so sorry

 Had a wedding and got a late start getting back home today.

Will post tomorrow.

BLACK THUMBS

 Black thumbs are the appellations granted or given to one who cannot keep a plant alive within the home. Outside is another story, as I was able to grow plentiful garden vegetables, except for cabbage. However, I could swear that the poor plants actually winced when I walked by one, shivering at the thought of entering my realm. Poor things. No matter how I tried, the plants had a short life with me, no advice helping, though try I did.

Unfortunately, there are other black thumbs, dangerous ones to all living things. These are the people who have a knack for setting people against   each other. These are the ones who inspire hate and negative thoughts among too many, even as they are lauded by the deluded who themselves are the victims as well of these black thumbed people. Finding fertile ground for their venomous thoughts, grounds ripe for planting, never seem to prove difficult for them.

The black thumbed human meshes well with the concept of hate and the unfortunate common trait of the welcoming of such thoughts, the willingness   to be taught these horrid precepts. However, the most egregiously evil thing these black thumbs do is to kill off the kindness, the gene of acceptability of shared humanity.

We are not born with hate in our hearts unless one has a mutated gene. We are not born unaccepting of others of a different physical appearance or belief. Watch children as they mix together, asking each other frank questions generated by curiosity and then shrugging it off as they play some esoteric game apparently known to all children. 

Actually, that is not always so. Sad to say, there are adult humans carrying that virus, growing that gene of hate who need to transfer that hate, that nastiness, that evil, to their children and anyone around them. One who finds a place within their circle is generally tainted with that virus, and the hate inside. The goal? To inculcate this virus, its accompanying hate, within the genetic structure of the children, enjoying it so when these kids spout the same ugly mottos in childish voices, voices meant to sing songs rather than chants of hate. 

Yet how often do we see this phenomenon -innocent faced children with words of negativity rolling off their tongues, ugly, palpable evil strongly present, boding no good for anyone and certainly not for humanity in general. Particularly on a planet besieged and challenged, where cooperation is the only possible method by which we might be able to ameliorate issues we have caused and ensure the continuation of humanity, though at times I do wonder if we actually deserve that.

Unless one has been the target of actual, active, palpable hate and invective, it is difficult to understand the sharpness of the cuts, the acidity that eats away at one's innards. I can remember the word "Jew" being practically spit at me on Halloween as we were chased by chalk bag bearing Gentile kids, the same kids who would play with us outside on a warm spring or summer night. I can recall how Iwas egged, painfully, from a passing car with teenage boys within, as they screamed antisemitic tropes. But it was not pervasive within society in general, or at least I was not aware of it at that time. Perhaps it was not so generalized nor encouraged, at least out loud. 

Today, it is an approved proven successful political meme, able to attract vocal support and lots and lots of dollars -and the power that goes along with it. Frightening it is when one realizes the ugly scary hostile fact as to the presence of so many of our legislators are virulently, loudly, anti-Jewish, immersing themselves in the fetid swamp of Jew hatred up to their miserable damned necks. Nor is it acceptable to turn these words on Israel, using that nation as a substitute for antisemitism, deny it as they will. To criticize a nation is okay, but to hold to impossible double standards, to curse its existence, along with the existence of Jews, to dehumanize, delegitimate the nation - no, that is antisemitism.

Ugly, blatantly so. Seemingly eternal.

A Miss Hitler contest in Rome.

Israel gone awry, yes, but the same awryness in other nations is ignored.

We ignore our own ethically challenged openly partisan Supreme Court even as we comment so knowingly about the issues in Israel, so not the same.

We are outraged by Netanyahu even as we allow the oft indicted alleged criminal, even treasonous Trump go unchecked, even admired, free to run again!!!!

We openly are now up to our necks in a national fascistic movement to eliminate school libraries and in those remaining, as well as in public libraries, censor books, even burning them. What next - the people?

Hezbollah, Iran, Islamic Jihad and myriad other Arab and Moslem countries and terrorist organizations openly preach elimination of Israel, the world condemns Israel for its 'occupation' of disputed land even as it ignores or approves the annexation and occupation of disputed areas by other nations. 

Israel is called a "cancerous gland" that must be removed. The world? Shhhh! As usual.

Remember South Pacific? Look at some of its lyrics from "You've Got to Be Carefully Taught".

"You've got to be taught
To hate and fear,                                                                                                                                         It's got to be drummed                                                                                                In your dear little ear                                                                                                                Before you are six or seven or eight,                                                                         To hate all the people your relatives hate                                                            You've got to be carefully taught!"

The only way to defeat this hatred consuming our souls is to work together to combat it. Multiply the power of our voices.

There is no other way. None.

Together.

It is our moment or moments in history. Let us rise to the standards and place where we belong, where we must be.

That is only done together.

Or we will destroy ourselves and have only ourselves to blame.

In the meanwhile - Together. B'yachad.

Together. Together. Together.

Together we can heal the nation.

HEAL THE WORLD.

HEAL YITZY!

Yitzchak Elimelech ben Chana Sarah

May he be granted refuah shelaymah bimheyrah beyameinu. 

 AMEN. AMEN.

IMMINENT EXPLOSION

  Those are the words used to describe an "explosive" long defunct volcano, where a caldera is showing some signs of heating up, along with another warning re the Yellowstone volcano. After reading the article it became clear that the experts here are as divided and unsure as any political analyst these days. In fact, it seems to be that no one is sure of anything anymore. Even the climate change deniers with their heads in the sand and their brains elsewhere, under the burning days of this summer are admitting that maybe, maybe, there might be a bit of truth in all the warnings. Too little, too late, but here we are. 

A world where experts and expertise are more mouthed than exercised, AI is threatening to take over first place as leading predator, top of the food chain. We humans, well, we cannot figure out   what we want. One moment we wish for anarchy, free to do, to kill, to rob, to sleep, to rebel, to destroy a country, whatever floats one's boat. The next moment - desired is the strict control of a dictator and false government institutions, all so we can absolve ourselves from any responsibility for anything other than to take up a beer and turn on the TV, regular or streaming. But wait! There is a strike so reruns and games. Oops! Perhaps a book?

We have segments which follow the lead of Chicken Little and watch the sky for falling debris and another segment which states that all  is well, as tornadoes blow away homes, water floods 441 and washes away bridges and roads all over the country, people are dying from extreme heat with no relief other than the cataclysmic thunderstorms  with lightning bolts that flash right outside your windows, water which also destroys or the mudslides which take all decisions out of the  hands of uncertain humans. And watch out for that mountain lion come down to escape the forest fires up higher. Uh-oh, too late - as usual these days.

In the political world we have two such extremes on the left and right that they have actually done the pretzel waltz and have come full circle to meet each other. There they snarl and whine, and lie, and threaten, and ultimately disgust all who can see and hear them, even as we try as hard as we do to avoid that unpleasantness.

It is natural to want a break. It is natural to want to close eyes and cover ears and live within a made-up world of all that we want or the absence of what we do not want. However, just as pressure builds and enters the red zone if unrelieved, as the pressure builds in an embattled and abused Nature, as the pressure of our stupidity and cupidity grows by leaps and bounds, well, there is that pesky pressure again. The pressure rises and there is an "imminent" explosive situation which will relieve the growing into the red pressure, but we most definitely will not appreciate the consequences.

