SHEMOT - NAMES

   This Shabbat morning the portion of the Torah to be read in synagogues is entitled Shemot-Names.  Names and the baggage which comes with the names have always been important in Jewish history. The children of the forefathers and many of their children were named based on an event or a place or belief. Jewish tradition holds that there are three crowns available for a person to achieve.    One of the three, considered to be of higher value and difficult to earn, is the crown of a good name. A good reputation. A person to emulate and follow. A leader. Something which is wholly lacking these days. And for quite some time. 

 In both the secular and the religious world, be it here or in Israel or anywhere else on this globe there is within too many an ingredient of contagious rot highly inimical to the smooth functioning and beneficial structure of Jewish society. Too much of the world, including the Jewish nation have fixated on the wrong people and as if mesmerized or buoyed by false promises and empty words of hope and followed them to hell and back. 

These false leaders are too often venerated by their flocks, their words taken as words directly transmitted from God. Some will not undertake any action or any decision without asking for the leader's advice and blessing, even if said leader knows zero in that regard. It matters not. It is the ceding of one's body and soul, of independent thinking to that leader, shrugging off the true burden of responsibility for one's own decisions and actions in life. Perhaps it is easier that way, but it is certainly not the proper way in which to earn that crown of good name. 

Apparently, most nations. and their residents have fallen as prey to these leaders, people clever enough to grab the reins of power at the opportune moment, benefiting only themselves and their adherents. Societies around the world have crumpled and crumbled from within. and have ceded all responsibility to their leaders and blame as well, avoiding the truly far more difficult. aspect of life within society, and that is the responsibility of one's own self to participate and contribute for the benefit of all. All - not merely the elite. 

Unfortunately, seemingly permanently attached to this anime and chaos within society is that old, damned curse of antisemitism. Over the past decade there has been a geometric, exponential growth of a most toxic presentation of antisemitism, morphed into JewHatred. Vile and toxic. No end in sight.     Recognized anti-Semitic attitudes and proposals have grown in popularity, the trendy thing to do, and no leaders have stepped forth to lead as a proper leader. 

Yes, we have names we know, but there is always that abrasive sound and vision of actions and statements, of self-aggrandizement not appropriate in a righteous leader. But if we aim higher, demand more accountability - and definitely of and from ourselves as well - we might actually grope our way to that so needed leader or leaders. Maybe. Possibly. Hopefully. One thing though is for sure. If we do not step up to the plate, the course of society, the course of Jews and Judaism will plunge, uncontrollably, the other way. Not a legacy to leave behind and certainly no shining crown of good name.  

Around the world be it in London with its Muslim gangs. or France with its shouting crowds. or America where Jews stand shoulder to shoulder with Jew haters and cheer with them the shouts of their own demise. We weaken ourselves rather than strengthen each other. We shout at each other. We combat each other. It is a shameful and frightening sight to see that in action, in reality. How many times in our history have we seen the consequences of false leadership? How many times have we seen the benefits of a good and proper leader? Why do we never internalize that. Why do we refuse to understand that and know, as do many families, to keep that which belongs inside, inside, and present a united front to those outside, to enemies real and potential?      

What kind of name will we leave behind, as individuals and as a society? What will be the legacy of our time? Unfortunately, as a whole, our name will not be good. We have enabled the loss of the future of names of those who died in battle, a war for survival. Of bloodshed needless, and tragedy a growth factor. Valuing life is not within the lexicon of current leaders. Instead, they see the living as fodder for their ambitions and act accordingly. 

It is upon us to make sure we shred that army of false and dangerous leaders. We need to do so lawfully, setting an example for those who follow, leaving our legacy behind even as we stride into the Heavens wearing our crowns of good names. In doing so, surely our names will be for a blessing.

Names.

Tikkun Olam. Repairing that which is wrong in this world. Tikkun Atzmi. Repairing that which is wrong within ourselves. Linked together and both are in dire need within all societies, all religions, all nations and selves, for we have surely and sorely, gone off track and need to figure a way back.   Engage oneself wholeheartedly in those activities and surely your name will remain as a blessing, as one who has earned that Golden Crown of a good name. A positive reputation.  A leader in word and deed.  

On the morrow of the morrow. 

               

AND SO IT CAME TO BE...

 ,,, not on the first day, not on the 60th day, not on the 300th day, but maybe on day 470, or 473, or perhaps, once again, never. Not on any day, and certainly, sadly so, it will not be a surprise. The words of promise and hope. are now circling the globe. Suddenly everyone is interested. Suddenly all are claiming credit for the. long delayed event. The release of the hostages. But wait. Once again, doubt arises. Are our leaders are trying to pull something over our eyes, to conceal the truth. Are their triumphant words merely words of cruelty and deflated hopes, causing the ballooning once again of despair.  

What exactly is going to happen on Sunday or Monday? Or whenever Hamas decides that they are to honor the signed documents containing promises and release a whole great big number of ... 3. Yes, that would be three hostages. With perhaps 40 to 50 remaining in life, such as it is, why have negotiations settled on three!!  3. Who? Shiri Bibas and Kfir and Ariel? Alive? Dead? Or three of the five abused and terrified young women brutally stolen from us on Oct 7? Or perhaps 3 bodies of those who have sickened and died. Or were beaten to death, starved to death. We have received no list. No true knowledge of those who remain in captivity. None. Even as words of triumph and appropriation of credits resound through the air. A bit premature. Yes?  

What, in fact, is the truth of these past 15 months of agony in hell. Why are we, and the state of Israel, the governments in the so-called negotiators simply stepping aside and accepting their pathetic number of three and then maybe 4 and then who knows? How many bodies will we give and get for each blood-soaked inch ceded? What is the determining factor here? Will we be able and strong enough, determined enough, to ensure a rock steady cement which will hold this agreement intact until they are all home, alive and dead, from 2023 and 2014.  Always with the echoing of the words of woe - Where are the rest? Who's alive and who not? Who is to return to us and who is to be pulled back into the darkness? Who is coming out? Why the hell aren't they all coming out in one batch? 15 plus months is enough. ENOUGH!!!  

Who is coming out? And why the hell aren't they all coming out? At the same time.

 I believe we are placing too much trust upon inked names promising that which they might just as easily negate, as they have done myriad times before. This is all bullshit!!! Send them all out, at once, and stop these dammed games. Why do we act as if we are the Wynken, Blinken, and Nod of the nursery rhyme, playing all night at catching the stars, harnessing their brilliance. Then, in the morning, waking up in the safe harbors of cradles and the sheltering arms of their mothers. No, those three are certainly not here. Nor are we. And the sooner we acknowledge that the better off our captives will be.  

These 15+ months of agony and uncertainty are a monument. to lack of true leaders and leadership, to their false clothing emulating those of the emperor.  Where the hell were they? Where the hell are they?  This is the same deal a proposed in May. Think of those who would be alive today had that agreement been ratified at that point. Woulda, Coulda and manifestly SHOULDA! All those wasted months, those wasted lives. those needless deaths. The unforgiveable agony.  

Our leaders copped out, fell down when they needed to stand tall. Not unusual, not at all. We the people of the world needed to ring all the bells. bang on all the walls, shatter all the glass, and retrieve our presumed leaders from their self-designated shelter. Pull our leaders out and force them to act properly and promptly. That seemed an impossibility, as those who should have been protesting for these lives, who should be demanding signs of life and release, were too busy standing on lines shouting, the saliva spinning forth from their twisted mouths and tongues, drenched in hate. calling for the death of All Jews. Not only our captives. Not only those within the state of Israel, but all Jews all over.

No promises made have been kept. Credit was greedily taken. Our leaders are not worth the paper they sign. And frankly, neither are we. We share our responsibilities to act righteously, to refuse unlawful orders and commands and situations, force our leaders to be true and good leaders. We did not.    

 We are not safe. We not learned from the past. We enable these situations, ease their replication. Do we want to set this whole situation up again? God forbid. And yet, and yet, the fear remains.  

Apparently, our educational process within history has gone awry. There is a pipe dream of proactive, bold, wise leaders and enlightened flocks, but .... but ......    

On the morrow.

