Yehuda Lave is an author, journalist, psychologist, rabbi, spiritual teacher, and coach, with degrees in business, psychology and Jewish Law. He works with people from all walks of life and helps them in their search for greater happiness, meaning, business advice on saving money, and spiritual engagement. Now also a Blogger on the Times of Israel. Look for my column
Love Yehuda Lave
Venice, the floating City-how was it built?
The Construction of Venice, the Floating City Walking in Venice you see amazing palaces rich in history, you see the canals, the boats and all the wonderful environment of the city, but have you ever asked yourself how Venice was built??
It's unbelievable !!!
Venice, Italy, is known by several names, one of which is the 'Floating City'. This is due to the fact that the city of Venice consists of 118 small islands connected by numerous canals and bridges. Yet, the buildings in Venice were not built directly on the islands. Instead, they were built upon wooden platforms that were supported by wooden stakes driven into the ground.
The story of Venice begins in the 5 th century A.D. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, barbarians from the north were raiding Rome's former territories. In order to escape these raids, the Venetian population on the mainland escaped to the nearby marshes, and found refuge on the sandy islands of Torcello, Lesolo, and Malamocco. Although the settlements were initially temporary in nature, the Venetians gradually inhabited the islands on a permanent basis. In order to have their buildings on a solid foundation, the Venetians first drove wooden stakes into the sandy ground. Then, wooden platforms were constructed on top of these stakes. Finally, the buildings were constructed on these platforms. A 17 th century book that explains in detail the construction procedure in Venice demonstrates the amount of wood required just for the stakes. According to this book, when the Santa Maria Della Salute church was built, 1,106,657 wooden stakes, each measuring 4 meters, were driven underwater. This process took two years and two months to be completed. On top of that, the wood had to be obtained from the forests of Slovenia, Croatia, and Montenegro, and transported to Venice via water. Thus, one can imagine the scale of this undertaking.
Under the buildings there are 3 different layers:
The deepest one is made of wooden poles (larch, durmast, oak) that are long up to 25 meters. Those poles are driven through the sandy layer to reach the clay layer under it. In this way, those two layers are stabilized and reinforced. There are millions of those poles under Venice. 2. Over those poles, there is a layer made by large and thick wooden planks
But how many poles are there in the Venice foundations?
The answer is simple: millions of poles!
And where did the Venetians get these poles? It was necessary to deforest many areas of Cadore and Istria.
Venetians chose trunks of firs, oaks, and larches that arrived through the rivers in Venice.
But how old is this system?
Many poles were put down, more or less, in the age of Columbus and the discovery of America (about 500 years ago!!!) and they are still in good condition… how is it possible?
The secret is in the mud: bacteria that decompose wood are unable to act because the oxygen is missing. So mud has protected poles from bacteria and water corrosion.
3. Over those planks, there's a thick layer of stone sheets. This stone layer is the waterproof basement where the houses are actually built.
The foundations of Venice's palaces follow the same system of indirect foundation: think of a swamp; you have to solidify the zone and then put wooden pointed knotty and short poles until you find a hard and compact layer of clay in the soil, called caranto which is located at a dozen meters below the surface soil layer of the lagoon.
The piling of the poles is carried out according to multiple alignments, along the strip where the perimeter walls will be built, supporting most of the building.
The use of wood as a supporting structure may seem like a surprise, since wood is relatively less durable than stone or metal. The secret to the longevity of Venice's wooden foundation is the fact that they are submerged underwater. The decay of wood is caused by microorganisms, such as fungi and bacteria. As the wooden support in Venice is submerged underwater, they are not exposed to oxygen, one of the elements needed by microorganisms to survive. In addition, the constant flow of saltwater around and through the wood petrifies the wood over time, turning the wood into a hardened stone-like structure.
