Hey readers,
I hope you are enjoying the reading. Drop a comment and say hello!
Much love!
I hope you are enjoying the reading. Drop a comment and say hello!
Much love!
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Noach, Avraham, and Moshe Rabbeinu
In my mind I divide the society into three parts. The Noach, Avraham and Moshe.Rabbeinu.
Noah -- back in his day was the most righteous. But if you look at everyone around, they were all depraved. So as righteous as Noach was, he may have still been racist or hateful. That's how I see racists. In a depraved society, where people are being greedy, stingy, lusting after sex - lusting after domination, then everyone is looking out for number 1; themselves, in such a society, the racist at least appears to becomes the righteous.
A clear case is the situation in America. Police officers are shooting and killing unarmed Black men with little or no impunity. And yet many people will defend these same cops and on top of that vote for Donald Trump, a man who raises the inspiration of racists.
In such a case, at least, the racists show compassion for "their kind" which is a step higher than being totally for oneself and throwing all of humanity under a bus. But nevertheless, it's a very low state indeed.
Then comes Avraham -- in this stage they know Torah -- or at least they have the capacity to reason out Torah. people try to live righteously, and are willing to spread the good word. But I don't know if they would break any status quo. That's how I see many Jews today -- not all.
And then there's the Moshe Rabeinu level (Moses). Moshe married an Ethiopian,also a Midianite, He brought the people to the level of getting prophecy straight out from Hashem. He was hopeful and brought some of the Egyptians that had been turning to Judaism (probably since Yosef haTzaddik's time) , and put the people ahead of himself. It is said that the Jewish people had fallen to the 49th level of tumah (impurity). That means they could have had a Noach-type moshiach at that time, but for some reason, the much higher caliber moshiach, Moshe Rabbeinu, came.
What decided which moshiach would come? The only thing I can think of is that the society in Noach's time must have fallen into the 50th level of tumah which was why they had to go. No redemption for them; they just had to go.
Whereas in the case of the Jewish people in Egypt, they were at the 49th level of tumah and so redeemable.
The Moshe Rabbeinu level is where we need to be. There the racists would be frowned upon. There everyone will have a chance to be the best they can be and receive directly from Hashem. This is definitely the level where Black folks can stand a chance to be normative and to function without the dread of racism.
Now, after the exodus from Egypt, many couldn't handle Moshe's disappearance when he went to get the stone tablets and built the golden calf. Upon Moshe's return, he saw that they had replaced him with a statue -- the golden calf. Moshe threw the stone tablets and destroyed the idol. Then he went and got new ones -- different ones. Now if someone goes to get a gift, then returns and sees the receivers are misbehaving and decides not to give them the gift, but rather to give them a different gift, I don't think that second gift would be of a higher caliber than the first one was.
I think that set us back to the Avraham stage. Back to not really changing any status quo but trying to live righteously and spreading the good word whenever possible, praying from a distance, (Or did we go back to Noach? Yikes!)
At any rate, the goal to strive for is the Moshe Rabbeinu level. Its great to call upon the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But maybe, just maybe we should be calling upon the G-d of Moses (that facet of G-d)?
Noah -- back in his day was the most righteous. But if you look at everyone around, they were all depraved. So as righteous as Noach was, he may have still been racist or hateful. That's how I see racists. In a depraved society, where people are being greedy, stingy, lusting after sex - lusting after domination, then everyone is looking out for number 1; themselves, in such a society, the racist at least appears to becomes the righteous.
A clear case is the situation in America. Police officers are shooting and killing unarmed Black men with little or no impunity. And yet many people will defend these same cops and on top of that vote for Donald Trump, a man who raises the inspiration of racists.
In such a case, at least, the racists show compassion for "their kind" which is a step higher than being totally for oneself and throwing all of humanity under a bus. But nevertheless, it's a very low state indeed.
