Yehuda Lave, Spiritual Advisor and Counselor : August 2012

Friday, August 31, 2012

The pot at the end of the Rainbow And Suffering is good for your soul

Suffering?

The explanation of the bible (the oral law) about suffering, quotes Rava,, as teaching that if a person sees that suffering has befallen him, he should examine his actions.

In the course of discussing this, the Talmud (Hebrew name for the Oral law) argues that there are three different possible sources for an individual suffering, each with its own scriptural support.

1. Generally, suffering comes about as punishment for one's transgressions, as it is stated: "We will search and examine our ways, and return to God" (Eichah 3:40).

2. If he examined his ways and found no transgression for which that suffering is appropriate, he may attribute his suffering to dereliction in the study of spirituality. God punishes an individual for dereliction in the study of spirituality in order to emphasize the gravity of the issue, as it is stated: "Happy is the man whom You punish, Lord, and teach out of faith that is teaching that when one realizes that he is ill, he should not assume that it is happenstance and immediately turn to medical doctors. Rather, he should view it as an opportunity to examine his own actions and conduct. A doctor examines a patient to determine the cause of the illness so that he may prescribe effective medicine to counteract the illness and restore the patient to physical health. Similarly, an examination of the soul is required to determine the source of one's spiritual illness. The first step in curing the illness is abandoning the conduct that is deleterious to one's spiritual health.

Your law" (Tehillim 94:12). This verse teaches us that his suffering will cause him to return to Your law.

3. And if he did attribute his suffering to dereliction in the study of Torah, and did not find this to be so, he may be confident that these are afflictions of love, as it is stated: "For whom the Lord loves, He rebukes, as does a father the son in whom he delights" (Mishlei 3:12).

As my friend Joel Snyder said this morning, that doesn't mean that G-d wants you to suffer, but that he wants you to grow, like a parent wants a child to grow. So the rebuking or suffering is for the purpose of growing. No pain -no gain. However too much pain is not acceptable either, as we learn from the story of Lot.

Love Yehuda Lave

Our trip takes us to Lake Washington Seattle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krtMFVfbC6w

IT FINALLY HAPPENED?

SOMEONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO PHOTOGRAPH THE POT AT THE END OF THE RAINBOW

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Thursday, August 30, 2012

Super Fast Plane and Seattle Spirituality

How do I Teach my Children to be Grateful?

A common question that parents ask is, "How do I teach my children to be grateful?"
Be role models of gratitude yourself.
Let your children frequently hear that you are grateful to G-d for all the good He has given you in your life.
Let your children frequently hear you say that you are grateful to your parents for what they have done for you and what they have taught you.
Let your children frequently hear that you are grateful for friends, relatives and neighbors who have done things for you, recently and a long time ago.
Let your children frequently hear that you are grateful to them for the positive things they do.

Love Yehuda Lave
Seattle Spirituality--the synagogues of Seattle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvVKykdGYDk

ViSuper-Fast Plane May Be Clincher in Missile War
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

The United States has tested a plane that can fly from London to New York in one hour, but its real advantage is hitting a long-range target with a super-fast missile.

The "X-51A WaveRider" unmanned aircraft made a five-minute test flight before a planned crash into the Pacific Ocean.

The hypersonic speed of the plane, which is ejected from the wing of a B-52 bomber, could give the United States a critical advantage in a future missile war in which it could launch a missile to hit a target 3,000 miles away in one hour. The current intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) take hours to reach their targets.

Hypersonic engines also would allow planes to quickly escape enemy fire.

A super-fast missile would have eliminated bin Laden in 1998, when he was able to escape before cruise missiles fired by the U.S. Navy fired hit his terrorist training camps 80 minutes after laucnhing, The Los Angeles Times noted.

The Wave Rider's first test was conducted in 2010 and lasted for slightly more than two minutes. As in Tuesday's test, the first flight also was designed to end in the ocean. Officially, it is called a "non-retrievable" aircraft.

After it is dropped from the B-52 bomber, a solid-rocket booster accelerates its speed bef

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Wednesday, August 29, 2012

one very lucky penguin!!!--Old TV show on Mohammad Ali converting to Judaism and Pike Market

I may have sent this already this morning, please forgive me if I did. Love Yehuda

Understanding Difficult People

When dealing with a person you find difficult, keep in mind that this person's way of behaving and thinking might be causing him to suffer even more than he is causing you to suffer. See life from his point of view - and be compassionate.

