I was surfing the net and was glad to find this: The Awareness Center: a place for Jewish victims of childhood sexual abuse.
I pray they all get comfort, relief and can rise above it all w/ the help of the Torah and the inner Torah.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Defying Nature and Inspirations
(this is a cross post from the black fire white fire blog)
One of the toughest jobs is to be happy. I look around and see so much hurt, so much pain, so much cruelty, greed, corruption, its very hard to be happy. It also doesn't help that I am in an intersection of two groups of people; both of which seem have parts which have been socialized to defy the natural way of things and live a lifestyle that is detrimental to themselves.
One street is the Orthodox Jewish street. Here people are encouraged to learn and learn and learn as much Torah that can fit in their heads -even cancelling or not going to doctors or dental appointments. Exercise is frowned at. But how can a whole group exist this way? I can understand if they took the best and the brightest. But to expect everyone to be like this, I don't know.
The intersecting street is the BC. Here people are encouraged to not snitch when crimes happen, young girls are left to fend themselves against grown men who know the game. Well. After years of messages denying ones self worth, some are actually buying into that propaganda.
These things are not natural!
In Judaism, there is talk and hope for the geula -the redemption. However, as some say, the individual redemption must come and then the rest will follow.
The way I see it. It is up to each one to say, this is what works for me. As long as its within the confines of living decently and not harming others, all good and well. Don't turn to see what the neighbors are doing, it just doesn't work for you.
You see, as my sister, Chaya, put it, everyone is a part of a big puzzle. But as long as we are not being natural and happy-enducing to ourselves, its like the puzzle piece is flipped upside down. Thus we can't see where we truly belong.
But if we allow ourselves, to be... OURSELVES! Then, only then, will we be truly happy and inspired. This is why it doesn't help to be jealous at a neighbor, they are a totally different puzzle piece -becoming just like them, ruins the real YOU.
One big enemy to this happiness is GROUP THINK. The act of everything thinking the same way, no disagreement, no swaying neither to the left nor to the right. That would be good in regards to the ultimate TRUTH -whatever that may be. But to follow another human being that way, not good.
When each individual can see another doing 'his own thing' and be inspired -even though its not something they themselves would do, this will help each one in their redemption process. What I mean by redemption process is their true self actualization process.
Let us BE!
One of the toughest jobs is to be happy. I look around and see so much hurt, so much pain, so much cruelty, greed, corruption, its very hard to be happy. It also doesn't help that I am in an intersection of two groups of people; both of which seem have parts which have been socialized to defy the natural way of things and live a lifestyle that is detrimental to themselves.
One street is the Orthodox Jewish street. Here people are encouraged to learn and learn and learn as much Torah that can fit in their heads -even cancelling or not going to doctors or dental appointments. Exercise is frowned at. But how can a whole group exist this way? I can understand if they took the best and the brightest. But to expect everyone to be like this, I don't know.
The intersecting street is the BC. Here people are encouraged to not snitch when crimes happen, young girls are left to fend themselves against grown men who know the game. Well. After years of messages denying ones self worth, some are actually buying into that propaganda.
These things are not natural!
In Judaism, there is talk and hope for the geula -the redemption. However, as some say, the individual redemption must come and then the rest will follow.
The way I see it. It is up to each one to say, this is what works for me. As long as its within the confines of living decently and not harming others, all good and well. Don't turn to see what the neighbors are doing, it just doesn't work for you.
You see, as my sister, Chaya, put it, everyone is a part of a big puzzle. But as long as we are not being natural and happy-enducing to ourselves, its like the puzzle piece is flipped upside down. Thus we can't see where we truly belong.
But if we allow ourselves, to be... OURSELVES! Then, only then, will we be truly happy and inspired. This is why it doesn't help to be jealous at a neighbor, they are a totally different puzzle piece -becoming just like them, ruins the real YOU.
One big enemy to this happiness is GROUP THINK. The act of everything thinking the same way, no disagreement, no swaying neither to the left nor to the right. That would be good in regards to the ultimate TRUTH -whatever that may be. But to follow another human being that way, not good.
