Terrorists, Spirals, Abraham, the Future

I don't like to have to say this, but dialog is good. Honesty is good. Anyone who tries to stifle this endeavor by name calling tactics are not genuine in their care. Writing a critical post about some of the goings on by terrorists or even Islam itself is not islamophobic -but folks will be quick to this first line of defense. To shut the mouth of anyone who dares speak out. Its an intimidation tactic.

Having said that, I do have concerns about Islam. About Muslims. About terrorists. I don't read mainstream news so much, but the news I do read, I see a pattern. Any body who's honest with themselves will see a pattern.

At the same time, alot of the tenants of Islam are practically the same as in Judaism. Which confounds me -as I said before- as to why are the endings different?

For instance, here is a lady talking about the need to do away with sharia courts and why:



I hear her. At the same time, in Judaism, when someone wants to divorce they also need civil divorce papers as well as rabbinical divorce papers (called a "get"). So, I appreciate the need for these courts, otherwise no one can divorce properly and those who just divorce with the civil papers and then remarry are stigmatized for all times (their children are mamzerim).

But at the same time I hear her: Many of the Imams are using this reasoning as something to hide behind and bring in a slew of other laws that are not compatible with the British law such as polygamy. (Again, polygamy in theory is permitted in Jewish law, its just not practiced so much -especially after a group of rabbis put a 1000 year ban on it.)



In a way the insurge of violence and fear etc by mostly Arab Muslim terrorists around the world brings a new level of spirituality in the world scene. The divide is no longer black folks vs white folks. Its more ideologies. Ideologies are more mind consciousness. More spiritual.

Its almost like a re-enactment of the Noah story. Due to man's many sins and lack of remorse, the floodgates were opened and the world was washed clean. The few survivors were shown the rainbow in the sky: a sign that God would not destroy the world by flood waters again. Water, the flood, represented chessed/kindness. The flood was so to speak a kindness done to the world. A kindness with strict judgement inside it. The rays of the sun are symbols of strict judgement. It beats down on any creature. It causes them to release heat, gas, fluids, breath, prayer. When God showed Noah that the strict judgement of the rays were now mitigated by the humidity in the sky --thus producing the rainbow-- it was a sign that a balance had been achieved. In response, Noah grows a vineyard. Wine is a symbol of understanding.

One thing I agree with Muslim terrorists is that they are exacting punishment as if God's hand. However, harsh judgement unmitigated by any form of kindness, with no chance of forgiveness, no chance of parole! is too much. No one can live by such severe laws and be happy. And sure enough, many times I see Jews here and Arabs and I can't tell one from the other in looks. The one difference I find is the ease at which a Jew will smile (Druzim also smile pretty readily.)

And therein lies the difference between Noah and Avraham. In the case of Noah, he was okay with the harsh decree of the flood. Yes, he did some half hearted attempt at turning the people from their ways, but for the most part didn't worry. He built his ark and shut the door behind him.

Avraham on the other hand talked prolongedly to God about saving Sodom and Gomorah. What if there were 50 good people? What about 40? 30? 10? He is known as a man of kindness. It is from him that the trait of hospitality is learned. Avraham is practically kindness personified.

Avraham's Kindness

He was so kind, that when he had two very different sons, Ishmael and Isaac, he treated them with the same kindness that he is known for. Sometimes, just giving more love, more kindness is not always what a problem calls for.

I suspect that as a result of Avraham not being a bit harsher -putting more solid boundaries for his kids, and not being more of a disciplinarian- as a result, Ishmael was left wild -as was his nature. He was not taught self control and ran wild. Isaac, I suspect, attempted to compensate for his father's lack of strictness and he became the epitome of strictness, strength, restraint as is noted in many Jewish teachings. He refused to randomly dig out new wells, but preferred to re-open the ones that Avraham had already dug from the past. When faced with the Phillistines who wanted to take his wife Rebecca (Rivka) away, rather than allowing himself the creativity to react differently, he did exactly as he had learned his father do. He said it was his sister, etc.

As a result, one son was unbound. The other overcompensated on the boundaries.

Ishmael is said to be one of the forefather of the Arab world.
Isaac is said to be one of the forefather of the Jewish world.

The Future

Now, the descendants of Ishmael, the Arab world are putting restrictions on themselves. Sharia-Islamic law. Even physical restrictions if needs be -such as the burka. It is meant to promote modesty in women. Uprighteousness in men. A society above lusts (immorality, drunkeness, etc).

