break free from their bondage.
Then the Exodus from Egypt occurs again. Perhaps we will not see it with our physical eyes. But spiritually, it is like a domino effect, one soul effecting the other, one arousing the other until the Final and Ultimate Moshiach will arise from his place.
G-d bless!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Nu?
I hope you too are proud of yourselves, your knowledge, your history, and of the potential the future holds!!!
Be confident in your goodness, pray for more wisdom, and keep the faith!!
Be confident in your goodness, pray for more wisdom, and keep the faith!!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
First Big Organic Purchase
Yay me!!! I made my first big organic purchase. Normally, as I pass the health food store, I have to twist my own arm to go inside and buy organic. Well today, I made purchases over the phone to an organic farm (rather than the health food store) and bought almost half of my fruits and vegetables there!!
Yay!! May this be the start of something good!
(but we have bones in the kitchen. No blood -that would be unkosher.)
Yay!! May this be the start of something good!
(but we have bones in the kitchen. No blood -that would be unkosher.)
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Introducing Dr. Sebi
Please note: I am not a doctor or anything like that. Dr. Sebi thinks herbs can cure practically anything! I am inclined to believe this theory....Here's his website. If this is true, or if you believe in him, then there's a good place to be sending charity money to! Gotta make your money count and bring resources to goodness.
Dr Sebi talks about the word "melanin" being an invented creation and vs its element/chemical name (like from the periodic table in Chemistry) not being used.
Justin Bieber in Israel
According to this, he knows the Shema prayer!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Book Wish List
Sunday, April 10, 2011
WikiLeaks Revelations on Israel - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News
WikiLeaks Revelations on Israel - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News
wow. And a nice li'l gift for my town Tsfat. Hizbullah plans on launching like 400-600 rockets a day up in here. Even Tel Aviv seems to not be safe.
What to do? Na Nach!!!
wow. And a nice li'l gift for my town Tsfat. Hizbullah plans on launching like 400-600 rockets a day up in here. Even Tel Aviv seems to not be safe.
What to do? Na Nach!!!
Rocket Attacks Continue; Thousands Spend Shabbat in Shelters - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News
Rocket Attacks Continue; Thousands Spend Shabbat in Shelters - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News
(sarcasm on) Oy Israel, why are u guys holding up the piece process? (\sarcasm off)
.
(sarcasm on) Oy Israel, why are u guys holding up the piece process? (\sarcasm off)
.
Friday, April 8, 2011
'Daniel Needs Prayers' - Inside Israel - Israel News - Israel National News
'Daniel Needs Prayers' - Inside Israel - Israel News - Israel National News
A direct hit!
Typical Israeli miracle. A missile hits a schoolbus -a direct hit. Nobody died. Lots of injuries, but no death -Baruch Hashem.
Please (those who care) please pray for the injured for a complete recovery -the 16 year old is having brain surgery. (those who don't care, why r u here?)
A direct hit!
Typical Israeli miracle. A missile hits a schoolbus -a direct hit. Nobody died. Lots of injuries, but no death -Baruch Hashem.
Please (those who care) please pray for the injured for a complete recovery -the 16 year old is having brain surgery. (those who don't care, why r u here?)
Quotable Quotes
[5:20] Recall that Moses said to his people (the Jews), “O my people, remember GOD’s blessings upon you: He appointed prophets from among you, made you kings, and granted you what He never granted any other people.
[5:21] “O my people, enter the holy land (Israel) that GOD has decreed for you, and do not rebel, lest you become losers.”
Quran: Sura 5:20-21
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Quotable Quotes
“Why is Israel consistently and conspicuously singled out for condemnation on the grounds of human rights violations, yet the world turns a blind eye to the human rights situations in the Arab countries …or the Far East...or Africa?”
Muslim student Amran Hussain, speaking on behalf of the European Union of Jewish Students
That's a good question, Mr. Hussain.
What I think the answer is is this: Because the world doesn't care. It really doesn't. It wants to go after Israel and so it comes up with a pretext. As far as human rights are concerned, the world -the heads for sure, don't care and the rest are in a constant state of slumber.