When each individual can see another doing 'his own thing' and be inspired -even though its not something they themselves would do, this will help each one in their redemption process. What I mean by redemption process is their true self actualization process.
Let us BE!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Middle Eastern Natural Healing
For my Jewish audience out there and anyone interested there is a natural healing blog (w/ a jewish bent) that is pretty interesting Its Jeffrey Geltman's blog.
Also, there is a site where you can read the whole Bible online. Its Mechon Mamre.
Both of these guys I consider good friends!
Also, there is a site where you can read the whole Bible online. Its Mechon Mamre.
Both of these guys I consider good friends!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Can Someone Help?
Can anyone tell me why must my choices be either a billy goat's milk or the hormone infested cow's milk? Billy goat's cheese or the hormone and chemically infested cow's cheese.
Isn't there the one cow, with the one farmer who keeps his cow natural and sells non- hormonal milk and cheese???
Isn't there the one cow, with the one farmer who keeps his cow natural and sells non- hormonal milk and cheese???
Thursday, March 06, 2008
A sad day for yom kippur katan
A terrorist entered a boys school and opened fire. At least 500 -600 bullets was shot before he was stopped.
STory here.
And to think I was just near there walking with my kiddlings. **shiver**
For a good take on it, here's Rabbi Brody's laser beam.
STory here.
And to think I was just near there walking with my kiddlings. **shiver**
For a good take on it, here's Rabbi Brody's laser beam.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Monday, March 03, 2008
Is Moshiach on His Way???
Can it be? Disney is in the making of a movie with a black character! And she's not a cat, nor a dog, nor a mouse or anything such thing. She's human?! Great signs and wonders in the world? Maybe the Messiah is coming soon.... LOL
Hat tip: Tania from It's My It List
Hat tip: Tania from It's My It List
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Good Lawd, the Political Gan Question
All my friends and neighbors want to know. This is probably decide what side of the fence I'm on. Am I in? or am I out? (I'm probably out long ago, but didn't realize it. lol).
What gan are you sending your kids to?
What gan are you sending your kids to?
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Mild Rant
I just saw a chilling video another blog. Apparently its not new. Its on study done with black children giving them two dolls a white one and a black one. They must chose which one they think is the "good" doll and which one is the "bad" doll. Sadly, the choice they made reflected a need for better black images.
Is it impossible to have my cake and eat it too?!
I am married to a WM. But I want my children to be happy about both their heritage. I definitely want them to be proud Jews, comfortable in their skin. Its like life is like a constant battle. Before children, I was battling it out for myself.
For myself, I wanted to be happy, with a good marriage partner. I wanted to be God-fearing, doing His Will. And I wanted to find a place to live where I can be comfortable doing the things I want to do. Most everything else, was not worth a fight (to me).
I thank God, I pretty much am there. Except for my mental battle against the "overly religious" in my neighborhood who tend to judge everyone --and nobody passes! LOL I have to fight constantly telling myself that what I am doing is within halacha (Jewish Law) even if they take things to the extreme, I don't have to feel that my apparent lenient views are any less according to the law. Aside from that battle, I am happy.
But soon after children come into the picture. *Whew!* a new battle has begun. The fight for their minds. In Israel, its a bit more different in that there is pressure to send the kids to gan (pre -pre nursery school) at the rip old age of 2 1/2! How can I influence them properly if they are out of my hands that early?!
I have kept them home -despite pressure from eeeeveryyywhere! - one advantage to having a husband who can understand and knows where your coming from. But thank God, my husband is "teachable" lol. Even now I have an almost two year old that I feel like i'm "hiding" away in my home.
But I am their only mother and so I MUST fight. Hard. I want them to have images in their lives that give them a very positive view of who they are.
I remember once my husband came home a bit shocked. I asked him what's the matter. He replied that it was very near the time to pray (Muslim men pray five times a day; Jewish men pray three times a day; women pray all the time! lol) and he didn't know where to go. So he ducked into a school for boys and prayed in there. On his way out, he saw a picture of "Moses" (they had a picture of Moses, okay?!) and in the picture he looked as European as you can possibly get, complete with old time European noblemen clothing (shtreimel and bekesha). What a shock! That they should be teaching the children that even back in Moses's days, people were Europeans.