Love Yehuda Lave

On the conclusion of our first day in Seattle we of course end up at Pike Market:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk0lvJ-H56s

A Mohammad Ali Converts To Judaism (BILLY CRYSTAL ON THE TONIGHT SHOW) (I don't think they could do this show today without being shot!!!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=bUyhTxenc4A&feature=youtube_gdata_player

I had to watch this THREE times, it was so amazing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBwqbqZ3L60

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one very lucky penguin!!!--Old TV show on Mohammad Ali converting to Judaism and Pike Market

Understanding Difficult People

Love Yehuda Lave

On the conclusion of our first day in Seattle we of course end up at Pike Market:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk0lvJ-H56s

I had to watch this THREE times, it was so amazing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBwqbqZ3L60

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Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Rules Is Rules and Appreciate Soldiers

Appreciate Soldiers

A person who spent a lot of time and effort to express gratitude to soldiers was challenged, "But ultimately it is G-d who protects us. Why are you so grateful to these individuals?"

"If someone goes out of his way to help you financially when you need it, are you grateful?" he asked that person.

"Of course I am," was the reply.

"But isn't G-d the ultimate source of the money you get?" he asked.

"Yes. But I still have an obligation to be grateful to the people who are kind to me."

"The same applies to the soldiers whose willingness to risk their lives enables you to feel more secure. Moreover, those who express gratitude to soldiers, actually increase their gratitude to G-d for His protection. Those who aren't grateful to the human beings they see, are more likely to take the Almighty's protection for granted. Instead of decreasing gratitude to Hashem, expressing gratitude to soldiers increases feelings of gratitude to the Creator of it all."

love Yehuda Lave

Still on our first day in Seattle we enjoy the waterfront near Pike Market

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-PUWp9W1H0

Good news:

It was a normal day in Sharon Springs , Kansas , when a Union Pacific crew boarded a loaded coal train for the long trek to Michigan ..

Bad news:
Just a few miles into the trip a wheel bearing became overheated and melted, letting a metal support drop down and grind on the rail, creating white hot molten metal droppings spewing down to the rail.

Good news:
A very alert crew noticed smoke about halfway back in the train and immediately stopped the train in compliance with the rules
Bad news:
The train stopped with the hot wheel over a wooden bridge with creosote ties and trusses.

The crew tried to explain this to Union Pacific higher-ups but were instructed not to move the train!

They were informed that Rules prohibited moving the train when a part was found to be defective!

'REMEMBER, RULES IS RULES!'

(Don't ever let common sense get in the way of a good Disaster! )

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Monday, August 27, 2012

DO ALL THINGS WITHOUT COMPLAINING AND DISPUTING

Help As Soon As Possible

When someone asks you for a favor and you are able to fulfill the request, make certain to do it right away. If you are really able to help in some way today, don't tell the person, "Come back tomorrow and then I will help you."

Apply this with the next five favors that you are asked to do. If
the favor is a reasonable one and you are able to do it, don't procrastinate. Take care of it right away.

There is a story from the Talmud where a poor person asked the sage for money to eat, and the Sage reasonably delayed in taking care of some personal business, the poor person died.

The signs that we get directly from G-d in today's day and age are more subtle than the open miracles of past days. Everthing in our life today is a sign and we need to act on it without delay.

Love Yehuda Lave

Still on our first day in Seattle in the Volunteer Park we come to the Seatle Museum of Asian Art

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEUoUR34WZw

"A simple word of encouragement can make difference between giving up or going on!"

When the actress Rashida Jones's mother was diagnosed with cancer, she had a choice: fall into a dark hole

or look for the lighter side! The minute the word 'cancer' enters your house, everything changes. I felt like a

huge anvil had fallen on me. But I knew action needed to be taken - - there were logistics to handle, and my

mother needed support. Chemotherapy is brutal. The goal is pretty much to kill everything in your body without

killing you. I decided my job was to find joyful moments during what could have been a terrifying time for both

of us. We told dumb jokes all day: at one point, I started calling my mom "Chemosabe :)" We laughed so

much, she almost forgot she was sick. That summer all we did was laugh.

"Just because a situation is grim doesn't mean you don't have every right to smile. It isn't about 'being strong'

and pretending everything's okay; it's about finding peace and joy wherever you can ! My dad always says,

"Approach life with LOVE and CONFIDENCE and not fear !" It's is such a dynamic way to live ! :) I know in life

there will be setback, sickness, disappointments, heartaches - - - it's given. What is not given is the WAY you

choose to get through it all. IF YOU LOOK HARD ENOUGH, YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND THE BRIGHT SIDE ****\

*** *** *** ***

"Let no one see his own but each one the other's well being."