EVER DEEPER

Yes, the world keeps on digging deeper and deeper and deeper and deeper into the morass of mud and.  muck. At times it seems as if we purposely go out of our way to upgrade upheaval and confusion and downgrade the certainty of being right, hewing to the moral and the positive. It seems to me that we prefer putting one over on the other rather than reveling in the joy of shared success. As a result of that perverted outlook and attitude we deepen our immersion in the miasma of the filthy polluted swamp even as there remain a few, a small minority, of those willing to slog against the flow of false leaders and bewitched flock. They seek a way out, an exit of light, but the search grows more hopeless day by day.

Today I cry out against the false political leaders of Israel and against the rabbinical leaders who went along with the flow and even added to it. Once again, as always, the people of Israel, stubborn as the day is long, a trait which has enabled their survival and ironically in their dispersal as well, followed the wrong path of their history. 

It seems that there is never a topic on which everyone can be united and certainly not for any kind of extended period of time. Israel, which was racking its insides in passionate disagreement over the nature of the state of Israel, the nation, be it in Israel itself or round the world of the Diaspora, pulled itself together. United in determination after October 7 and the horrendous massacre and kidnapping. 

Today, close to 470 days of imprisonment of the hostages, buried alive in the physical darkness of the tunnels and the emotional darkness of hopelessness and abandonment, ignored by the world, of little concern, we now live with the consequences of our eternal stubbornness and bickering. Shrinking of the numbers of living hostages. Almost 1,000 of our best and brightest, our bravest, young, still in their teens, reservists leaving families behind, girls and women falling in service. Thousands upon thousands of wounded. The wailing unable to be comforted cries of parents bereft of children, of husbands and wives deprived of their partners in life. Children bewildered as to why Abba has disappeared, why Ima is crying.

We are living with the consequences and will continue to do so. We have shredded our nationhood, our unity, our conjoined identity all in the name of politics and power. Of arrogance of leaders and the false prophesying of rabbinical figures, vehement in their support of this war for questionable motives in many cases. Or the malignant rabbinical figures of another group of Israelis who deny and defy their responsibility to defend this nation, their nation, their home. They claim their Talmud studies exempt them from service in IDF. No, it does not. The Bible itself has many rules about warfare and there is no such exemption, certainly not a given for a huge number of eligible soldiers for the nation. The blood of their fellow Israelis is upon them, indelible on their hands and in their souls. 

The leaders of the nation now admit to sabotaging some of the efforts to rescue the hostages. The direct opposite of the commandment upon us to rescue captives, even to the point of selling our belongings if necessary. And yet these puffed-up leaders determined to keep the reins of government in their hands sabotaged it all or at least to a great degree. Upon them is the blood of their fellow Jews. Upon them is the unknown fate of the Bibas baby boys. Upon them is the heart-breaking face of a woman whose husband remains in captivity. Upon them are the tears running down the faces of the parents whose children remain in brutal captivity with no end in sight other than death or eternal unknowingness. Can there be any note of positivity in their actions? Might it be possible to find merit and understanding?

Full disclosure, I have to agree with some of this viewpoint. I do not think there's any other final way to defeat Hamas and its terrorism, other than to hammer them completely into dust, unable to be resurrected or put together again. A Humpty Dumpty nation guaranteeing at least a semblance of peace and quiet. I think, as well, that to agree to this deal, which appears to be an agreement with the devil, with the world acquiescing in it, is poisonous and will never, ever come to fruition. 

Other than perhaps the first three of the first day and maybe the next four during that first week will be freed and who knows if it will be living souls or cold bodies or moldering bones. The deal is too vague, to slanted pro- Hamas and they can, as usual, break the deal as the world stands by in a thunderous silent acquiescence or in vociferous voicing of hatred for Israel and all Jews. Once again there go the remaining few, back into a cold Hell, to perhaps be entombed there forever.    And then? Renewed reinvigorated warfare, more death on all sides, and traumas to our soldiers caught within a cycle of violence and bloodshed, a seemingly new version of ancient centuries of extended warfare.   

There is no logic that can be applied. There is no sense of understanding. Not in a people trained to value death, to encourage children to die in its name rather than live for it. The corrupted thinking and desires of these false and dangerous leaders on both sides of the equation. Leaders of religion who forget their duties and cede their pulpits to the violent and the wrong.  

So yes, there is a basis for understanding and support. There is also a fear, justified, that the cost of these releases is too high as we open the gates of the prisons of Israel. and out spew the terrorists eager to pick up sword and gun again and have at it once more. Evermore. The coppery smell of blood will suffuse the air. The wails of grief begin again. And while there are those who want peace and. respect, they are too few. Perhaps too idealistic as they toss aside pictures of reality.  

I have no answers. I wish I did. At present it is clear that no one has the answer or even a part of it. I wish I had leaders, secular and/or religious in whom I could place my trust. Good, solid, caring people with no selfish motives. Perhaps that is asking too much of them for they are human. But I believe we are all prepared to accept some errors   as long as the general trend is the right path, the right way, the moral way. Would that we could find such. 

Bonnie Raitt sang of the need for a hero, asking where one is at time of need. I second the thought and the question.

Where are they? Or are they to be found within all of us if only we dared to see the truth and act upon it. Maybe. I don't know.

On the morrow.   

  

  

BATED BREATH?

 Not anymore, certainly not anymore. The sturdy indestructible dirigible hat was America has now been punctured - a fatal wound. I am afraid. Terribly afraid. The world has changed. It has been changing over the past 10 years but certainly by the release of the Jack Smith report, that which was allowed to be released despite the best efforts of crooked judges and political figures. The crazed ranting of Trump at 1:00 AM in the morning confirms his demented thinking and persona and the imminent danger our dirigible now faces, is surrounded by and besieged. 

Read the report and the comments made by people in the know, people with the freedom to express their own feelings. It bodes no good for our immediate time and for our long-term future. Bated breath no longer. The air has been drained from our lungs. The heated gas holding up the balloon of America has cooled rapidly and has hardened into a future we once did not contemplate for it was not real. And yet today it is real. We are in fact living that future. at present.

"The Department's view that the Constitution prohibits the continued indictment and prosecution of a President is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government's proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Office stands fully behind,"

Trump “inspired his supporters to commit acts of physical violence” in the January 6 riots and knowingly spread a false narrative about fraud in the 2020 election, the Department of Justice report found. The long-awaited document - written by Smith - also claimed Trump would have been convicted for the role he played had he not been re-elected by voters in a landslide victory last year.

Thus wrote Jack Smith in his release of the papers of the special investigation. The Republicans, who irresponsibly, criminally, have gone along with this proven   traitor, this man who encouraged and incited treason against the very nation whose law he was sworn to uphold, the very same man who will once again falsely swear to uphold the laws of the Constitution, even as he means to avoid them, to violate them, to the nth degree, and has already done so in so many, many ways.

 In fact, he and his have continued the terrible pathway that we saw in the 'investigation' of Brett Kavanaugh, continuing into the fake ridiculously termed investigation into Pete Hemsworth, was now supposed to be next Secretary of Defense. Shame on us. Shame on our leaders. Shame on us for allowing these leaders to assume positions of leadership. Perhaps though we must acknowledge that it is we, us, the voters, the men and women in the streets of America who have enabled. these most dangerous people to be placed in positions where they can wreak the most harm. To the nation   and to the world at large. 

What have we done? What have we allowed? What have we given blatant blind permission? A blank slate to write upon with their leaky befouled pens and their faulty thinking. What? What have we done?

We have enabled the worst of our fears to become. fact. We have allowed the rending and the shredding of the fabric of the United States of America. and we have chased away those with needles powerful enough to sew and to mend, to strengthen the very fabric that was attacked. We have cast aside all tailors. We have cast aside all defenders. We have closed the door to a once proud history, negated it by our current behavior. Remaining is the appearance of a future most rank. What have we done? What have we allowed? What have we encouraged? What have we embedded?

No error about it. That would be we, we who allowed these leaders, these sad and tragic caricatures of leaders to lead their flock into waters rank and perilous, waters which should never be entered. These false leaders stans aside in positions of safety and security as their flock begins to drown within those rank waters. Nothing left other than empty space and continuous streams of overheated blustery dangerous streams of their own making. One of immense strength and destiny to turn on them, though perhaps too late for us.  

Adding to this situation, perhaps even worse is the fact that our other leaders, the leaders of religious of the world, have jumped on the bandwagon. Calling on their followers to acknowledge the 'rightness' of this oh so wrong situation of the world. Telling us that this is what G-d wants of us, for us. Those who call for this nation to become a Christian nation. Those who call for their followers to reject all that was once held pure. Those who call out against any religion and attack the purity and redemptive power of faith.  

