Winning

The world is renewed every day.

If you give someone a gift, you put it in his hand and then retract your hand, that retracting of the hand is the satan. If you give a parting friend a big bear hug and a squeeze, then release, that release is the satan.

 The satan is like the limitation of good, the ending, the force of negativity, the resceding or recessive force -- you pick the best word or phrase to mean this.  And just like all forces, you can picture it as a vector. Mathematically, a vector is an arrow that goes in one direction and doesn't stop or turn -- until blocked.

All the forces -- or angels -- or vectors (however you want to call them)  can be tapped into. Like hitching a ride. People who choose to be lazy and/or stupid (going after their desires despite the fact that its not beneficial for the world) are riding on a particular force. These forces/angels/vectors connect to us via emotions and traits. We are like chariot riders holding the reins to the forces like horses to go from place to place.   We should be in control of the emotions/ traits/angels/vectors.  But each group of people have a tendency to not have good control of a certain type of force.

The more "watered down" the person or group  is whether physically/ genetically or mentally, the more there will be forces that they do not have good control over. In Esau's case, its the urge to end things (satan),

This is why the foundation (private parts) of black folks is so  important and so feared and seen as such an enemy -- to these forces! These parts produce people who, theoretically, should be able to control all the forces and not have one  trait or emotion overwhelm him -- i.e. not need a guardian angel or not be compelled to do anything out of great foolish desires.

But we are not supposed to know that for some reason.

So why not destroy that "force of ending"? I once heard a story:

 A man who traveled to a certain land and he saw that everyone was living nicely.  There were many people young and old and no one died before their time. He loved this place and wanted to live amongst the people there.  The elders told him he can, but only he must keep the tradition of being always truthful. He said he would. Time passed. He found a wife, had children, etc.  One day a friend of his wife came to the door to visit the wife.  He didn't want to say that his wife was in the outhouse so he said, "she's not home!"  His desire was so great to "look good" he didn't even want to say "She's busy," lest it implies that she's in the bathroom.  The next thing people started dying (ending) early. The village was upset.  Who had brought the Satan in?  They made inquiries and found out that the newcomer had lied.  They sent him out from their town to restore peace.

Basically, the ending can end when we peel back the lies from the truth. (the secret of the circumcision) peeling back the desires from the truth.

Another story:

Gd decided to create the world and he summoned three ministers, Peace, Kindness, and Truth.  "What do you think of my creating a man?" He asked.
Kindness said, "Oh, yes! Make man. The kindness they will do for one another will be unbelievable!"Peace said, "NO! Don't make man.  They will make war and there will not be peace!"Truth said, "NO! Don't make man.  They will bring falsehood and there will be no truth!"
So, Gd took Truth and casted it down to the ground and made man.

The "keeping it real" that we do, I believe is one of the main pillars that has helped Black folks endure as long as we have.

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But now there is a new problem.  The charming (read: lying) white men who charm the Black women. And the white woman prize that Black men so badly seek.

After growing up with a constant diet of white men heros, the hero's prize being the white woman, white men romance movies, the subject of the romance being white women, movies with white men always in positions of power, always the good guys, always the successful ones, the end prize being always the white woman, etc. And even more so now with Black women used as sidekicks to some of these "meals," it's very hard to appeal to Black women and assure them that Black men are the right choice or even A choice to begin with. And it's very hard to appeal to Black men and assure them that Black women are actual prizes or even A choice to begin with.

The solution is this

First to recognize that there will always be a fuzzy line where interracial marriages happen.  This may be to the disatisfaction of white supremists, but they were the ones who  brought Black folks here to begin with and then they display to them this constant image  of white being the right and don't allow them to promote their own image. What did they expect?

 This may also rub pan-Africans the wrong way, as well.

At any rate, the best solution I can see for that is 

1. Media must go.  It really isn't beneficial for us to continue giving our eyes and ears (and heart) to their media. By now we should know that and have the strength to not watch their shows. Entertainment is distraction from life.  We need it once in a while, but not too much.
2. If we need the distraction at all, it's worth it to create our own. Even if it's mediocre in the beginning.
3. With our own media, we can portray a perception of success. This will strengthen  the bond between Black men and Black women -- depending on the shows that get put out.
4. We do have to create our own industries successfully, create our own food supplies, clothing, etc. And be the success that we need to be.  Its like why exist if we can't be successful?  Why forever struggle?  This may feel Darwin-ian  but it's really about creating our world and living our lives.

These are easier said than done.  Right now the lies are spreading like wildfire and there's not many interested in stomping out the fire.  But at least here -- one of many blueprints are out.