We ignore all that is complex unless we simplify it beyond all sensibility. Russia is free to commit massive crimes against humanity, war crimes, Saudi Arabia, China, Indonesia numerous African countries, the United States of America, can all make egregious wrongs happen within and without their borders but apparently Israel (and the Jews, of course) are at the root of it. Using that space laser which Greene spotted so quickly. 

But never you mind, reactions have taken place. We have seen a suspension of a Ukrainian numerous time gold medal winner in the Olympics and other contests, because she refused a physical handshake with a Russian competitor, you know from the country which is shredding hers. Tsk, tsk, such a monumental offense to the delicate sensibilities of the world. And never you mind the imprisonment of women in Iran, in Afghanistan who dare to want to be free, to not wear voluminous black shrouds and hijabs. Who wish to work, attend school, live a life. No, we have our own problems here with offensive women. You know, those who support choice or who do not understand why they must carry a dead fetus for six more months so as to not have a criminalized 'abortion'. Or who so unwomanly dare to demand parity of pay. The nerve!! 

Or we can focus in on the Women's Soccer team so proudly and ably representing us. Why? Because they had the nerve to stand there before a meet, quietly, respectfully, hands behind backs or at sides, no fists, no V signs. and some singing while others not. Fie on them! Not singing the anthem- even as most of us do NOT sing the anthem at gatherings, letting the lead singer carry the ball, and/or do not place hand over heart, but simply, respectfully, with dignity, stand there, some singing and others not. . Just as most of us do at public and private gatherings. Hmmph!! But anyway, what else of importance is happening, more important than these such 'egregious' actions?  Obviously, none.

No, folks we have our rankings askew. Very much so. Sometimes the only thing to do is shake one's head, go find a piece of chocolate and a good book and sit back and take a break. We hope in those moments of time out, the world will not disintegrate. 

But please, no timeout with those beautiful prayers for Yitzy and for all those needing that blessed power as well. The doctors are pleased at the progress, but there are several more months of chemo left. Then the evaluation. There is only one that is acceptable, that will allow a beautiful child to grow into a wonderful adult, complete with that contagious grin, that huge heart and with his love of Nature and all living organisms - even snakes!! Yuck!!! 

So, together, for the world, for America, for the oppressed all around the world - together.

There is no other way. None.

Together.

It is our moment or moments in history. Let us rise to the standards and place where we belong, where we must be.

That is only done together.

Or we will destroy ourselves and have only ourselves to blame.

In the meanwhile - Together. B'yachad.

Together. Together. Together.

Together we can heal the nation.

HEAL THE WORLD.

HEAL YITZY!

Yitzchak Elimelech ben Chana Sarah

May he be granted refuah shelaymah bimheyrah beyameinu. 

 AMEN. AMEN.

"WE DON'T HAVE"

  Always and forever, even if quite comfortable in a country apparently open to their presence, there has always been an underlying sense of insecurity. Always a fear of a new expulsion or of a life too difficult to live in the face of rampant hatred. How shocked some were when the most 'civilized' countries of the world reverted to vicious canards of the Middle Ages and killed and expelled Jewry from within their borders, as that nation's population participated in the egregious robbery of their belongings - and of their lives. 

Always and forever, we remembered the times when we had our own land, where we could fight with each other but always then be able to break bread with each other. To talk ourselves down from the ledge and do the sensible thing, behave like thinking adults who understand consequences and come to an agreement which all can live with. When we didn't, when we refused to be sensible, we suffered grievously for that intransigence, that mortally faulty thinking and behavior.  

Somehow, in the hearts of all, when Israel was established, perhaps out of guilt of the world as nations had stood by silently as the Jews of the world, their neighbors, were systematically slaughtered. We had hope. For whatever reason, for historical imperative, we were home. A land of our own. Where we would not be pushed aside and out, where we would not be termed the enemy.

 A land which even in the midst of a very unequal war welcomed the traumatized remnants of European and North African Jewry. Of refugees from Arab lands which expelled them as 'the enemy'. That rescue, that return and welcome home has continued: Jews of the Iron Curtain nations were welcomed, as Jews of other ethnicities, of different skin color, of a Jewish tradition vastly different yet the same, as people claimed to be Jewish, from lands where they had been hidden for centuries, and now, Ukrainians.   

And sad to say, it has become a growing place of refuge, of a place to turn to when America turns totally renegade upon us.  American Jews are feeling evermore uncertain of continued welcome or permission to remain as trusted and valued citizens of this country. The venom level has reached high levels and are frightening, very much so, especially if one knows history. 

There is no 'job security' for us - anywhere. Except at home. Where a welcome is assured, if not always smooth. Despite the difficulty and the strain. We are Jews and we are home, welcome mat and all. Along with the knowledge that "we have no other land, no other country". That no matter the degree of disagreement, the degree of estrangement we must, must, work together. If we lose our land to our own intransigence, to our won stiff necks, once again, we will be forced to reside in a world which does not accept us, once again, left to uncertainty, always the other, perhaps tolerated, but always the sotto voce comments re the 'Jewishness' of a person.

A popular song of long duration, "Ayn Li Eretz Acheret" - "I Have No Other Land", says it all. Even if she is burning, we cannot leave, for we have no other land, no other country. Yesterday a top Health Ministry official reiterated that with this statement - " ... everyone also knows that we don’t have another country."

We must look in the mirror of history and see the reflection. We must pull back from the brink and NOW! There is not a second to wait or waste, for we are already late to dance properly at the ball.

I am a proud American. Though not proud of what it sems to be becoming. It frightens me. It worries me. I am also proud of my other land, Israel. I am always and forever, a Jewish woman proud of my heritage and the strength and courage of my ancestors. Why are so many challenged to accept that, finding it anathema to think or tolerate. When we have the answer to that, perhaps we can then understand why so many Jews are buying a place to live in Israel -"just in case". Scary. Especially as Israel is a roil and a boil. We hope sense prevails and this precept is upheld - " ... nobody among us has the privilege to give up, not on the country..."  

And again - the idea, concept and desperate necessity of togetherness. How else are we to fix this besieged world of ours where every nation is   struggling with ideas that should   have died long ago, with an internal viciousness precluding any chance of a positive compromise.

Why? Why and how and when have we lost sight of the truth: we are all in this together. The same leaky lifeboat and if all aboard cannot agree on who is to bail and who to row, how to organize, well, then we will all go asunder and under together.

Yes, together. I have been banging away at this idea for so long and at least and at last there are presently others of higher positions banging along. Hopefully, we will all be hearing that banging and joining in. 

I hope.

There is no other way. None.

Together.

It is our moment or moments in history. Let us rise to the standards and place where we belong, where we must be.

That is only done together.

Or we will destroy ourselves and have only ourselves to blame.

In the meanwhile - Together. B'yachad.

Together. Together. Together.

Together we can heal the nation.

HEAL THE WORLD.

HEAL YITZY!

Yitzchak Elimelech ben Chana Sarah

May he be granted refuah shelaymah bimheyrah beyameinu. 

 AMEN. AMEN.