Many may wake up and know what's up. But its very very hard to stay awake.
What's the solution? The people who are awake need to band together. We can't be bland, we can't be parve, we have to be SPICEY!! We have to be charged.
And the big question --that which really lulls people, even me at times, to sleep- is this: So what are we actually supposed to do?
While evil is happily slashing the throats of those who are sleeping, they are slowly squeezing the remaining good that they possess away. At a certain point, they will be totally devoid of good -no redeeming value. Nothing to save. That is good and bad. Good once the evil is completely evil, it can be discarded (i.e. destroyed, killed, etc.); bad because evil can not exist by itself, by its own nature. Evil must thrive on something good. (hence, bullies who go after good guys, holy leaders surrounded by thugs or low lives, etc). Evil will get desparate. Not pleasant fighting with a desperate monster.
When "goodness" was in Evil's hand. it was like a man with only pants on and no shirt. But now that its slipping out of Evil's hand, we can grab it. Dress it up properly --i.e. give it pants and a shirt. i.e. associate the physical good together with its spiritual good. We can take back dancing and connect it with bringing new and good realities (healings, good tidings, blessings, etc); we can take back speech and connect it with holy boldness; hand clapping with dashing evil decrees. We can connect spiritual holiness with drinking alcohol, with music, with our skin color, with our place in the world, etc etc and so forth. We can take back good, make it very good, and give THIS back to the world.
But we have to be good sales people and at the same time as much tzaddikim as possible. Tzaddikim, what is that? Someone who can guard against sexual lust -like Joseph in the Biblical story.
And we need to understand that in order to do this, we must collect. We must amass earthly material to bring it all to the side of good. So work, those who want to work -but remember to donate to a well thought out charity -even give to organic farmers or natural birth centers, or the such. Those who can create, create! but have the goodness of the world in mind, put your right foot (Netzach) forward, that your creation be permanent and have the environment in mind -don't be in a hurry to make the first copyright or to amass the most money for your invention. Sing if you can, but remember to add holy boldness in your speech to arouse others and to arouse God Himself. Do!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
My All Time Favorite Song
.
It may sound kinda strange to many's ears, but I just LOVE this song so much. I hope I never hear it in the streets in Israel because I don't know if I could hold back dancing. Its music from Democratic Republic of Congo...
Who invented this .......
It may sound kinda strange to many's ears, but I just LOVE this song so much. I hope I never hear it in the streets in Israel because I don't know if I could hold back dancing. Its music from Democratic Republic of Congo...
Who invented this .......
Monday, April 4, 2011
Passover is Coming
I dedicate this video to Roslyn Holcomb, author; and her new baby, God willing. Her latest book will be "delivered" on April 5th! Please check out her blog.
'Israel to Become a Religious State in 19 Years' - Inside Israel - Israel News - Israel National News
'Israel to Become a Religious State in 19 Years' - Inside Israel - Israel News - Israel National News
Very interesting news and article (for me).
On the one hand, I am one of those "religious Jews." But do I want a religious state? This reminds me of the Muslims again. Many can be religious, but some move to non-religious countries. Then more and more come, next thing you know sharia is promoted. Are they happy? some yes, some no.
Its not that I don't want a religious state. I do! (with a caveat).
On the other hand, However, I am weary of the fanatics that usually take over when people act like sheeples. I don't mind a religious state, if the men are required to learn Torah -not just gomorrah --the arguments and debates of the sages, but l'maase' -what to actually do halachicly. I guess what I am saying is that I don't want the rabbis to have too much power over the people. Actually, its not even the rabbis I fear, its more the Askanim- those guys who surround the rabbis acting as their bodyguards and helpers and the such. Sure they can guide and suggest, but I don't want them bringing more chumrot /stringencies more than what God Himself already commanded. I don't want another Rosa Parks incident -and I for sure don't want all the buses to become separated that way!
