Purim in Jerusalem:
Experiencing Moments of Joy
A person experiencing difficult and challenging life situations won't be happy. But he can still choose to say and do many things that will enable him to experience moments of joy. For example, a person who just lost his job isn't happy about it. He has a mortgage and is worried about how he will make the payments. But while he is thinking about what he can do to support his family and make the payments, he can still take actions that will be a source of meaningful joy. He can help a young child cross a busy street, or he can encourage someone who needs an emotional lift.
When a person makes a blessing before and after eating, he can be joyful that he is connecting with the Infinite and Eternal. He will still need to find solutions to his problems, but the moment of joy will put him in a better frame of mind for thinking more clearly.
We have to learn to deal with the blows that we get in this world and roll with the punches and keep on ticking.
Love Yehuda Lave
The Story Behind Marble Moses in Netanyahu's Speech
Marble relief of Moses by artist Jean de Marco in U.S House of Representatives Chamber at the U.S. Capitol building.
Photo Credit: Architect of the Capitol
While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referenced several cultural, political, and historical figures throughout his highly-anticipated speech to Congress on Tuesday March 3 – including Harry S. Truman, Queen Esther, Robert Frost, and Elie Wiesel – he concluded his historical address with the biblical figure of the prophet Moses.
The Israeli prime minister did not just mention Moses in passing, he also pointed to the image of Moses in the form of white Vermont marble relief, hanging over the gallery doors overlooking the lawmakers in the House of Representatives Chamber. Netanyahu spoke of the biblical leader, saying "Moses led our people from slavery to the gates of the Promised Land. And before the people of Israel entered the land of Israel, Moses gave us a message that has steeled our resolve for thousands of years."
It was probably the first time that the marble relief portrait of Moses hanging in the House Chamber ever received such public acknowledgement.
The portrait, designed by artist Jean de Marco, is one 23 marble reliefs that depict historical figures noted for their work in establishing the principals that underlie American law, according to the Architect of the Capitol, a U.S. government website. The site is devoted to providing historic and current information about the function and architecture of the U.S. Capitol Building where Netanyahu gave his speech before a joint-session of Congress.
On either side of the portrait of Moses, there are 11 profiles in the eastern half of the chamber that face left and eleven in the western half, which face right, so that all look toward the full-face relief of Moses in the center. He is described on the site as a Hebrew prophet and lawgiver, who transformed a wandering people into a nation and received the Ten Commandments.
The other profiles include writer of the Declaration of Independence and the third president of the U.S., Thomas Jefferson; King of Babylonia, Hammurabi; Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Suleiman; Athenian statesman, Solon; Napoleon I, and Maimonides, among other significant leaders from different periods of history.
The image of Moses and other leaders of civilizations and societies have been hanging in the chamber for 65 years. Scholars from the University of Pennsylvania and the Columbia Historical Society of Washington D.C. chose the subjects with the help of authoritative members of the Library of Congress over six decades ago. A special committee of five Members of the House of Representatives and the Architect of the Capitol approved the selection, and the reliefs were installed when the House Chamber was remodeled from 1949-1950.
Prime Minister Netanyahu at the end of his speech quoted Moses from the Book of Deuteronomy, stating in Hebrew, "Be strong and resolute, neither fear nor dread them," which were the leader's parting words to the Israelites before they entered the land of Israel. For Netanyahu, they were words that highlighted the strength of friendship shared by the United States and Israel, two countries with a deep respect for the timeless road of history and the challenges along the way.
About the Author: Anav Silverman is a regular contributor to Tazpit News Agency.
Subject: People Who Have Mastered The Art Of Snowbefore winter comes to an end how about a look at some more snow pictures
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