In my World War II class today, we saw a documentary on the Holocaust. 'Nuff said. It was rather painful, but thought-provoking. Two of the people interviewed wondered where G-d was and why He didn't listen to the cries of the prisoners. I just want to venture a reply. I do not have the audacity to claim that I know what G-d thoughts are, but I DO know that they are always good and for the good of His Children. So where was He, you ask? With the Allied soldiers, helping them win the war so that they COULD save the survivors from the camps. If Hashem hadn't intervened, perhaps the Nazis C"V could have won, I don't know. But He did, the camps were liberated, and the main perpetrators of the evil were punished.
So why did it take so long? I don't know. Maybe it was supposed to be longer and the time was shortened because of our cries and His mercy. Maybe certain things had to happen in the order that they did for reasons that will later become clear. Like I said, I don't presume to know Hashem's reasons for what happens. But we say ברוך דין האמת when bad happens precisely because we know that what He does IS for the good.
Just a thought.
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Sunday, November 28, 2004
Defending Myself Against Lurkers...
So apparantly I've made it to h.com. Oh dear. So now I have to explain some things, because someone apparantly read only the name of my site and came to his own conclusions about me...and I quote:
BaronPhilip-"A blog by a "frum actress"? What does she write about? Kosher tarfus?"
Um...I sure hope that's not what my posts have been coming across as-if I have been, let me know, and I'll stop blogging immediatly.
BaronPhilip-"A blog by a "frum actress"? What does she write about? Kosher tarfus?"
Um...I sure hope that's not what my posts have been coming across as-if I have been, let me know, and I'll stop blogging immediatly.
I wonder if you'll actually take the time to see my site and give me the benefit of the doubt, but this is to answer your question, "Baron":
I love to act, and, I might add, I kinda have talent (If you must know, though I hate posting personal stuff, I worked at a FRUM girls' performing arts camp for two summers). Apparantly you can't understand this, which is fine...many of my best friends can't (tho some can ;) ). I also, B"H, am veery happy being frum. It's what literally, B"H, makes my life what it is, and I am (and will be!) eternally grateful for it. I also don't think that anybody has a talent that is to be wasted. (To quote Julia Blum..."If G-d gives you a gift, you are obligated to use it. Use it to bring goodness into this world, and honor to the One who gave it to you.") I happened to be given by Hashem a talent for acting. Ordinarilly, one might think that this is something that can't be used, and should instead be stifled (and after all, aren't Orthodox women stifled anyway? NO!!) I made "frumactress" my blog name because I feel that it's NOT an oximoron, but rather something I must try to utilize to be מקדש His Name. Regardless of how I end up using my particular talent, I am on a search to find a way to use it לשם שמים, or, as a certain R' H would say, to "make Poppa happy."
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
Hashem loves us!!
My friend the Morah was telling me something she taught in her tefila (prayer) class the other day, and I think it applies to my soapbox on people's perspectives..enjoy!
"In 1927, at the University of Berlin, a Jewish woman named Bluma Zeigarnik, who was researching brain psychology mechanisms came upon an important finding that says a lot about how human beings respond to prayer and spirituality. She showed a large number of human subjects a circle that was 7/8 complete and found that the vast majority focused their eyes and their attention on the 1/8 of the circle that wasn't complete.
This phenomenon, which was later named "the Zeigarnik effect," explains why our anxious, problem-seeking brains can't seem to notice what's going right in our lives but seem to be pulled toward the next unsolved problem. Is it any wonder your spouse, your boss, your parents, or your own self-critical brain tends to focus only on what's incomplete and takes for granted or ignores what is healthy or going well?
Jewish spirituality recommends saying a prayer or reciting a blessing whenever you notice, even for a moment, that something is going right. It's as though the ancient rabbis knew that our brains were good at problems but lousy at appreciating life or moments of peace. It is a radical liberation step to rise above anxiety for at least a few moments each day to appreciate that some things are going well, even in tough times."