With the askanim -its bad enough I have to learn to out manouever them just to get to talk to the rabbis -especially the Big Guns (big rabbis). And I must say thank God the rabbis I feel also want to talk to the little people too! The askanim are a problem. I remember once calling a certain Big Gun and instead of him picking up the phone, one of his askanim did. "No, he can't talk right now!" was the answer -as usual. But I lied and said, "but he's expecting my call!" After some mumblings, the Big Gun got on the phone. Yay!!! so I asked him for a blessing and some advice. Then I told him how hard it is to reach him and he suggested coming or calling on a certain day at a certain time. I said okay.
The next time I wanted to talk to him, I went on that certain day at that certain time. No askanim!!! He was all by himself and his wife! Even he tries to circumvent those goons lol.
**sigh**
Very interesting news and article (for me).
On the one hand, I am one of those "religious Jews." But do I want a religious state? This reminds me of the Muslims again. Many can be religious, but some move to non-religious countries. Then more and more come, next thing you know sharia is promoted. Are they happy? some yes, some no.
Its not that I don't want a religious state. I do! (with a caveat).
On the other hand, However, I am weary of the fanatics that usually take over when people act like sheeples. I don't mind a religious state, if the men are required to learn Torah -not just gomorrah --the arguments and debates of the sages, but l'maase' -what to actually do halachicly. I guess what I am saying is that I don't want the rabbis to have too much power over the people. Actually, its not even the rabbis I fear, its more the Askanim- those guys who surround the rabbis acting as their bodyguards and helpers and the such. Sure they can guide and suggest, but I don't want them bringing more chumrot /stringencies more than what God Himself already commanded. I don't want another Rosa Parks incident -and I for sure don't want all the buses to become separated that way!
With the askanim -its bad enough I have to learn to out manouever them just to get to talk to the rabbis -especially the Big Guns (big rabbis). And I must say thank God the rabbis I feel also want to talk to the little people too! The askanim are a problem. I remember once calling a certain Big Gun and instead of him picking up the phone, one of his askanim did. "No, he can't talk right now!" was the answer -as usual. But I lied and said, "but he's expecting my call!" After some mumblings, the Big Gun got on the phone. Yay!!! so I asked him for a blessing and some advice. Then I told him how hard it is to reach him and he suggested coming or calling on a certain day at a certain time. I said okay.
The next time I wanted to talk to him, I went on that certain day at that certain time. No askanim!!! He was all by himself and his wife! Even he tries to circumvent those goons lol.
**sigh**
Sunday, April 3, 2011
America withdraws from fighting in Libya
The last US air strike in Libya
debkafile's military sources report that US Air Force AC-10 Thunderbolt and AC-130, which are designed for attacking tanks and other ground targets, disappeared from Libyan skies Saturday, April 2. They were followed Sunday by the departure of all 100 American fighter-bombers from the Libyan war arena.
Debka's got the story.
Orthodox Black Jewish Men
.
Any Orthodox, Black Jewish men available for shidduchim, but would prefer Orthodox black Jewish women? Please email me.
Thanks!
Any Orthodox, Black Jewish men available for shidduchim, but would prefer Orthodox black Jewish women? Please email me.
Thanks!
Pet Peeves
.
I have a few.
In a list from the most severe to the least...
Direct Name Calling. Why destroy a spirit? Sure I understand someone can be hurt, but name calling can be so crushing, I don't think it should be done unless its to an enemy that we are trying to destroy! Certainly, it exists and has its power. Just like plundering and looting exists and has its power (to bring fear to the hearts of the plunderer's opponent and to bring converts into their fold, I think) however, such things should only be applied an the enemy, not out of a temporary anger.
Saying "um" or "m'kay" before stating a simple fact. Implicit in there is a name calling. That the reader is so stupid that the writer is required to simply nod in utter hopelessness towards the woeful reader.
why make people feel bad?
On the other hand, the act of getting embarrassed does have its good side, I suppose. Many sages say that when one gets embarrassed, that means a spiritual door has been opened for that person. If they can keep from getting angry and focus on tapping into whatever blessing it is that is ready to manifest, it would be good for them.
Over exhausting the phrase, "just sayin" If I had a shekel every time I had to read that phrase.
~~~~~~~~~~
I remember long ago I had this beginnners, pre-kabbalah teacher. I tend to learn slowly and deeply. It may take me a while to really fully get something, but once I get it, I really get it and can fly on to other levels.