Then comes Avraham -- in this stage they know Torah -- or at least they have the capacity to reason out Torah. people try to live righteously, and are willing to spread the good word. But I don't know if they would break any status quo. That's how I see many Jews today -- not all.
And then there's the Moshe Rabeinu level (Moses). Moshe married an Ethiopian,also a Midianite, He brought the people to the level of getting prophecy straight out from Hashem. He was hopeful and brought some of the Egyptians that had been turning to Judaism (probably since Yosef haTzaddik's time) , and put the people ahead of himself. It is said that the Jewish people had fallen to the 49th level of tumah (impurity). That means they could have had a Noach-type moshiach at that time, but for some reason, the much higher caliber moshiach, Moshe Rabbeinu, came.
What decided which moshiach would come? The only thing I can think of is that the society in Noach's time must have fallen into the 50th level of tumah which was why they had to go. No redemption for them; they just had to go.
Whereas in the case of the Jewish people in Egypt, they were at the 49th level of tumah and so redeemable.
The Moshe Rabbeinu level is where we need to be. There the racists would be frowned upon. There everyone will have a chance to be the best they can be and receive directly from Hashem. This is definitely the level where Black folks can stand a chance to be normative and to function without the dread of racism.
Now, after the exodus from Egypt, many couldn't handle Moshe's disappearance when he went to get the stone tablets and built the golden calf. Upon Moshe's return, he saw that they had replaced him with a statue -- the golden calf. Moshe threw the stone tablets and destroyed the idol. Then he went and got new ones -- different ones. Now if someone goes to get a gift, then returns and sees the receivers are misbehaving and decides not to give them the gift, but rather to give them a different gift, I don't think that second gift would be of a higher caliber than the first one was.
I think that set us back to the Avraham stage. Back to not really changing any status quo but trying to live righteously and spreading the good word whenever possible, praying from a distance, (Or did we go back to Noach? Yikes!)
At any rate, the goal to strive for is the Moshe Rabbeinu level. Its great to call upon the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But maybe, just maybe we should be calling upon the G-d of Moses (that facet of G-d)?
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Let's Make a Way
Shalom, shalom, Readers!
Long ago I created the first African Torah publication called Making a Way. I did it with my own $$ out of pocket. Unfortunately, I couldn't keep it up and had to stop. But I'd like to try again but this time with YOUR help!
If you want to advertise, you can get 1/2 a page of advertisement for $100 and full page advertisement for $300 or just donate and help.
Be generous! You can give towards (and receive a copy) by donating at paypal to nevemiriam@yahoo.com.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
Long ago I created the first African Torah publication called Making a Way. I did it with my own $$ out of pocket. Unfortunately, I couldn't keep it up and had to stop. But I'd like to try again but this time with YOUR help!
If you want to advertise, you can get 1/2 a page of advertisement for $100 and full page advertisement for $300 or just donate and help.
Be generous! You can give towards (and receive a copy) by donating at paypal to nevemiriam@yahoo.com.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
Sunday, June 5, 2016
Friday, June 3, 2016
Where is Bnei Hham's Torah? Part 3
It is a bold step to compare a Black man's skin with Torah -- or really, to imply that there are instructions embedded there. It is a probably jarring for most who are used to hearing the typical mainstream talk. But let's explore this for a minute, shall we?
Because they have Torah/Instruction intrinsicly, (1) their behavior may seem bizarre for someone who doesn't know Torah and (2) they may endure harsher punishments when they stray away from this inner knowledge because it's such a part of them.
Bizarre Behavior in the USA:
For example, in the USA alone, there was a time when mass incarceration was the name of the game. Many Black men were thrown in jail for the slightest of reasons, they were shamed and miseducated in schools. It was an attempt to kill them.
In response, the women still had children -- but out of wedlock. Even though the men were messed up or thrown in jail, the women found a way to keep the peoplehood going.
This story reminds me of Israel. When in Egypt, Pharaoh decided to kill all the Hebrew baby boys lest one arises to save them. In retaliation, Amram decided that all couples should separate. That way no one will have children and no babies will be killed.
