Wednesday, June 30, 2010

British Colonel on Israel - Must Watch and Anger is Only for Show



Anger Is Only For Show

Maimonides wrote that the correct path is "moderation in all character traits."

As regards to anger, he writes: "Do not be hot-tempered and easy to anger, nor like a corpse without feelings. Rather show anger only over important matters in order to prevent others from behaving wrongly on future occasions... Even when you have a practical, constructive reason for getting angry, only appear as if you are angry, but inwardly remain calm.

Love Yehuda


Hi, Take a look at this important video of a British Colonel speaks about Israel.     The link is http://www.JerusalemOnline.com/specials6.asp




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Monday, June 28, 2010

Shelter during a Tornado and Mistakes Help you Grow

Mistakes Help you Grow

The only way to avoid all mistakes is by not doing anything. But then you won't accomplish anything either.

A popular saying is: "There is no one wiser than a person with experience." Learn from your mistakes. They are an integral part of your becoming an expert at helping yourself and others.

Love Yehuda


You know, I used to think that if I got 
caught out on the road when a tornado hit 
that I'd just crawl into the nearest culvert
 
A Texas Power & Light crew, putting in 
lines for an addition
 to the Hallettsville 
Airport , found the following in a culvert 
they were using...
 
See the two (2) pictures below: 
 

 
 
 
The gator is/was 18' 2" long. 
 
The rattlesnake roundup totaled 87.
 
We  thank Texas Power & Light for sharing these pictures. 
 
 
 






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Sunday, June 27, 2010

Have a laugh--or two---and Life can be a Constant Party

Life can be a Constant Party

The Torah says the life of someone who has a positive attitude about all that occurs is likened to a life of constant parties. (see Proverbs 15:15) His entire life is full of happiness and joy. Such a person does not need special situations to supply him with happiness. Whatever he does and wherever he is, he finds things to be happy about. He grows constantly from each experience and from each person with whom he comes into contact.

Mastering this attitude requires time and effort, but is a very worthwhile investment. If you want your life to be a constant party…


Love Yehuda





 
 
 
Sign over a Gynecologist's Office:
 
"Dr. Jones, at your cervix."
 
**************************
In a Podiatrist's office:
"Time wounds all heels."
**************************
 
On a Septic Tank Truck:
Yesterday's Meals on Wheels
**************************
 
At a Proctologist's door:
"To expedite your visit, please back in."
**************************
 
 At an Optometrist's Office:
"If you don't see what you're looking for,
you've come to the right place."
**************************
 
On a Plumber's truck: 
"We repair what your husband fixed."
**************************
 
On another Plumber's truck:
"Don't sleep with a drip. Call your plumber."
**************************
 
On a Synagouge's Billboard:
"7 days without G-d makes one weak."
**************************
 
At a Tire Shop in  Milwaukee :
"Invite us to your next blowout."
**************************
 
At a Towing company:
"We don't charge an arm and a leg. We want tows."
**************************
 
On an Electrician's truck:
"Let us remove your shorts."
**************************
 
In a Non-smoking Area:
"If we see smoke, we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate action."
**************************
 
On a Maternity Room door:
"Push. Push. Push."
**************************
 
On a Taxidermist's window:
"We really know our stuff."
**************************
 
On a Fence:
"Salesmen welcome! Dog food is expensive!"
**************************
 
  At a Car Dealership:
"The best way to get back on your feet -
 miss a car payment."
**************************
 
Outside a Muffler Shop:
"No appointment necessary. We hear you coming."
**************************
 
In a Veterinarian's waiting room:
"Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!"
**************************
 
At the Electric Company
"We would be delighted if you send in your payment.
However, if you don't, you will be."
**************************
 
In a Restaurant window:
"Don't stand there and be hungry;
 come on in and get fed up."
**************************
 
In the front yard of a Funeral Home:
"Drive carefully. We'll wait."
**************************
 
At a Propane Filling Station:
"Thank heaven for little grills."
**************************
 