It's by Leonard Felder (no idea who he is, but I'm sourcing it!)
Just something to keep in mind every day. Hope yours is wonderful!! :)
"In 1927, at the University of Berlin, a Jewish woman named Bluma Zeigarnik, who was researching brain psychology mechanisms came upon an important finding that says a lot about how human beings respond to prayer and spirituality. She showed a large number of human subjects a circle that was 7/8 complete and found that the vast majority focused their eyes and their attention on the 1/8 of the circle that wasn't complete.
This phenomenon, which was later named "the Zeigarnik effect," explains why our anxious, problem-seeking brains can't seem to notice what's going right in our lives but seem to be pulled toward the next unsolved problem. Is it any wonder your spouse, your boss, your parents, or your own self-critical brain tends to focus only on what's incomplete and takes for granted or ignores what is healthy or going well?
Jewish spirituality recommends saying a prayer or reciting a blessing whenever you notice, even for a moment, that something is going right. It's as though the ancient rabbis knew that our brains were good at problems but lousy at appreciating life or moments of peace. It is a radical liberation step to rise above anxiety for at least a few moments each day to appreciate that some things are going well, even in tough times."
It's by Leonard Felder (no idea who he is, but I'm sourcing it!)
Just something to keep in mind every day. Hope yours is wonderful!! :)
Friday, November 12, 2004
יהודים ששונאים את עצמם
Why? Why can't we look for the good in those people that it's apparantly so easy to find bad in? It'll make your life (and perspective) so much more positive, and then y'all won't blast our faults all over the Internet for all to see. Find the good, and make it a קדוש ה and not, C"V, the opposite. PLEASE!! If you can change the world, please, go ahead!! But if it's just לשון הרע, why is it necessary?
No, this is not addressed to anyone or anything specific...just a culmination of events.
No, this is not addressed to anyone or anything specific...just a culmination of events.
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
My history..
So...for those wondering, this is what I want to do when I grow up. Check out the fragments from the Cairo Geniza!! You're not excited??? Oh. I am!!
Monday, November 08, 2004
Lashon Hora
Literally, it means, The Bad Language. I've learned from being in an environment where people are soooo not careful how they speak that speech is such a powerful and important thing. Today, I saw it make someone cry, make someone laugh, make someone hate someone else, and make someone look down on another person. We have laws about how to guard our tongues, but I think it's something that should hold true to all people. It is so not necessary to say something nasty-to someone, or worse, about someone behind their back(therefore not them the chance to defend themselves).
Lashon Hora doesn't only include how we speak about others-it's how we talk in general. We learn that a person has only a certain amount of words to say in his lifetime-how can we waste them with curses and dirty phrases? How can we take the one thing that physically separates us from animals and act lower than the lowest creature?
I heard Eli Weisel speak last night. The man has taken the English language and mastered it, to the point that every word that he says is quotable, is remarkable in its brilliance. We can't necessarily do that, but we CAN make our words pleasing to others.
Lashon Hora doesn't only include how we speak about others-it's how we talk in general. We learn that a person has only a certain amount of words to say in his lifetime-how can we waste them with curses and dirty phrases? How can we take the one thing that physically separates us from animals and act lower than the lowest creature?
I heard Eli Weisel speak last night. The man has taken the English language and mastered it, to the point that every word that he says is quotable, is remarkable in its brilliance. We can't necessarily do that, but we CAN make our words pleasing to others.
Friday, November 05, 2004
Al tadun es chavercha ad shemagia limkomo
Chazal say that "you shouldn't judge someone until you have reached their situation". Having reached a situation that I have judged other people in before getting there, I want to apologize for making judgemental statements without having a clue as to what you were going through. I'm trying to work on it. Have a wonderful uplifting, amazing, and absolutely inspiring Shabbos.