I am so scared. I've got to look long and hard for my kids. I have to find a school with a good compromise of diversity and religiousity.
Add to that, i've got this annoying habit of meandering into racist blogs who talk about "gotta stay black!" what it means to be black, etc. I know in my mind that there is nothing to be ashamed of being black. Its a beautiful thing, despite what the media machine and all their cohorts are trying to promote. It just sometimes doesn't look like racism to me because its seemingly pro-black.
I've got to fight.
*end of rant* lol
Is it impossible to have my cake and eat it too?!
I am married to a WM. But I want my children to be happy about both their heritage. I definitely want them to be proud Jews, comfortable in their skin. Its like life is like a constant battle. Before children, I was battling it out for myself.
For myself, I wanted to be happy, with a good marriage partner. I wanted to be God-fearing, doing His Will. And I wanted to find a place to live where I can be comfortable doing the things I want to do. Most everything else, was not worth a fight (to me).
I thank God, I pretty much am there. Except for my mental battle against the "overly religious" in my neighborhood who tend to judge everyone --and nobody passes! LOL I have to fight constantly telling myself that what I am doing is within halacha (Jewish Law) even if they take things to the extreme, I don't have to feel that my apparent lenient views are any less according to the law. Aside from that battle, I am happy.
But soon after children come into the picture. *Whew!* a new battle has begun. The fight for their minds. In Israel, its a bit more different in that there is pressure to send the kids to gan (pre -pre nursery school) at the rip old age of 2 1/2! How can I influence them properly if they are out of my hands that early?!
I have kept them home -despite pressure from eeeeveryyywhere! - one advantage to having a husband who can understand and knows where your coming from. But thank God, my husband is "teachable" lol. Even now I have an almost two year old that I feel like i'm "hiding" away in my home.
But I am their only mother and so I MUST fight. Hard. I want them to have images in their lives that give them a very positive view of who they are.
I remember once my husband came home a bit shocked. I asked him what's the matter. He replied that it was very near the time to pray (Muslim men pray five times a day; Jewish men pray three times a day; women pray all the time! lol) and he didn't know where to go. So he ducked into a school for boys and prayed in there. On his way out, he saw a picture of "Moses" (they had a picture of Moses, okay?!) and in the picture he looked as European as you can possibly get, complete with old time European noblemen clothing (shtreimel and bekesha). What a shock! That they should be teaching the children that even back in Moses's days, people were Europeans.
I am so scared. I've got to look long and hard for my kids. I have to find a school with a good compromise of diversity and religiousity.
Add to that, i've got this annoying habit of meandering into racist blogs who talk about "gotta stay black!" what it means to be black, etc. I know in my mind that there is nothing to be ashamed of being black. Its a beautiful thing, despite what the media machine and all their cohorts are trying to promote. It just sometimes doesn't look like racism to me because its seemingly pro-black.
I've got to fight.
*end of rant* lol
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Quick note
I just wanted to mention that I am still reading Eim Habonim Smeicha. And in that book I found a quote from the Rambam stating that it is indeed a mitzvah to bring back "captive" Jews.
(that was for a response from my previously cynical post about why should we do kiruv)
(that was for a response from my previously cynical post about why should we do kiruv)
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
New Sephardic blog in town
Hey all, I'd like to introduce everyone to a new sephardic blog in town. Its Sephardic Sefari!
Looks promising. Please have a look yourself.
Looks promising. Please have a look yourself.
Spiritual Connection -- Unscrambling my Thoughts
Here is basically what I meant to say in my previous post entitled "What's The Spiritual Connection"
Do you notice that almost all the fighting, violence, etc all seem to be about tzniut. That is like the main topic.
I have a crazy theory which I tried to develop in my blog, but i'm feeling Mr. Lazy taking over me. lol
Anyway, the theory is that it all fits. fighting terrorism and the threat to divy up the land - all have to do with the exile of Ishmael (i.e. their brit vs Jewish people's brit)and the who has right to the land.