It is most frightening and instigating of depression, of lack of hope for this world of ours, for this nation of ours, for our children.

I cannot write anymore today.

On the morrow.  

THINK FOREVER

What does the title mean? From whence and from whom, did it derive? These words came from the rabbi of a fire consumed synagogue and home. With the evacuation orders in the face of an all-consuming mad dash fire, he says he grabbed up documents and some clothing and left behind what some call “just things” but they are so not 'just things'. What are they? They are the items of Judaica present in so many Jewish homes which define them as such, define their history and tradition carried with them on thousands of years. No matter where and no matter when.  

 These items represent in many cases the remnants of a history and a tradition now gone, through neglect, erroneous thinking, or destruction via hatred intense and insane. The menorah hidden and retrieved by a Holocaust survivor, the last of a family. It is the kiddush cup handed down through the generations. It is the candelabra for Shabbat candles, rescued and taken with them as they emigrated, voluntarily or via force. Those 'things'   are forever items, traditions of a nation, a history of a people, never to be replaced. 

Is there meaning behind this tragedy of LA? Is there a lesson to be learned? Have we lost the meaning and recognition of the importance of some 'just things'? Have they lost the idea, the skill to "think forever"? Can we not differentiate anymore between what is truly important and what not?  what not. 

The importance of "think forever" is relevant no matter its origin or field. What is necessary and most important is the necessity to have those capable of carrying out the think forever directive and train of thought. It might be as simple and uncomplicated, affecting one home, or one small institution, or as complicated as larger entities are affected, even to the status of nation or nations. It is the butterfly effect. It is the knowledge that has been long known, that "no man is an island". Unfortunately, we have not internalized that sentiment and here we are, the worse off for it. 

And here we are right back at the beginning, at the foundation. of all that is going wrong and has gone wrong in the world of today. And that of yesterday, and G-d help us, headed right there in the future. We have ignored the necessities of a cleverness. imbued with humanity, of an intellectual with knowledge and understanding of the similarities of humanity and respectful of the differences. We need leaders who are not there for the money and the power, but for the idea and the practice of public service.

These are extremely far and few between these days. It is hard put to actually name one. I can name not a one, certainly not off the bat. Not political or cleric. In fact, all of our leaders have failed us in our moments of crises, as people die from situations mankind has created and from indifference to the tragedy of others. We strayed far from the importance of a leadership who know how to think forever, to follow the thread through and understand the connection between what was, what is and what might be if we do not change our ways. and improve our thinking process, and for Heaven's sakes find and elect and nurture those who can provide this. A critical component of this idea is. to make sure we have an electorate capable of careful and keen thought and understanding, those able to discern the real from the fake, the true from the false. 

People often turn to the religious aspect of life when facing disaster. In LA and surrounding areas, the churches, the synagogues, all the houses of worship were crowded. But truthfully this crowding is a temporary state of being for once the crisis is over or being attended to, they empty once again. Why? 

A huge factor. is a distrust we have of or for our religious leaders and elders. They are supposed to be better than we are. To represent the best of humanity. To have a deep and abiding faith in the Lord. To provide a path back to God if we have strayed off that path. It matters not the religion, or the name of the god chosen to be worshiped for one day, humanity will actually smarten up, wise up to the fact that all those gods are the same. The one God. How so abysmally wrong was all the bloodshed and warfare waged in the name of religion and the name of G-d. One day, still so far away.

Clerics and religious personnel have failed us. Not a religion is exempt. The current Pope in his world travels always remembers one thing: to call out against Israel. In constant diatribe re the war, accusing Israel of instigation, dismissing the horror of Oct 7 and all that followed, ignoring or dismissive of the fate of our kidnapped hostages, their brutal treatment, and the blasphemous holding of the bodies of those slain by them, even from 2014!  

So, Mr. Pope, evidently you have forgotten much. You forget that your faith arose from Judaism and. indeed carries on with many of the adoptions, including some of your very own garments. Additionally, understand the warning of "he who throws stones", Pope, the glass of your house is shattering via its own actions and misdeeds. Corruption and immorality, the invalidating of precepts of trust violated, are rampant, from top to bottom. Look at the reality. of a faith. The church   going broke because restitution must be paid to the sexually abused - and to the continued abuse. Look to the empty churches, the shortage of parish priests and ask why?  

Pope. Your glass is shattering. Look to the ugly pas of the Church. From the first moment that it declared itself free of Judaism, it pushed hatred against Jews, causing them great harm. Great slaughter. Great enemy from the ignorant people of the church who faithfully partook of the annual pogroms at Easter and Christmas, encouraged by their priests.  The vows of chastity and poverty blatantly observed in the breech and antisemitism   rampant and approved. Constant attacks at Jews and Judaism, slaughter by the millions over the centuries, the acquiescence to and creation of horrendous accusations such as blood libel, the cause of the Black Plague and other woes, denied rights and professions, and all blessed by the Holy Popes over the centuries. All heightened by the sermons of the priests and the teaching nuns in parochial schools. Please do not forget. the Pope of World War Two who could not bring himself to call out against the Holocaust of the Jews.

Add to that the persecution of your own who condemned the corrupt practices and the hypocrisy, those of true faith. No, Mr., Pope, heed the words of your own Bible. You point out the splinter in your neighbor's eye. Take care of the plank within yours. I hear those planks clicking and clacking.    

Not to say that other religions are immune to accusations, a full set of hypocrisy, of clerics not up to the task or unwilling to fulfill their responsibilities. Perhaps what is most similar in religions are the faults and vices within. It is all that which often causes one to seek, to delve, to think, and to formulate their faith and to understand the connection of faith and religion for they are not the same.

Think how much troubles and woes could have been averted, positive actions taking place, if only our leaders had known and practiced the "think forever" mantra. And taught it to their flocks.

On the morrow.

STILL HEARING IT

 What am I hearing? I am hearing the wails, the atonal shrieks of all the alley cats gathering together in the midst of all the tragedies overwhelming the world. Wailing away with ear and soul splitting volume in a false and perilous perception of victory. a pyrrhic victory at that. Though the election gave them an electoral victory, it did not, at final count, give them a plurality of voters within this nation, though they prefer to obfuscate and deny that reality.  What they have engendered is an atmosphere of fear, greed, drastic me-tooism, and an overwhelming bitter taste of detestation melded with fear. The fear of a transformation of this nation within and to its inner core.  

The new ruling class of this once great nation has now changed, if not in name, then in morals, or rather the lack of them.  Those who were in the forefront of criticism of Trump et al, and all they stood for, are now among the forefront of those kowtowing and worse in obeisance to Trump, overlooking or perhaps even thrilled that the lines to be toed are no longer in existence. All goes in this new amoral and immoral world. It is a return to corruption and greed, to nepotism and bribery, and personal aggrandizement in any and every way possible. 

All that has been achieved, all the progress made and/or in sight. will now be turfed under despite all the warnings of natural disasters and the extreme weather conditions. The powers that be, the powers that are now in control, have begun the vast operation of burying all, rescinding regulations and upending all that was positive. These stuffed brains and swollen egos will forge ahead, uncaring of ought other than the growth of their personal portfolios and yet another house to their acquisitions.  

Even more frightening is the attitude of get the hell out of my way. They bar no holds. Hold with no hindrance or obstacle in their mad dash for all that benefits them and theirs. All others are of no account other than for the purpose they serve. Once served, they can be easily discarded. Trash along the sides of the road. Accrual of personal wealth and power is the recycled mantra of the day. 

There are no leaders to whom we can appeal. No expectation of a hero come to rescue the world from the ravagers of it. No brave soul to stand up in public and ask who joins with him/her in this battle that must be fought. Before it becomes ingrained in the very being of our national and individual souls.  Left alone with no opposition only engenders an increased probability of adoption and permanence. 