Sunday, October 31, 2004
Fall
Was reading Flairrah's blog, and I'll have to agree. Ma rabu ma'asecha Hashem!! The world is a beautiful place-especially this time of year! I just had to add my two cents. It's so wonderful to walk into a world, made just for you (every person is supposed to realize "beshvili nivra ha'olam," literally-"the world was created for me") and see how beautiful G-d's creations are. Fall is such an amazing time-the leaves all turn colors that are so beautiful against each other and against that blue that is so...well...BLUE!! of the sky. Did you ever want to physically feel the color of the sky? It has to be wonderful-feelings ARE colors...or is it vice versa? I love being able to literally walk into a painting every day by entering Hashem's world.
Saturday, October 30, 2004
The "Good/Evil=God?" Question
I've gotten complaints about not blogging often enough, (dunno why, it's not like anyone comments-and don't comment now just to say that you've commented...) so here's something fascinating that I got as a forward-don't know how true it is, but it's a really really good point (especially when you see who the student was!)
The university professor challenged his students with this question.
"Did God create everything that exists?"
A student bravely replied "yes, he did!"
"God created everything? The professor asked.
"Yes sir", the student replied.
The professor answered, "If God created everything, then God created evil since evil exists, and according to the principal that our works define who we are then God is evil".
The student became quiet before such an answer. The professor was quitepleased with himself and boasted to the students that he had proven once more that Christian, Judaism & Muslim faiths are a myth.
Another student raised his hand and said, "Can I ask you a question, professor?"
"Of course", replied the professor.
The student stood up and asked, "Professor, does cold exist?"
"What kind of question is this? Of course it exists. Have you never been cold?"
The students snickered at the young man`s question.
The young man replied, "In fact sir, cold does not exist. According tothe laws of physics, what we consider cold is in reality the absence of heat. Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (- 460 degrees F) is the total absence of heat; all matterbecomes inert and incapable of reaction at that temperature. Cold does not exist. We have created this word to describe how we feel if we have no heat.
The student continued. "Professor, does darkness exist?"
The professor responded, "Of course it does".
The student replied,"Once again you are wrong sir, darkness does not exist either. Darkness is in reality the absence of light. Light we can study, but not darkness. In fact we can use Newton`s prism to break white lightinto many colors and study the various wavelengths of each color. You can not measure darkness. A simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it. [TRW's note-just keep that in mind when you do anything :)]
"How can you know how dark a certain space is? You measure the amount of light present. Isn`t this correct? Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is nolight present."
Finally the young man asked the professor. "Sir, does evil exist?"
Now uncertain, the professor responded,"Of course, as I have already said. We see it every day. It is in the daily example of man`s inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations arenothing else but evil."
To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is not like faith or love that exist just as does light and heat. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God`s love present in his heart. It`s like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes whenthere is no light."
The professor sat down.
Old ending:
The young man's name--- Albert Einstein.
But it's been confirmed through my official confirmer (that'll be twice so far, aishel!) that snopes calls it an urban legend. I'm keeping the story up, though, because I still like the actual refutation, no matter whether it happened or not. Whoever thought of it was really smart! ;) Readers should just be aware that Einstein was NOT, I repeat, NOT the student in the story. Thanks!
The university professor challenged his students with this question.
"Did God create everything that exists?"
A student bravely replied "yes, he did!"
"God created everything? The professor asked.
"Yes sir", the student replied.
The professor answered, "If God created everything, then God created evil since evil exists, and according to the principal that our works define who we are then God is evil".
The student became quiet before such an answer. The professor was quitepleased with himself and boasted to the students that he had proven once more that Christian, Judaism & Muslim faiths are a myth.
Another student raised his hand and said, "Can I ask you a question, professor?"
"Of course", replied the professor.
The student stood up and asked, "Professor, does cold exist?"
"What kind of question is this? Of course it exists. Have you never been cold?"
The students snickered at the young man`s question.
The young man replied, "In fact sir, cold does not exist. According tothe laws of physics, what we consider cold is in reality the absence of heat. Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (- 460 degrees F) is the total absence of heat; all matterbecomes inert and incapable of reaction at that temperature. Cold does not exist. We have created this word to describe how we feel if we have no heat.