Even the brit is connected to tzniut, sexual things, guarding the eye, etc.
If we are worthy of redemption, then it happens from above downwards,Hashem just gives it; if not, then it happens from downwards arousaling (us praying, fighting, whatever) causing upwards arousaling (Hashem responding)
Anyway, I'll cut it short -in case i'm not making any sense lol- I think it may be worthwhile if true thinking folks....sorry i'm not saying rabbonim (I want to have faith in them but..)if true thinking and caring folks would come up with a proper way of dealing with tzniut, guarding the brit, etc.
Right now I think its left in the hands of evil. Like evil is spilling out the good parts that it held, but we gotta know what to do with it. (basically enough defense, where's our offense).
Am I being too spiritual? Am I making sense?
Do you notice that almost all the fighting, violence, etc all seem to be about tzniut. That is like the main topic.
I have a crazy theory which I tried to develop in my blog, but i'm feeling Mr. Lazy taking over me. lol
Anyway, the theory is that it all fits. fighting terrorism and the threat to divy up the land - all have to do with the exile of Ishmael (i.e. their brit vs Jewish people's brit)and the who has right to the land.
Even the brit is connected to tzniut, sexual things, guarding the eye, etc.
If we are worthy of redemption, then it happens from above downwards,Hashem just gives it; if not, then it happens from downwards arousaling (us praying, fighting, whatever) causing upwards arousaling (Hashem responding)
Anyway, I'll cut it short -in case i'm not making any sense lol- I think it may be worthwhile if true thinking folks....sorry i'm not saying rabbonim (I want to have faith in them but..)if true thinking and caring folks would come up with a proper way of dealing with tzniut, guarding the brit, etc.
Right now I think its left in the hands of evil. Like evil is spilling out the good parts that it held, but we gotta know what to do with it. (basically enough defense, where's our offense).
Am I being too spiritual? Am I making sense?
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Monday, February 04, 2008
What's the Spiritual Connection?
(I apologize that alot these post lately has been very refective pensive. I have got alot to think through. I hope you are enjoying it though!)
Hareidim. If you have been reading Life in Israel, Emes v'Emunah, Mother in Israel, Orthonomics, or any of the various Jewish blogs out there, you get the picture something is seriously in trouble parts of the Hareidi world.
In Ramat Beit Shemesh, there has been so much violence, its not even funny. And its not only there, it has spilled into various other neighborhoods and places as well.
Hareidim, religious Jews committing violence? It doesn't match from the ears to the brains.
I really enjoyed last year how Rabbi Lazer Brody and his emuna news would give everything a spiritual twist. I wish we had that now. Although the stakes are higher, the group that needs confronting are religious Jews.
What's the crux of the problem. On the front anyway.
It seems mainly questions on tzniut. Religious Jews are getting so twisted and bothered and more and more sensitive to modest vs immodesty that things have gotten violent!
What's the spiritual connection?
Al a Rabbi Nachman of Breslov style i'm just going to put all associations that I have to this:
tzniut. convenant of the brit. Avraham Avinu. Ishmael. Itzchok Avinu. Women. Moon. clothing. land of Israel. Moshiach ben Yosef. Sex. Sexuality. Purity.
Well, its interesting to note that we are not so much dealing with Edomite exile these days. Its more Islam extremist terrorists. The ownership of the land or parts of it, etc.
Israel and Ishmael. Way back, they had a fight before. A sort of "my brit is better than yours" type of argument. And what was so important about the brit? And how does it connect to the land?
I'll get back to that.
Arousal from below and Arousal from Above concept.
There is a concept of praying -arousal from below- also known as the feminine waters, and it causes a response from Hashem -arousal from Above- masculine waters. Kinda like a women crying, or kissing or whatever to get arousal from a man. Then the man responds by 'giving' to her. Or simply put, man prays, God answers.