And don't forget the sign at a
CHICAGO RADIATOR SHOP:
"Best place in town to take a leak."
**************************
 
Sign on the back of another Septic Tank Truck:
"Caution - This Truck is full of Political Promises" 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




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Friday, June 25, 2010

RVing like you have never seen before and the Sanctity of Shabbat

The Sanctity of Shabbat

In Judaism, Shabbat  is a time to be especially careful not to become angry or to become involved in a quarrel. Quarrels spread like fire and destroy everything that is precious. The sanctity of Shabbat, if it is observed properly, enables people to feel a sense of unity. It promotes love and brotherhood. The sanctity of Shabbat can spread and enter the hearts of each individual and everyone can become as one.

If you haven't had an authentic Shabbat experience, write me and I'll recommend someone in your area to contact.


Love Yehuda




RVing like you have never seen before
 
 





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Thursday, June 24, 2010

How many days old are you? and Use Conceit to Drive YOU

Use Conceit To Drive You

The Chazon Ish ( a great Sage) once wrote to a close student who was very humble:

"It would be preferable if you had a bit of conceit. This would help you fight fatigue and laziness. Because you are so humble, you are only using your good inclination. It would be preferable if you would harness the energy of both your good and bad inclinations.

Most people however,  have nothing to worry about --most of us have an oversuply of
 conceit and not enough humbleness.

Love Yehuda

Just what you wanted to hear !!!

 

Interesting, for all of us who have been around a while.  This is just unbelievable and true.


 

This will give you a jolt!


 

Click here: How many days old are you?

 
 
 
 


 


 







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Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Terrafuguia (the flying car) and Make the Most of your Here and Now



Make the Most of Your Here And Now

Some people accomplish a great deal, yet they are unhappy because they keep thinking that "somewhere else" they might be able to accomplish more. They live their lives with the general feeling that whatever they are engaged in at the moment is nothing compared to what they might possibly do.

This feeling is a poison that destroys joy and happiness in life. While you should try to accomplish as much as you can, it is often an illusion that you are missing out by not being "somewhere else."

Love Yehuda



 Terrafugia has completed flight testing of the Transition POC (Proof of Concept). Introducing the Transition®. Simply land at the airport, fold your wings up and drive home.

Fly a distance of 450 miles at speeds of 70 miles per hour;
Requires a special license to drive and fly.


The time required for the transition from plane to car takes less than 30 seconds.
Vehicle speed will easily exceed US posted speed limits with range of 450 miles on highways  
Vehicle is fueled with gasoline, and the price of the car is expected  to be around $200,000.
The first shipment will be in 2011












































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Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Sleep well tonight...........and Live Now

Live Now

It is easy to build up in your imagination the amount of pleasure and happiness you will derive from future events. But by over-anxiously anticipating these future events, you lose your present moments. Frequently those future events turn out disappointing. You had exaggerated their value.

The way to make the most out of your life is to live every second as fully as possible. Regardless of your situation, you have the opportunity to utilize every moment for growth.

To someone who has adopted this attitude, it will not make a great difference how the exact details of life unfold. No matter how things turn out, he still has the opportunity to make it a growthful experience.

Love Yehuda











 

 

  

 

 

  sleep well tonight.

   

The Feds are on the Job

  

 http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=-LIpAxjPt9U 

 

 

 

=








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Monday, June 21, 2010

Sandy Koufax / White House and Kindness Transforms you and Happy day after Father's Day

Kindness Transforms You

Developing a love for kindness transforms your life, just as you transform the lives of others.

Kindness is one of the pillars of the world. Every act of kindness elevates your character and makes you a kinder person. And, as you continue to increase your love for kindness, you increase the amount of joy in your life.