What if Business was War?

PROLOGUE:

I am excited about the awakening in the Black community collectively.  I too am experiencing an awakening.  However, I do long for the day when the Black community's actions are not viewed immediately as "coonery" or "stupid" until further analysis is done.  I mean, I long for the day when it's assumed wise until proven otherwise.

What If Business was War?

Thanks to people like Boyce Watkins, Andre Hatchett, and legends like Claud Anderson, the buzz for creating Black businesses is being felt and people are moving and shaking things.  Businesses are getting created in an amazing array of industries, apps are getting created, the list goes on and on.  But the question that seems to puzzle everyone is this:  Why aren't Black consumers going to black businesses?

Many of the answers have something about "coonery" on the public's part or "stupidity" on their part, but I would like to analyse it a bit more and from a new angle.

When an entity's will goes against another entity's will, it makes for a clash.  One may try to impose their will on the other one if they are small minded.  This battle of the wills is the stuff that war is made out of.

Group A wants land X.  Group B opposes.  They go to war about it.
Group A wants product X.  Group B opposes.  They go to war about it.
Group A wants X.  Group B opposes.  They go to war about it.

You get the picture.

If not, another good example is sports.  There are two teams.  They both have the will to get a rare resource: the winner status.  They go out screaming or some  kind of battle cry and it's on.  They go to war about it.

Sports is the entertainment for warlike people.

Businesses are not too different.  They introduce item X.  But they don't let you have it unless you yield (money).  The battle cry is the marketing and advertisements.  In the end, they both hope to be the victor and compete for that position.

What's Love Got to Do With It?
Now would someone one who loves another battle it out?  Or would they have the same will -- to make sure item X is available to their loved ones who need it without struggle?  Can you see why a Black person who loves another Black person would maybe not want to engaged in such battles, bargaining, outsmarting, etc.?

Hopefully, we can begin to see the wisdom and love in the Black collective's action. It could be they don't want to engaged in this war against their own.  Whereas with other companies, other groups, they know they are in a battle and there's no love there.  So they do what they can to outsmart the business or they resign themselves to possibly being the defeated one, the outsmarted one.

Once I heard that a Black woman started a detergent line.  But she and her friends were offended that Black consumers felt comfortable enough to ask her what ingredient went in the making of the detergent.  They asked, "would they ask Tide about their ingredient?!"   No.  They wouldn't.  But they may wonder.  However, if they know they'll be lied to, outwitted, or they have no choice in the matter anyway, so they buy without question.  But it doesn't necessarily mean there are no questions!

Best Model for Paradise
To the best of my knowledge, I think the best model is how some native Indians had it.  There was an area where everyone brought their excesses and those in need would rumage through and take what they needed.  But everyone had to be productive and kind enough to share their excesses.

We are nowhere near recreating this self sustaining model (nor even desiring such a model possibly), and so therefore must go out and hunt.  Go out and go to war and bring in resources into the community.  But to chastise people for not hunting the hunter makes no sense.  Let him hunt.  We should all be hunting and bringing home resources until the community is self sustaining.

It's awesome that these warriors are getting created.  They are needed.  And when possible Black consumer should buy from them if/when they can.  But one must use caution to make sure it's truly to our advantage in the short and long run.

The All Def Movie Awards!

Making the World go 'Round

The sages teach us that the world stands on three things:

• Gemilut Chasadim/Acts of Kindness
• Torah/Instructions from Above/Within
• Avodah/Godly service 

Gemilut chasadim/Acts of Kindness:  This is the easiest thing to do.  It entails opening one's heart to another and doing for them what we want for ourselves...or not doing to them what we wouldn't want done to ourselves.  It is a very positive energy and makes people smile.

The flipside of that -- the negative energy associated with this is being truthful.  Having wisdom.  Keeping it real.

Both are needed, but there must be that in-between to keep it functioning properly which is conviction, perseverance, determination.  That opens up a conductive path (grace) of self confidence so that things will flow.

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Torah/Instructions:  Everyone has instructions from the Creator.  Some wrote it down into a book and study that book.  Some teach through word of mouth.

But that is one side.  The other side of this is dancing and clapping with joy.

Like a battery.... 

...these two are like negative energy (Torah/Instruction) and positive energy (dancing and clapping) going to each other.  So with the negative (anode) energy being the Torah/Instruction, and the positive (cathode) energy being the dancing and clapping, what is the electrolyte?  It's staying humble.

Staying humble creates something metaphysical... a conduit path that makes the "battery" work.