Other times the girl can be so beautiful (in deeds) that the man sees her anyway and is wanting to give even without her asking. They say that if klal Yisrael is meriting then the redemption will come from above. However, if they are not meriting then it must come from the arousal from below. Like the woman who must work at it.
Moshiach ben Yosef is supposed to be the precursor to Moshiach ben David. His task is to gather in the exiles and settle the land. He is also connected to Din /judgement. Why? Not sure. My suspicion is that because he is likened to the arousal from below, that is also likened to women who is connected to Din.
to be continued...too sleepy.
Hareidim. If you have been reading Life in Israel, Emes v'Emunah, Mother in Israel, Orthonomics, or any of the various Jewish blogs out there, you get the picture something is seriously in trouble parts of the Hareidi world.
In Ramat Beit Shemesh, there has been so much violence, its not even funny. And its not only there, it has spilled into various other neighborhoods and places as well.
Hareidim, religious Jews committing violence? It doesn't match from the ears to the brains.
I really enjoyed last year how Rabbi Lazer Brody and his emuna news would give everything a spiritual twist. I wish we had that now. Although the stakes are higher, the group that needs confronting are religious Jews.
What's the crux of the problem. On the front anyway.
It seems mainly questions on tzniut. Religious Jews are getting so twisted and bothered and more and more sensitive to modest vs immodesty that things have gotten violent!
What's the spiritual connection?
Al a Rabbi Nachman of Breslov style i'm just going to put all associations that I have to this:
tzniut. convenant of the brit. Avraham Avinu. Ishmael. Itzchok Avinu. Women. Moon. clothing. land of Israel. Moshiach ben Yosef. Sex. Sexuality. Purity.
Well, its interesting to note that we are not so much dealing with Edomite exile these days. Its more Islam extremist terrorists. The ownership of the land or parts of it, etc.
Israel and Ishmael. Way back, they had a fight before. A sort of "my brit is better than yours" type of argument. And what was so important about the brit? And how does it connect to the land?
I'll get back to that.
Arousal from below and Arousal from Above concept.
There is a concept of praying -arousal from below- also known as the feminine waters, and it causes a response from Hashem -arousal from Above- masculine waters. Kinda like a women crying, or kissing or whatever to get arousal from a man. Then the man responds by 'giving' to her. Or simply put, man prays, God answers.
Other times the girl can be so beautiful (in deeds) that the man sees her anyway and is wanting to give even without her asking. They say that if klal Yisrael is meriting then the redemption will come from above. However, if they are not meriting then it must come from the arousal from below. Like the woman who must work at it.
Moshiach ben Yosef is supposed to be the precursor to Moshiach ben David. His task is to gather in the exiles and settle the land. He is also connected to Din /judgement. Why? Not sure. My suspicion is that because he is likened to the arousal from below, that is also likened to women who is connected to Din.
to be continued...too sleepy.
Is Kiruv a Good Thing?
Lately I've been asking myself this question more and more. I am aware that kiruv is a multimillion dollar industry and so no one will tell me with a straight face that its 'wrong'. But I am hoping for some sincere folks out there to tell me like it is.
To be sure, kiruv brings back many Jews who would otherwise live a happy secular life never knowing who Hashem is, what mitzvot are, and never feeling like second class citizens to group of FFBs.
To be sure, kiruv introduces a more simpler life away from the complex, sophisticated how many years degree needed "outside" world life. Just listen to 'the rabbi' and your whole life is set. Forget college, forget education. The Torah is the only thing you need. What? help to understand the Torah? Just ask a rav!
Do I sound cynical?
I just wonder is there a better way?
Some say kiruv introduces love of Hashem, but does not inject fear of Hashem. But I do think it introduces some kind of fear. LOL.
And what about those who accept the kiruv challenge, only to find out that they are mamzerim? Do they now have to chase down converts to include them in their mess? Wouldn't they have been happier lost in their secular lives? Was there a reason that they were gone?
I'll stop here.
(disclaimer: I'm not saying a life of religious Jewish practice is at all bad. I think its wonderful! I am just not crazy about the social parts of it and not crazy about the luring people in without 'full disclosure' business)
To be sure, kiruv brings back many Jews who would otherwise live a happy secular life never knowing who Hashem is, what mitzvot are, and never feeling like second class citizens to group of FFBs.