Love Yehuda


 
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Koufax wows White House reception
by Debra Rubin
Forget the president. Baseball great Sandy Koufax was the draw at Thursday afternoon's White House reception in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month.
Those attending swarmed Koufax — the former Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodger, a hero to many in the Jewish community for his refusal to pitch on Yom Kippur — and he was the only guest President Barack Obama singled out in his remarks.
"This is a pretty — pretty fancy group here, pretty distinguished group. We've got senators and representatives.  We've got Supreme Court justices and successful entrepreneurs, rabbinical scholars, Olympic athletes — and Sandy Koufax," Obama told the some 200 attending.  "Sandy and I actually have something in common — we are both lefties.  He can't pitch on Yom Kippur; I can't pitch," the president continued to laughter.
President George W. Bush had established May as Jewish Heritage Month in 2007, and Obama has continued with the tradition. This year, however, was the first time the White House hosted an event in recognition.
Obama told the crowd — which prior to the formal program had mingled and noshed on kosher food catered by Dahan of Washington in Rockville — that "Jewish Americans have always been a critical part of the American story."
That story, however, sometimes included hardship, a reminder, he said, "that we have to respond at all times swiftly and firmly whenever bigotry rears its ugly head."
He also credited Jews with having opened American eyes to "injustice, to people in need, and to the simple idea that we are out to recognize ourselves in the struggles of our fellow men and women."
Just as the president focused on the contributions of Jews in myriad fields, such as medicine and science, poetry and music, education and business, the reception drew guests from many arenas.
True, there were the guests whom one might expect at such an event: Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer, Solicitor General (and Supreme Court nominee) Elena Kagan, Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren; senior White House officials Dan Shapiro, Dennis Ross and Norm Eisen; Nathan Diament, the Orthodox Union's director of public policy; Rabbi David Saperstein, who directs the Reform movement's Religious Action Center; Jeremy Ben-Ami, J Street founder; Lee Rosenberg, president of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee; Esther Foer, Sixth & I Historic Synagogue; Marc Stanley, chair, National Jewish Democratic Council; Michael Adler, NJDC's immediate past chair; and Susie Turnball, who heads the Maryland Democratic Party.
But, there was also an eclectic group of guests. Among them, Eli Winkelman, who created Challah for Hunger, which brings college students together for challah-baking parties that they then sell, with proceeds going to assist in Darfur; Laurie Ann Goldman, CEO of Spanx; Gen. Jack Rives, who was the Air Force's top-ranking judge advocate general until his retirement earlier this year; actor/singer Theodore Bikel; and Greg Rosenbaum, Empire Kosher Poultry CEO (who sported a tie patterned with tiny chickens on it).
And, Koufax was far from the only athlete in attendance. Olympic swimmer Dara Torres, retired basketball players Dolph Schayes and his son, Danny, and Zoe Taylor, at 14, the youngest-ever member of the U.S. National Telemark skiiing team were among the invited guests.
Alyssa Stanton, the first black woman to be ordained a rabbi by a mainstream rabbinical association, read Emma Lazurus' "The New Colossus," the poem engraved at the base of the Statue of Liberty, and a nervous pop singer Regina Spektor sang.
Sitting down at the East Room's grand piano, Spektor, an immigrant from the former Soviet Union said, "Wow," and then after her first song, "Us," said, "Man this is so hard. .............
REMARKS
BY THE PRESIDENT AT RECEPTION IN HONOR OF JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
East Room 4:27 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Hello, hello, hello! Thank you. Thank you. (Applause.) Everybody, thank you. Please have a seat. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. It is wonderful to see all of you, and I am proud to welcome you to the first ever event held at the White House to honor Jewish American Heritage Month. (Applause.)
 
This is a pretty -- pretty fancy group here, pretty distinguished group. We've got senators and representatives. We've got Supreme Court justices and successful entrepreneurs, rabbinical scholars, Olympic athletes -- and Sandy Koufax. (Applause.) Sandy and I actually have something in common -- we are both lefties. (Laughter.) He can't pitch on Yom Kippur; I can't pitch. (Laughter.)
 
I'm looking forward to the reading by Rabbi Alyssa Stanton, the performance by Regina Spektor.
 
