Something to think about ...... What would you do ????????? and the seven branches of science

 

Imagine that you had won the following prize in a contest: Each morning your bank would deposit $86,400.00 in your  private account for your use. However,this prize has rules, just as  any game has certain rules.     The first set of rules would be:        Everything that you didn't spend during each day  would be taken away from you.       You may not simply transfer money into some other account.       You may only spend it. Each morning upon awakening, the bank opens your account with another $86,400.00 for that day.        The  second set of rules:      The bank can end the game without warning; at any time  it can say, Its over,the game is over! It can  close the account  and you will not receive a new one.         What would you personally do? You would buy anything and everything you wanted right? Not only for yourself, but for all people you love, right? Even for people you don't know, because you couldn't  possibly spend it all on yourself, right? You would try to spend every cent, and use it all, right?       ACTUALLY This  GAME is  REALITY!  Each of us is in possession of such a magical  bank. We just can't seem to see it.                The MAGICAL BANK is  TIME! Each morning we awaken to receive 86,400 seconds as a gift of life, and when we go to sleep at night, any remaining time is  NOT credited to us. What we haven't lived up that day is forever  lost. Yesterday is forever gone. Each morning the account is refilled, but the bank  can dissolve your account at any time....WITHOUT  WARNING. SO, what will YOU do with your 86,400  seconds? Those seconds are worth so much more than the same amount in dollars. Think about that, and always think of this: Enjoy every second of your life, because time races by so much quicker than you  think. So take care of yourself, be Happy, Love Deeply and enjoy life! Remember to spend time on making others happy, too Here's wishing you a wonderful, beautiful day. Start spending.  Love Yehuda Lave

 The Menorah – Symbol of the 7 Branches of Science

By Rabbi Efriam Sprecher
Published: Wednesday, May 28, 2014 12:32:51 PM

The Torah commands Aharon, the High Priest, "When you light the lamps, towards the center of the Menorah shall the seven lamps cast light." (Bamidbar 8:2) According to the Maharal and Rabbi Yonatan Eybishuts, the seven branches of the Menorah represent the seven pillars of secular wisdom, knowledge and science. The Rambam in Hilchot Yesodei Hatorah Ch. 2 states that when you study nature and the natural sciences, you fall madly in love with the One above.

In fact in the Moreh Nevuchim the Rambam explains that if you want to see G-d, study the incredible wisdom, found in nature. That is how the Rambam explains the verse in Parshat Ki Sisa when Moshe asked G-d, "Show me Your Glory." G-d answered him, "I will make all My goodness pass before you… , and you will see My back…". The Rambam explains G-d's answer, "If you want to see G-d, it's only by an indirect way through the study of nature and the natural sciences. That's how one comes to know and love G-d as the popular song goes "to know him is to love him".

Rabbenu Bechaye explains the seven sciences as follows:(1) the Wisdom of Logic and Language (2) the Study of Mathematics (3) The Study of Physics and Chemistry (4) The Science of Geometry and Trigonometry (5) The Study of Music (6) The Study of Astronomy (7) The Study of Divine Theology.

The center lamp of the Menora represents the light of Torah which all the other branches face. Rabbenu Bechaye explains that the central shaft of the Menora that holds all the other branches together is the knowledge of the Wisdom of G-d. The other branches of the Menora are only the offshoots of that Divine Wisdom. As Psalm 111 states "Reshit Chcochma Yirat Hashem," "The source of all wisdom is the fear of G-d."

The Vilner Gaon's disciple, Rabbi Yisrael of Shklov, writes in Peat Hashulchan, "The Vilner Gaon explained that all secular wisdom is essential for our Holy Torah and is included in it. He indicated that he had mastered all the seven branches of secular wisdom and knowledge, including algebra, trigonometry, geometry and music."

The Talmud has many examples of how our Sages used science and mathematics to assist them in their understanding of Torah. To cite an example, in Sanhedrin 5b, it states that the great sage, Rav, spent many months among the shepherds studying the types of blemishes on animals, which heal and which do not, for the purpose of determining the Sanctity of the firstborn kosher animals. The Talmud in Shabbat 75a also criticizes one who knows how to calculate the calendar and positions of the constellations but does not do so.

The message of the Menora is that the light of Torah and the light of secular knowledge complement each other, as long as the Torah is the central focus, foundation, and basis of all secular wisdom.

 

Jerusalem day pictures around Jerusalem and a live video of Rabbi Sprecher

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEpvl7z302k

Rolling Stones delay Start for Religious Jews

By: Shalom Bear

Published: May 30th, 2014

Charlie Watts, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Mick Jagger will appear in Tel Aviv just as the holiday of Shavuot ends.
Photo Credit: Yori Yanover based on Kyle Blair/WENN.com image.

Long time readers of yesterday's papers know that JewishPress.com was instrumental in bringing the Rolling Stones to Israel, 2000 light years from home.

Our Rolling Stones Purim spoof was hot stuff and it was just like the hand of fate flipped a switch and suddenly the Rolling Stones are in another land.

Now time waits for no one, even the Rolling Stones when it comes to when the Shavuot holiday ends. But now it looks like time is on my side as the Rolling Stones have delayed the start of their performance to 9:15PM in little Tel (&) Aviv to allow religious fans to get to the concert. We love you!

Who says you can't always get what you want?