To be sure, kiruv introduces a more simpler life away from the complex, sophisticated how many years degree needed "outside" world life. Just listen to 'the rabbi' and your whole life is set. Forget college, forget education. The Torah is the only thing you need. What? help to understand the Torah? Just ask a rav!
Do I sound cynical?
I just wonder is there a better way?
Some say kiruv introduces love of Hashem, but does not inject fear of Hashem. But I do think it introduces some kind of fear. LOL.
And what about those who accept the kiruv challenge, only to find out that they are mamzerim? Do they now have to chase down converts to include them in their mess? Wouldn't they have been happier lost in their secular lives? Was there a reason that they were gone?
I'll stop here.
(disclaimer: I'm not saying a life of religious Jewish practice is at all bad. I think its wonderful! I am just not crazy about the social parts of it and not crazy about the luring people in without 'full disclosure' business)
Why do People Try
I was just over at Orthonomics, reading about what a "harry" is. Sad sad sad. People try to fit into societies- especially those that don't really want them? Appreciate them?
It just makes me want to shake my head. So many times, and from dear people, I hear statements of judgement? criticism? definitely odd ballish towards the 'other'. And this is not only in FFBs vs BTs.
What hurts is that the BT are really pushing and making efforts to fit into the FFBs society. Okay they make a mistake here and there, but to mock it and laugh at it speaks of a callousness that bespeaks of the heart. Perhaps they are just uneasy about the whole thing.
I think I need to hear some good news about FFBs.
What would happen if people just was themselves, and didn't try to conform to anybody else's standards?
It just makes me want to shake my head. So many times, and from dear people, I hear statements of judgement? criticism? definitely odd ballish towards the 'other'. And this is not only in FFBs vs BTs.
What hurts is that the BT are really pushing and making efforts to fit into the FFBs society. Okay they make a mistake here and there, but to mock it and laugh at it speaks of a callousness that bespeaks of the heart. Perhaps they are just uneasy about the whole thing.
I think I need to hear some good news about FFBs.
What would happen if people just was themselves, and didn't try to conform to anybody else's standards?
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Miriam's (chutzpadik) opinion
Someone asked about Chukat goyim. This is my take on it.
I think somethings are stretched waaaaay out of proportion. This law is one of them.
For example:
(1) If I decided to wear a turban headcovering. Then I found out that somewhere in a distant land are women wearing turban headcoverings. I would still wear it. The reason is because I am not "copying" them. We just so happen to have the same idea.
(2) If I wear a collar shirt with buttons. Then afterwards, folks think its really cool and the nations begin to also wear collar shirts with buttons, I would not change. I would still wear my shirt because I am not "copying" them.
Anyway this is totally my opinion.
I think somethings are stretched waaaaay out of proportion. This law is one of them.
For example:
(1) If I decided to wear a turban headcovering. Then I found out that somewhere in a distant land are women wearing turban headcoverings. I would still wear it. The reason is because I am not "copying" them. We just so happen to have the same idea.
(2) If I wear a collar shirt with buttons. Then afterwards, folks think its really cool and the nations begin to also wear collar shirts with buttons, I would not change. I would still wear my shirt because I am not "copying" them.
Anyway this is totally my opinion.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Couldn't resist!
It just occurred to me to check YouTube for this song! I sing it so much to all my family members -just change the "my girl" to Rina, Yael, Avi, and even "Papa". (yep, we call each other mama and papa LOL --sometimes!)
Such good music. Sigh.
Such good music. Sigh.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Repost from my Other Blog
Note to self <--Just for the sake of easy read, I am reposting this exerpt from a different blog of mine in the event that I want to expound on it.--->
THE JEWISH STRUGGLE
One thing that I hear in Judaism is that we should all write our own Torah. I have always mulled over that and wondered what it meant. Yes, there are rabbinical translation and interpretations already set for me to read and nod at (some say this means literally finding a sofer and having him write a sefer Torah for them, etc). But I still wonder what other interpretation could there be.