The student continued. "Professor, does darkness exist?"
The professor responded, "Of course it does".
The student replied,"Once again you are wrong sir, darkness does not exist either. Darkness is in reality the absence of light. Light we can study, but not darkness. In fact we can use Newton`s prism to break white lightinto many colors and study the various wavelengths of each color. You can not measure darkness. A simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it. [TRW's note-just keep that in mind when you do anything :)]
"How can you know how dark a certain space is? You measure the amount of light present. Isn`t this correct? Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is nolight present."
Finally the young man asked the professor. "Sir, does evil exist?"
Now uncertain, the professor responded,"Of course, as I have already said. We see it every day. It is in the daily example of man`s inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations arenothing else but evil."
To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is not like faith or love that exist just as does light and heat. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God`s love present in his heart. It`s like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes whenthere is no light."
The professor sat down.
Old ending:
The young man's name--- Albert Einstein.
But it's been confirmed through my official confirmer (that'll be twice so far, aishel!) that snopes calls it an urban legend. I'm keeping the story up, though, because I still like the actual refutation, no matter whether it happened or not. Whoever thought of it was really smart! ;) Readers should just be aware that Einstein was NOT, I repeat, NOT the student in the story. Thanks!
Saturday, October 23, 2004
For those yet undecided
I tried so hard to avoid discussing politics, but I just want to mention one thing:
Though it hasn't yet been confirmed or denied on Snopes, Arafat seems to have made a statement saying that he hopes Kerry will win the election because he will be very supportive of a Palestinian state. What does that mean for the Israeli state?
I leave that for you to think about...election day is November 2.
Though it hasn't yet been confirmed or denied on Snopes, Arafat seems to have made a statement saying that he hopes Kerry will win the election because he will be very supportive of a Palestinian state. What does that mean for the Israeli state?
I leave that for you to think about...election day is November 2.
In Her Own Words
I get an email weekly from a good friend of mine from LA, and she never ceases to inspire me! I read this one, and, as usual, wanted to share it, and remembered that I have this forum for spouting...so enjoy!!
Attempting to sound strong, the girl raised her voice slightly. “I realized I was different… and that I wouldn’t find anyone else who thinks like I do, and I got used to being a loner.” She quickly glanced down at her fingernails, pausing a moment too long before she lifted her eyes, “Most people just don’t care to think or talk about life.” She really said that, and she really believes it, and she seemed to me to be near tears as she said it.
And honestly, I was shocked. Not at the statement that most people don’t think seriously about the world we live in and what it means… but that there was sitting here a girl who hadn’t found people who DID care… and that I am so fortunate to be so surrounded by exactly those thinking, feeling people.We don’t realize enough what a blessing it is to live in the communities that we do, to associate with people for whom life has a purpose greater-than-instant-gratification. Every day I live with people for whom discussing social issues, philosophical issues, moral issues is a given. And most people in this world DON’T get that. They live life, take what they’ve been tossed, get juggled by media propaganda and manipulative advertising, subliminal consumerist and flaming liberal messaging, and it doesn’t phase them.
And it made me sad, to wonder what is happening to these potentially brilliant minds… where were their efforts going… why is it the norm to vegetate rather than think.I feel like every week I say this about something else – but it’s true; we’re blessed. We’ve been given a treasure, an invaluable treasure… [this week] the mind. It’s a medium of intellect higher than the animal world. The human mind makes the human person a creature of dignity and purposefulness. If it’s not used – what are we?
So look at the parsha, Lech Licha. In an article at aish.com, Rabbi Noson Weisz comments that Avram was different from his society in that he really used the mind that Gd gave him… he wondered about the world, about our existence, about the existence of a Higher Power… and because he gave life thought, he came to a greater realization than those around him. And even more than that, he took his knowledge and his understanding into his heart, which is what gave him the strength to listen to Gd’s word, leave whatever necessary behind… because he respected his own mind, he understood the importance in utilizing that mind, and that his understanding of Gd’s will as ultimate reality was what mattered most.