Amram's daughter, Miriam, thought differently. She accused Pharaoh of trying to kill all the boys and Amram for trying to kill both boys and girls! Since no children would be born the future looked bleak. Everyone saw her reasoning and concurred. So they had babies and tried to hide them and hope for the best if it was a boy. Some may have even tried to dress their boys as girls.
Now Black women are fighting to have babies even though "the system" is trying to kill their boys. Some men/boys even resort to behaving extra soft so as not to appear to pose a threat.
Another bizarre behavior is this phenomenon that Black people will stand by and march for everyone else's problems. Many within the community complain about that and wonder why don't they just stick with their own problems.
But because of the "hidden Torah" within the Black people, that may explain why they see the bigger picture and tend to be self-sacrificing.
There is the bizarre behavior of Black folks thinking they are gods or kings and their women are goddesses or queens. In Kabbalah, there is a teaching that G-d and the Torah are as one -- meaning, they are very connected in a very close way. So he who has Torah -- learning it, loving it, living it, etc,. it's as if he is almost one with G-d.
Harsher Punishments:
Again, sticking with USA history, there is no need to elaborate on the harsher punishment and treatment that Black folks are enduring. Not even in the USA alone, but all over South America, Africa, the Arab world, everywhere.
It behooves us all to take a moment of meditation and appreciate who we are and how we are and to use it for maximum good for ourselves and for the world.
Shabbat Shalom!
To be continued...
Because they have Torah/Instruction intrinsicly, (1) their behavior may seem bizarre for someone who doesn't know Torah and (2) they may endure harsher punishments when they stray away from this inner knowledge because it's such a part of them.
Bizarre Behavior in the USA:
For example, in the USA alone, there was a time when mass incarceration was the name of the game. Many Black men were thrown in jail for the slightest of reasons, they were shamed and miseducated in schools. It was an attempt to kill them.
In response, the women still had children -- but out of wedlock. Even though the men were messed up or thrown in jail, the women found a way to keep the peoplehood going.
This story reminds me of Israel. When in Egypt, Pharaoh decided to kill all the Hebrew baby boys lest one arises to save them. In retaliation, Amram decided that all couples should separate. That way no one will have children and no babies will be killed.
Amram's daughter, Miriam, thought differently. She accused Pharaoh of trying to kill all the boys and Amram for trying to kill both boys and girls! Since no children would be born the future looked bleak. Everyone saw her reasoning and concurred. So they had babies and tried to hide them and hope for the best if it was a boy. Some may have even tried to dress their boys as girls.
Now Black women are fighting to have babies even though "the system" is trying to kill their boys. Some men/boys even resort to behaving extra soft so as not to appear to pose a threat.
Another bizarre behavior is this phenomenon that Black people will stand by and march for everyone else's problems. Many within the community complain about that and wonder why don't they just stick with their own problems.
"Whoever prays for mercy on behalf of his friend, and he needs the same thing, will be answered first." (Baba Kama 92a)
But because of the "hidden Torah" within the Black people, that may explain why they see the bigger picture and tend to be self-sacrificing.
There is the bizarre behavior of Black folks thinking they are gods or kings and their women are goddesses or queens. In Kabbalah, there is a teaching that G-d and the Torah are as one -- meaning, they are very connected in a very close way. So he who has Torah -- learning it, loving it, living it, etc,. it's as if he is almost one with G-d.
Harsher Punishments:
Again, sticking with USA history, there is no need to elaborate on the harsher punishment and treatment that Black folks are enduring. Not even in the USA alone, but all over South America, Africa, the Arab world, everywhere.
It behooves us all to take a moment of meditation and appreciate who we are and how we are and to use it for maximum good for ourselves and for the world.
Shabbat Shalom!
To be continued...