Word of the day: "Abundance is not something we acquire, it is something we tuned into!"

food for thought:

"The highest reward for a person's toil is not what they get for

it, but what they become by it !"

*****

"Forgiveness is the key to action and freedom." All bread are meant to be shared. God blesses us so

we can be a blessing to others.

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Sunday, August 26, 2012

Enjoy the ride and Happy New Year and Volunteer Park Conservatory

What are you grateful for ?

Ask Other People, "What Are You Grateful For?"

A great question to ask other people: "What are you grateful for?"

Most people are grateful for many things, but this isn't necessarily on the forefront of their minds. It's like the thoughts of being grateful are on the hard disk of their mental computer, but not on the screen of their minds. By asking someone, "What are you grateful for?" they bring the thought of gratitude up to their mental screen.

After some people, when they have answered this question, you might add a comment like, "You are fortunate for that." "That's a wonderful thing to be grateful for." "So you always have what to be grateful for."

Love Yehuda Lave

It is customary... to say prayers for forgiveness and mercy from the beginning of Elul (the name of the last Hebrew month of the year) and onward (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 581:1).

In secular society, the new year is frequently ushered in with levity and drinking, whereas in Judaism, the beginning of a new year is a solemn occasion preceded by a month of soul-searching and teshuvah (repentance in English)

The first day of the new year is an undeniable indication that another year of life has receded into the past. If one looks back on the bygone year and sees nothing of real achievement, one is likely to become quite dejected. People who must face the realization that a year of their lives has essentially been wasted cannot celebrate the arrival of a new year unless they drink to the point they become oblivious to this reality. Only then can they exclaim, "Happy New Year!"

In Judaism we prepare for the advent of a new year with reflection and teshuvah. Whereas making a personal inventory should be done all year long, it takes on special significance during the month before Rosh Hashanah. A comprehensive reflection on the events of the past year enables us to see what we have done right, so that we may enhance our efforts in those directions, and to see where we have gone wrong, so that we can avoid repeating the same mistakes.

Such an analysis enables us to use the lessons of the bygone year to better ourselves in the coming one.

This is why we do not drink or behave raucously on Rosh Hashanah. If the past year has value as a lesson for the future, there is no need to drown it from our consciousness.

Today I shall ...
...

intensify my personal inventory of the past year, so that I may greet the new year with joy and serenity.

On our first day in Seattle we come upon the 100th anniversary of the conservatory in Volunteer park and enjoy the flowers beauty

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6TS8mMRoDc

Enjoy the ride on this stirring piece

http://www.lshs64.com/enjoytheride.html

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Friday, August 24, 2012

World photos and time to account for your actions for the new year

Increase Gratefulness in Others

Help spread gratitude in the world. If you know that someone has done something that was beneficial to another person, let the recipient of the benefit know about it. Point out to him that he should be grateful to his benefactor.

In situations when the benefactor did not purposely want to keep the matter a secret, by telling the one who benefited from the kindness that he has what to be grateful for, you are spreading positive feelings and goodwill among the Creator's children.

Love Yehuda Lave

Time to prepare

If you had an important court date scheduled – one that would determine your financial future, or even your very life – you'd be sure to prepare for weeks beforehand.

On Rosh Hashana, each individual is judged on the merit of his deeds. Whether he will live out the year or not. Whether he will have financial success or ruin. Whether he will be healthy or ill. All of these are determined on Rosh Hashana.

Elul – the Hebrew name of the month preceding Rosh Hashana – begins a period of intensive introspection, of clarifying life's goals, and of coming closer to God. It is a time for realizing purpose in life – rather than perfunctorily going through the motions of living by amassing money and seeking gratification. It is a time when we step back and look at ourselves critically and honestly, as Jews (as I define as spiritual seekers) have from time immemorial, with the intention of improving.

The four Hebrew letters of the word Elul (aleph-lamed-vav-lamed) are the first letters of the four words Ani l'dodi v'dodi lee – "I am to my Beloved and my Beloved is to me" (Song of Songs 6:3). These words sum up the relationship between God and His people.

In other words, the month preceding Rosh Hashana is a time when God reaches out to us, in an effort to create a more spiritually-inspiring atmosphere, one that stimulates teshuva (repentance in English).

On our first day in Seattle (08/23/12) we go to Volunteer Park and enjoy its beauty and history:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpOl-opz2xM

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Thursday, August 23, 2012

Rosh Hashanah joke about the type of bread we use, and Natan Sharansky on Iran

Circle Of Serenity Technique

Imagine a large circle in front of you or on the side. Inside this circle visualize masters of serenity one by one leaving their serenity inside. Feel a tremendous amount of serenity stored up. Mentally step into this circle and feel that serenity permeating your being from head to toe. Whenever you need some more serenity step inside again.