It's not an easy route to go.  Being humble is frowned upon in arrogant societies and you'd have to have an iron backbone to go this route.

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Avodah/Godly service:  That means doing godly things. Praying.  Actually following the instructions given down from the ancestors, forefathers, parents, or the Creator.  That is the positive side of things.

The "negative" energy to that is having zeal.  Zealots are not looked upon kindly, but this type of enthusiasm is needed to make things move.

And the middle part, or the grace producer, or the electrolyte for this "battery" parts is staying connected to our ancestors, forefathers, parents, the Creator.

So there are basically three batteries that can spin the world and move it.  Pick your place and let's get "moving"!!

Be Kind!!

A Case for Kindness

I know what I want to say... just not sure how to say it right...here goes:

WHY BE KIND?

I would like to offer a logical reason why it's imperative for us to be kind to one another.

Kindness is a very fluid thing that can take on all sorts of shapes, methods, and ways.  I can comfort someone and that's kindness.  Give a needy person some food, give an encouraging word to another, or pay someone's way through college.  All these are acts of kindness.  All these are forms of kindness or forms of charity.  Interestingly, one way that kindness can manifest is via money.  If I don't know what mode of kindness is best to do for someone -- I don't know if they need a kind word, or new shoes, or whatever, then I can just use a common denominator which is money and give them charity money.  With money the person can go and buy most things (therapy session, food, whatever).

THE MONEY CONNECTION

Money is a strong manifestation of kindness.  But it's the one who's doing the giving who is being kind.  The giver of the money is the one who will be blessed.  Putting out a product to the world is also a kindness.

So if people don't like you, they will not be kind to you.  Or, even worse, if people don't like you, they may still be kind because they realize that the kindness is for them, but they may not want anything from your hands -- except maybe what they just gave you. 

THE TRAP

I have noticed and have learned from our great shepherds (May their memories be a blessing for us!) that in America especially, people do not want us to be producers.  They want us to be consumers -- to give away our kindness -- our money -- to work and earn kindness/money and give that away.   And give it away to those who don't like us, don't appreciate us, and would not give us an opportunity if we wanted.   But they don't want to receive products from us -- straight from our guts.  Things we create.  Businesses we begin.  They don't want us to give -- to partake in the blessing of kindness. And without kindness we get no money, no wealth blessings.  They would rather colonize a Black nation and suck the wealth out as if they were the givers.  Even many black folks don't want to participate in the kindness exchange with other Black folks.

So how do we make it in a system that is rigged for us to not be providers, producers or givers and to only consume (like saying thank you, oh, thank you forever and feeling indebted always)?

KINDNESS IS THE ANSWER

We have to use our wisdom and understanding to know that we only have ourselves right now.  We need to be kind to each other -- in other words, we need to give money to each other.  There is a campaign out there called Buy Black.  That is an awesome start.  But I want us to understand why we need to buy black and not just do it while the sun is shining.  If we give kindness to each other, that will bring wealth and yes, money as well.

Kindness comes in many forms.  I once saw a post on Facebook about a million dollar sandal.  Million dollar sandal!  It had carvings of animals on the strap, intricate jewelry, etc.  But showcasing the sandal was a Black person.  The only comments that post had was how ashy the feet was, how the toe nail was badly clipped. Nothing about the intricacies of the sandal.  Nothing about anything except criticism of the black guy's foot.   It was a sad sign.  There was zero kindness given, zero grace for that person.  Kindness is looking at someone with a positive eye.  We don't have to overlook a wrong, but be judicious in what we do with it.  Same goes with the "smDh" who has a damned head? And referring to one another as "yo a$$" -- why the backside?  Why the side of judgement? If not out of true love, then out of the wisdom of understanding that without the exchange of kindness we remain far from wealth and yet more blessings that await us.

THE STARVING ARTIST

And then you have the starving artist syndrome.  The one who does want to produce and does! But nothing seems to work.  They are starving and still trying to give of their kindness, sell their creation -- something that they made straight from their heart.  What now?  What is missing?

JUSTICE

The flipside of all this kindness is to keep it real.  To be truthful no matter how much it hurts.  And the truth is that probably nobody deserves an act of kindness.  Everyone has fallen short of being perfect and is probably deserving of punishment -- or at least no kindness.

That is a righteous way of looking at things. It's just.  But do we need justice at this point?  Yes!! We do.  As things stand right now there is no justice.  We see our fellow getting killed daily -- by the police at that!  There is no one to turn to.  No one to call.  What used to be the court is no longer a place of justice.  The media is the new court system.  And the media has never found us innocent -- always guilty.  The actual court system seems more like a farce or a ritual to keep everyone calm. 