Thursday, June 2, 2016
Where is Bnei Hham's Torah? Part 2
The Precious Stone:
At the top of the ark was something to bring light into it. Some say it was a window, some say it was a precious stone. If it was a window then it would only shine light when it was day. But since it was very stormy, probably definitely rainy weather, a precious stone may have been in order.
What is so special about a precious stone? It really enhances the beauty of something. Crowns in particular are decked out with precious stones. But it's not coincidental, it's purposeful.
Keter means crown in Hebrew. According to some, the precious gems on the crowns allows one to actually peer to what's above -- the next level. Kind of like a crystal ball. Or like the Urim v'Thummim -- the breastplate of the Cohen/High Priest.
The Intercourse:
When Adam mated with Chava/Eve, it's written Adam "knew" Chava/Eve. In fact, this "knowing" is a way of intimately getting familiar with someone -- or even something thing or a concept.
When it is taught that Hham had "intercourse" in the ark, since intercourse may have been forbidden, it may mean that he either went against the rules (broke a glass ceiling?) or he gained intimate knowledge from staring into the gem that was used for light.
There were others who also "had intercourse" according to the sages. The dog and the raven. As a result, the dog was made to be tied and the raven was made to expectorate. Interestingly, the dog is, in fact, tied. It is now closer to the human plane than most animals. In some countries it's known as a "man's best friend."
As for the raven, interestingly, it can actually use speech much better than the well-known parrot. Speech is a very human characteristic. Both the dog and the raven were brought up to a higher level away from their previous animal plane and into the human plane.
Romancing the Stone:
In the ark, Hham may have gazed at the precious stone and from gazing he peered through and gained intimate knowledge. Knowledge of what? What is his Torah/instructions?
As a result of this act, he is said to be stricken in the skin. Black skin has a factor that is almost like the chlorophyll in plants. Plants use a process called photosynthesis to convert light energy into chemical energy for fuel. As well, melanin is a process that converts light energy from the sun into chemical energy for fuel. That's on a physical plane.
On a different plane, let's talk about light. In every synagogue, there is a light that is forever shining above the ark which contains the Torah. Let that sink for a minute... So from within the ark, Hham who was contained within the ark stared up at the light shining constantly from the precious stone and as a result was stricken in the skin.
The Torah can only be written on skin. Traditionally, it's been written in cow hide.
To be continued...
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Where is Bnei Hham's Torah?
Many will argue that the original Jews were Black or Brown people. And that seems pretty logical. But I want to focus my attention on Bnei Hham. They are also a Black/Brown people. But they get a bad rap. It's as if they are almost the exact opposite of the Jews!
One is considered blessed. The other is considered cursed. Now I would like to introduce a new idea: that perhaps both are blessed/cursed depending on what they do with their gifts.
Let's review the stories:
In the case of the Jewish people:
The left Egypt, traveled through the desert and come on the Mountain Sinai. There they heard lightening and saw thunder -- miracles and Moshe came down with the Torah Tablets. Now this Torah can only be written on skin -- usually it's written on cow skin. They said na'ase v'nishma (we will do and we will hear). Anti-semitism came into the world.
In the case of bnei Hham:
Hham left with his family to enter the ark. There there was a precious stone above to send down light. Hham had intercourse (please note, very often when they talk about "intercourse" its like a form of getting to know or knowledge: so we can say he gained some knowledge very intimately there). Because of this he is stricken in the skin. He comes out of the ark and witnesses Noah drunk and naked. He does something to Noah - some say he castrated him and then calls his brothers. Noah wakes up from his stupor and curses out Hham and/or Canaan.
Let's compare:
Jewish people go up Mt. Sinai
Hham people go into the ark
Jewish people have a revelation
Hham people gain intimate understanding
Jewish people are given a Torah that can only be written on skin
Hham people are striken in the skin as a result of this intimate knowledge
Jewish people say na'ase v'nishma
Hham people did an act and listened
Jewish people got anti-semitism
Hham people got racism
Their histories are very similar, But why is one considered cursed and the other blessed? Answer: I suspect because someone wants to be the narrator of history. And that someone is Esav. He wants full ownership of our imagination. That way you will think only as far as he wants you to think and have the capacity to do only as much as he wants you to do. They want to play G-d. And as such, they play one against the other.
