Afrocentricity driven vs Truth driven?

There are many, many afrocentric ideas floating around, some are completely ridiculous, but I think some are worthy of deeper thinking.  Is there a forum to discuss such things? Is there an orthodox Jewish setting to discuss these topics?

The afrocentric things that I am most concerned about are:

(1) the idea that we have a different constitution from people who's ancestors come from European countries -- some might be nearer if they are mixed, but for us who are not, eating hybrid or too processed food may not be good.  Better to eat non-hybrid foods.  The idea behind this is that since Black folks are rooted in the beginnings - since the beginning of civilization, etc., the food has to correspond.  Does that make sense? Is there any validity to this? If so, shouldn't this information be expounded and told?

(2) I know that Moshe Rabbeinu received the Torah at Har Sinai.  After that the JEwish people were officially "born".   They then circled the dessert for 40 years and then entered the land of Israel.  So why is it that the very Afrocentric "Black Jews" insist that the original Jews were Ethiopian?  If they said that the original Jews were Black or dark complected, I could hear that, but to say that they were Ethiopians, I don't get... do you?

(3) Every group of people has their strength and weaknesses.  I don't think its racist to single out a group -especially - if that group is one's own, and seek out our strengths and learn to deal with our weaknesses.  Is there a forum for this? One that doesn't just bash people?

Shabbat HaGadol

This is the Shabbat HaGadol coming up in a few minutes.

This is the Shabbat the Jewish people were told to put a lamb at their bedpost and the next day to cut it up and eat it up.  This was an affront the the Egyptian gods who were portrayed with a ram's head. But it was the beginning of mental freedom for the Jewish people.

Get your mental freedom on! Defy what you fear. May Hashem save us all.

Shabbat Shalom!

Stories from the Talmud

From the Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 74b::

Rav Yehuda, the Ethiopian related:  Once we were traveling by a ship, and in the water we saw a precious stone that was being circled by a sea serpent.  A diver descended to bring it.  The sea serpent approached, wanting to swallow the ship.  A Pushkantza (female raven)bird came and chopped off its head.

The water turned blood red.  Another sea serpent came, took the precious stone and hung it on the dead sea serpent and returned it to life.  It again came wanting to swallow the ship.  Again the Pushkantza bird came and chopped off its head.  The diver then took the precious stone and threw it into the ship.  We had with us salted birds for eathing.  When the diver put the stone on top of them, the birds returned to life, took the stone and flew off with it.

(this is a more mystical story)

Criticizing Black and Jewish Stuff...

Criticizing something that happens in the "Black world" or in the "Jewish world" is a very hard thing to do, by the general public, I think. Why? Because its very easy for a hater to step in and derail good honest talk. And so people may be tempted to pretend to like anything a Jew does or anything that seems "Black".  what's the solution to having honest to goodness talk... like disputes l'shem shamayim on these topics?

At any rate, Rabbi Sharon Shalom is creating an Ethioipian Shulchan Aruch! Very interesting. In it, it seems he will posken more Ethiopian tradition friendly halachot.

I say, as long as he is within the bounds of halachah (he has sages to rely on) it seems okay.

Wasn't sure about the making a kiddush and having a child drink it, it sounds like a bracha le'vatala (a wasted blessing, because no one that is "of age"...i.e. that is obligated make blessings, will be drinking the kiddush drink).

AAaaah! Icriticized a black man and a Jew at the same time! hahhahaa.

Passover 2012 is coming.

We zoomed through Purim. I simply didn't have time to post anything about Purim. and now we are coming to Pesach /Passover.


There are three ways to be (this was my learning over Purim). you can be bad, bland, or really great.  the really great way and the "bad" way may seem similar to a naked eye. For instance,  a woman may want to wear heeled shoes, dress sharply, but her intent is to entice men. To lure them into sexual activity they'l both regret.

At a certain point, hopefully, she will be at peace with herself. Be complete. Shalom = peace. Shalem = complete. They are very closely related.  She wears what makes her comfortable. Not for anyone else, but for herself.  She does what makes her happy -learn guitar, better herself, etc. and basically she is at peace.

At another stage, she may realize that she has great value and importance in the world and may want to use her influence to bring about more good. She then dresses differently. She may (or may not) put the heel shoes on again, only because she feels its "her"  this time.  Not so much to lure anyone, but only because it feels right. Or she may find different garments, whatever that in her mind, strikes her as something a respected and good person would wear.

This can go for other aspects of life, not just garments.

Pics from Soul Farm concert

Top picture is C Lanzbom, lead guitarist, next is Ben Antelis, drummer; Noah Solomon, left, lead guitarist; and Mitch Friedman, right, bass guitarist. Thanks guys for a great concert!

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