Anyway, so this teacher taught me about the sefirot (chokhmah, bina daat, chessed, gevurah, tiferet, netzakh, hod, yesod, malkhut). I went over and over and over and I finally understood it. Usually when I understand something, I like to mentally play with it. So, I thought about it. Pictured it upside down, inside out, this way. that way, etc. Then it occurred to me that malkhut -the last of the sefirot- would probably have a really hard time getting its tikkun/repair- harder than the other sefirot.
So, I went and asked the teacher this. Of course, he poo poo'ed me and would not really entertain the thought. So, I made myself really small (for I am black) and asked if he could ask his teacher. I figured this idea had weight to it (...but comely) but didn't want to stress it or expose it.
He calls his teacher and poses the question. I thought it was interesting that he posed the question as if HE had thought of this idea, but okay. They then end up in a long discussion about this. that was exciting!
Afterwards, he came to me and simply told me that yes, malkhut does have a tougher time getting its tikkun. *Sigh* one small step for black Jewish woman kind. lol.
Many times, I am in such need of validation, but I understand that validation is not always forthcoming. I need to strengthen myself and boost my own confidence that I can and that have knowledge. May haShem guide me always.
I have a few.
In a list from the most severe to the least...
Direct Name Calling. Why destroy a spirit? Sure I understand someone can be hurt, but name calling can be so crushing, I don't think it should be done unless its to an enemy that we are trying to destroy! Certainly, it exists and has its power. Just like plundering and looting exists and has its power (to bring fear to the hearts of the plunderer's opponent and to bring converts into their fold, I think) however, such things should only be applied an the enemy, not out of a temporary anger.
Saying "um" or "m'kay" before stating a simple fact. Implicit in there is a name calling. That the reader is so stupid that the writer is required to simply nod in utter hopelessness towards the woeful reader.
why make people feel bad?
On the other hand, the act of getting embarrassed does have its good side, I suppose. Many sages say that when one gets embarrassed, that means a spiritual door has been opened for that person. If they can keep from getting angry and focus on tapping into whatever blessing it is that is ready to manifest, it would be good for them.
Over exhausting the phrase, "just sayin" If I had a shekel every time I had to read that phrase.
~~~~~~~~~~
I remember long ago I had this beginnners, pre-kabbalah teacher. I tend to learn slowly and deeply. It may take me a while to really fully get something, but once I get it, I really get it and can fly on to other levels.
Anyway, so this teacher taught me about the sefirot (chokhmah, bina daat, chessed, gevurah, tiferet, netzakh, hod, yesod, malkhut). I went over and over and over and I finally understood it. Usually when I understand something, I like to mentally play with it. So, I thought about it. Pictured it upside down, inside out, this way. that way, etc. Then it occurred to me that malkhut -the last of the sefirot- would probably have a really hard time getting its tikkun/repair- harder than the other sefirot.
So, I went and asked the teacher this. Of course, he poo poo'ed me and would not really entertain the thought. So, I made myself really small (for I am black) and asked if he could ask his teacher. I figured this idea had weight to it (...but comely) but didn't want to stress it or expose it.
He calls his teacher and poses the question. I thought it was interesting that he posed the question as if HE had thought of this idea, but okay. They then end up in a long discussion about this. that was exciting!
Afterwards, he came to me and simply told me that yes, malkhut does have a tougher time getting its tikkun. *Sigh* one small step for black Jewish woman kind. lol.
Many times, I am in such need of validation, but I understand that validation is not always forthcoming. I need to strengthen myself and boost my own confidence that I can and that have knowledge. May haShem guide me always.
In The Beginning --Moshav Band
More Moshav Band..(Eliyahu HaNavi, waiting for Elijah the prophet to return)...
Psalm 19
"He set up a tent in their midst for the sun, which is like a groom emerging from the nuptial chamber, like a warrior eager to run the course. The sun's source is at the edge of the heavens, its circuit is to their end; nothing escapes its burning heat. The Torah of G-d is perfect, restoring the spriit." (Psalm 19:5-8)
Excerpt from Rebbe Nachman's teachings Likutey Moharan lesson #49(with "interesting' additions by me in yellow inserted)...