This I can understand.

But when this new system was rejected by the nearby Jewish groups who already had a system of their own, all anger and rage was unleashed. Unbound once again. All of the 800 men in that society was beheaded, the women raped, the village plundered. Its as if, the law itself was good, but was unable to be sustained by a group of people who have been unbound for so many generations.

But the struggle continues. Add to it those Imams and men who choose to corrupt the whole thing and you get what we have today:

The re-enactment of the flood.

After years of neglecting the troubles in various African countries. Looking the other way during atrocities occurring in lands that we...don't really care about. After years of greedily seeking out profit for profit's sake, discrimination, lack of justice, persecution, etc. The flood has returned.

However, instead of packaging this flood with water, instead its by the flood of the Ishmaelite sword. How is this stemming from kindness? In sharia, there seems to be no forgiveness. Someone does a crime, they are made to pay for it completely. Thus, when they go to the afterlife, the slate is clean. Everything is paid for. Its a kindness that encircles strict judgement.

Now how should we react to this influx? This flood?

To answer that can we look first at the spiral that I am trying to display? Great influx from a source of chessed -with strict judgement encased in it; The reaction-either becoming unbound or overcompensating on the boundaries; cleansing process.

Spiral 1
Great influx (encased harsh judgement): The Flood (w/punity)
reaction: Noah going to the ark and shutting the door. People overwhelmed by water.
cleansing: Noah starts anew. Earth is clean.

spiral2
Great influx (w/harsh judgement encased in it): Abraham (w/seed of Isaac)
Reaction: Isaac is born. Ishmael overwhelmed with his own wild self.
Cleansing: Isaac gives birth to Jaacob (& Esau). Ishmael is out of the picture (temporarily -until Esau brings him back).

spiral 3
Great influx (w/harsh judgement encased in it): Ishmaelite/Edomite terrorists
Reaction: People reflect and repent; And fight back. People get overwhelmed. Overtaken.
Cleansing: Truth & beauty is extracted. People are killed.

So to answer the question of how should we react to this terrorists influx. I say, listen to what they are accusing people of. Find that itty bitty kernel of truth to it. Repent. And blow the terrorists out of our earth! And to make this the last and final blow to this spiral, we ought to be mindful that an "Esau" does not get born from our efforts. Esau represents emotional reactions. When he gave up his birthright, its as if he -the emotional reaction- had no purpose. Thus it was taken by and attached to Ishmael. Thus, none of our emotional reaction to the Truth must be wasted. None of our emotional reaction to the truth should be purposeless. Everything should be used.

Positive Actions

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A group in Raleigh, North Carolina has begun using billboards to tell the world that BW and children are missing and need to be reported. This is a great step in helping BW and children physically as well as psychologically --telling them that they matter!



You can help too by contacting the Edgecombe County, North Carolina group by taking a check payable to “MOMS” to any Wachovia bank branch. The local branch number is 252-937-2854. I’m sure they will also accept a wire transfer or other transactions as well.

This info (including the picture) is from WAOD's recent post.

More notes for me to ponder

[Surah 9:61] “Gabriel came to Muhammad and said, ‘If a black man comes to you his heart is more gross than a donkey’s.’”

To me this speaks of BF's place. I don't want to offend anyone but I suspect this is saying that if a BP goes the way of Islam, they are going backwards, towards materialism. I.e. they are already past that.

Yesod

A thought came to me. Yesod. I believe that BF are the personification of the masculine trait of Yesod. Yesod means foundation and is related to the sexual organs. Well, I know that many wonder endlessly why? Why are BF so hated the world over? No one seems to have the answer.

But if you take the Hebrew word Yesod and think of it as a verb: Y (yud)in front of the root word usually means third person future -- He will. Sod means "secret" in Hebrew. Put the two together: Yesod - He will secret.

What's this secret that got secreted away? Is there a mystery to unfold?

Hmmmmmmm...................

BW and the Weighty Issue

Recently a certain blog hostess broached the topic of weight loss and exercise. Many BW are resistant to the idea of exercising. It seems though that many are now trying to get out of that trap.

A commentor raised a very important factor that was touched upon by the host; the psychological factor. Many BW, according to her, suffer obesity because due to unresolved issues of abuse in their past. Many other commentors confirmed this.