As a city surrounded by water, Venice had a distinct advantage over her land-based neighbors. For a start, Venice was secure from enemy invasions. For instance, Pepin, the son of Charlemagne, attempted to invade Venice, but failed as he was unable to reach the islands on which the city was built. Venice eventually became a great maritime power in the Mediterranean. For instance, in 1204, Venice allied itself with the Crusaders and succeeded in capturing the Byzantine capital, Constantinople. Nevertheless, Venice started to decline in the 15 th century, and was eventually captured by Napoleon in 1797 when he invaded Italy.
In 2016 there was a deep scientific analysis on the health state of the wooden poles. The verdict was that the poles will last for many centuries
As of today, the lagoon that has protected Venice from countless foreign invaders is the biggest threat to its survival. To the local Venetians, the flooding of the city seems to be a normal phenomenon, as the water level rises about a dozen times a year. These floodings are known as aqua Alta (high water), and are generally caused by unusually high tides due to strong winds, storm surges, and severe inland rains. However, this is happening more frequently in recent years due to the rising sea level caused by climate change, which is starting to alarm the city. Thus, a number of solutions have been proposed to rescue Venice from sinking. One of these measures is the Mo.S.E. ( Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico , or Experimental Electromechanical Module) Project. This involves the construction of 79 mobile floodgates which will separate the lagoon from the Adriatic when the tide exceeds one meter above the usual high-water mark. Nevertheless, some pessimistic observers doubt that such measures will be sufficient to preserve Venice forever, and that the city will eventually sink, just like the fabled city of Atlantis
Dolores Cahill - Time For Change Protest Dublin-Its time to stand up and say No
T. Belman. 1.6% ( 5.2 million Americans) of US population have tested positive. 90% recover without medicine. of those about 3% died from the coronavirus. or so they say. the US classifies them as such even though the primary cause of death was something else. Let us assume that one third of those deaths only are due to the virus. Therefor the deaths properly attributed to the virus equals 1% of 1.6% 0r 0.016% of the total population.
Had the US permitted the use of Hydrochloroquine in the early stages, the death rate would have been lowered a further 79%. Gateway Pundit reports, "The latest international testing of hydroxychloroquine treatment of coronavirus shows countries that had early use of the drug had a 79% lower mortality rate than countries that banned the use of the safe malaria drug."
The Coronavirus lockdown is one of the biggest mistakes in the history of this country By John J. Duncan, Jr.
As I write this, 1.6% of the U.S. population have tested positive for Coronavirus— 5.2 million out of our 330 million people.
This figure probably shocks most people, because the mainstream media has tried as hard as possible to make this pandemic seem far worse than it actually is.
Every day there are repeated news reports about passing another "grim milestone".
Over 166,000 have died with their deaths being attributed to the virus.
However, there have been numerous reports that many, possibly even most, of these deaths have been with "comorbidities" that could have been the primary cause.
Age could also have been the main factor in many of the deaths, with some countries reporting two-thirds of the deceased being over 70 and many over 80.
Having had deaths in my own family (although not from the virus), I am certainly not making light of these deaths.
Every day, in the U.S., approximately 8,000 people die, and every death is sad, tragic, or even horrible.
Yet the best news about this virus is that well over 90% who have tested positive recover without medicines designed to treat it (or a vaccine designed to prevent it).
In the 1957-58 flu season, when I was 10 years old, the world was hit by another pandemic which also originated in China.
It was called the Asian Flu, and 1.1 million died from it, with 116,000 of those deaths being in the U.S. That would be the equivalent of 220,000 U.S. deaths now due to or much higher current population.
Nothing was shut down then. No mayors or governors were holding daily Asian Flu news conferences. There were not constant, 24-hour news reports about the numbers dying or testing positive.
The newsreaders on MSNBC and CNN can barely suppress their glee at reporting new hotspots and big increases in the numbers dying or testing positive, especially if they are in so-called red states with Republican governors.
Because of their absolute virulent hatred for President Trump, they are also eager to report bad economic news and seemingly grimace when they have to report that the stock market has gone up once again.
Blue state governors and mayors are doing as much as they can to keep things shut down and acting very heroic or holier than thou in doing so.