I know that my Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, wanted to be here but, as some of you know, he is in Israel for the Bar Mitzvah of his son.
 
The diversity of talents and accomplishments represented in this room underscores the vast contributions that Jewish Americans have made to this country. Of course, it's impossible to separate the achievements of Jewish Americans from the struggles of Jewish people around the world. Even before we were a nation, we were a sanctuary for Jews seeking to live without the specter of violence or exile. That's what drew a band of 23 Jewish refugees to a place called New Amsterdam more than 350 years ago. That's what brought Jewish immigrants fleeing pogroms on a long journey to America in the last turn of the century. And that's what led Holocaust survivors and Jews trapped behind the Iron Curtain to travel to these shores to rebuild their lives.
 
As Jews sought freedom and opportunity in America, these waves of immigrants and generations that followed have helped to make America what it is -- richer, stronger, more prosperous -- from the discoveries of Jonas Salk to the pioneering work of Albert Einstein; from the music of Irving Berlin to the poetry of Emma Lazarus. And then there are the countless names that we don't know -- the teachers, the small business owners, the doctors and nurses, the people who seek only to live honestly and faithfully and to give their children more than they had. Jewish Americans have always been a critical part of the American story.
 
These contributions have not always been embraced. Jewish communities have at times faced hardship and hostility -– right here in the United States of America -- a reminder that we have to respond at all times swiftly and firmly whenever bigotry rears its ugly head. But no matter what the obstacles, Jewish Americans have endured –- learning from each other, leaning on each other, true to their faith, leaning on the values that have been associated for so long with Jewish history: a sense of community, a sense of moral purpose, and an ethic of responsibility.
 
So it's heartening to know that these are the enduring values of a history marked by so much tragedy –- not cynicism or despair, not callous indifference. Every person in this room knows somebody –- perhaps a mother or father, an aunt, an uncle, perhaps yourself –- who exemplifies this heritage. Every person in this room stands at the end of an unbroken chain of perseverance –- of a conviction that a better future is possible -- that doesn't just offer a lesson to Jewish Americans. It offers a lesson to all Americans. And ultimately, that is what we are celebrating today.
 
Yes, Jewish Americans have garnered success in industry and in government -– as we can see by the guests gathered here today. Yes, Jews have helped to pioneer incredible advances in science and medicine, across countless fields. But the contributions of the Jewish community to America run deeper. As a product of history and faith, Jewish Americans have helped to open our eyes to injustice, to people in need, and to the simple idea that we ought to recognize ourselves in the struggles of our fellow men and women.
 
That's what's led Jewish advocates to fight for women's equality and workers' rights. That's what led rabbis to preach against racism from the bimah -– and to lead congregants on marches and protests to stop segregation. And that is what helped lead America to recognize and support Israel as a Jewish homeland and a beacon for democratic values -– beginning mere minutes after its independence was declared. In fact, we have the original statement by President Harry Truman on display here today.
 
So what we are called upon to do now is to continue to live up to those values as a nation -– to continue to uphold the principle of "tikkun olam" -- our obligation to repair the world. Here at home, at a time of continuing struggle for millions of families, it is incumbent upon us to remain focused not only on rebuilding our economy but rebuilding it stronger than before. And I'd note that our efforts are bolstered by the work of so many Jewish organizations that help the sick and educate our children and provide assistance to seniors and others in need.
 
But our responsibility doesn't end at the water's edge. That's why my administration is renewing American leadership around the world –- strengthening old alliances and forging new ones, defending universal values while ensuring that we uphold our values here at home. In fact, it's our common values that leads us to stand with allies and friends, including the state of Israel. That's why, even as we never waver in pursuing peace --(pager beeps) -- that happens to me all the time. (Laughter.)
 
That is why even as we never waver in pursuing peace between Israelis, Palestinians, and Arabs, our bond with Israel is unbreakable. (Applause.) It is the bond of two peoples that share a commitment to a common set of ideals: opportunity, democracy and freedom.
 