"SHIMMER OF IRREALITY"

  Such were the words used by an analyst to describe the horrific situation in Israel. Even as there were battles fought in the streets of Jerusalem, of Tel Aviv, on the highways and byways, and in the hearts and souls of so many around the world, it was almost impossible to believe that the country, the proud standard of democracy, of refuge of home - has gone berserk. Yet, there it was, tragically, no 'irreality'. Very real was the blood on the streets, the pictures of horses ridden by Jews herding other Jews, of Jews carrying by arms and legs other Jews protesting the stripping of democracy from Israel, negating all that the pioneers did, all the achievements of Israel and its contributions to the world.

While civil war breaks out there, in the rooms of the enemies was a conference behind closed doors. There Hamas and Iranian officials discussed what to do in reaction to this horror so beneficial for them. With the country at odds with itself, with more than half the country not where they needed to be, G-d forbid, in case off attack, with the anger rife, palpable in the very air, overcoming the reek of skunk water, we are at a moment of existential threat to the continued reality of a nation called Israel. It is a crisis rivalling that of the Yom Kippur War when Israel was just about out of arms and ammunition and thousands were already dead.

Was there, is there, a sense of well, history again. Has Netanyahu, especially now that he is deep in contemplation of his own mortality, in a physical and mental fog induced by his health and his overpowering ego, taken a leaf from King Herod, Hamelech Hordos? Has he forgotten his ancestors, his brother, his father, himself, and thrown himself into the fray as the dictator to be, a historical figure that will be cursed forever if he and his succeed in destroying this nation.  

Destroying it, as he and his ugly perverted henchmen will do if they persist in shattering the democracy in Israel. If they insist on weakening the balancing power of the judiciary. Even as they encourage every single venomous antisemite to crawl out of the filth where they abide, crowing all the while with whooping bloodthirsty cries, as they anticipate victory.

And come they will and come they already have. From the false flag of the GOP, as they claim to support Israel, they contain within their party   antisemites and conspiracy pushing creeps such as Greene. Add to that the new empowerment closet antisemites now feel as they emerge. McCarthy, so enmeshed in his crazed craving of retention of power, is setting up a 'movie night', how cute - for 'unity'. His choice? The Sound of Freedom. 

A movie rife with hatred, prejudice, conspiracy theory and sheer old plain antisemitism of the worst kind. The canard of blood libel once again. To speak of adrenochrome theory, wherein Jews are guilty of kidnapping Christian children and draining their blood. Why? To use in cooking and baking! This from a people who follow strong precepts and admonitions within their religious laws to avoid blood - anywhere. From strict war rules to blood cleansing in the meats they eat, from avoiding grief to a mother bird if her eggs are taken, and better yet restore them, and never ever prepare a meal of the meat of an animal within the milk of its mother. Yet blood added to the food!!! But there it is, out in the open.

 And yet we take children?! QAnon and adherents within the GOP, far too many where there should be none, keep shouting that huge lie and people are buying into it. Supposedly intelligent, educated people, jumping whole hog into that filthy polluted pond of virulent antisemitism. And back to Israel, the civil war there does not help matters.

A Fox News host, Greg Gutfeld, stated thus as they were discussing DeSantis and his new fascistic educational plans. Said was "about the new Florida curriculum, which has drawn heavy criticism for a provision that students be taught that slaves developed skills “which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.” said that it was similar to someone pointing out that Jews in concentration camps during the Holocaust “learned a strong work ethic.” Gutfeld then pointed to Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning, and how he talks about “how you had to survive in a concentration camp by having skills. You had to be useful. Utility kept you alive.”

The White House response:    "White House spokesman Andrew Bates said in a statement, “What Fox News allowed to be said on their air yesterday – and has so far failed to condemn – is an obscenity. In defending a horrid, dangerous, extreme lie that insults the memory of the millions of Americans who suffered from the evil of enslavement, a Fox News host told another horrid, dangerous and extreme lie that insults the memory of the millions of people who suffered from the evils of the Holocaust.”

And I, a proud Jewish American, a lifelong Zionist, now hears within an oft repeated awful mantra:   "where shall I go, what shall I do?" I think to myself, if my two homes are unsafe for me, then where shall I find rest for my head and relief for my feet? Is there, in fact any such place for me and mine? Are there answers to these questions? I remain unable to answer, remaining aghast at the revival, full force, of this ugliness. 

How have we allowed egotistical maniacs around the world to rise again, appealing to the lowest common denominators of mankind, no matter how fancy we dress it up. 

Tell me - if you have the answers, or even hopes of some. Must we submit to those who would stifle the rights of all, demeaning all, discarding them as unfit or unworthy? Turning back the clock of history   erasing all that we have accomplished, all that we have learned?

What the hell!!! 

You probably have noticed that for the past few entries I have not written of Yitzy. My blood curdles within at the thought of writing about him on the same page of such ugliness, resurrected, actually never dying, filth, as much a threat to his future, the future of all our kids, as is the nastiness of cancer. We are working to cure cancers of all types, not enough, but can we ever cure the virus of bias and violent actions arising from these   beliefs? Not sure about that possibility at all. So what to do? What to do?

Unite. Be strong together. Pray for each other. 

Remember we all share this earth, but we do not own it. We can be dispossessed.

Let us all have a moment of prayer. That we come to our senses. That we discard the ugliness we are presently reveling within. Let us beg the Lord Above to excuse our frailties, to cure our ills and our afflicted, to save us from ourselves.

Surreal? Irreality? Unfortunately - not.

WHO'S AT FAULT? DOES IT MATTER?

  My heart is breaking. My soul is shaking. Inside, I hear generations of my people screaming, agitated, and "why, why" resounds through the halls of time. Even the voices of a possible future ring down back to us, reflecting, echoing the same mantra of "why, why". I wish this mantra could have been avoided. I wish people would stop the very bad habit of repeating history, doing the same damned stupid things over and over again. Thinking that perhaps the results this time around would be different. How wrong they are and where does this ugly ever widening eddy of disturbed waters end? Does it indeed have any ending at all?

"Am keshay oref". A nation of stubborn people. Refusing to ever bow their heads to their enemies. It has kept them alive through nearly three millennia of exile, ever freshened the desire, the drive, the imperative, to return to their land from whence they were exiled. 

"Al naharot Bavel." On the shores of the rivers of Babylon, "sham yashovnu, gam bachinu bezachreinu et Tzion". There we sat and also cried, wept at the memories of Zion" the same Zion which is today called Israel, the one and only Jewish country in the world, perhaps the entire universe.

Wandering from pillar to post, invited in and thrown out, Jews have sung versions of that song, songs mourning new homes which had provided some sort of refuge, at least a place to live, sang many a version of "Anatevka" over the centuries. Finally, finally, we thought we were home at last. Never to be exiled again. Never to find ourselves again, targets of bitter and violent attacks, with enemies agitating for repossession of our homeland again. Made unwelcome in countries of long residence.

 Worst of all, once again we set up ourselves for failure in the worst way. Even as students in elementary school, in classes of Jewish History, we learned of the political realities of the times of the destruction of the Temples and the exile from the Land of Israel. Two times. We learned that alongside the politics, was the damning and damned behavior of the nation themselves. Allowing themselves to get involved in petty disagreements, evolving into large ever deepening chasms in national unity, with Jew turning against Jew, brother against brother, and well, here we are again. Are we now to have a third go-round, repeating a tragic history? 

