It once happened on the eve of Pesach, that Reb Levi Yitschok of Berdichev (late 1700's) asked the village smuggler to procure three yards of fine Chinese silk (the border between Russia and China has been closed for more than 500 years). Within an hour, the Rabbi had the illegal silk in his hands.
He then went and knocked on the door of a villager requesting a piece of pumpernickel. The townsman began sobbing uncontrollably at the Rebbe's request. How could the Rebbe suggest that he would have the forbidden foodstuff right before the holiday?! This scenario repeated itself several times.
After many attempts to acquire a piece of pumpernickel, Reb Levik went to the synagogue, opened the doors of the ark where the Torah is kept and cried out to the Almighty, "Master of the Universe. The boarders of this country are closed. Armed guards threaten to shoot any smugglers. Yet, in less than an hour, I was able to obtain contraband goods. Look at your people Israel. There are no borders, no guards, yet it behooves even the simplest of persons to violate any of your commandments. Is it not time to send the Moshiach?"
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Finding Heaven in this life or the next
Finding Heaven in this life or the next
Q:What is your vision of heaven? What images - from Scripture, tradition, culture or your personal experience - best describe heaven for you?
Among many Jews, it's popular to say that Judaism doesn't believe in heaven or hell. For better or worse, Jewish literature is actually filled with images, reflections and meditations on heaven and hell. But it is true that far more Jewish ink has been spilled on how to create heaven on earth than how to find it in the next life. Either way, an old Hasidic story teaches about life in heaven wherever that heaven may be.
In the story, a man is offered the opportunity to see both heaven and hell before he dies. First, he is taken to hell, where he sees a beautiful hall filled with people seated at banquet tables sagging with wonderful delicacies. Being a poor man, the visitor was especially moved by this, until he noticed that all of the people wore miserable expressions and looked rather emaciated.
Confused, the visitor was about to ask his guide to explain the situation when he noticed that all of the people seated at the tables had their arms tied in such a way that they could not bring the food to their mouths. Instead, they were forced to stare endlessly at that which they most desired but could not acquire. This was surely hell.
Having seen hell, the visitor was escorted by his guide to heaven. Arriving in heaven, the man saw the same hall, with the same sagging tables, and people who also had their arms tied such they that could not access the food for themselves. But here, the room was filled with laughter and the people looked happy and content. It was then that the visitor noticed the difference between heaven and hell.
In heaven, people had learned that even though they could not feed themselves, they could feed each other. And with each resident helping those seated around him or her, they had created heaven.
Q:What is your vision of heaven? What images - from Scripture, tradition, culture or your personal experience - best describe heaven for you?
Among many Jews, it's popular to say that Judaism doesn't believe in heaven or hell. For better or worse, Jewish literature is actually filled with images, reflections and meditations on heaven and hell. But it is true that far more Jewish ink has been spilled on how to create heaven on earth than how to find it in the next life. Either way, an old Hasidic story teaches about life in heaven wherever that heaven may be.
In the story, a man is offered the opportunity to see both heaven and hell before he dies. First, he is taken to hell, where he sees a beautiful hall filled with people seated at banquet tables sagging with wonderful delicacies. Being a poor man, the visitor was especially moved by this, until he noticed that all of the people wore miserable expressions and looked rather emaciated.
Confused, the visitor was about to ask his guide to explain the situation when he noticed that all of the people seated at the tables had their arms tied in such a way that they could not bring the food to their mouths. Instead, they were forced to stare endlessly at that which they most desired but could not acquire. This was surely hell.
Having seen hell, the visitor was escorted by his guide to heaven. Arriving in heaven, the man saw the same hall, with the same sagging tables, and people who also had their arms tied such they that could not access the food for themselves. But here, the room was filled with laughter and the people looked happy and content. It was then that the visitor noticed the difference between heaven and hell.
In heaven, people had learned that even though they could not feed themselves, they could feed each other. And with each resident helping those seated around him or her, they had created heaven.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
"Do we have enough Jews?" - # 1
The commanding officer at the Russian military academy (the equivalent of a 4-star general in the U.S. ) gave a lecture on Potential Problems and Military Strategy. At the end of the lecture, he asked if there were any questions.
An officer asked, "Will there be a third world war? And will Russia take part in it?"
The general answered both questions in the affirmative.
Another officer asked, "Who will be the enemy?"
The general replied, "All indications point to China."
Everyone in the audience was shocked. A third officer remarked, "General,we are a nation of only 150 million, compared to 1.5 billion Chinese. Can we win at all, or even survive?"
The general answered, "Just think about this for a moment: In modern warfare, it is not the quantity of soldiers that matters but the quality of an army's capabilities. For example, in the Middle East we have had a few wars recently where 5 million Jews fought against 150 million Arabs, and Israel was always victorious."
After a small pause, yet another officer - from the back of the auditorium asked, "Do we have enough Jews?"
An officer asked, "Will there be a third world war? And will Russia take part in it?"
The general answered both questions in the affirmative.
Another officer asked, "Who will be the enemy?"
The general replied, "All indications point to China."
Everyone in the audience was shocked. A third officer remarked, "General,we are a nation of only 150 million, compared to 1.5 billion Chinese. Can we win at all, or even survive?"
The general answered, "Just think about this for a moment: In modern warfare, it is not the quantity of soldiers that matters but the quality of an army's capabilities. For example, in the Middle East we have had a few wars recently where 5 million Jews fought against 150 million Arabs, and Israel was always victorious."
After a small pause, yet another officer - from the back of the auditorium asked, "Do we have enough Jews?"
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
23 Adar
This date marks the beginning of the seven-day inauguration period of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that accompanied the Jewish people in the desert following their Exodus from Egypt. Moses served as the High Priest during these seven days, and on the eighth day his brother Aaron took over, as recorded in Leviticus chapters 8-9. The Tabernacle was the center of Jewish spiritual life, and the precursor to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
(AISH)
I would never trade my amazing friends
I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly.
As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.
I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging. Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love
I will. I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.. They, too, will get old.I know I am sometimes forgetful.
But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.
Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when some body's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.
As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think.
I don't question myself anymore.
I've even earned the right to be wrong..
So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day(if I feel like it).
MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!
(Anonymous)
As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.
I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging. Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love
I will. I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.. They, too, will get old.I know I am sometimes forgetful.
But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.
Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when some body's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.
As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think.
I don't question myself anymore.
I've even earned the right to be wrong..
So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day(if I feel like it).
MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!
(Anonymous)
Monday, March 8, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
pious people
Two pious people in one town are too many.
One pious person in a town is not enough.
It is best to have one and a half pious people.
How so?
Everyone should see oneself as half a pious person, and see one's neighbor as a complete pious person.
Then each will defer to the other.
The Seer of Lublin
One pious person in a town is not enough.
It is best to have one and a half pious people.
How so?
Everyone should see oneself as half a pious person, and see one's neighbor as a complete pious person.
Then each will defer to the other.
The Seer of Lublin
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