Those ideals are what have drawn generations to these shores. Those ideals are what have allowed Jewish immigrants to seek a better life in America -– while enriching the life of our country. And those ideals are what you and all Jewish Americans continue to help us uphold each and every day.
 
So thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America. (Applause.)
 
END 4:36 P.M. EDT






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Sunday, June 20, 2010

Seat Belts and evaluate your present course!!

Evaluate Your Present Course


Even if you have devoted a lot of time and effort to some project, if you know now that it is better to cancel it, do so. The fact that you have invested much energy is irrelevant. Deal only with the question: "Is this the right thing to do now?"

It is illogical to continue something just because you already started it. The matter has to be worthwhile in its own right. What was invested in the past is already over with, and need not tie you down to wasteful activities.
 
Love Yehuda



Every-time you buckle up, remember this e-mail, think of the seat belt as the arms of our loved ones. If we did, I bet more of us would wear them, and not think twice about doing it.


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Friday, June 18, 2010

Be happy with your lot (and/or your house) and Dad Blanket

-- Be Happy With Your Lot


Do not yearn for any other situation in the world besides the one you actually find yourself in.

A person who masters this skill will never be sad about his life situation. He accepts his present situation as his particular challenge in life -- even when he is unable to change it.

This attitude is usually not mastered just by reading about it. Consistently work on integrating it into your thoughts. The more you repeat this thought to yourself, the more it becomes part of your thinking

Love Yehuda

Visit my Blog: http://yehudalave.blogspot.com/

video is a grainy funny version of Jay Leno showing a "Dad Blanket"

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Jackie Mason nails Antisemitism in the world--and turn your Enemies into Friends

Turn Your Enemies Into Friends

The fool turns a friend into an enemy.

The wise person turns an enemy into a friend.


Love Yehuda


Jackie Mason nails Anti-semitism



YouTube  

 

 


New Videos from TheUltimateJew 






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Wednesday, June 16, 2010

humility vs self confidence and Worry NOT

 

 Worry Knot


Worry destroys one's life.

A life filled with worry is a miserable existence. Regardless of how much good fortune you have, you will be oblivious to it if you fill your mind with worrisome thoughts.

You would hate someone for trying to destroy your life. With constant worry, you are destroying your own life.

Make it a top priority to change your thinking habits, to benefit you in many ways.

Love Yehuda

Parshah (bible) Messages
Humility vs. Low Self-Confidence


By Naphtali Silberberg

Moses was exceedingly distressed, and he said to the L-rd, "Do not accept the offering [of Korach and his cohorts]. I have not taken a donkey from a single one of them, and I have not harmed a single one of them." -- Numbers 16:15

Humility was one of Moses' most outstanding qualities. In fact, the Torah affirms that "Moses was exceedingly humble, more so than any person on the face of the earth." Yet, when his leadership was contested by his scholarly and prodigious cousin Korach, Moses responds with seemingly uncharacteristic righteous indignation. One would have expected Moses to turn to G‑d and say, "A-lmighty, perhaps You should consider allowing Korach to assume my position—he is far more qualified than me! I am more than happy to abdicate my position to the worthier candidate!"

True humility is not a result of an undervaluation of one's talents and accomplishments. A proper understanding of how the Torah views humility will explain how Moses' reaction to Korach's uprising wasn't inconsistent with his exceptional humbleness.

True humility is not a result of an undervaluation of one's talents and accomplishments. Such is a false humility, for it is built on a false foundation. Rather, the truly humble individual is keenly aware of all his strengths and qualities—but simultaneously recognizes that all these talents are G‑d-given, and therefore do not constitute a reason to feel superior to another whom G‑d has not bequeathed such talents. "Perhaps," the humble person thinks, "if that person had been blessed with the same gifts, he would have accomplished the same as me—or perhaps even more!"

Moses recognized that G‑d had endowed him with tremendous leadership qualities, and he therefore absolutely rejected the notion of relinquishing his position to anyone. This cognizance, however, did not interfere with his genuine humility and respect for every Jew.