We had it drilled into our heads, into our genetic makeup, that above all we were to always, forever, remember - we are all brothers and sisters, and we are responsible for each other. We are indeed family. And family must always draw a line, thick and dark enough to remind us of that, to halt us if we are following a bad path leading to a truly tragic outcome. Yet here we are again.

The sight of Jews battling Jews. Of water cannons, tear gas, batons, shoving, insults of terrible nature, Jew Against Jew cannot, must not, be again. History has warned us and yet we ignore history, falling prey to false pride, paying homage to false values, forgetting the ethos underlying our religion, and we reap the terrible horrendous consequence.

We now stand in danger of actually losing our homeland bought and paid for with our blood, considered cheap in the eyes of the world. Even as the blood costs continue, in Israel and around the world. Well, it is not cheap or free. Never was and never will be. Not again, never again is not an empty phrase. So, it is doubly awful to contemplate the third destruction of a nation-state of Israel - and mostly, our fault for forgetting our roots, for people who forget deliberately what is important, and instead chase power and domination, wealth over spirituality, family invective rather than family unity.

This isn't what we need. Thís is what will kill us yet again. Why can we not learn?

We have enough enemies out there so why must we add our weight to theirs? Why? Why?

Al naharot Bavel... Again?

Am Yisroel Chai.

I weep. I cry. I mourn. I curse.

Why?

ALL WE NEED IS .....

 Sorry, love is not the answer we need. Not in today's world where the concept of love, as feeling or action has been conscripted, drafted into supporting numerous conflicting twisted philosophies, usually by those who have no idea ever about the true meaning of unselfish love - which would be the answer. But if we wait for that, we will be waiting forever, or, till we complete the one task in which we have honed our expertise - the task of destroying the world. 

At least as a livable place for human habitation. The cockroaches, maybe. The rats, maybe. But humans - well, our time is limited, the opening, the chance to save ourselves from ourselves is narrowing by the nanosecond. Humankind has exhibited great proficiency at this job, and this year has been the living horrific presentation of truths come back to roost. 

The environmental changes we have been warned about, all front and center this year even as denial continues. "Fire burn and cauldron bubble" has come alive. Homes lost to floods and fires, our breathing apparatus, our trees, disappearing under relentless climate change. Forest fires of massive proportion. Clearcutting for 'build we must'. Our arable land as we either build on it or destroy it. A   food challenged world gets worse. Beaches and shores are denuded of homes and land as ocean waters rise and cover them, islands and coastal cities face inundation and survival projects are too little too late.  Our excesses have even managed to poison the very air we need to breathe if we are to live.

In short, we have reduced this beautiful gift of the Heavens into a challenged orb, replete with damages of existential proportion and terrifying consequences even as we pollute the possible place of refuge with space junk. Anybody have an answer as to what we can do to overcome the consequences of our actions?  Nope, deep silence. Thought so. 

 Love? Not the answer. We would not recognize true love and the blessing it can be if it rose up and slapped us in our faces. No, not romantic love, but the love and appreciation for ourselves and others. Recognize we are one and the same, share the same end fate. Yes. G-d has promised not to destroy the world via another Great Flood, but then again, we are doing so well all by ourselves, are we not?

Religion, which should unite us all in a belief that there is a greater Power, that we are not accidents of nature, of happenstance, is perverted and twisted. In the name of these 'holy' ideas, in the name of numerous gods and G-d, we have destroyed millions of fellow beings, in the worst of manners, with glee and cruelty, with malice a forethought. And an afterthought!

We claim to know the thoughts of G-d. Jesus is bedecked with a MAGA red hat. In the name of the Holy Trinity, we are encouraged to go out and conquer the world, convert it, willing or not. In the name of G-d we disparage and oppress. We excuse and justify slavery. In these false flag actions we wallow, thinking we are washed clean by that mud, not realizing until too late that we have been indulging ourselves at the wrong spa, immersed in the evil sulfur smelling mud bath. 

Where, when and why have we gone so wrong? Why is Israel, given as a "light unto the nations" as per Isaiah, gone dark, with a chasm so deep it threatens the nation's survival. Twice before we have engaged in war of brother against brother, allowing for the enemy to enter and destroy the nation, raze the Temple and lose the central focus and heart of our faith. Are we doing that again? 

On the other hand, there are so many good people out there, their goodness often overshadowed by the selfish, the demanding, the destroyers. First hand we know the power of togetherness, of united prayer. Our Yitzy, for the first time since February had a wonderful Shabbat. Sharing a meal with family friends, an accomplishment by itself, he felt strong enough to then spend the afternoon playing with a friend. G-d bless you all for prayers. G-d bless you all and keep you and yours safe. I wish you could all see and meet this child, so pure and clean, so joyful in his faith, so strong in his trust. Keep the fight for Yitzy ongoing and successful. Please. Thank you - from the bottom of our hearts.

Together we have the power to defeat the evil, the selfish, the wrong. Together we can move mountains, heal a child, and perhaps yet save this planet, and build a future that is good for our little ones.

Only united in a positive togetherness. 

The only way forward.

 Together. B'yachad.

Together. Together. Together.

Together we can heal the nation.

HEAL THE WORLD.

HEAL YITZY!

Yitzchak Elimelech ben Chana Sarah

May he be granted refuah shelaymah bimheyrah beyameinu. 

 AMEN. AMEN.

WHOSE CAMERA? WHOSE PICTURE?

  "You can look at a picture for a week and never think of it again. You can also look at a picture for a second and think of it all your life." (Joan Miro)

I came across this yesterday and thought how apropos of today's world and how true for individuals referring to impact upon one's very being.

There is a huge sculpture or statue scene which I first saw around 1991 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Only for a brief contemplation as I was with a group, but its impact has remained with me for all these years and have often spoken of it to others. Its meaning and beauty are as relevant today as they were then, perhaps a lesson to all of us. But that is for another blog posting.

There are other things one looks upon through life via eyes conditioned by life experience, expectation and personal imprint. Our eyes record, as do cameras and transmit on demand or even unexpectedly. The questions are thus: are our cameras working properly and what happens between recording and transmission? What indeed have we seen and what have we 'seen'?

Recording: lead article in the Palm Beach Post today - severe lack or shortage of labor and prices rising rapidly along with consequences. Well, good morning, America! Transmission: the challenger for the GOP nomination for President, Ron DeSantis, has done this, via his lackeys and foolish voters who will not see the connection or lay blame elsewhere.

In fact, the majority of our eye cameras and transmission centers have gone awry. There is simply something gone wrong at its very roots and the transmissions are twisted, inimical to a sane and safe life for Americans and in fact, for the world at large. Worse is that these broken cameras and transmissions are increasing, the ugliness growing by leaps and bounds, the consequences substantial, life altering even, carrying with it a fraught future, rent with danger and violence. And why have we not either purchased new ones or fixed the old? Because too many are unaware of the apparatus gone wrong and have become inured to the erroneous scenes. They have become inured to the ugliness it pushes, even liking it, justifying it. The will to know and fix the broken parts is gone.