Think what we have out there.  An incompetent and bribed judiciary from the ground up. From Cannon to Alito to Thomas. To lawyers within the justice system who have sold their souls for material gain and prominence. To Congress. Name one, someone, anyone, who has stuck to their guns, who has refused to give in and remains in office to combat from within. The slate is almost blank. The leaders of the world's nations are all bending over backwards, losing their balance, as they kowtow frantically to Trump, to China, to Russia, to terrorists, as they suck up to the right. A reformatted Nazi party growing again in Germany. The same in France, in Italy, in nations in the embattled South America and the continual warfare with the continent of Africa. Rather than sharing the wealth, and there is much of that, the nations each grasp for more and more and in return most nations get nothing other than the death of their citizens and the destruction of war.

 Our religious leaders are no better. At the very highest ranks there is corruption of the worst sort. There is revived talk of prejudice and hate. There is a revived vigorous atmosphere and demand of misogyny. Are women once again to be burned at the stake, drowned, thrown into prison there to die from starvation, or at the very best to be ostracized within the community should they heaven forbid, show signs of intelligence and demand to exercise that intelligence. When the so called very best. of the religious leaders - priests, reverends, pastors, rabbis, imams, monks, - all act as if they are more tightly enmeshed within the Devil's grasp rather than with the Lord what is the little guy, the little woman supposed to do? To whom can we turn for help? Just about nowhere, it seems.

People turn to the secular leader, to the leader of that special G-d blessed state. A person who was supposed to reflect all that is good and proper, to stand for the betterment and progress of humanity. The leader of the free world. And aren't we ever so proud, ever so hopeful, for that leader is our own special convicted felon sans consequences of any kind. Allowed to enter into office for which he is so obviously unfit. Donald Trump, our very own convicted felon and plural offender, a fraud, in so many was, ever so creative to that effect. so strong in his opposition to any moral driven thought and behavior, one who promises but never keeps them. I so hope with every scintilla of thought and emotion that he keeps his promise to Israel and the imprisoned captives, allowing for the destruction of Hamas, the end of this horrid war, and the return of our captives - ALL of them, the living and the already slaughtered.  

My doubts are overwhelming. One man expressed it properly though in application to another situation, yet nevertheless so apropos of our leaderless situation.

“We didn’t know when it was gonna end. That was probably the scariest thing."

We still do not know, do we?

On the morrow.

HOW DO WE SING THE SONG?

The above title is taken from the Book of Lamentations, of Eichah. It is read in plaintive intonation every Tisha B'av, a day of continuous tragedy for the nation of Israel throughout the millennia. Plagues. Temples destroyed. Exile. Holocaust tragedies. It appears as if there's no end to tragedies within our history. In fact, every time we think that we have outgrown, outlasted the barbarism of the outside world we are hit smack in the face with renewed hate. Invigorated with fresh recruits to the campaign and goals of throwing the people of Israel, the people of the Jewish nation, into hellish conditions, enhanced with ever newer 'advanced' techniques. 

As we look around the world today and take stock of current events, the environment is rife with successful activities of hate, all the while contributing to the toxicity of the atmosphere. It has encouraged and made successful the policy of isolation causing that not only to Israelis, but all people of Jewish descent, to feel isolated, to actually be isolated. To be forced to walk through the world constantly looking over their shoulders. Is someone there who is going to file a complaint against them as a war criminal? Is there somebody behind them, in front of them, beside them, who wishes to thrust the knife between their ribs and pierce the heart? Is there yet another casing the school of the children wondering how best to destroy it? In an ever-growing global hypocritical policy among the so-called leaders of the world who acquiesce and kowtow cravenly to these purveyors of hate, there is unfortunate success. 

Throughout the centuries haters have always turned to the policy of isolation and defamation. De - legitimatizing. Vociferous denial of humanity. Somewhere on the shelves of the haters, somewhere within the depths of these black hearts is engraved the blueprint for a campaign of hate against Jews. First comes those needling little statements. Those underhanded insults. The. disguised ever growing accusations of differences, making them less than human. Laws passed, ostensibly neutral, but they are so not. Then begins the isolation. Withdraw from Jewish friends. Champion the non-Jew in job competition. Deny professions. Recycle rules of quotas and. limitation. Isolate the children. Inculcate hatred in children. Encourage the violence. Intensify that violence in quantity and in perverse quality.  

Is this a remnant of the past, an aberration, to be seen as a shred of past ignorance? Definitely NOT. This is so obviously from the past, but horrifyingly of the present as well and of the future .... Silence and denial are the responses.  Think not so for it is once again fresh, healthy with vital blood flow and eager hands. There is a pressure, a peril, contained in the tsunami of hate and it batters us today with ever pounding and growing waves. Jews around the world are experiencing this heavy pressure. Tidal waves of hate, portraying them as legal prey, their fears disregarded. Too many times, they are left defenseless, security nonexistent or minimal. Police joining in the fray, landing blows upon those they are enjoined to protect. Or simply stand by, and arrests are made of those who fight back, who counter and resist that vitriolic hate.    We are in our present times once again watching as the world erects a wall around us. Restricting our freedom of movement. Restricting others from a realization that we are people That we are not to be held as scapegoats, a vital tool for corrupt politicians and false leaders. We are people, not demons. We are people. Hence, we are entitled to live as every other person on this globe. With no exception. No hedging nor denying. 

Now we hark back to the title of this posting. How are we to sing this song of lamentation? Sitting once again on the shores of strange lands of cold welcome, if any. How long? How long, dear G-d, must we undergo this ever-returning horror?? The answer. Dead silence. That is the answer. Silence. And promises. Promises which seem to be finally on the way, nearer and nearer. So sure. And yet it begins again. Grows exponentially. From disregard to toleration. To acceptance. To be championed. To spread its ugly wings and fly over the world, dropping seeds of hate, ugly and evil passions and urgings and fomentations to violence and more hatred. 

To many this ugliness and savagery have come as a shock. It does not appear viable nor justified. Or real. How could it be? Have we not learned the bitter lessons of history? Have we not learned the truth of genocide? Apparently, we have not. And yet again, sadly, we see many foolish dangerously ignorant and denying of reality who join with the haters. Stand there with them on the line, physically and virtually, screaming for their own death. For that is the end. It is not a case of running faster than the one you are with to evade the hungry maw of a bear. It is rather the case where one stands surrounded by crocodiles and gators and wonders when will it be his turn to be eaten and by which one?  

We are indeed at that point of peril. Unless and until we confront it, understand the imminence and hard reality of it, we will once again find ourselves in the most dangerous conditions and situations.   Certainly, we here in the United States are shocked. Incidents of overt violence against Jews. was real, but not rampant. It was generally aimed at buildings and graffiti. There were parades of the evil. Rarely were the attacks physical - until they were. 

What the hell is happening? Are we now in the grips of Holocaust 2.0? What is the stance of nations round the world? Are they standing tall in opposition against this hatred? Strangling it at its roots? Not at all. More worrying is the fact that not only are they not combating it, even if merely silent, but they are actually joining in the howling cat's chorus. Condemning Jews. Condemning Israel. Condoning. anti-Jewish violence. Accusing Israel of genocide as it fights for its life against an enemy who has no compunctions whatsoever of killing babies. the elderly and anyone caught in their bloody path. 

Most nations are hypocritical as they profess concern lest another Holocaust occur but do nothing of any truth or sincerity to make that so. Even as they spew forth false words of condemnation of Hitler and his ugly coterie of fans and collaborationists, they spew forth lies of both ancient and modern-day antisemitism, of JewHatred gone viral. 

Leaders of these offensive and offending nations are too often corrupt, grossly so, and see their adherents and support of this vile campaign, this evil trend, as crucial to their remaining in office or seats of power.  They are manifestly, overtly, violating their responsibility to lead their people forward in beneficial manner, not to steep them in the tea of hate, to deflect from their own deficiencies. There is not one leader I can think of at this point to whom I can turn to in trust and confidence. Even Israeli politicians, secular and rabbinic, are too often, too openly, dismayingly, enmeshed with wrong: attitude, purpose, goals, duties, considerations. 

All the while, people continue to die, infrastructure, destroyed and people driven to distraction by the constant wail of sirens and the blast of exploding missiles. Of dead and wounded lists. Of the hostages dying in their cruel captivity. and a nation. splits apart.  

Where are our leaders? They are desperately needed. But that need must be fulfilled with true, honest, responsible leaders who know and accept the right paths. These are people willing to sacrifice themselves so that others have a better life. That is a hard, hard thing to ask of them. And we, the led, must understand the humanity of their leaders, not gods and not infallible. Must we change, lower, our expectations and tamper with the job description?    