And he had a wife, a few devoted family members, servants, and a following of believers. And when Gd told him that it was time to go… these are the people that came with him. The people that could also appreciate this realization of Gd, people with whom Avram could discuss and understand the value of life and man’s purpose of goodness in this world. I don’t believe this treasure, our mind, can exist without mutuality of intellectual stimulation. Which is why we’re so lucky. Which is why I feel so bad for the girl in my social psych class who has been left stranded in such a vast, frightening, and false world.
It’s really special to be able to sit at a dinner table at USC and look across at seven other people heatedly debating nuances of human intelligence, and considering what that demands of us.To sit next to someone who himself is in awe of the fact that we get caught into these “crazy conversations every single day.”To feel like I can call my friend and say … I really need a break from this college mumbojumbo … and our break will be an attempt to understand the value of speech. To hear a sophomore in high school say that it makes her happy to see herself taking meaningful steps to bettering her life, to understanding what is important in life. When only hours earlier a college professor commented, “When people start to take life seriously, around their late 20’s, early 30’s…” To know that I even have a baby sister (sorry, 14?) at home who is ahead of those 30-year-olds.To laugh with joy when I hear one of my Jewish atheist friends still wonder about what we mean when we say “soul”
…And it’s because we’re around people to whom the mind is that treasure… and we’re not even conscious of it, but I believe it would pain us to let that mind atrophy…Now just think… how much we could do, like Avram, by taking that intellect into action.
Attempting to sound strong, the girl raised her voice slightly. “I realized I was different… and that I wouldn’t find anyone else who thinks like I do, and I got used to being a loner.” She quickly glanced down at her fingernails, pausing a moment too long before she lifted her eyes, “Most people just don’t care to think or talk about life.” She really said that, and she really believes it, and she seemed to me to be near tears as she said it.
And honestly, I was shocked. Not at the statement that most people don’t think seriously about the world we live in and what it means… but that there was sitting here a girl who hadn’t found people who DID care… and that I am so fortunate to be so surrounded by exactly those thinking, feeling people.We don’t realize enough what a blessing it is to live in the communities that we do, to associate with people for whom life has a purpose greater-than-instant-gratification. Every day I live with people for whom discussing social issues, philosophical issues, moral issues is a given. And most people in this world DON’T get that. They live life, take what they’ve been tossed, get juggled by media propaganda and manipulative advertising, subliminal consumerist and flaming liberal messaging, and it doesn’t phase them.
And it made me sad, to wonder what is happening to these potentially brilliant minds… where were their efforts going… why is it the norm to vegetate rather than think.I feel like every week I say this about something else – but it’s true; we’re blessed. We’ve been given a treasure, an invaluable treasure… [this week] the mind. It’s a medium of intellect higher than the animal world. The human mind makes the human person a creature of dignity and purposefulness. If it’s not used – what are we?
So look at the parsha, Lech Licha. In an article at aish.com, Rabbi Noson Weisz comments that Avram was different from his society in that he really used the mind that Gd gave him… he wondered about the world, about our existence, about the existence of a Higher Power… and because he gave life thought, he came to a greater realization than those around him. And even more than that, he took his knowledge and his understanding into his heart, which is what gave him the strength to listen to Gd’s word, leave whatever necessary behind… because he respected his own mind, he understood the importance in utilizing that mind, and that his understanding of Gd’s will as ultimate reality was what mattered most.
And he had a wife, a few devoted family members, servants, and a following of believers. And when Gd told him that it was time to go… these are the people that came with him. The people that could also appreciate this realization of Gd, people with whom Avram could discuss and understand the value of life and man’s purpose of goodness in this world. I don’t believe this treasure, our mind, can exist without mutuality of intellectual stimulation. Which is why we’re so lucky. Which is why I feel so bad for the girl in my social psych class who has been left stranded in such a vast, frightening, and false world.