We, meaning the world, make war on children. We make war on civilians and blast their infrastructure to pieces. We make war on the world by denying it food, targeting warehouses and freighters carrying grain and vegetables to a starving world. We make war on truth, knowledge and history itself, by teaching children of, G-d help us all, "the positive benefits and side of slavery". Yes, DeSantis again. We make war against ourselves by allowing, pushing a multi indicted, immoral would-be dictator to run for President - again - change trial dates to his benefit. We even have that good old boy Ron making war on Mickey and Bud Lite because they are evidently too tolerant for his bigoted blood. What the hell!!!

We wage war on morality, the true version of it, not its immoral translation. Tainted by blood and violence, it celebrates evil, glorifying it via implicit and explicit literature and song. We empower and accept that immorality as we agree to change history, distort the facts, erase the truth, and censor all books that would protect the people and present the truth for all to see and think about. And act upon. 

And we make war on courage. The Knights of the Round Table would be highly disapproving of our supposed leaders, cowards all, as they seek to maintain power and amass wealth, ceding their souls for it. Out of fear of an overgrown schoolyard bully, they refuse to man up and face and admit the truth. 

Nope, instead they endorse, enable and emulate, becoming satellites of the bully, humanity, decency all gone, discarded by the wayside. Just as immoral, just as criminal, just as selfish, just as harmful to this nation and democracy. In fact, if they would stand up, do the right thing, be true to their oath to protect this nation, and stop clucking like the chickens they are, recall their humanity, their duties well, things would definitely improve, but....

Read the quote below, see and hear the truth, properly recorded and properly transmitted. 

"They just became little, lily-livered cowards and were too afraid that, somehow, they couldn’t hold on to their precious office or their precious power if they stated the obvious.”

“So, it is not so much what Donald Trump has done,” McCaskill added. “It’s the rest of the Republican Party who has elevated him and kept him elevated that has brought this upon America.”

Folks, the situation is at Defcon Four and we avert Defcon Five only if we understand the truth, admitting the depth of our inaccuracy, unfairness and hate encouraging culture now blossoming and blooming on the streets and byways of a sick America- big cities or little towns, for it matters not. We have fallen, even jumped willingly into a stinking fetid accumulation of filth. We argue about the wrong things, emphasize them, argue without any hope of compromise, a joining point and worse, lack the knowledge and the will to do so.

The following are the words of Michael Bennett in Patterson's new eminently readable Obsessed. 

"There should be some kind of middle ground."          "That's the way it is with everything .... anything humans are involved in. There should be some middle ground, but usually no one looks for it. People stake out their positions and rarely want to listen to the other side."

Again, and again, we must hark back to what we were, what we are striving to be and our true place in the sun, in the history of humanity, rather than become yet another tired major player gone bad, losing its ethics, its ethos, losing its way and falling into the trash heap of history. Another failure. Another reversal for humanity, its progress. And yes, progress is a good word not the twisted meaning it has taken on, been given by both its proponents and opponents. 

Together we must fight this threat, this danger to the future. If we do not, then we will shortly forfeit any chance to do so.

Together, in unison, even if fragile, is the only way to move in a positive direction. It will demand long unappreciated sweaty hours and the ability to withstand disappointments.

There is no other way. None.

Together.

It is our moment or moments in history. Let us rise to the standards and place where we belong, where we must be.

That is only done together.

Or we will destroy ourselves and have only ourselves to blame.

In the meanwhile - Together. B'yachad.

Together. Together. Together.

Together we can heal the nation.

HEAL THE WORLD.

HEAL YITZY!

Yitzchak Elimelech ben Chana Sarah

May he be granted refuah shelaymah bimheyrah beyameinu. 

 AMEN. AMEN.

WHO IS PLAYING CHICKEN?

  Warning! Warning! The sentences of this posting can trigger feelings of dismay and angst. So read carefully.

Playing chicken does not mean strutting around stiff legged and clucking. Nor pecking for one's food among the detritus on a floor or bare ground. Instead, it is a game, a deadly game, which has evolved from a not so pretty children's game. The opponents face each other or some barrier, and to continue a designated path, without deviation, means a certainty of grievous harm and even the distinct possibility, if not probability of death. That is playing chicken.

This scenario is bad enough on a smaller scale. Even as it strengthens bullies and their tactics or force a person to backdown from a position knowing that to continue means the certain death and/or harm to the people watching. The question then arises as to why people watch? Is it a blood sport, equal to audiences at a martial arts fight? (Not that I approve of those nonrestricted anything goes fights.) 

Or are the roots of this not such a game to be found in some dark trait of savageness refusing termination? Is it simply an inclination found among some who satisfy this thirsty trait with their own versions of chicken, thus wreaking havoc to the lives of others. Does its unfortunate glorification on the screens help pull back the covers of this awful game, revealing the darkness hidden beneath a thin veneer of civilization, perhaps generating more enthusiasm and mimicry, perpetuating its continued existence. The good guy is not the one to swerve; rather it is always the bad dude, evoking cheers. However, truthfully, that is a pipe dream, for good does not always win and in fact, loses with participation in this violent game of chicken. 

Now grow this 'game' to larger proportion, that of the political sphere. How often, so very much too often, have our leaders participated in this game? Even as the inevitable negative result is clearly outlined within the growing fog of 'nacht und nebel' of sanctioned violence, deaths of thousands and total destruction of infrastructure inevitable. 

Please note it is not always the 'good guy' or the lesser of two evils, or the reformed bad guy who wins this game. The losers, though, are always the same - those caught helpless within the net of battling egos of the head people. Even if the war is a 'justified' one, G-d help us, the results come wrapped around with the deaths and maiming of too many, soaked in evergrowing pools of blood. And the underlying cause or grievance, real or not, lasts through the ages, always returning. Always.  

These conflicts within false games do nothing for the world. The people wait, scarcely able to breathe. Been there, done that is the eternal mantra of those awaiting decisions out of their hands, way, way above their pay grades.

 There are so many ongoing games these days. America and China. Or North Korea. Or Iran or Iraq. Rigid tiny men re the threat women pose for them. Russia vs. Ukraine. Truth against falsehood. Hezbollah in Lebanon and Israel. Israel vs. those who deny her right to exist. Jews in eternal battle with Jew haters. Incompetence within government, all governments vs. actual people who wish to do good rather than amass power and wealth. And on and on.

Does it ever stop, go away, once and for all? Not that I can see. I believe when we mature more, leave behind childish outdated bully tactics, keep negativity in check, ban the game of chicken, then there might be a glimmer of hope and forward movement.

The main block- the inability of we earthlings to work together, in tandem. The idea of togetherness, portrayed by its enemies as an evil, as a "deep state" cabal, are those who seek to harm, and are guilty of what they accuse their opponents. We must reject them. Demand better leaders.

Together, in unison, even if fragile, is the only way to move in a positive direction. It will demand long unappreciated sweaty hours and the ability to withstand disappointments.

There is no other way. None.

Together.

It is our moment or moments in history. Let us rise to the standards and place where we belong, where we must be.

That is only done together.

Or we will destroy ourselves and have only ourselves to blame.

In the meanwhile - Together. B'yachad.

Together. Together. Together.

Together we can heal the nation.

HEAL THE WORLD.