Can we go first to the religious leaders, for surely the gods of all demand peace and honor for their adherents. Surely. Surely? Or do our religious leaders fall prey to the wrong needs and urges, give in to temptations of comfortable lives and influence? On the morrow we begin with these religious leaders so lacking and betraying of the trust given them. There is not a religion innocent in this dirty arena of betrayal, though there are individuals who are the good, responsible, caring leaders they are supposed to be. Would that there were more of them.   

 On the morrow we begin the delayed somewhat controversial statements that must be made.  

We must all learn to sing songs of happiness and joy, of good, rather than the tragic. Can we? I hope so. 

On the morrow. Keep thinking, keep hoping, keep trying.

 

YESTERDY, TODAY, AND TOMORROW

 It is normal. reaction or feeling to think of yesterday, not specifically yesterday's yesterday, but yesterday as in the past. As the time when things were better, at the time when optimism certainly trounced pessimism. When we breathed, there was a fresh air, invigorating, but today that is, if not gone, then fading away at rapid pace. The 'tomorrow' is a concept, a tense. upon which we look with great trepidation and fierce concern. Pessimism is the rule of day until such time when someone kicks us in the rear and tells us to get back on track; however, the effect of that kick is not truly long lasting. We become squished between yesterday and tomorrow all the while and our today has very little wiggle room within. Nor much support upon which we can lean, and trust that better days are coming. 

Certainly, we should be able to look. around, up, down, sideways. and find some one, some body. willing and capable of remedying our woes. Yet there are none and the ones we present as such we oh so wrongly perceive as one of almost godlike perception and perfection. All errors are upon the shoulders of others. We, the people, forget our founding documents. We forget our right to a free, safe, loyal, trustworthy cohort of leaders. and it has now become almost routine, the demand that one had better believe 150 % in the one presented to us   as human perfecto. Criticism is verboten, independent thought anathema, approaching nonexistent. And hope diminishes, begins to vanish, ever smaller in our rear-view mirror and our eyes look upon dreary days for the present and the tomorrow. Paul McCartney sang longingly for his "Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away, now they're here to stay, oh I believe in yesterday."

Why do these feelings, this situation, continue to exist? Perhaps it is because we refuse to take a clear-eyed view of the truth of yesterday. Yes, it was good. Yes. it appeared to be a better world, perhaps because we were younger and did not see clearly or have such a wide view. But there existed things, thoughts, rules, laws, concepts and actions that were manifestly not so good. We had to correct them. In so correcting, we often made mistakes. Some were glaringly wrong. For every two steps forward at times there were 5 steps backward, and negative feelings would have a spur of growth. The slog back was more difficult the second time around. At times those correctional slogs were deemed almost impossible and nearly defeated us.

These blemishes of humanity too often gave rise to particular ugliness within humanity. Those who sang of better times were drowned out by those who praised the blunders of the past and worked for their return. Unfortunately, the leaders of these views, both sides, too often veered to excess and gave rise once again to the seemingly genetic flaw of humans - to be unable to see neither the trees nor the forest, thus condemning humanity to constant conflict, combat, defeat, and everlasting anger.

 What have we done? What have we allowed? Yes, we allowed it, enabled it for we elected these faulty leaders, voted them into office, or stood back, even cheered as they usurped these positions of power. We ignored their flaws. and gave them the keys to the kingdoms of individuals and nation. Now? Well, here we are. And here we will stay, until and unless we get our acts together, work together, share and think together, repair together, reattain the glories of the past even as we thrust aside its   dangerous aspects, its perilous concepts poised ever ready to return. 

We need leaders. Worthy of our trust. Leaders who have earned our trust. Leaders who do not demand to be thought of as perfect, for they know they are not. Leaders who know how to lead and bring out the best of and in their followers. We, the followers. need to dust off our minds. We need to oil the cogs of the machinery of thought and understanding. Of the better side of humanity. Without that ingredient there will not be the positive effects of a good leader. No one can lead or perform effectively in a vacuum, devoid of cooperation ad willingness to work together, to achieve, to sacrifice, to justice, a society which advances, treading over the evils of yesterday as we pick out the best of it. Sans that willingness, there will never, ever, be true reformation in permanent status, only the piecemeal inadequate unstable versions we have had throughout the history of humanity.  

We have always sought but never fully gained   entrance to that world, our efforts frustrated, trashed, by dangerous people and their followers who only wish to be led, easier, rather than to think and evaluate for themselves. Time for us to seek our best. To fulfill the promise of humanity and to do that we must, absolutely must find those who will enable those capable of leading us to that goal.  If not, we will certainly not be at our best and nothing will ever change. At least for the better. Never.    

Those who remain in the darkness of yesterday and refuse the sunlight possible today, in the long morrows ahead, are inimical to the progress of humanity. We need to change, to perfect our eyesight and find those who carry the lenses we need, those beneficial to all. 

Where are those leaders? Do they ever exist? Are they extinct? Look around at those we have chosen as our leaders, both secular and religious. Look, Think. Think again. 

And on the morrow - more.     

NEVER EVER

The two words of the title are a strong prohibition, or a strong promise meant to be kept. Words of threat or assurance, with evaluation of the sincerity factor and truth telling - or not - of the speaker of those words. Yesterday, I touched upon the topic of lies of people whose lies simply trip and drip off their tongues, accompanied with nary a serious thought of consequence. Truthfully, there is a great percentage of chance that they will not be called upon it for one reason or another. That these lies are transmitted to us from the mouths, the crooked forked tongues of supposed leaders of the nations, of leaders of the religions of the world, simply add insult to injury. Now here I am, scanning the day's news and caution myself 'never, ever ' believe in those outrageous statements. Never ever forget to do that. Check data and info sources. Never ever take the words of these people seriously, as truth, as evidence. and complete.

What is the consequence of believing some of these lies? Where are consequence of not believing these lies? Such rather iffy statements entered as truths are obvious falsehoods because the one who issued them as a promise, is one known for his lies and wild soaring imaginary statements and conclusions based on wispy clouds and quaking ground.  We are told there will be hell to pay if Hamas does not commit to a truce and release all the hostages, not merely a list of some alive, and who can believe these people of lies. I dearly hope for a positive conclusion, but history tells me - nope. 

The threat of Hell remains that, words, the possibility of them as truth rather hindered and watered down via reality and the other threats of waging war upon Mexico, to pay for the wall, with Canada, so as to erase "that artificial line" and annex our 51st state - not so simple nor under his control, to buy or conquer Greenland, and not to forget the war we will wage as we "retake" the Panama Canal. The reality of these threats is unreasonable and non-maintainable - so Hell? How can we believe such statements? Any chance or possibility of actuality would involve warfare and serious consequences, not to mention the breaking of many laws, but then again, this man, this convicted felon, does not respect the law, does he?! 

  Not to forget the promises of renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America or the plan to cancel citizenship rights via birth. Please do not feel or think or trust that you and your children will be exempt from that rule. Nope. In addition, that whole frightening plan to rule by executive power and dictate is quite frightening as is the promise - threat- to deploy regular armed services within this nation to "keep order". Uh-huh! 

"Lies are not an answer.” So warned us, Lawrence, as he analyzed the most recent press conference of Trump, replete, overflowing with lies. A press conference with no one allowed to ask questions for the only microphone in the room was that right in front of Trump. He simply plowed on with his grandiose ideas, which never, ever will come to fruition. Certainly not in a democratic nation, but then again ... 

 However, as I look for signs of hope and trust in our leadership, not just Trump, but in Congress and the state houses, in government of all levels, the pickings are few and far between. A convicted felon and pervert running the whole shebang and people falling on their knees before him. Unbelievable and ugly as sin!  Not to forget his treason against this nation and his contempt for the law.   

This distrust generated by the actions of false leaders, remains in place. Evidently our current Pope has forgotten his Bible.  More on that and other religious leaders - 

...on the morrow.

OOPS!!! IN SO MANY WAYS

  I offer my apologies as I forgot to leave a note that I would not be posting Monday morning. We had an early flight to fly back home after a busy week of celebration. Sorry for any inconvenience. However, I wonder how many of the so-called rulers and leaders of the world can state a simple, apologetic oops along with a promise to do better in the future - and mean it, to try to hold themselves to a promise. In present times in most societies, the answer would be not many. Most of our current proclaimed or elected (more shame on us for that) leaders have garbed themselves in robes of invisibility when it comes to promises false and unkept and assumed the premise of infallibility, one that rivals that of the Pope's. 