Women have not "written their own Torah" yet. For this reason, there are no formal prayer for being in labor, no formal prayer for when our menstruation comes or when it goes. That may not be a big deal for the non-Jewish world, For a Jew, that is a big deal because it decides when you can be with your husband or not. And, I must add, its pretty exciting when you know you can be together again! A prayer would seem fitting -as we pray about everything else -even just to put an apple in our mouths there is a prayer. There are no formal prayers when three women eat together as there is for Jewish men (these were noted by Chana Henkin, dean of Nishmat Yeshiva -a seminary for girls).
And rightly so!
I don't believe that all the men are sexists animals. I do believe that they felt very very VERY out of place to formulate a formal prayer for events they knew absolutely nothing about!
According to a book I read, Expecting Miracles, a Jewish book about the spiritual side of childbirth, one of the most widely bought book in pre-holocaust Europe was a Yiddish book made by women for women with prayers that they invented for themselves!
THE WANING MOON REVISITED
Previously I wrote about a saying. About the moon and how it complained to God that she and the sun could not both occupy and rule the sky. You can read that story here.
Well, that moon represented women. Yes, women who was made not from dust -like man- but from living flesh and bone. A very alive person so alive that they can bring forth more life. Like a portal between spiritual and physical! But she was diminished, as the story goes. But listen: God did not diminish the moon!
He simply said, 'okay so diminish yourself, if you think you can't rule side by side with the sun.'.
And as the story goes, It diminished itself. ITSELF. But one day, it will realized that it does need to rule. At least itself if nobody else. LOL. At that time it will blossom again to its full God-given Glory and rule! The story doesn't exactly say what happens to the sun. But that doesn't matter. Because once we begin to see that WE MUST RULE OURSELVES, the sun will take care of itself as it always did.
Anyway, I hope that made sense.
THE JEWISH STRUGGLE
One thing that I hear in Judaism is that we should all write our own Torah. I have always mulled over that and wondered what it meant. Yes, there are rabbinical translation and interpretations already set for me to read and nod at (some say this means literally finding a sofer and having him write a sefer Torah for them, etc). But I still wonder what other interpretation could there be.
Women have not "written their own Torah" yet. For this reason, there are no formal prayer for being in labor, no formal prayer for when our menstruation comes or when it goes. That may not be a big deal for the non-Jewish world, For a Jew, that is a big deal because it decides when you can be with your husband or not. And, I must add, its pretty exciting when you know you can be together again! A prayer would seem fitting -as we pray about everything else -even just to put an apple in our mouths there is a prayer. There are no formal prayers when three women eat together as there is for Jewish men (these were noted by Chana Henkin, dean of Nishmat Yeshiva -a seminary for girls).
And rightly so!
I don't believe that all the men are sexists animals. I do believe that they felt very very VERY out of place to formulate a formal prayer for events they knew absolutely nothing about!
According to a book I read, Expecting Miracles, a Jewish book about the spiritual side of childbirth, one of the most widely bought book in pre-holocaust Europe was a Yiddish book made by women for women with prayers that they invented for themselves!
THE WANING MOON REVISITED
Previously I wrote about a saying. About the moon and how it complained to God that she and the sun could not both occupy and rule the sky. You can read that story here.
Well, that moon represented women. Yes, women who was made not from dust -like man- but from living flesh and bone. A very alive person so alive that they can bring forth more life. Like a portal between spiritual and physical! But she was diminished, as the story goes. But listen: God did not diminish the moon!
He simply said, 'okay so diminish yourself, if you think you can't rule side by side with the sun.'.
And as the story goes, It diminished itself. ITSELF. But one day, it will realized that it does need to rule. At least itself if nobody else. LOL. At that time it will blossom again to its full God-given Glory and rule! The story doesn't exactly say what happens to the sun. But that doesn't matter. Because once we begin to see that WE MUST RULE OURSELVES, the sun will take care of itself as it always did.
Anyway, I hope that made sense.
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