HEAL YITZY!

Yitzchak Elimelech ben Chana Sarah

May he be granted refuah shelaymah bimheyrah beyameinu. 

 AMEN. AMEN.

IT WASN'T SUPPOSED TO ...

 ... be like this." So stated one analyst re the not so shiny and bright Kavanaugh and his pathetically limited and wanting judicial opinions, explanations for his majorly unsound decisions. Presumably he purported himself to be a brilliant intellectual who also knew how to talk to those not as gifted. Apparently, he has lost his brilliance somewhere along the way. Even the other intellectually nongifted justices and the strictest 'misthinkers' of the Court have called him out on this glaring lack. 

The Court was not supposed to be like this, intellectually impoverished  backwards thinkers and bribetakers. Oops - 'gift' takers. Thankfully, we have the other three women - Sotomayor, Kagan and Brown, up there to try to hold the fort. No, certainly not supposed to be like this.

Here is a related problem with supposed to be or not. Along with the seriously erroneous candidates of the GOP who are trying to convince the electorate to usher them in to office and sit mum while the country is transformed into a dictatorship, all rights suspended. Voting? Say what?!

Of course, we have the mad women of Capitol Hill, Boebert and Greene, along with the apparent hate filled ladies of the antisemitic crew within the Democratic Party along with oh so many GOP escorts, equally as unqualified, undeserving of office and are a shame and embarrassment to this nation. Bowman, another disgraceful Democratic Party member. And of course - Gaetz, Cruz, Hawley, Tuberville, Scalise, Jordan, oh, such a wealth of choices we have! A pox on all their heads! 

But wait, not supposed to be power is not yet depleted. Along, from out of nowhere comes Vivek Ramaswamy, who thinks he has all the answers. Outtrump Trump. Yup - Cruz and Lee for Supreme Court Justices. Oy!! Pardon Trump for all his crimes. Claims the J6 rebels were simply not thinking, and it was not Trump's fault at all. Oh yes, cannot forget his plans to eliminate all law enforcement agencies on the federal level and replace them with what? With crooked, politically obedient staffers, of course. Tammany Hall?

 That is in addition to plans for an eight-year term limit for federal workers. Oh, such swift thinking, for surely the most qualified will of course want to know they will be unemployed in eight years as a totally new bunch of ignorant people come in to move the nation along. 

Oh yeah, it wasn't supposed to be like this at all - but will be, unless we act and that means Right Now. Make our displeasure known, our refusal to be hoodwinked loud and clear and refuse to replicate a government inept, corrupt, violently bipartisan, replete with nonthinkers on the level of the Wicked Witch's Flying Monkeys. What the boss wants, the boss gets, no limits at all. 

Supposed to be or not be is irrelevant. A government of intellectually challenged, unhinged partisanship, sans any idea, conception or deed, of decent, moral behavior, anti the people, anti-democracy. That is what will be. 

There are so many other ideas, actions and philosophies that aren't supposed to be any longer and yet, here they are bright-eyed and bushytailed.  Ever so anxious to go to war with those who think other than they do. Those willing to follow a bad leader, a bad person, a danger to the country, willing to swing arms against neighbors for political beliefs or religion, ethnicity, skin color, or years of residence in the nation. Sounds insane and yet - supposed to be or not- here it is. 

There are many other ideas and beliefs which are not supposed to be. Little children are not supposed to get sick and do battle with a horrid disease. They are not meant to hear of death or know they might face it. That is for adults, not children. Not supposed to be, but then again, go check the hospital wards and clinics. Here I will say that thanks to the doctors, the wonderful crew of health care workers and the awesome power of the prayers of so many, Yitzy is going in the right direction. We are praying that it continues and perhaps one day, chemo, radiation, and the awful meds over, maybe then we can receive a positive, good future inducing report. We hope. We pray.

So much of what is supposed to be is not, while what is not supposed to be is. Why, after only 75 years when a man, his enablers and his nation, were  almst totally successful in a campaign to exterminate us from this earth, why has that ugly trope raised itself again. Not supposed to be-and yet here it is. Why are so many Americans, French, English, and more, buying homes in Israel? Because supposed to be or not - the fever, the evilness of antisemitism, acted out, politically reinforced and espoused, well, they are on the rise. Quite frankly, sadly, we are becoming more and more unsure as to a safe future here - or not. Not supposed to be - and yet, it is front and center.

The only way to combat these not supposed to be here factors are to work together. To increase health research funding and lower the exorbitant costs keeping miracle cures out of reach for so many. 

The rot corroding our national soul can be overcome only if what is supposed to be is what is, as we stand together to fight the wrongs, address the needs of the people and simply do the right thing. Yes, we can be our own superheroes if we actually wish it to be so.

Together.

It is our moment or moments in history. Let us rise to the standards and place where we belong, where we must be.

That is only done together.

Or we will destroy ourselves and have only ourselves to blame.

In the meanwhile - Together. B'yachad.

Together. Together. Together.

Together we can heal the nation.

HEAL THE WORLD.

HEAL YITZY!

Yitzchak Elimelech ben Chana Sarah

May he be granted refuah shelaymah bimheyrah beyameinu. 

 AMEN. AMEN.

AND?

 I am a tad confused. The news came down yesterday about Trump the traitor receiving notice of being a target of the Jan. 6 investigation. Well, a big duh on that!! Still, to date, despite all the trials of the participants and those awaiting trial, there are adamant Trumpians connected to him, parasites on a shark. A demented one, but quite knowing in his attempts to reduce this country to yet another Third World nation. With him at the helm. G-d help us!  Abetted and enabled by his equally as guilty traitors, the true shock is why it has taken so long particularly in the face of the massive load of proof revealed in the hearings. Despite all blockades and attempts to stymie it, to halt the revelation of truths.   

There is enthusiastic detailed planning for Project 2025 by Trump and creepy crews during which Trump et al will overthrow this nation, turning it into a dictatorship with him at its helm. The USA, America, becomes AmeriKa.  Per Trump. Now, finally, long delayed, we can anticipate the charges being laid on him in a DC federal court and in Georgia. Not even Cannon's biased bench decisions can stop this train from rolling down the tracks. And about time!

Finally, being charged, about to be charged. How can this be a shock or even a mild surprise. Long time a coming, too long. The big question in my mind is why this man has been allowed to run for another, terminal to the USA as we know it, term.  That is total anathema and contrary to any logical thinking.

Furthermore, how, why, are there continued followers who have latched on to him and are willing to go down with him, denounced through history as rebels, traitors, revolutionaries in the worst sense of the term. They stand ready to cripple this nation, bring it to its knees and to death. Ready with violence at heart as was evidenced Jan6. 

This nation, battered and bruised, committing many errors and misjudgments, still remains a beacon to the nations of the world, a place of hope for the oppressed, a haven for life and dreams. The nation which welcomed our ancestors or even ourselves, even if unwillingly. 

No, no surprise for me. The questions remaining are these: why so long and can we move this along at a better pace? Additionally, there should be no question or hesitation as to punishment when convicted - and I am sure of that. He must serve a lifetime in prison. Must. There is no false negation of that via his misbegotten term in office. Rebellion demands consequences, even more so as the leader, who used a trusted, august privilege and responsibility to take this nation onto a twisted path with him as Life Dictator as end goal.