Unfortunately, the leaders in my world have fallen willing victims to these egotistical presumptions, both secular and religious and have greatly disappointed and/or shocked me, though I really should not be so affected. I should know better for though worse these days than ever before, at least in my lifetime, it is not a new matter at all. These broken people have been dumping their responsibilities, exaggerated their power, and egregiously, outrageously engaged with the premise of the bigger the lie, the more believed that same lie is, the better the chances of an electorate accepting such lies as words straight from the heavens.

Faith is what has been broken here. Faith in the religious leaders whom we want to be trusted, to be wise, to be caring and to endeavor to understand the needs of their congregations, to be able and willing to interpret the needs, desires. and tenets of their faith- as presented in the religion of that faith in a true and humane manner without tacking on “clarifications” emanating from themselves which are then joined and fortified by others who will see the advantages or misinterpret its end results, or its motivation. Worse is yet to come when future faulty "clarifications", are added to the initial one, causing harm, despair, or robotic acceptance. Eminently, not good. 

Some say these leaders are human. Furthermore, they have dedicated their lives to a profession which demands long hours of work, sometimes self-abnegation, all in the name of caring for the congregation. Solely dedicated to their betterment and adherence to the religion of that faith. Yes, these leaders are human, thus susceptible to error.     However, when these errors are not truly so and originate for the purpose of maintenance of power and influence, and with the stubbornness of a mule and refusal to rethink, reevaluate, the end result is not good. It causes friction and divisions within what should be an entity of "unity”, leading to shame and embarrassment with worse to come. Among those affected there can be an abandonment of the religion, worse, of the faith, and distrust in those leaders of the religion, who actually are providing guidance, particularly in times of woes and stress, and, in fact are good and true leaders. However, when all are dumped together, it is bad news in so many ways. 

There's always debate within a religion. The tenets are often differently interpreted, accompanied or caused by society in constant flux. Right? Wrong? I doubt any one person knows it all, though some presume they do. A needed consensus becomes unachievable, particularly. when that consensus is not desirable, perceived as inimical to individuals or a sect within that religion, certainly to those who wish to maintain their power, their influence, their decisions above all else and forget their true responsibility, the truth of what they took on when they were granted the role of leader of that community. 

The obligation for unity, for consensus allowing for some leeway, welcoming rather than hostile, is front and center, though not particularly honored. Hence, or voila! the state of religions round the world, certainly in Judaism. Much to our harm. For sure. As we expose our dirty laundry, as arguments better contained within that family are shouted out, often raucously so, the public picks up on the hostility and disunity and is easily swayed to mirror that state of being and acts upon it, joining in the fray, hostile to all within that religion plagued by division, particularly Jews. 

The internal divisions are of no matter, for all is conflated and of no concern to them. Again, not good. Not good for the Jews at all, nor for any religion and faith, if it is in both deed and fact to pursue the heart of all true religions and faiths - the ones demanding caring, justice, sharing, kindness, compassion and sacrifice, and to serve the Lord with a full heart and a clear, clean conscience.   To know that any one person does not know it all, though some presume they do and demand honor and power correlating to that level of knowledge, false as it is. 

In the long run and the short run, nothing here speaks of positive futures and strong, heathy, need filling religions and faith.  Instead, there will be, internally and externally, acidic disagreements and battles for power and influence and wealth. Certainly, hostile to a good and true religion at its core. Nothing of true religion. Only flagrant abjuring of the core, combative, with acid eating away the foundations of a just society. In fact, we are pretty damn close to that situation, that caustic reality, are we not! Once again. We'll have abandonment of religion. Breaking off the faith. A discarded guidance. Just when we need them all so greatly. Once again, we will have abandonment of religion, of faith, of guidance and faith, and distrust and discarding of the inner core, the foundations of true religions and faiths. We have already subjected these beliefs to drastic inimical alterations, not beneficial for any side, any religion, any society, even this world in general.  

Look, Pa, and see what we have wrought! 

Aren't we proud!

I hope not.

On the morrow.

WHO IS THE BOSS?

  I am talking here about The Boss. The One Above all bosses. The one who sits at the desk from whence all is activated, and all is returned. There is no hiding nor escape, one way or the other. What, exactly, takes place after physical death remains unknown, there are apocryphal category stories claiming to know the truth and presents it for the perusal of those interested. Obviously, opinions on this matter differ greatly, from one extreme to the other,100% disbelief to 100% belief, and the structuring of life around those beliefs.

Assuming belief in the stories, in their truth, it is clear then that one must live in the best way or manner, so as to ensure entry into the best of the next world. Known by many names: Paradise, Valhalla, a return to Eden, Olam Habah - it matters not, for it represents the highest aspirations of that culture and/or religion.

 Please note the usage of the term religion rather than faith. It is Religion which dictates the determining factors and not Faith. That which precedes is that which should follow, for believing in the dictates of one's religion means that one must have a deep abiding Faith, leaving and wanting no true wiggle room for disbelief and doubt of the existence of such a place, a reward awaiting the one who did what was required, perhaps lived a hard life because of it, but nevertheless, will reap  the  hard won promised reward in due time.

Therein is the kernel of the problem. People are willing to put in the hard work to earn by the sweat of their brow, the tilt of their heart and the working of their brains to achieve that better world. But they want it to be a fair process rather than a segmented procedure, with rules and regulations equal for all, no matter the temporal wealth and standing in society on the First World. Without that faith, all the dictates of religion will count for nought. Religion survives balanced upon the buoy of faith and should that buoy fail, so does religion. Without that faith all the dictates of religion will count for naught. Religion survives balanced upon the buoy of Faith and should that buoy fail, so does Religion. 

While it is necessary, or preferable to have a   religion, for it gives structure to a faith, denoting   the highways and byways so important to the strengthening of the faith, it can also lead to its death. When people feel that their religion is false, useless, even corrupt, they cease belief in that religion. Some lose faith, for if the arbiters of the religion of their faith are themselves transgressors and violators of the precepts and tenets of that religion, how can they believe its Truth. 

Some then cast aside the religion seeing no future in it. That discarded religion often initiates a loss of faith. However, mankind, such as it is, needs a faith - in someone, something, and it will find a way to fulfill that need. It might be a new format of that religion, that former religion made a better fit. To heighten their chances to find a better life after a hard life this time around, awaiting all who do have that faith and duly practice it, adhering to the dictates of the Religion arbiters.

 The proponents of these differing religions then begin to demean the other, claim they are the true religion, the proper faith. Resorting to bloodshed and accusations of witchcraft and heresy lead only to further decay of religion and faith, as despair grows, intensifies and the cycle reignites. There is a deep need within humans to believe in something, a Being, a man, an ism, to believe there are some who indeed are the conduits to G-d, do it much better than they could. 

 These conduits are rewarded with wealth, with power, and inevitably, there arises a stink of rot and corruption from within those presumed holy people, those who KNOW the wishes of G-d - and take every opportunity to remind you of that, of your need for them. You are urged to know you MUST follow their laws for violation of such laws leads to loss of the world to come, that reward for a miserable life in this world. 

Once again, the structural engineers of Religion lose control, and the structure begins to collapse under the weight of its own corruption and loss of soul. Greed of the upper classes, the structural engineers, and the hopelessness of the lower classes interfere with faith, and Religion begins to wane. Again. The cycle begins anew, ever returning as mankind falls prey to its own weaknesses and errors. History is replete with this cycle, its repetitions, and the influence, positive and negative, upon the people of this earth, on the power of Religion, its misuses and abuses, and the durability, against all odds, of Faith. True Faith.

On the morrow I begin to tackle my problems with the arbiters, designers and assigners of these religious structures. Who, how, when, why? What is my connection? Do I have an input? Am I the lesser, discounted due to Tradition, as in "its always been done that way”? Is my gender discounted?  What were the qualifications and experience of the builders and the religious heads? Who or what was the source of the inspiration and the regulations of construction?  Could there have been misinterpretation of the instructions of the construction? Many, many questions, many, many, many doubts, yet much faith. Will the walls of this construction begin to weaken? Is this merely another restructuring of no permanence?  