But we shouldn't wait for criminals to give us a court system.  We should create a court system with our elders for ourselves and agree to abide by those rules.  We judge ourselves so that we not be judged Above.

With the combination of Truth and Justice, we will feel truly free and confident to move forward.  There should be no more doubt of undeservedness.  No more secret fear that we shouldn't have something or shouldn’t become something.  No question that we ought to move forward.

GRACE

I believe conviction, perseverance and determination is what will give us the grace that's needed for people to be receptive to gifts of kindness.  The giver themselves have to truly believe that what they have to offer is something so valuable that the world may crash if it's not given!  Then they won't be shy or have to worry about self-confidence because it will be a matter of urgency.

A MATTER OF URGENCY

And I want to tell you that what you have to offer is a matter of urgency.  We need black doctors, plumbers, carpenters, computer programmers, import/exporter everything...literally everything to create a functioning Black world.  If you close your eyes and imagine a functioning Black world how big would that world be?  To me it seems very vast and empty --where are the bank owners?  The water purifying companies?  The airlines?  Who is connecting to Afro-Cuba?  Who is connecting to Afro-Brazil?  To Afro-Asians (assuming they have embraced their Africaness) we need more people to populate it and we should give their businesses patronage -We are our economy.  May we be vessels for the Creator to bring goodness for our people.

Be kind.

The "White Savior" Wakes Up

One smart girl who truly wants to help, dashes perceptions and reveals the TRUTH...

Story here

Which is Winning, Good or Evil?

I once learned that evil feeds on good and can't exist without it.  Good, however, does not feed on Evil. Good can exist without Evil.  But things have gotten so mixed up for so long, I don't even think people believe that there can be good all day long and no bad.  Evil is an illusion.  Much like a shadow that can't exist without the actual real thing.  Perception is winning over reality right now though.  But later, we will see that good HAS to win only because as long as there is Evil, the illusion, the parasite feeding, there has  to be good lurking somewhere. Evil can't exist alone.  So as long as there is Evil , the battle is being waged.  

I would like to turn the tide already though.  Good needs to stand up already. Too many casualties in this war!!

Enough already!

Some Sad Post links...(Dealling with Racism)

Dealing with racism...

First we have the Black  or Biracial Jew having to deal with the yiddishe word "shvartze" which, yes, technically it just means black but its usually said in a slurred way because, well, its a slur.

Zien Shver blog

Then there's an Israeli Jew who got called Terrorist because he looked Sephardi or more Arabic.

story from PopChassid 's blog

Does anyone realize that everyone is suffering alone?

The Haitian Revolution from a Kabbalistic Perspective

Firstly, i'm not a kabbalist. This musing is all just skimming the surface.

About a month ago, I came out into my front yard and happened upon a hummingbird nest.  The brightly blue colored papa and greyish colored mama hummingbirds were there and they were tending to their baby hummingbird.  Crouching nearby was a cat!

As soon as the cat got too close for comfort, the papa hummingbird sprung into action! He flew right in front of the cat's face.  Then quickly dodged the swiping paw. Again, went the papa, right into the cat's face and out again. Each time the papa retreated, he went farther and farther from the nest -bringing the cat with him.  After a while, I realized he was luring the cat away from the nest.  What strategy!!

Eventually, the cat lost interest in trying to get the bright blue bird and went away. whew.

But that got me thinking, every creature that Hashem created has its power and its way of defending itself.  If they "work it" well enough, they can fight even the most formidable of enemies no matter the size.

Some time later, I was thinking about tribal people, these earthy people who live off the land. Africans from their villages, Native American Indians and their old way of life.  I wondered if they really had any defense against the onslaught of European invaders who took their land, their lives, their everything.

These people seemed as if they were untouched by the whole Adam and Eve story. They were naked and just fine.  Just fine until they were informed that they were naked. Its as if they were very natural, very normal, very heart oriented.  I remember reading an article by Phylis Chesler, where she tries to understand how is it that "third world people" whom she thought were so sweet and innocent, could crumbled to such violence and cruelty as she has seen in the middle east.  Personally, i think its just called "keeping things real."  When they are well, things are well. When they are angry, they smash. But when the enemy is as slithering and as sneaky as a snake, there's no time to smash and fight and thrash. By the time they realize what's up, the battle is already halfway finished.

So how could they have fought this enemy?