This cannot be allowed to go unpunished for he will never ever go away if he is left free and clear, untouchable. Too much at stake. As for those who continue down his nasty path, shame on you. Think again. Stop your denial. Admit your error and move on. The nation, your country, your family, the future, is at stake. High terms demanding deep attention to in making your decision. The opposing side has its own imperfections, such as the blatant antisemites who boldly shout their hate, but they will be dealt with. If not in timely manner, then we can apply pressure while we remain a democracy. Never under Trump could we protest any of his deviant decisions and actions. And as for his support of Israel - phooey! I trust him not for he does whatever suits him and his needs and to hell with all others, while honesty, trust, loyalty are never ever part of the equation.

It is our moment or moments in history. Let us rise to the standards and place where we belong, where we must be.

That is only done together.

Or we will destroy ourselves and have only ourselves to blame.

In the meanwhile - Together. B'yachad.

Together. Together. Together.

Together we can heal the nation.

HEAL THE WORLD.

HEAL YITZY!

Yitzchak Elimelech ben Chana Sarah

May he be granted refuah shelaymah bimheyrah beyameinu. 

 AMEN. AMEN.

IF A TREE FALLS AND NOBODY HEARS IT,..

  Or worse, hears it but ignores the thunderous sound as inconvenient or of no matter, then what? Are there consequences? If there is an ignored underlying issue, such as erosion, or insects or human intervention and we ignore it, the problem will grow in intensity and depth, possibly preventing any productive, useful resolution. Too often this is the status quo of problems of the world today, so much so that we now have a true, intense environmental catastrophe on our hands. 

Why? Because we failed to hear those trees, ignored the cries of those caught in its tangled branches, and denied a crisis of such proportion that we have now induced a possibly impossible threat to our very continued existence on this earth. For sure, even with massive intervention, life will never be the same as it was before. It cannot be as the destruction is massive, the sounds of falling trees are still being denied, even as they multiply, deafening those who do hear it. 

Furthermore, as our literary stars through history have warned us, from the priests of old religions to the political Cassandras, via the words of Shakespeare, and modern writers, as it goes in the world of Nature, so it goes in the world of Man. When one world is divisive and destructive the other will reflect and intensify it creating an evil, unstoppable synergy.

Stop and take a look around at the world today. Nature has gone rogue on us, or is it rather that we have gone rogue on Mother Nature? We have gone rogue on our fellow people as well and the world of Man is in grave danger. From us. Ourselves. We have done it all and aren't we so proud! We have replicated, reinforced, revived the worst of schools of thought and action and we are in grave danger. 

Yesterday, I read an article which reduced me to total despair. A man, already deemed out of control, dangerous, a traitor, is, unbelievably, running for the same office and his opponents are even more extreme than he is. Relief from the threats they pose will not be easily nor quickly forthcoming -if at all.  To whom are they posing a danger? To me. To you. To our kids. To people in general. To democracy. To progress. To decency. As those doors close on us, the doors into a stinking, rank world of decimation, anger, hatred, retrogression open and then shut behind us. No light. No hope. No out.  Lost. Totally lost. 

At fault? Obviously, the leaders of this renegade form of humanity. But mostly -us. Yes, us. We ignored the warnings. Poo-pooed it all. We gave false reassurances and then fell prey or joined their ranks. How did we not see? How did we not hear? The answer is, most actually did see, did hear and ignored. Too busy planning their lives, even as the threats to those lives multiplied, shouted warnings -and we ignored it all, or joined a minority of those pleading, praying, hoping, warning. All to no avail, even as people shouted for 'liberty', were promised it, or did the promising and it was all denied - every request, every possibility. Behind their backs they were securing the doors to the values we once treasured and guarded, locking them away for eternity, throwing away the keys and jamming the locks.

"Trump and Allies Seeking Vast Increase of His Power."

"A Goal to Bring Agencies Under the Control of the President." 

"...a broader goal: to alter the balance of power by increasing the president's authority over every part of the federal government that now operates, ...with any measure of independence from political interference by the White House."

In other words - a dictatorship, loud and clear. The intentions via his own words to rid the country of "the sick political class that hates our country."

His chief adviser says, "There is no way to make the existing structure function in a conservative manner. ...What's necessary is a complete system overhaul."

Plain language, house clean with nasty intent.

No more constitutional balanced three-part government. Already the judiciary has bought into it at the highest ranks and the members of Congress, venomous and unthinking, are colluding in their own uselessness and obsolescence, killing themselves off. Stupid -and dangerous.

"We will demolish the deep state," Trump said at a rally in Michigan. "We will expel the warmongers from our government.... We will drive out the globalists. We will cast out the communists, Marxists, and fascists. And we will throw off the sick political class that hates our country." 

As for clean air, oversight of drugs and medical care, protection for workers, for consumers, for the elderly, all social safety programs, food for the hungry - gone with the wind, never to return under their rule.

Heil Trump!! Already resounds too loudly in my ears and soul. Who is next, for there is always a next - YOU!!!

Folks, this is serious trouble right here in all the River Cities of the nation. Cut off from the rest of the world in a vastly interconnected world - how could this possibly be good or realistic? 

No one will be immune to its horrors and persecutions, prison and death follow, inevitably. Truth is truth, but by the time of realization of the truth, it will be too late.

Together is the only way out of this darkness. Together we must defy, protect, prevent.  Rampant violent hatred bodes evil for all. It knows no bounds and consumes all around.

If we do not step up, accept reality and where we have allowed ourselves to be led, to a swamp, then we will drown in that swamp and no one will hear our cries, just as we have played deaf to the sounds of the falling trees of our society.

Or we will destroy ourselves and have only ourselves to blame.

In the meanwhile - Together. B'yachad.

Together. Together. Together.

Together we can heal the nation.

HEAL THE WORLD.

HEAL YITZY!

Yitzchak Elimelech ben Chana Sarah

May he be granted refuah shelaymah bimheyrah beyameinu. 

 AMEN. AMEN.

ALWAYS AND FOREVER

  There are things, ideas, feelings, in life which are always and forever. Not necessarily the one where it was simply a good day, fun, family, friends, though I do believe in the cumulative value of such days to heart and soul. There are days, though, which stand out as in the first time one meets up close and personal, the new little additions or similar 'firsts' of equal momentum and/or gravity. However, there are other ideas, feelings, which remain inside, part of one's genetic being, in every ion of one's being. 

I believe that days of such joy are integral to my makeup. However, there are other days, other events which scare the dickens out of me and sort of push the other days askew, out of focus, as the lens of concentration hones in on fears, existential in nature, growing at a fast and faster clip, too fast, to ignore or deny. 

Rod Serling used to say, "The truth is out there." We do not have to go to outer space for that truth. Our truth is down here, mired in the fetid, stinking, detritus of humankind, which never seems to fully evaporate, but instead clings to an ugly life, awaiting a moment of ugliness in the world. It leaps through that opening, widening it, and the ugliness increases in flow and force, now front and center again. Again. And again. 