Humanity needs answers. I need answers and must seek them for myself. It is upon me, upon all of us, to delve into our faith, test its strength, its durability, its maturity, and be ever the better for it.

On the morrow. 

AIN'T IT THE TRUTH!

  Well, folks, getting to sleep at 2:45AM this morning is not conducive of writing a thought piece. In fact, is the earth still standing? In fact, with all the festivities and preparation necessary, not too sure of a functioning brain and ability to think in a deep and consistent manner-let alone write. I will try, but fair warning, it will be short. 

Evidently, the usual stupidity continued, well on track for more errors and plans designed to fail. Quelle surprise! The hostage deal has collapsed once again as Hamas continues to demand a continuing source of blackmail - hostages alive, certainly not well, and who knows the truth of those still surviving and for how long. Their crazed demand of masses of murderers to be released for bodies of those Hamas murdered while in their bloody hands!

Nor do their outrageous demands negate the fault of those who should have known better and should have kept their mouths shut. sealed tight! Persisting in making statements of incitement meant to rile Hamas and deepen the condemnations of Israel were, to say the least, not very helpful and in fact, generated more doomed to fail scenarios. Above all else, all the while, our loved ones, hostages,   reamin in awful limbo. How many, if any, will return alive? Grows more doubtful by the second.

And a nation will descend even further into chaos and infighting, benefitting Hamas and the detractors and haters of Israel and world Jewry, ever so generous in their hatred and ever so willing to take advantage of our errors. Why does the topic mesh with my journey, further to be examined, is that it arises from the same damned hubris of our presumed leaders. We voted them into office and enabled their negativity to suffuse all within its miasma, gave them room to generate trouble.   

The same duplicity, identical harm, the deliberate greedy grasping for wealth, for power, for influence, so disappointing and soul rending. Same difference. Same disappointment. Same causative factor to reexamine and reshape.

On the morrow of the morrow.

WE INTERRUPT THIS PROGRAM ...

    ...for good reason. Today is a family wedding so no time to breathe let alone write in cogent manner. Most probably there will be a posting some time a bit later in the morning. Thank you for your understanding. See you then.

FRUSTRATION

Full confession. I hate being frustrated by things or situations which should not be, yet are, and by people who should know better and act better, yet   do not. Are they aware of their foolishness or thoughtlessness or are they deliberately being so dense for dastardly purpose?  Is there a quirk in their reasoning process which necessitates this frustrational aspect or trait? Whatever the answer is, it makes no never mind to me bottom line.

 I am not quite sure whether the cure is to bang my head on the wall or   theirs, but I do so wish with all my might, with all my heart, that someone, somewhere comes up with an operational cure. In the meanwhile, all I, we, can do is bear up under it but it is damn frustrating!

Okay. Back to sanity or at least an approximation of such. There are people who know how to reap a toxic crop and see it successfully delivered throughout the nation or whatever size community is relevant to the matter. They are so adroit in this skill that people actually support now all that which is so clearly inimical to them, to their happiness, to their prosperity, to all of lasting value and buy into the momentary and doomed to failure or never come into existence. All promises are negated, never having been meant to actualize in the first place!!!It was all "sound and fury signifying nothing". Nothing but harm; nothing but danger. Nothing.

Yapping mouths. Ears open to hear what comes forth. Too often what does, stinks of hate and deliberate bias with evil afoot, in all that incurs deliberate or simply stubborn stupidity. Or a combination of both? But why is it that people cannot stop themselves from spitting out vocal corrosive acid and others swallowing it whole, bathing in its temporary liberation of the nastiest traits of humanity?

Worse yet is when deliberate attacks on the better aspects of humanity are justified in the name of religion. That idea meant to give strength and courage, structure and a sense of protection, a touch of humility and place within the scheme of things, is perverted and twisted to the point of nonrecognition of its origin. Its benefit becomes lost, and recognition and recall of a better more positive religion becomes lost in the dust of history, the vagueness of the future, even as the present is uncertain and threatening. 

Throughout history, time and time again, as we never do learn the lessons of history, or understand them in the negative, there are those who take advantage of the dire straits and concerns of humankind. They begin to shift and twist and change. All the precepts and rules, the guts of religion, its softer, comforting positive aspects, its kindness and ability to include so many under the shade of protection of the wings of a more powerful Being - minimized. 

That Being, that enormous entity of ultimate power, with major traits of kindness and caring, understanding and patience re the foibles of humanity shifts in coloration. Positive traits remain but are now heavily overcoated with a patina of fear and dread, inducing a panicked form of begging for forgiveness and mercy, as the forgiving side fades into the background and into the forefront comes a fear and fright and the next step. 

The fear becomes overwhelming and approach to    that Being threatening. Might they get burnt? Or denied forgiveness for improper approach? Into that uncertainty comes an intermediate layer. Those within that layer begin to act as the new connection factor to enable the connection between man and his G-d. There are many within this layer who actually mean well, who are humble, kind. understanding and desirous of being a good, faithful, successful connector who can help man make that connection.  

 Unfortunately, people being people, there are those who began to see other aspects contained within this new layer. In the name of helping those desirous, needful to approach the Lord, for whatever reason, to bring God closer, a more integral part of life for that person, that need is used as a steppingstone for the 'connector'.  

The twisted ones of this layer begin to amass power, great personal power in the guise of helping people, bringing them closer to God. Perhaps that actually occurs, but what is beneath that return? Is it out of love or fear? Is it out of relief that someone else made the hard decisions and bared a path for the penitent? But who chose that path and why? Is it not better for one to own his way to the Lord, to feel it within the heart rather than in the fear and dread center, know and return in a positive manner rather than one of negativity? Yes, there must be fear in some manner but certainly G-d is not so petty that He needs and values your fear and terror over your love and the emulation of His kindness and compassion. 

Unfortunately, power, the possibility of Power, amassing of Power, especially in the name of good and God, is tempting even to good people who meant no harm initially. But Power corrupts, does it not? It eats away at the soul of a person, difficult to resist in possibilities. Unfortunately, with no exceptions, religions fell prey to some of these negative personalities. 

Judaism did not escape such abomination in the actuality of corrupt usage of religion to empower, enrich and elevate themselves above others. Even as it helped some, it was also seen as a means of making a prosperous living, to be respected and feared, to rule over lives of many, and an inheritance for children. In actuality if one thinks about it to assume the role and status of demi-god, the true method to understand what G-d wants from us. 

This is not to say that all people of this layer were possessed by ambitions of selfishness or were not able to combine the Godly and the temporal, the mundane and actually help those in need, particularly during times of danger and terror. But all the while under the temptation of the worldly benefits this role accessed, a callousness grew within.  It led to shameful infighting, even physically, and terrible verbal accusations, shaming the nation, shaming Judaism, shaming and disrespecting G-d. Hungry, ungodly, selfish fights over control of family and adherents and the wealth which ensued from that power and position. They lost their humility which is probably the best way with which to approach God. No two ways about it. What originally was meant as a good revision, segued into negative territory where too often it has remained unto these very days. 

 People like to be on top of things, to be the boss, the determining factor as to how people live life. To exercise that power, to bless or to curse, to advise even when truly ignorant of that asked of them.    To play with the lives of people, to live in wealth and comfort even as many adherents do not. And so harmful to those of this layer who are doing it right, taking on a hard journey through life, giving of themselves, aiding those who seek an improved pathway to their G-d. 

I apologize if I have offended any via this posting.  But then again, this a journey to be undertaken in honesty. Even ruthless as needs be.  

On the morrow.

While on the Subject

  ...I must continue for I have found within me that which both dismays and elates me at the same time. Of course, nothing is until push comes to shove and action is demanded - or denied - but still, there must be an internal debate before the matter crystallizes in actual reality rather than virtual. Reality is that which can turn cowards into heroes and heroes into cowards and there cannot be any talk of condemnation or approval unless one has been in exactly the same situation to a T. When opinion does come into play it will be more debated in a relative versus absolute manner, for what is done, is done and cannot be undone. What was not done has lost the momentum of the moment, hence it has a difference in content and relationship.  

In any case, all I can do is discuss my own reality and my own internal discussion as I never have faced such situation in actuality and hope I never do.  That situation of active revenge, the actuality of it, is challenging to say the least, as also is the manner of that revenge.