Love Yehuda Lave

This one is a big DUH!!!

3. Natan Sharansky: Iran Fears are Slowing Aliyah
by Chana Ya'ar

Natan Sharansky: Iran Fears are Slowing Aliyah

Fears of an attack on Iran are putting off people who might otherwise be inclined to move to Israel, says Natan Sharansky.

The Jewish Agency Chairman said in an interview with Voice of Israel government radio on Sunday that numerous aliyah immigrants have delayed their flights over fears of war with Iran.

Many would-be immigrants have already completed all of their paperwork, and even have found places to live in their dreamed-of homeland, Sharansky said. However, the Jewish Agency has received dozens of calls from the planned-for new olim (immigrants), cancelling the plans and saying their arrivals would be delayed until the threat of war has faded away.

Sharansky suggested that public discussion of the issue be toned down, adding that Israel's deterrence power is affected by the chatter; echoing a sentiment expressed by numerous figures in the defense arena.

Former Mossad head Danny Yatom said in an interview with IDF Army Radio earlier this month that he was "worried" at the many comments by senior Israeli officials about the possibility of attacking Iran.

Many of those making the comments have been former members of the security establishment, making the phenomenon even more worrying, he said.

"It is legitimate to discuss the question of whether or not to attack Iran's nuclear systems," he said, "but discussing details will damage the security of the nation."

This one is a joke, but funny nevertheless, might even have some truth to it!!

On the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, there is a ceremony called Tashlich. Jews traditionally go to the ocean or a stream or river to pray and throw bread crumbs into the water. Symbolically, the fish devour their sins.

Occasionally, people ask what kind of bread crumbs should be thrown. Here are suggestions for breads which may be most appropriate for specific sins and misbehaviors:

For ordinary sins	White Bread
For erotic sins	French Bread
For particularly dark sins	Pumpernickel
For complex sins	Multi-Grain
For twisted sins	Pretzels
For tasteless sins	Rice Cakes
For sins of indecision	Waffles
For sins committed in haste	Matzoh
For sins of chutzpah	Fresh Bread
For substance abuse	Stoned Wheat
For use of heavy drugs	Poppy Seed
For petty larceny	Stollen
For committing auto theft	Caraway
For timidity/cowardice	Milk Toast
For ill-temper	Sourdough
For silliness, eccentricity	Nut Bread
For not giving full value	Shortbread
For jingoism, chauvinism	Yankee Doodles
For excessive irony	Rye Bread
For unnecessary chances	Hero Bread
For telling bad jokes/puns	Corn Bread
For war-mongering	Kaiser Rolls
For dressing immodestly	Tarts
For causing injury to others	Tortes
For lechery and promiscuity	Hot Buns
For promiscuity with gentiles	Hot Cross Buns
For racist attitudes	Crackers
For sophisticated racism	Ritz Crackers
For being holier than thou	Bagels
For abrasiveness	Grits
For dropping in without notice	Popovers
For over-eating	Stuffing
For impetuosity	Quick Bread
For indecent photography	Cheesecake
For raising your voice too often	Challah
For pride and egotism	Puff Pastry
For sycophancy, ass-kissing	Brownies
For being overly smothering	Angel Food Cake
For laziness	Any long loaf
For trashing the environment	Dumplings

For those who require a wide selection of crumbs, we suggest a Tashlich Mix available in three grades (Taslich Lite, Medium, and Industrial Strength) at your favorite Jewish bookstore.

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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

airline accidents and 40 day period to change!!

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator,
and I wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you feed a stray cat,
and I thought it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you make my favorite cake just for me,
and I knew that little things are special things.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I heard you say a prayer,
and I believed there is a God
I could always talk to.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I felt you kiss me good night,
and I felt loved.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw tears come from your eyes,
and I learned that sometimes things hurt,
but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw that you cared
and I wanted to be everything
that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I looked ... and wanted to say thanks
for all the things I saw
when you thought I wasn't looking.

Love Yehuda Lave

40-Day Period to change your life

Rewind 3,000 years ago to the Sinai Desert. God has spoken the Ten Commandments, and the Jews have built the Golden Calf. Moses desperately pleads with God to spare the nation.

On the first day of Elul, (last Sunday the name of this Hebrew month) Moses ascends Mount Sinai, and 40 days later – on the seminal holiday of Yom Kippur – he returned to the people, with a new, second set of stone tablets in hand.