 Momentum grows, triples, quadruples, as these flawed critters join forces, reinforcing each other's ugliness. A new sense of freedom empowers them to vent their joined ugliness and hatred. The worst of humanity, much to our shame that we have not discarded these beliefs, as the filth they are. Nothing and no one seems to be able, or worse, desire to stop them dead in their tracks. Encouraged, they let loose the dogs of war, and the virus of hatred and ugliness infects the entire world, a pandemic where masks and vaccines are useless. 

Truthfully, I do not know, at this point, after our entire history, how and why this persists in existence, even welcomed by too many who buy into its malicious stinking mass. Yet here we are today as it grows, refreshed by ever growing waves of human critters, the worst of Nature gone awry.   

This is difficult to put into words, but I am making the effort. Its gravitas overwhelms me. The voices of hate resound, pick up adherents, and the echoes of the errors of mankind grow in power, deafening the positive that remains, challenged, weaker, needy. We are in a most challenging moment in time, possibly determining our continued existence.

When I first learned about the Holocaust, why some of my friends had no grandparents or aunts or uncles, why there were numbers on their arms, why there was a suitcase with clothes and food under the bed, I was horrified, terrified. I asked my parents why people hated me, us. We did not know them, never had done anything to the. I have come to believe is that there are people who will never stop hating me, will eternally hate me and mine simply for our existence. It irritates them to the point of not simply hypocrisy of the nth degree, but rather more dangerously -and real, folks, real indeed - to homicidal intent. Whether they admit to themselves or not. Keep it secret - or so they think -or blast it to the world at large. HATE is their operative, determining word in their miserable souls.

Last night I watched a movie on Netflix entitled Bird Box in Barcelona. Actually, it mattered not where it took place, and was very much different than the original movie, but quite meaningful rather than entertaining. I recommend you see it, feel its truth.

In it, people must remain blind as they walk through the streets of their lives lest the 'monsters' cause them to see what should not be seen, portrays ugliness and despair as light and beauty. Those who are lacking a blindfold are forced to see the truth, to know that the monsters are not extrinsic but intrinsic, within our very souls. Impossible to accept, they claim to see beauty and truth and then kill themselves, ugly and desperate. They turn on family and friends. They turn on hope, clinging to the lies. It is brutal, horrific. The viewer comes to realize that those monsters are actually simply pieces of detritus that hang around cities, dirt, reflecting the dirt, the garbage, the monsters within us, that we hold true and close, in our minds and lives. How easily all values float away and when the actual truth arrives, we need to remain blind to it, unheeding or the dismay will induce that suicidal behavior. Finally, the main character sees the truth and dies, saving two, in vain as the rescuers engage in the same kind of hateful destructive behavior. 

Will we ever learn? We will deny the truth forever. Look at this list of names, all members of The House of Representatives and three are many more whose names could be added as well, for they too are critters of hate and malice. They are hypocritical, hijacking words of positive intent turning them into words of hate. Progressive is retrogressive, to humanity, certainly to all Jews, wherever one lives. The mantra of open Jew hatred, "All Jews must die" is their mantra, admitted or not. 

Jamaal Bowman   Ilhan Omar   Rashid Tlaib   AOC   Cori Buh   Pramila Jayapal

Sweden okayed the burning of a sacred Toah scroll. Has there not been enough of that already, for millennia? Wrapped around bodies of Jews and burned together, the words and souls rising together. Enough!!! And yet on it goes. Whether the burning took place or not, the point is that Sweden okayed it. The point is that Netherlands made a big deal of making Holocaust denial a crime, yet then turns on a dime to vociferously criticize Israel with scarcely disguised words of ancient tropes of hate.

One is either in or out. One cannot dehumanize, delegitimize, demonize and then claim to be friends. No, it cannot be. 

Will we ever realize the truth? Will we ever put a halt to its ugliness? Will people stop hating me and mine?

Will we ever be safe?

Truthfully, dismally, I am beginning to, no, continuing to think and feel that it is a hopeless case and once again, Jews will be sent to wander, or worse - and we all know the dire extent that hate reaches.

I cannot bring myself to include Yitzy within this despair. But we all know what must be done.

Thank you.

Fight the evil. Be strong in the truth.

THE GEODES OF LIFE

  A geode is a small pocket in a rock which is filled with beautiful gems or some other minerals. It is the hidden beauty beneath a standard rock outside. They are beautiful and similar in many ways to life. How often have we gone 'exploring' and happened upon a treasure unseen before. Perhaps it was the angle of the sun or simply the glistening of the dew on the grass in early morning hours. Perhaps it is simply the joy of breathing deeply of the fresh air in the trail you chose - and without cell service either!

A geode looks like a rock. Yes, there are signs, but most people happen upon them by serendipity  unless they are professional rock mavens or talented amateurs. I have had that exciting privilege to happen across a rock which I noticed for no reason in particular. Picking it up, my amateur rock expert friend examined it and told me she thinks it is a geode. Okay, nothing ventured, nothing gained, and I had a geologist split it and lo and behold - beauty where there had been none before.

Therein was my hidden error, not a thing of beauty as we define it but rather a forgetting, an ignoring or taking for granted of the beauty to be found in our daily lives, in simple things and experiences.  Beauty does not need to wait until an extraordinary something or other crosses our path. Perhaps it took lo these many a year to understand the truth of the maxim: beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It matters not what others think, only your eye. Of course, I am referring to items or deeds within the boundary of sanity and legality, not a twisted false beauty arising from violence and hate.

Recently I came across an article written about breaching of walls, the negative side of it yet also the good which can arise from that action. Perhaps there is contained within some beauty, albeit nontraditional. Think about it. What, for example, might arise from that breaching, which otherwise might never have happened. Something of beauty. The breaching of the Berlin Wall, literally brick by brick, is one such time.  

At times walls must come down for walls inevitably send out negative vibes. Why must we wall something in or out? Why do we put up walls in our private lives? Is it a form of protection or an act of deflection? 

What is the purpose and reality of that wall, the geode of life which can be breached - with care and proper opportunity. The beauty of the courage of concentration camp inmates and other prisoner camps, to rebel, to escape, to destroy the ugly places of hate, that is a beauty which we wish had never any cause to exist. Or beauty can be found in the inspiration, the faith, in the face of the ugliness of humanity, as liberated prisoners gathered together in religious service. 

When a wall of oppression and hate is breached, a possibility of beauty arises, even if it takes time for its actualization. First steps into freedom, followed by second steps, followed by an understanding that beauty can be found in a normal life, rather than in unnecessary, even frantic, desperate, seek and search activity for geodes, real and symbolic. 

Yes, there are times we must find those geodes, to remind us that we can, together, bring beauty to the world, even where its existence is challenged. Together it can be achieved. Not easy, but then again nothing worth having comes easily. 

Do we, will we, choose the togetherness of beauty, of cooperation, of positive goals and aims or do we fall prey to those who preach negativity and togetherness in ugliness.

Only we can choose. Let us all make the right choice. Let us all live in the beauty of life, even with its struggles rather than immerse ourselves in the ugliness of hatred, greed, and evil.

Together. Together. Together.

Together we can

HEAL THE WORLD.

HEAL YITZY!

Yitzchak Elimelech ben Chana Sarah

May he be granted refuah shelaymah bimheyrah beyameinu. 

AMEN, AMEN.