On a deeper level, the person who is entirely devoted to fulfilling the will of his Creator is naturally egoless, because he has no personal ambition—his goal is only to further G‑d's "agenda" on this world. While arrogance is a sense of self-importance, dedication to G‑d means realizing that life isn't about the individual or what he wants, it's about serving a higher purpose. Moses, despite all his greatness, of which he was keenly aware, was a dedicated servant of G‑d. And when Korach sought to impede his fulfillment of his divinely ordained mission in life – shepherding the Jewish Nation – Moses responded by firing on all cylinders.

Many confuse humility with meekness. In truth, the humble person is very driven and will not stomach any opposition. But he is not driven by his own ego; he is driven by a desire to implement the Divine



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Tuesday, June 15, 2010

What's For Lunch? and Keep your Honor

Keep Your Honor

Do not feel any less self-esteem or become upset if other people speak or act condescendingly to you. The Sages have said that the honored person is the one who honors others. The converse applies: Who is a lowly person? One who tries to lower others.

Being an honored person is dependent on your behavior towards others and not on other people's behavior toward you. Why feel any lack of self-worth just because someone acts disrespectfully to you? Keep focused on your behavior toward others. When someone does not treat you with respect, it is his problem - not yours.

Love Yehuda--the piece below is by my friend and colleague Rabbi Gutman Locks, one of today's modern clear thinkers!!

What's For Lunch?

 

Question

 

     Doesn't this newspaper article quoted below prove that there are other proper paths to G-d?

 

     "An 83-year-old Indian 'holy man,' who says he has spent seven decades without food or water, has astounded a team of military doctors who studied him during a two-week observation period. Apparently, he does not eat, drink, or go to the toilet.

     Jani has since returned to his village, where he will resume his routine of yoga and meditation. He says that he was blessed by a goddess at a young age, which gave him special powers."

Answer:

  

    Let's assume that the story is true, that this man has really lived the past 70 years without eating and drinking. After all, I certainly saw amazing mystical feats when I was living in India. For instance, there was one guru who "materialized diamonds," another who filled a crowded room with palpable bliss by just walking into it, and there were some who could tell you your thoughts, so this hermit's story just might be true. So, doesn't this wonder prove that his spiritual path is correct?

 

    This story is a perfect example of the Torah's statement; "I put before you life and death… choose life..."[i] G-d gives man free will. This is a hard and fast principle that He does not want to change. He insists on giving us free will because He wants to reward us according to our efforts. He does not want to simply give us gifts.

 

    If all of the obvious spiritual and physical benefits came only from living a life of Torah, no one would have free will. Who would ever choose to do otherwise? So, G-d has put spiritual alternatives in the world in order to give us choices. India's spirituality offers one of those choices.

 

     Just like Balaam (the story from next weeks bible section) represented an alternative to the Torah,[ii] and just like Pharaoh's magicians offered a different way to manipulate spiritual power,[iii] and just like the sons of Abraham took unclean powers with them when they went to the land of the East,[iv] so too, this hermit demonstrates such an unclean power today. How do we know? He says so himself. And not only do his words prove that his 'gift' is unclean, but his life proves it even more.

 

     He said that a "goddess" blessed him with the power. Are there goddesses in the world? And what has he done with his wonderful spiritual gift? He has spent his entire life as a hermit. He lives alone, does yoga exercises, and meditates. What a wasted life!

 

     G-d places us in His world with the instructions to tend His wonderful garden.[v] He wants us to improve His creation, to elevate His world, not to forsake it. A successful spiritual life is one of giving, one of helping those around you, not one spent sitting in a hut and watching your breath for your entire life.

 

 

 



[i] Deuteronomy 30:19

[ii] Numbers 22:5

[iii] Exodus 7:11

[iv] Genesis 25:6 - Rashi

[v] Genesis 2:16




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Monday, June 14, 2010

"Scientists Create Life" and challenges can be elevating

Challenges Can Be Elevating

The more difficulty you encounter in fulfilling a good deed, the more joy you will feel - since this manifests a greater degree of elevation. A person's success is dependent on those good deeds that are difficult for him to do. A seemingly "minor" good deed performed with difficulty is actually much greater than many good deeds which are easy to perform (due to their being consistent with the person's nature).