It’s really special to be able to sit at a dinner table at USC and look across at seven other people heatedly debating nuances of human intelligence, and considering what that demands of us.To sit next to someone who himself is in awe of the fact that we get caught into these “crazy conversations every single day.”To feel like I can call my friend and say … I really need a break from this college mumbojumbo … and our break will be an attempt to understand the value of speech. To hear a sophomore in high school say that it makes her happy to see herself taking meaningful steps to bettering her life, to understanding what is important in life. When only hours earlier a college professor commented, “When people start to take life seriously, around their late 20’s, early 30’s…” To know that I even have a baby sister (sorry, 14?) at home who is ahead of those 30-year-olds.To laugh with joy when I hear one of my Jewish atheist friends still wonder about what we mean when we say “soul”
…And it’s because we’re around people to whom the mind is that treasure… and we’re not even conscious of it, but I believe it would pain us to let that mind atrophy…Now just think… how much we could do, like Avram, by taking that intellect into action.
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Another driving mashal
Was in the car with Stx today and something came up (not gonna say who was driving...;) ) where the driver wanted to switch lanes, but the passanger knew better. Why? There were cars in the other lane. Sometimes they were going faster, sometimes slower. But the other lane looked so enticing...if we'd moved at that time, though, we would have smashed into the car next to us! So we were really where we were supposed to be....
Sometimes other people's lives look so much better, more exciting, etc. But if we'd have their lives, we'd clash (smash) with their situation, cause it's not for us! There's something good about you and what you have. For some people it's harder to see than for others, but it's still there. There's still something that's special about YOU that only YOU have and that makes you who you are. Enjoy it and utilize it to the max!!
Sometimes other people's lives look so much better, more exciting, etc. But if we'd have their lives, we'd clash (smash) with their situation, cause it's not for us! There's something good about you and what you have. For some people it's harder to see than for others, but it's still there. There's still something that's special about YOU that only YOU have and that makes you who you are. Enjoy it and utilize it to the max!!
Sunday, October 10, 2004
Simchas Torah
It's amazing!! What do we do? We dance around the Torah, we reaffirm our faith. It's a holiday of pure joy and connecting to G-d and His Gift to us (which, incidentally, includes the blueprint for the world and the reason for our existance!!) It's really an amazing thing...;)
(I feel like soon I'll be able to give myself Amos's label-"Bible-thumping wacko...and proud of it!" Wow. I'm afraid...well...not really! If my blog freaks you out, you don't have to read it! But if it doesn't...beware...and enjoy!! :)
(I feel like soon I'll be able to give myself Amos's label-"Bible-thumping wacko...and proud of it!" Wow. I'm afraid...well...not really! If my blog freaks you out, you don't have to read it! But if it doesn't...beware...and enjoy!! :)
Sunday, October 03, 2004
It's all in perspective
If you consider your holy book to be Godly written (as opposed not divinely inspired), it makes a pretty big difference on the perspective of your religion and how you act within it. Just thought I'd mention that...
(Another homework inspired thought)
(Another homework inspired thought)
Reading a book on resistance..people are so evil.
Life in Nazi Germany and its occupied territories was terrifying. When the Nazis invaded a country, they took people hostage (2 million in France). If there was resistance in the occupied country, they would then systematically kill numbers of hostages. Or, as in one case, when there were 2 Nazis killed near a village, they killed one man from every household (if there was more than one, the woman of the household had to choose who they should kill). It really frightens me. I don't like people like this...
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Erev Yom Kippur-Gam Zu Litova!
Just a thought inspired by my father-his car broke down tonight after 12 years, and he's probably gonna have to get a new one...and when I asked him if he had a bad day he answered with a smile "Gam Zu Litova!"