So, we are imagining a young warrior, just married, with a burning heat...
Before the creation, the light of the Holy One was infinite.
Imagine Some One yearning for a wife...
But the Holy One wanted His Kingship to be revealed, and there can be no king without a nation. Thus, He had to create human beings who would accept the yoke of His Kingship.
So he creates the perfect wife....
Yet it is impossible to perceive a revelation of His Malkhut except through the attributes.
but we have a hard time knowing that we are His, unless we look at His attributes.
Through the attributes we perceive His Godliness and know that there is a Lord, a Ruler, and an Authority.
When we see (feel?) His Attributes, then we know we have a Partner, a Spouse, a Lover, a Head of the household.
He thus contracted the Light of the Infinite One to the sides, leaving a hollowed space. And within this hollowed space...
hollowed space =The woman's "entrance"
He created the worlds, which are themselves the attributes.
Just like a woman getting together with a man for the first time, the man sort of shapes the woman's insides. How ever much that the woman relaxes and wants this Lover, that is how much He gaves. Thus, one who wants very much this Lover, receives many "worlds" inside.
The designer of the attributes is the heart. i.e. the chokhmah (wisdom) of the heart, as it is written (Exodus 31:6), "I have placed wisdom in the heart of all those who are wise of heart.
And how to determine how much the woman wanted? From her heart! What is she thinking? Is she thinking of Him constantly? Does she desire Him?
" Thus, the main formation of these attributes took place with Chokhmah, as it is written (Psalms 104:24), "You created everything with wisdom." We see then that the heart is the designer, as it is written "rock of my heart."
Excerpt from Rebbe Nachman's teachings Likutey Moharan lesson #49(with "interesting' additions by me in yellow inserted)...
So, we are imagining a young warrior, just married, with a burning heat...
Before the creation, the light of the Holy One was infinite.
Imagine Some One yearning for a wife...
But the Holy One wanted His Kingship to be revealed, and there can be no king without a nation. Thus, He had to create human beings who would accept the yoke of His Kingship.
So he creates the perfect wife....
Yet it is impossible to perceive a revelation of His Malkhut except through the attributes.
but we have a hard time knowing that we are His, unless we look at His attributes.
Through the attributes we perceive His Godliness and know that there is a Lord, a Ruler, and an Authority.
When we see (feel?) His Attributes, then we know we have a Partner, a Spouse, a Lover, a Head of the household.
He thus contracted the Light of the Infinite One to the sides, leaving a hollowed space. And within this hollowed space...
hollowed space =The woman's "entrance"
He created the worlds, which are themselves the attributes.
Just like a woman getting together with a man for the first time, the man sort of shapes the woman's insides. How ever much that the woman relaxes and wants this Lover, that is how much He gaves. Thus, one who wants very much this Lover, receives many "worlds" inside.
The designer of the attributes is the heart. i.e. the chokhmah (wisdom) of the heart, as it is written (Exodus 31:6), "I have placed wisdom in the heart of all those who are wise of heart.
And how to determine how much the woman wanted? From her heart! What is she thinking? Is she thinking of Him constantly? Does she desire Him?
" Thus, the main formation of these attributes took place with Chokhmah, as it is written (Psalms 104:24), "You created everything with wisdom." We see then that the heart is the designer, as it is written "rock of my heart."
News Briefs - Israel National News
News Briefs - Israel National News
Defense Minister Ehud Barak (Atzmaut) addressed comments made by Judge Richard Goldstone in which he reconsidered war crimes allegations against Israel during Operation Cast Lead, saying that the IDF was "a moral army that operated according to international law."
Barak added that in order to repair the damage done by the Goldstone Report, the judge should present his current conclusions before all of the international bodies who were presented the original report and not merely give his opinion in an op-ed article.
Barak added that in order to repair the damage done by the Goldstone Report, the judge should present his current conclusions before all of the international bodies who were presented the original report and not merely give his opinion in an op-ed article.
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