 There is always a question of accuracy, that you are getting the right person. I think that is a null and void question for me for if I were to take any actual physical revenge on someone, it would probably be in the heat of the moment, at a time when immediate action is necessary. As an aside, if my life were at stake or that of a loved one or an ally, I would do so without a moment of uncertainty.  That is in terms of physical revenge, assuming capability of physical strength to do so. 

 However, there are other revenge aspects, such as ensuring that the person is brought to justice, stands trial and receives the harshest sentence possible, even unto death, if that is merited. It is within that act of legal revenge that I can see myself more clearly. Even so, I cannot totally void the reality of any physical capability of doing so. In addition, one is as complicit as if one struck the blow if we were the ones to urge and push the one wielding the weapon to strike that final blow.  

However, I do think, strongly, that I could not, would not, be able to strike unless driven to do so by an extreme vicious, intolerable action or inaction of said enemy.  Always front and center in this debate not only for oneself, but for others, we must factor in the truth: that one never knows one's capability in a dire extreme situation until one is. I cannot even begin to fathom the heroism, the thoughts, the self-sacrifice of people in the attacks of Oct 7 within the embattled communities.  Anywhere in which people sacrificed their own lives in useless attacks against the Hamas animals so as to safeguard the lives of others, families or those with them.  Even after the family escaped, to continue fighting, is that considered a violation of the rules of engagement particularly within this twisted attitude towards Israel to the point of denial of right to self-defense! 

At this point one is running on two powers - that of emotion and that of cold thought and appraisal. They can be used to conflict and cancel each other, or they can be merged in understanding, evaluation and judgement. While I can vicariously share the emotions and the urgency of the moment, if it is possible to stay one's hand and pursue justice within the courts, I believe that is the better way. It is critical information to convey to the outer world. It is a path which allows for more people to receive their just judgment and is validated by history of the past, present and analyzation by historians of the future. White revenge. White revenge rather than red revenge. I believe it would be far more soul satisfying in range and extent of justifiable and justified revenge. And the whole lot easier to live with.

Why do I even carry this discussion and self- evaluation at this point? Because as far off as the possibility of it is, I will soon be living in extended days in a place of residence within striking distance of beasts. I sincerely hope the probability is near zero. However, all my life, I have believed in being prepared, knowing what could possibly be, or hopes to be, or not to be. To be prepared. Guns I do not have. Reenforced doors and locks - Yes. Knives, yes. Courage? I hope never to be thus tested.

For the rest of the day, I will immerse myself in the necessities of life and relegate some of the thoughts to the back burner so as to better enjoy the day. For the moment. For that is, in fact, all that we have.

On the Morrow I hope to return to an original track from which we segued. Having more to do with aspects of religion, the metamorphosis of religion and what it has meant to me and many others. It certainly has been the causality of much thought, much anguish and many, many demands. From all sides.

Again - on the morrow.

WE INTERRUPT THIS PROGRAM ...

But not really when you think about it. This 'interruption' of my journey of self-understanding    is actually part and parcel of the entire process. Its reality provides confirmation of some of my thoughts already expressed in prior postings. Its ugliness and horror so oppositional to what humanity should be, should strive for, should practice, must be felt within every molecule of every being on this planet. 

Unfortunately, when something so terrible is discovered and spoken of, it finds a home within too many people, spreads in viral manner by some contagious gene approving of cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity. Bestial hearts glom onto it and determine to mimic such horror and find targets within their own nation and even round the world. It is then celebrated and mimicked by others of no souls all the while the cries of victims rend the air even as the majority of humanity excuses, ignores, approves, or 'explains' the inexplicable. 

Yesterday's New York Times contained a large feature of the terror and hopelessness that is the life of the Rohingya people. Chased out of their own land, chased into the lands of others, there seems to be no respite for them. One of them expressed this horror in simple, but powerful words. “Everyone hates us. Why? We did nothing to them." It is yet another manifestation of other murderous campaigns waged by the Hutu against the Tutsi in Rhodesia or the Uigurs in China or the Moslem mob army against Christians in Nigeria and Sudan, the bloodcurdling terror of citizens of Haiti as gangs run murderously, savagely amok, or Jews around the world. In lesser manner, not fully developed - yet - though there already have been incidents of slaughter, that possibility is glaring a barbaric red re the attitude of the world's nations towards immigrants. Shamefully so and growing exponentially, encouraged by the incoming Trump administration in the USA with threats and visions of uniformed creatures rounding up families, lone children, dragging them from homes, shoved into trucks and held in huge 'holding' camps. Shame on us.

 When a group is deemed unacceptable, unworthy of life they become the lepers of society They are chased from pillar to post, denied all rights and all manner and matter of existential basis and support. These campaigns of dehumanization inevitably without exception rise or sink to the depth of murder, sanctioned murder and its participants and adherents and supporters then go home to families and kiss their wives and husbands and children. And the tears of the Lord above and His angels sear the land below, draining the land of its benefits for His creations and yet humanity continues on its bloodstained path with ponds and rivers and seas of blood awaiting them. Terrible too is the trend of the victims of these bloody campaigns, should they gain the upper hand, is to do the same. No end in sight, is there? 

What can one do? It is basic instinct to take account and repay accounts for what was inflicted upon them.

 " ...grim details of abuse of hostages, including whipping, branding with heated iron, isolation, binding, starving, maltreatment and psychological torment"

And more.

 " ...systematic sexual, physical,  and psychological torture of captives, along with intentional starvation, branding of skin with hot metal objects, and refusal of medical treatment."

How is one to feel as emotions take over the thought process within.

"Raped, starved, branded, and left in total darkness – ex-hostages reveal horrors of Gaza captivity"

 Can one be logically asked or expected to remain sane and without strong deep urges to return blow for blow? How are the people of a nation to react when members of their family are delivered back dead? Or suffering from wounds and horrors never ever to be healed or the howl of anguish of the people of Israel if, G-d forbid, the Bibas Baby Boys are not returned whole and safe. How is that initial urge to take revenge to be tamped down? Should it even be tamped down? 

And now here I am, as are many others. Who are we? What is our composition of heart and soul, of morals and justice? Are we capable of waiting for justice to claw back what was taken? But some things cannot be called back. The dead do not rise again, the torture is not 'untortured', the scars of the soul remain even if the scars of the body might fade Are years in prison enough particularly in view of the fact that it is now policy to kidnap others, to redeem those of yours taken? It is now a political tool, a tool of war taken for granted. With shrugs of shoulders and an okay, let's get to it again.  

 Who would I be? Who am I? Would I be one of those whirling stick or knives or weapon, seeking someone, anyone and hope to alleviate, lessen the pounding of revenge within me, within all who are traveling and running alongside me? Is not that feeling, that necessity, justified? Can I not understand or believe that in such circumstances bloody revenge vigilante justice is righteous? Have we not been fed story after story, movie after movie, of such justice as we sit and cheer as we watch?

Who am I? Who are you? Who are we all? Are morals and principles to be taken in relative terms or are they absolutes? No matter the justification that can be found. But this is not just about me any longer for it is about all of us. With all of my recent introspection I cannot deny that much as I am anti violence perhaps revenge violence is the right thing to do in this case. Certainly, there would be a sense of self-satisfaction, but would that turn cold in the light of day and rethinking. And then what? Then what?

Yesterday and today, the 4th and 5th candles of a joyous, victorious holiday of survival and national rejuvenation, stand out in my life as days of mourning. On the 4th light of Chanukah my dad passed into a better world, there to await his beloved Blanchie, his wife, my mom. I miss him today 20 years later as I did that day, but he died in the fullness of time, as we all do. and grief is understandable but manageable

On the other hand, the 5th candle of Chanukah is the light of my grandson, Yitzy, since memorialized many, many times over. The current issue of Mishpacha. Renaming of a street in Pittsburgh for him. The dedication of a new high school campus in his name. In the writing of a Torah in his name as he requested. With city officials, including the mayor, Yitzy's baseball team, and neighbors joining the parade to the school where it now resides as Yitzy's Torah. In our memories, an unbelievably magnificent, pure soul ripped from within our hearts, leaving behind a hole never ever to be filled.  

 Where and how am I supposed to take revenge for this loss? What is the "proper” way in which to mourn and accept? Can I ever accept this 13 year child gone after a heroic one-year pain filled battle, as his last words were of his G-d and his love of family.

I cannot find an answer for the questions of today. Perhaps on the Morrow, the many Morrows to come.