For us as well, the month of Elul begins a 40-day period that culminates in the year's holiest day, Yom Kippur.

Why 40? Forty is a number of cleansing and purification. Noah's Flood rains lasted 40 days, and the mikveh – the ritual purification bath – contains 40 measures of water. A baby is viable after 40 days of life. Water has the numeric number of 40. It means life.

Elul is an enormous opportunity. During this time, many people increase their study of the bible and performance of good deeds. And many also do a daily cheshbon – an accounting of spiritual profit and loss.

I thought you'd get a real kick out of these, especially those after the pictures.

You can take your $10 disposable camera or $50,000 of expensive video equipment, wait and wait for the rest of your life, and chances are that you will never get pictures like these.

Airline Announcements?

United Flight Attendant announced, 'People, people we're not picking out furniture here, find a seat and get in it!

*************************************

On landing, the stewardess said, 'Please be sure to take all of your belongings. If you're going to leave anything, please make sure it's something we'd like to have. '

*************************************

'There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only 4 ways out of this airplane'

*************************************

An airline pilot wrote that on this particular flight he had hammered his ship into the runway really hard.. The airline had a policy which required the first officer to stand at the door while the passengers exited, smile, and give them a 'Thanks for flying our airline.' He said that, in light of his bad landing, he had a hard time looking the passengers in the eye, thinking that someone would have a smart comment. Finally, everyone had gotten off except for a little old lady walking with a cane.

She said, 'Sir, do you mind if I ask you a question?'

'Why, no, Ma'am,' said the pilot. 'What is it?'

The little old lady said, 'Did we land, or were we shot down?'

***************************************

As the plane landed and was coming to a stop at Ronald Reagan, a lone voice came over the loudspeaker: 'Whoa, big fella, WHOA!'

*******************************************

After a particularly rough landing during thunderstorms in Memphis, a flight attendant on a Northwest flight announced, 'Please take care when opening the overhead compartments because sure as hell everything has shifted after a landing like that.'

*************************************

Another flight attendant's comment on a less than perfect landing: 'We ask you to please remain seated as Captain Kangaroo bounces us to the terminal.'

*************************************

Overheard on an American Airlines flight into Amarillo, Texas on a particularly windy and bumpy day: During the final approach, the Captain was really having to fight it. After an extremely hard landing, the Flight Attendant said, 'Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome
to Amarillo. Please remain in your seats with your seat belts fastened while the Captain taxis what's left of our airplane to the gate!'

***********************************

"Your seat cushions can be used for flotation; and, in the event of an emergency water landing, please paddle to shore and take them with our compliments.'

***********************************

'As you exit the plane, make sure to gather all of your belongings. Anything left behind will be distributed evenly among the flight attendants. Please do not leave children or spouses......except for that gentleman over there.'

******************************************

Heard on Southwest Airlines just after a very hard landing in Salt Lake City .. The flight attendant came on the intercom and said, 'That was quite a bump, and I know what y'all are thinking. I'm here to tell you it wasn't the airline's fault, it wasn't the pilot's fault, it wasn't the flight attendant's fault, it was the asphalt.'

****************************************

After a real crusher of a landing in Phoenix, the attendant came on with, 'Ladies and Gentlemen, please remain in your seats until Capt. Crash and the Crew have brought the aircraft to a screeching halt against the gate. And, once the tire smoke has cleared and the warning bells are silenced, we'll open the door and you can pick your way through the
wreckage to the terminal.'

****************************************

Part of a flight attendant's arrival announcement: 'We'd like to thank you folks for flying with us today. And, the next time you get the insane urge to go blasting through the skies in a pressurized metal tube, we hope you'll think of US Airways.'

****************************************

Heard on a Southwest Airline flight - 'Ladies and gentlemen, if you wish to smoke, the smoking section on this airplane is on the wing and if you can light 'em, you can smoke 'em.'

****************************************

A plane was taking off from Kennedy Airport. After it reached a comfortable cruising altitude, the captain made an announcement over the intercom, 'Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Welcome to Flight Number 293, nonstop from New York to Los Angeles. The weather ahead is good and, therefore, we should have a smooth and uneventful flight. Now sit back and relax... OH, MY GOD!' Silence followed, and after a few minutes, the captain came back on the intercom and said, 'Ladies and Gentlemen, I am so sorry if I scared you earlier.
While I was talking to you the flight attendant accidentally spilled a cup of hot coffee in my lap. You should see the front of my pants!'

A passenger in Coach yelled, 'That's nothing. You should see the back of mine!'

As I leave on a plane for a trip, I wish you great karma and Mazel.082212 Yehuda Lave

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