So...my thought is that it's Erev Yom Kippur-so if anything C"V bad happens to you (yes, even down to putting your hand in your pocket and taking out the wrong coin), it MUST be a kapara! (Even more so than usual ;) ) How can the Satan be mikatreg if you're already having tza'ar? Gam zu litova. Gmar chasima tova and may we see NO tza'ar in the coming year for all of klal yisroel!!
So...my thought is that it's Erev Yom Kippur-so if anything C"V bad happens to you (yes, even down to putting your hand in your pocket and taking out the wrong coin), it MUST be a kapara! (Even more so than usual ;) ) How can the Satan be mikatreg if you're already having tza'ar? Gam zu litova. Gmar chasima tova and may we see NO tza'ar in the coming year for all of klal yisroel!!
Sunday, September 12, 2004
Monday, September 06, 2004
Bottling Time
I think this idea was from ZZ, but I completely agree..
Don't you wish you could just bottle time when you have extras of it and save it for when you're desperate for more?
I think the same should apply for happiness...
Don't you wish you could just bottle time when you have extras of it and save it for when you're desperate for more?
I think the same should apply for happiness...
Beautiful...
Was flipping through the "next blogs" to see if there was anything interesting...terrible waste of time, usually...but look what I found!
Two bubbles found they had rainbows on their curves.
They flickered out saying:
"It was worth being a bubble,
just to have held that rainbow thirty seconds."
It's by Carl Sandburg. I like it. Thanks, Lisa!
Two bubbles found they had rainbows on their curves.
They flickered out saying:
"It was worth being a bubble,
just to have held that rainbow thirty seconds."
It's by Carl Sandburg. I like it. Thanks, Lisa!
Sunday, September 05, 2004
It's ELUL!!
I still have 3 1/2 chapters left to go before I'm finished my reading for tonight (History classes are just lovely...), but I stopped to do my long-distance chavrusa and had to share an insight.
There's a story in the Gemara about two Rabanim that were talking and someone came up to them and asked them a question:
"My workers are working for me in the Shemita (7th Year-when the Land rests) and taking olives from the trees as payment. Is that allowed?"
When the Rabbis answered him in the negative, he turned and walked away immediatly, prompting R' Elazar Ben R' Tzadok to comment:
"I have lived in this land for 40 years and never saw a man with such fear of sin as this man."
The man later returned to them and asked them what to do in his specific situation, they gave him advice, and the matter was done.
What was so amazing? The man heard a Psak (rabbinical ruling), and realized he was doing something wrong. He didn't pause for a minute to see where he should progress from there-he just ran home to make sure that he wasn't sinning for an extra second!!
The point of the Michtav Me'eleyahu (who brings this down) is to show how one should fix his ways on Erev Rosh Hashana (and always!). As soon as you realize you're doing something wrong-don't waste an extra second!! Go and correct the chait, and then progress from there..you can only move up!!
May we all have the Hashgacha and inspiration (we DO have it-it's just about seeing it..) to do the same. Amain.
There's a story in the Gemara about two Rabanim that were talking and someone came up to them and asked them a question:
"My workers are working for me in the Shemita (7th Year-when the Land rests) and taking olives from the trees as payment. Is that allowed?"
When the Rabbis answered him in the negative, he turned and walked away immediatly, prompting R' Elazar Ben R' Tzadok to comment:
"I have lived in this land for 40 years and never saw a man with such fear of sin as this man."
The man later returned to them and asked them what to do in his specific situation, they gave him advice, and the matter was done.
What was so amazing? The man heard a Psak (rabbinical ruling), and realized he was doing something wrong. He didn't pause for a minute to see where he should progress from there-he just ran home to make sure that he wasn't sinning for an extra second!!
The point of the Michtav Me'eleyahu (who brings this down) is to show how one should fix his ways on Erev Rosh Hashana (and always!). As soon as you realize you're doing something wrong-don't waste an extra second!! Go and correct the chait, and then progress from there..you can only move up!!
May we all have the Hashgacha and inspiration (we DO have it-it's just about seeing it..) to do the same. Amain.
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