When performing a good deed that is difficult for you to do, instead of thinking how awful it is, appreciate that the difficulty is what elevates you!


Love Yehuda--the piece below is by my friend and colleague Rabbi Gutman Locks, one of today's modern clear thinkers!!




 

 

"Scientists Create Life"

 

     According to the news reports, scientists working in a laboratory have created artificial life. They call it "synthetic" because, "the cell is totally derived from a synthetic chromosome made with four bottles of chemicals on a chemical synthesizer starting with information in a computer."

 

   The report goes on to predict that this discovery will pose philosophical and scientific questions about the creation of life.

 

    If, indeed, the report is accurate, does this contradict the Torah's description of Creation?

 

    There are two types of creations. There is the initial Creation, as reported in the Torah, and there is the ongoing creation that we participate in. What is the difference? The original Creation was created as "something from nothing" (yesh meayin), and the subsequent creations have been created as "something from something" (yesh meyesh).

 

     Before G-d brought about the Creation, there was absolutely no preexisting matter from which He created it. That creation was an entirely new Creation made into matter that did not previously exist. The Torah says that G-d made the Creation from His words.[i]

 

     Subsequent creations have always been made from the matter that G-d originally created. So, for instance, a baby is created from its mother's egg and father's sperm. A tree is created from a seed and the nourishment that it receives from the surrounding world. All things that are created now are made out of matter that already exists.

 

     But, what about this new scientific discovery? Are they creating life "something from nothing," as only G-d can create? No, not at all. Those chemicals that they put together to make the "synthetic" life form also had life within them. G-d is everywhere. "Even in completely inanimate matter…there is a soul and spiritual life-force…." (Yesh 'chaiut le'koldevar)[ii]

 

     This is not to take away from the cleverness and seriousness of the scientists' work. But the world had best be very careful with this one and guard the ability to make new organisms. Creating living robots has been a long-time dream of many of the world's would-be rulers.

 

    But to say that this discovery contradicts the Torah's teachings is simply not true.

 



[i] Genesis 1:3

[ii] Shaar Hayichud Vehaemunah Chap.1 From the Ari




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Sunday, June 13, 2010

Iceland Volcano and Accepting Gratitude



  Accepting Gratitude

 


When someone expresses gratitude for something you have done, express your gratitude for that person's gratitude. By accepting that person's words of gratitude, you are making it more likely that this person will continue to express gratitude to others.

When you say you don't deserve it, it makes the other person feel he/she has wasted their time....Say thank you and move on.

 

Love Yehuda


YehudaLave has shared "Iceland Volcano" with you on Scribd, the world's largest social publishing and reading website.

Click here to see it now!

Description: Iceland Volcano Pics

 


 




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Friday, June 11, 2010

Greed: The Black Hole and don't demand Perfection


Don't Demand Perfection

In chapter 9 of the famous book of Jewish self-improvement, Orchos Tzadikim (15th century), we find the following formula for happiness: "If a person obtains all that he desires and nothing causing him sadness befalls him, he will constantly be happy. His face will shine, he will be physically healthy, and he will age slowly."

How can we reach this Utopian state? First, refrain from desiring what is beyond your reach. The simpler your desires, the greater the chance you will be able to meet their requirements. Anything extra you obtain beyond these demands will give you increased happiness, so you have nothing to lose and much to gain by lowering your demands and expectations. This does not rule out striving for realistic goals, only that you give up your DEMANDS for things that you may not be able to obtain.

Secondly, do not allow common day-to-day occurrences to cause you sadness. (e.g. traffic, burnt toast, etc.) Master a perspective of life that will enable you to at least accept minor hardships without becoming sad.

 

Love Yehuda

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