Quite often, when someone suffers through abuse, it closes their view of life. Mental constriction. Their view becomes more and more narrow in order to find relief from the abuser. Eventually the abused doesn't care about international news, local news, neighborhood news. They are just too busy trying to take care of the body. Some may even go as far as to give up on the body, but try to take care of the mind alone, or the neck up, or just a significant other.

(This reminds me of long ago, when cruel people came up with this phrase: "your mama!" This was meant to break any barriers that some one may have, any last resort safety zone and attack the person's significant other -the ultimate display of powerlessness on the part of the abused. They either have to fight of run away. Such cruelty...)

The blog hostess interjected and advised against a pity party. A typical reaction that usually leads to inaction in the end.

There is another dimension I'd like to explore here.

The spiritual dimension.

Long, long ago, I once saw a white man jogging along. Nothing too significant. His cheeks were pink from his efforts, his blond hair was wet and stuck to his forehead, his shirt had the tell tale v-shaped signs of sweat; his flabby shorts quivered in the wind as he pounded the pavement. I didn't think much of it.

A while later I saw him again. He had gone full circle around the block. Then it made me think of Joshua and his troops circling around Jericho. They circled around the city seven times and blew the shofar. With that, they conquered the city!

2 And the LORD said unto Joshua: 'See, I have given into thy hand Jericho, and the king thereof, even the mighty men of valour.

3 And ye shall compass the city, all the men of war, going about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days.

4 And seven priests shall bear seven rams' horns before the ark; and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the horns.

5 And it shall be, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the horn, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall go up every man straight before him.' (Joshua 6:2-5)

There is something to be said about hitting the pavement. (But what about the out cry? The shofar's blow? And what about the Cohen priests? Well. the voice and sound can be replaced with prayer. There is a teaching, that -with zeal and a true effort to do good- even regular Jews and non Jews alike can rise to a high level!)

This reminds me of my beloved rabbi who took me in. Before he passed away he gave me this sound advice: "Go to this store, go to that store. visit people, go to synagogues. Don't stay at home, go around the neighborhood!"

Innocently, I followed his advice and in a short while many people got to know me. I was no longer the stranger in the neighborhood. When a newcomer came and saw the "strange BW" in the synagogue, there were plenty of people who could quickly dismiss the newcomers bewilderment saying, "Oh, she's part of the gang!" I had conquered the neighborhood! Please, don't think of conquering as vanquishing the enemy! lol.

This also reminds me of how Rebbe Nachman spoke highly about those who walked to him as oppose to taking a charriot. Indeed, there is something about moving the feet --not necessarily going from point A to point B. (Some say that holy and joyful dancing has the ability to cancel evil decrees)

BF have alot of the trait of Malkhut (kingship)and also that of Yesod (foundation, sexual purity, creativity; see here and here). Yesod is represented by the groin area. So, its only appropriate that they have tasks in this life that deals alot with Netzach and hod.

The right leg corresponds to Netzach. Things associated with Netzach are dominance, perseverance, determination. Indeed, there are so many issues dealing with dominating a field vs being intimidated and trying to appear "dumb" for approval, being an expert at something, leading.

The left leg corresponds to Hod. Things associated with Hod are humility, empathy and splendor. Indeed even there there are issues regarding pity party vs showing empathy to someone's suffering; splendor vs laziness, and arrogance vs humility.

Together the right leg and the left leg move in sinc. A powerful combination of dominance and consistancy with empathy and humility frictioning off of each other. Like this Malkhut is built. Yesod becomes potent and fulfills its task in the world.

But taking a practical look at what's going on and it looks like someone jogging, or walking or dancing in the physical world. Hopefully, this angle will inspire some BW out there to exercise, go jogging, or at least have a joyful and holy dance session!

Greed vs Success

In America I suspect many are confused by the message of success. There is such a rush to make it, quite often no one takes the time to think what is "it"? How do you "make it"? And is that where I want to go?

A Perspective: Welsing

Relationships

Alef - first letter in the Hebrew Alef bet.
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Tav - the last letter
Number 1
Lots of Holy Names begin w/this letter


Beit - second letter in Hrb. Alef bet.
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Shin -second to last letter
Number 2
2nd day in creation not blessed, due to division
bayit - house
bat -daughter
1st letter in Torah "Bereishit..."

Gimel - 3rd letter in Hebrew
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Reish - third last letter in Heb.
Number 3
3rd day:very very good?
3 forefathers
Am segulah
rope
camel
confusion