It is pretty obvious, though, that almost all who want to keep businesses closed and schools shut are people who are still drawing their paychecks or pensions. They don't seem to realize that this can't go on much longer without even those checks or pensions cut back or stopped altogether.
And if the Congress keeps voting to spend money like the worst drunken sailors in history, inflation will just about wipe out those checks and pensions anyway.
The saddest thing about this virus, without question, is the number of people who have died and who have become seriously ill.
However, it is also very sad that so many thousands of small businesses have been forced to shut down, a very significant number of which will never be able to re-open.
And it is especially unfair that so many big giants have been allowed to stay open, even seeing big increases in business they have gotten from the little guys that are no longer open.
All businesses, large and small, should have been allowed to stay open. Were it not for the fact that history is often written by the victors, this shutdown would soon be looked back upon as one of the biggest mistakes this country has ever made. Unfortunately, though, the losers in this situation are clearly those who have been made to close.
John J. Duncan, Jr. represented the Second District of Tennessee in the U.S. House for 30 years from 1988 to 2018.
Dealing With Monotony By Daniel Friedmann and Shmuel Yeshayahu
Writing software in the 1980s was very monotonous. Slow computers processing crude languages with detailed syntax made even simple tasks hard work and repetitive. However, lots of new, specialized hardware was coming on the market—things we take for granted today, such as large color displays—and many new algorithms had yet to be invented.
Our company's goal was to be the first to produce the Google Map images of today. Some of our competitors took the "new new" approach: new language, new hardware, new algorithms, new everything. Most of these approaches led to failure and certainly to increased cost and time. Other competitors kept to the tried and true ways, using brute force to plow their way toward a solution; this was not only boring but also uncompetitive over time.
We introduced new features in an evolutionary fashion, changing one element at a time in a controlled way: first improved algorithms, then new display hardware, then upgraded, faster languages. This created an exciting workplace and novel, successful products, and we delivered on time. Most of the impetus for these changes came not from management but from employees, who were looking for "new and improved" while also retaining a good measure of the tried and proven.
Recreational Idol Worship Worshipping idols is a fundamental prohibition in the Torah. It's the second of the Ten Commandments and is mentioned in numerous other places. One of the warnings against idolatry includes a curious detail when explaining the appeal of worshipping other gods:
If your brother, the son of your mother, tempts you in secret or your son, or your daughter, or the wife of your embrace, or your friend, who is as your own soul saying, "Let us go and worship other gods, which neither you nor your forefathers have known."1
The phrase "Let us go and worship other gods, which neither you nor your forefathers have known" seems to suggest that the appeal of idol worship is its novelty.
Human nature drives us to search for what is new and different. It may not be better, more powerful, or even real—the attraction is simply that it's not the usual. Generation after generation disregards what is old, what their parents have known, sometimes even what humanity has known to date, and searches instead for the novel and unknown.
The Torah cautions us about this aspect of human nature, advising us not to succumb to it by seeking out other "gods." How can we use this advice for our benefit in other areas as well?
On the one hand, we can assure ourselves that there is something wonderful and consistent about what is familiar. "How things have always been done" is not inherently wrong or bad. Acknowledging our reflexive rejection of the old in search of what's shiny and new can sometimes help us refocus and value what is reliable, dependable, and proven.
On the other hand, we can recognize our inherent need for new things and change, and incorporate this quality into our workspaces and careers. This may mean finding ways to renew and customize the workspace—change it up, freshen it, be creative. The same is true about a career. Continue to learn and grow. Take chances, learn a new skill, network in new circles. Find ways to innovate within the framework of consistency.
Internalizing this message is essential for combatting boredom in the workplace. Accept that the impulse to seek something new and unknown is not inherently wrong, but that we need to find ways to incorporate it effectively into our lives. Some things we commit to and value because they do not change. Respect them, and remain steadfast and dedicated to these important aspects of your life and work. Other aspects beg for creativity and change, so find ways to incorporate individuality and even fun when possible. Acknowledge the need for novelty, and seek to improve your work experience.