This makes me think of the Haitian revolution.  These captured Africans who were led to the "new land" the Island of Hispaniola made a secret ceremony in which every abled bodied man ready and willing to fight, had to drink the blood of a pig as a seal that they would do whatever they could to succeed in this legendary fight. And so they did.  And they won their independence!

From a Torah perspective this is a very interesting ritual.

In the Jewish world, thankfully, we have the Torah. Specific instructions and guidance. Eat kosher, it says.  Stay away from promiscuous women, it warns.  Beware of Amalek, it admonishes.  No one else was told to beware of Amalek.  Also, we have the teaching that Esav (Amalek's grandpa) was a wicked person, so we know to be weary.  But what of tribal people with no warning?

In the case of the Haitians, again I don't know what prompted them to do this ritual - it certainly wasn't a normal ritual done before a fight.  But it could, form a Torah perspective, be seen as taking the sword of Esav to strike.

Esav is called the Hunter, He is the fighter.  He is the man with the sword who exacts punishment.  Esav is also likened to a pig. Why? Because at a first glance, the pig looks kosher.  It has the split hooves.  But only after killing it and seeing its belly will one realize that it doesn't chew the kud.  Sneaky!!  Esav also pretends to be so pristine and clean and so good.  He seems to have all the right motives.  He seems to look like an angel.  But he has wickedness in his heart!  Essentially, what the Haitians did was to take the sword from Esav and gave their enemy a good beating. What would have been the Native American Indian's way of "taking the sword from Esav"?

Everything has a Beat

This is just like a kabbalistic teaching! Wisdom from Africa.

Kenya Shoot out At a Nairobi Mall

In Kenya, about 30 were shot in a mall in Nairobi.

Here is the story (LINK)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2G89KLZNZs



The mall was Israeli owned.

African Jewish Art

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If you are in the Tsfat area, please stop by Yael's African Jewish Art gallery and pick up a painting or say hi to me if /when I'm there!

Also, if you are Black and Jewish and would like to contribute with an item from your culture with some info on your background or how Jewish people came to your native land, you can do that too!

Email for more details.

Musing

Since no one can say Muslim terrorists did this and that, my concern is:  just like some parts in the Talmud, the Edomites (the pope vatican, whatever) didn't want to be written about as idol worshippers and censured parts of the Talmud to say "Africans" instead of them; so here too I worry that news reports of rape and terrorists activities -especially in Norway, and other European countries- will document their article with "African immigrant" rather than African Muslim immigrant.

Oh dear...Black folks, we need to step up to the global playing field. I think we matter and what we say and do matter (more than ever). Hmmmm...

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.....???

African America vs Caribean vs African:Showdown

Showdown at the black OKay coral? lol! Nothing doing!

I think the whole premise may be WRONG.

There are many great things to be grateful for by each group. Africans have avoided a lot of the psychological oppression going on in America. African Americans are benefiting from being in a country rich in accessible resource and a stable superpower, Caribbeans are enjoying independence and self defining in a new land.

These things are there. All groups fight every day to keep and enhance their resources. If anything we should all be humbled with gratitude for where we are and make the best of it.

The minute pride sets its foot into the conversation, Godliness is gone. The arrogant and God can not dwell in the same place. And once that is gone, all H*** breaks loose ! lol And that's probably why a decent conversation about this topic can never be had.

Putting pride aside, does not mean having a broken and bent back and accepting nothing. True humility means realizing the faults that one has, but also KNOWING and understanding well the assets that one has!

Thus if this conversation must ever if ever be had, let us approach it with humility and a will to uplift the other one.

A short story...
There was once a man who had a family. He also had a farm and would gather wheat during the time of harvest, for his family. This man had a brother who was single. The brother also had a farm --a small one-- which he worked and harvested wheat as well.

One day, during harvest time, the man gathered his grains. Thinking about his brother he thought, perhaps the brother should have some extra grain. After all, he's all alone and could maybe use the money to buy better clothes, find a wife, etc etc. And so he decided that night to sneak some of his grains into the brother's lot.

Meanwhile, the brother, who had gathered his grain, thought about the man. He wondered, "but how can he feed his family with so little grain? Behold, I am alone and can do with little!" And with that, he decided that night to sneak some of his grains into his brother's lot.

Night. As each one tarried and carried their sacks of grain up the hill, they both met each other at the top of the hill. Realizing with the other had intended, they fell into each others arm, hugging in tears!

Jewish lore has it that this is where the Holy Temple was built. My friends, maybe an African has something, a Caribbean has something else, and an African American yet another thing. Let's us care for one another enough to forget about pride. Let us also build a "Holy Temple" with our love.