Someone can easily look at the Jew's history and not think they were blessed -- every country they've been in people have tried to kill them or stop them from performing their Torah ordained deeds. Many have been slaughtered simply for being Jewish. Their place of origin was taken from them and should they attempt to get it back, they are shamed and fought against. And probably where it's necessary (for Esav) they are viewed as cursed. Someone can easily look at bnei Hham's history and think they were blessed -- such a fertile land envied by all. Endless sunshine and resources scattered about their land in great demand then and now. Exotic animals, rain forests, their own melanin abilities, etc.. And probably, where/when its necessary, they are viewed as blessed.. But one thing is for sure, both groups hold on tight to life. But now its time to turn on the light for the Black world. To dispell this image of cursedness and to turn on the "light" -- the "אוֹר" or the "עור" to our Torah.
The first Hebrew word means light, spelled with an Alef. The second Hebrew word means skin, spelled with an Ayin. But they are both pronounced Ohr.
To be continued...
One is considered blessed. The other is considered cursed. Now I would like to introduce a new idea: that perhaps both are blessed/cursed depending on what they do with their gifts.
Let's review the stories:
In the case of the Jewish people:
The left Egypt, traveled through the desert and come on the Mountain Sinai. There they heard lightening and saw thunder -- miracles and Moshe came down with the Torah Tablets. Now this Torah can only be written on skin -- usually it's written on cow skin. They said na'ase v'nishma (we will do and we will hear). Anti-semitism came into the world.
In the case of bnei Hham:
Hham left with his family to enter the ark. There there was a precious stone above to send down light. Hham had intercourse (please note, very often when they talk about "intercourse" its like a form of getting to know or knowledge: so we can say he gained some knowledge very intimately there). Because of this he is stricken in the skin. He comes out of the ark and witnesses Noah drunk and naked. He does something to Noah - some say he castrated him and then calls his brothers. Noah wakes up from his stupor and curses out Hham and/or Canaan.
Let's compare:
Jewish people go up Mt. Sinai
Hham people go into the ark
Jewish people have a revelation
Hham people gain intimate understanding
Jewish people are given a Torah that can only be written on skin
Hham people are striken in the skin as a result of this intimate knowledge
Jewish people say na'ase v'nishma
Hham people did an act and listened
Jewish people got anti-semitism
Hham people got racism
Their histories are very similar, But why is one considered cursed and the other blessed? Answer: I suspect because someone wants to be the narrator of history. And that someone is Esav. He wants full ownership of our imagination. That way you will think only as far as he wants you to think and have the capacity to do only as much as he wants you to do. They want to play G-d. And as such, they play one against the other.
Someone can easily look at the Jew's history and not think they were blessed -- every country they've been in people have tried to kill them or stop them from performing their Torah ordained deeds. Many have been slaughtered simply for being Jewish. Their place of origin was taken from them and should they attempt to get it back, they are shamed and fought against. And probably where it's necessary (for Esav) they are viewed as cursed. Someone can easily look at bnei Hham's history and think they were blessed -- such a fertile land envied by all. Endless sunshine and resources scattered about their land in great demand then and now. Exotic animals, rain forests, their own melanin abilities, etc.. And probably, where/when its necessary, they are viewed as blessed.. But one thing is for sure, both groups hold on tight to life. But now its time to turn on the light for the Black world. To dispell this image of cursedness and to turn on the "light" -- the "אוֹר" or the "עור" to our Torah.
The first Hebrew word means light, spelled with an Alef. The second Hebrew word means skin, spelled with an Ayin. But they are both pronounced Ohr.
To be continued...
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