The marriage of consistency and revolution is crucial for a balanced, fulfilled life.
In conclusion You can overcome monotony by understanding the value of consistency while recognizing that human nature craves newness and change. Don't underestimate the importance of dependability and commitment just because something is old and known. At the same time, nourish your need for the new and improved in healthy and wonderful ways. Change within stability is beautiful and fulfilling.
Footnotes
1.
Deuteronomy 13:7 .
By Daniel Friedmann and Shmuel Yeshayahu
From An MBA from Heaven: Biblical Wisdom Applied to the Business World .
Daniel Friedmann is Chairman of Carbon Engineering, a company dedicated
to removing CO2 from the air to aid in solving climate change. Until
2016 he was, for 20 years, the CEO of a global communications and
information company. A professional engineer with a master's degree in
engineering physics, he is also a long-time student of religion. Daniel
has 37 years' experience in the space industry and has published more
than 20 peer-reviewed papers on industry topics, along with science and
religion books. His work on reconciling the biblical account and
scientific observation has been reported in magazines, newspapers,
television, conferences and radio.
Rabbi Shmuel Yeshayahu was born in Israel and received his rabbinic
ordination from the Rabbinate of Israel. He is a rabbi in Vancouver, BC,
at the Ohel Ya'akov Community Kollel. Since 2000, he has been providing
mentoring, counseling, religious services, classes, and tutorials, as
well as developing and leading Jewish programming for unaffiliated
Jewish adults. He is well known for his ability to make spirituality
relevant to all people in all walks of life.
Bananas - Executive Orders Bananas - Executive Orders. Short clip from Woody Allen's 1971 comedy Bananas. Parodies the wacky and whimsical executive orders given by dictators once they assume power. This particular dictator seems patterned after Fidel Castro
Professor Yoram Lass to Arutz Sheva: 'Pandemic psychosis' Former HM Director: 'Pandemic psychosis virus is new means of communication; social networks never existed in previous viral pandemics.'
Arutz Sheva spoke to Former Health Ministry Director Professor Yoram Lass , who has been outspoken and unembarrassed in his criticism of Health Ministry COVID-19 policy.
Professor Lass does not suggest that minor errors have been made in determining Israeli mitigation policy, rather he says the Health Ministry is disseminating completely erroneous data; there is no "excess mortality" in Israel, no plague, and, as a rule, the so-called "dead because of coronavirus" did not die from coronavirus.
Everyone was concerned during the opening days and weeks of this crisis, after hearing projections by experts that predicted millions of deaths, and seeing images from China, with people falling on the ground in mid-stride and dying in the streets.
At one point however, some experts began to be skeptical. Did you personally experience such a shift, and if so, when, and what was the cause?
"Even in the early days of the coronavirus epidemic back in January 2020, I was looking at the data - not at the pictures - at the data from China. I knew that on a monthly basis - every month - one million Chinese approximately died every month. And the numbers coming out of the coronavirus epidemic were so small.
"Up to this point - and I believe the data - up to this point, less than five thousand Chinese people died from the coronavirus. Which is negligible; there is no plague. There is not even an 'event' in China.
"The same in Japan, where we have one-hundred-twenty-million people, and about one thousand people 'dying from coronavirus', and they did not die from coronavirus; they died from old age, cancer, heart attack, and so on.
"So, from the early days I knew there is no epidemic in eastern Asia. There is no epidemic in the Middle East. There is an epidemic event in western Europe and in the United States, which is comparable to a very severe influenza epidemic, that's all. So the world destruction is not justified."
People find it hard to believe that the entire government apparatus of experts and dedicated civil servants could get it so wrong with something so big. Is there a way to explain this?
"What we have is a pandemic psychosis. And the pandemic psychoses virus are the new means of communication, namely, the social networks which never existed before in previous viral pandemics; that's the answer.
"People and governments are out of their minds. They see horror pictures. And the horror picture - which is true for a certain moment, a certain date, a certain location, but has nothing to do with the real picture - they look at these pictures and immediately it becomes a policy.
"So this is my answer: People, including governments, are out of their minds. And look at the situation in Sweden, who remained calm, rational, and look at the situation in Belgium, where they had this severe lockdown. Twice as many dead people in Belgium, if you compare Belgium to Sweden - twice as many - with severe lockdown."
In May, Prime Minister Netanyahu appeared on a video of the Coronavirus Global Response International Pledging Event, calling for quote, "better diagnostics, treatments, and a safe and effective vaccine". He joined a long list of world leaders reading an identical script.
Just this week, the Health Ministry admitted that cause of death for anyone in Israel is determined by the practitioner in charge according to World Health Organization guidelines. Therefore, any COVID-19-positive patient who died during hospitalization will likely be reported as COVID-19 death. Are Israeli policymakers independent?
"Israeli policymakers follow the directions of the World Health Organization, which are absolutely wrong.
"According to WHO, if people die from cancer, from old age, from coronary heart disease, even from a road accident - if incidentally you have a positive coronavirus test, policymakers are obliged, according to the WHO, to write down 'coronavirus' as the cause of death, which is insane, and which is part of the insanity and the wrong numbers which are being currently published by governments around the world."
Explosive Thinking By Shalom Pollack -
The Lebanon flag displayed on the Tel Aviv municipal building. August 5, 202Photo Credit: Miriam Alster/Flash90
In the wake of last week's huge explosion of what is possibly a major arms( intended to kill Jews) depot in Beirut, Israelis are debating what is considered the proper reaction and correct feelings towards the many civilian casualties.
At this writing we have not yet seen very progressive, humanitarian Jewish groups publicly say kaddish or light candles for them.
Maybe it is because they did not die trying to kill Jews. They reserve public kaddish only for select people – those in active conflict with Israel as in the last Gaza confrontation.
Advertisement
This does not mean that trues Jews – pure Jewish progressive hearts do not go out for suffering people who are part of a society of Jew/Israel haters; like the Arab countries that surround Israel.
Progressive, humanistic Jews are chomping at the bit to send humanitarian aid to this enemy population. The enemy though would rather die than live the shame of accepting aid from the hated Jews. But the Jews never give up. They yearn the love of their enemies. It's a sick Jewish thing.
Progressives surely raise an eyebrow; enemy populations? Does this really exist except in the mind of a fanatic, racist, nationalistic warmonger?
What is the enemy population if not innocent civilians that have no hatred for Jews? It is only the ones who actually shoot at Jews that can perhaps be called the enemy.
I would suggest that the Arab populations. brainwashed for generations to hate and kills Jews( longer than the Germans of the Third Reich) and its state is as much Jew-haters as the enemy population of Germany. Their cities were flattened by the enlightened Western allies with lots of civilian casualties just as Germany bombed their first.
That was considered a righteous war of light against darkness.
Our Arab civilian neighbors have endless opportunities to show even the tiniest hint of empathy when Jewish civilians in Israel are murdered by Arab terror. Instead, they rush to share sweets at traffic lights and public squares(which they name after mass killers of Jews)
Of course, our enlightened progressive brothers will wag a moral finger and remind us that we are not like "them"( a racist statement?). What does that mean?
Does it mean that we turn the other cheek in our hearts and weep when our enemies fall?
Wrong religion.
King David frequently thanked God for the fall of his enemies, and they did not include only males of fighting age.
Lebanon is an enemy country that is run by Hizbollah – dedicated to killing Jews; and not just in Israel.
I don't recall Jews saying kaddish for German civilians.; just as I don't recall German civilians sorry about dead Jews. Same with the Arabs. The record is open and clear.
So do I shed a tear when my enemy falls? No, I read the Psalms with joy that praise God for just that.
But then again David did not understand true Judaism, did he?
See you on Sunday bli neder Shabbat Shalom
We need Moshiach Now
Love Yehuda Lave
