Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on June 15, 2020

WASHINGTON (RNS)Each Sunday, Larry Little and his wife, Mary, get ready for church. They dress casually, fill two tumblers with water, climb into their golf cart and drive two miles to The Grove, a grassy field next to their church.

There they find a parking place, turn off the engine and settle in for a live service in front of a Jumbotron and a stage.

The Littles, who live in a retirement community called The Villages, about an hours drive northwest of Orlando, Fla., are among the lucky few.

Since mid-March, when state shutdowns forced houses of worship to cease in-person gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic, Americans mostly have had to rely on online worship services.

But Live Oaks Community Church has been able to offer continuous outdoor servicesone on Saturday and two on Sundaywith dozens, sometimes hundreds, arriving via their golf carts.

The only negative is that you dont have much interaction with the rest of the congregation, said Larry Little, 77. Our golf carts are 6 feet apart and they dont want us outside the golf cart.

For many, if not most, older congregants living in less temperate climates or with no access to outdoor services, such options are a luxury.

Unable to find spiritual sustenance or the comforts of community, many are isolated and lonely. They may struggle with using the technology required for viewing online services or connecting virtually with family, friends and community members.

Its becoming more of a challenge to figure out how we minister to, and with, these older adults, said Missy Buchanan, a writer and speaker from Rockwall with a focus on older adults.

Some congregations are making phone calls and writing letters to older members. Others have bought them tablets and are teaching the least technologically savvy how to connect to online platforms.

Now, as states begin loosening lockdown restrictions and churches contemplate how to reopen safely, clergy and other religious leaders face difficult decisions when it comes to their senior members.

For older people, theres a cruel reality to those renewed gatherings.

Mounting evidence suggests houses of worship probably are among the riskiest places for older people. Transmission is much more likely indoors where lots of people come into close contact and where droplets with viral particles might linger in the air for as long as eight minutes. Multiple coronavirus cases across the country have been linked to people attending church and synagogue services or events.

Older Americans also are among the most likely to develop a severe case of COVID-19. Eight out of 10 coronavirus deaths reported in the United States have been among adults 65 years and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Many older people like the Littles may not see the insides of a church or synagogue for a very long time.

When churches regather, older people may be the last to go back, said Amy Hanson, an instructor in the gerontology department at the University of Nebraska at Omaha who has a consulting ministry to help churches engage older adults.

Some will want to return. But it will be hard for those who do go back. Therell be no handshaking and huggingthings older adults are missing. They wont feel all theyre hoping to feel.

Older Americans were nearly twice as likely as younger Americans to attend church, synagogue and mosque before the shutdowns. A recent Pew Research survey found that 61 percent of those born before 1945 (the so-called Silent Generation) attended religious services monthly or more, compared with 35 percent of Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996).

In this in-between time, congregations should assess their older adult members, charting whether they live alone or have family nearby. Do they have hearing or vision impairments? Do they have access to chaplains at assisted living or nursing homes?

They would also do well to recognize that older Americans are not monolithic in their needs, said Buchanan, who writesdevotionals for older adults.

Buchanan has identified four basic groups of older adults: the go-gos, those who are still very active and independent; the slow-gos, those who may have some physical limitations; the no-gos, those who are homebound; and the not-gonna-make-me-go, young Boomers who dont attend religious services on a regular basis.

Many congregational ministries, Buchanan said, focus on only one or two of those groups.

Large churches, such as Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Ga., can do a lot more. In the days after the shutdown, the 7,000-member church prepared meals for many isolated church members and made daily phone calls to those living alone.

Now the emphasis has shifted to finding ways to engage older adults and allow them to contribute to the life of the church.

Theyre not here to take up space, said Peggy Fulghum, minister to older adults at Johnson Ferry. We want to keep them serving. I try to create ministries for them to be active and serve and give back to the community.

For example, after noticing that in-person high school graduations were canceled, Fulghum asked older members to write congratulatory cards to high school seniors, encouraging them on their journey to adulthood and sharing a bit of their wisdom.

The cards were mailed to the church and the church staff is now sending them to families with high school seniors.

The church has also started a Tuesday morning Zoom call for older members where they can greet each other, sing a song and pray as a group. They hope it encourages groups of older adults to start their own Zoom gatherings. And the church is retooling its GrandCamp ministry to allow grandparents and children to interact through online projects.

Live Oaks Community Church in Florida recently announced it will resume indoor worship for up to 100 people with social distancing.

The Littles, however, have decided to continue worshipping outdoorsat least for the time being.

We think the golf cart experience is unique and we enjoy it, Larry Little said. Its completely open and theres always a little breeze. You dont feel that sense of isolation. Isolation is worse than the virus for old folks.

The rest is here:

Churches grapple with including older adults in current context - Baptist Standard

Category: Synagogue | Comments Off on Churches grapple with including older adults in current context – Baptist Standard
Tags:

Posted By admin on June 15, 2020

The TalmudPage of the Talmud

The Talmud is the comprehensive written version of the Jewish oral law and the subsequent commentaries on it. It originates from the 2nd century CE. The word Talmud is derived from the Hebrew verb 'to teach', which can also be expressed as the verb 'to learn'.

The Talmud is the source from which the code of Jewish Halakhah (law) is derived. It is made up of the Mishnah and the Gemara. The Mishnah is the original written version of the oral law and the Gemara is the record of the rabbinic discussions following this writing down. It includes their differences of view.

The Talmud can also be known by the name Shas. This is a Hebrew abbreviation for the expression Shishah Sedarim or the six orders of the Mishnah.

Between the 2nd and 5th centuries CE these rabbinic discussions about the Mishnah were recorded in Jerusalem and later in Babylon (now Al Hillah in Iraq). This record was complete by the 5th Century CE. When the Talmud is mentioned without further clarification it is usually understood to refer to the Babylonian version which is regarded as having most authority.

The rabbi most closely associated with the compilation of the Mishnah is Rabbi Judah Ha-Nasi (approx. 135-219 CE). During his lifetime there were various rebellions against Roman rule in Palestine. This resulted in huge loss of life and the destruction of many of the Yeshivot (institutions for the study of the Torah) in the country. This may have led him to be concerned that the traditional telling of the law from rabbi to student was compromised and may have been part of his motivation for undertaking the task of writing it down.

In addition to the Talmud there have been important commentaries written about it. The most notable of these are by Rabbi Shelomo Yitzchaki from Northern France and by Rabbi Moses Maimonedes from Cordoba in Spain. They lived in the 11th and 12th centuries respectively. Both of these men have come to be known to Jews by acronyms based on their names. These are respectively Rashi and Rambam.

Rambam compiled the Mishneh Torah which is a further distillation of the code of Jewish Law and has come to be regarded by some as a primary source in its own right.

It is also worth mentioning another codifying work from the middle ages. This is the Shulcan Aruch (laid table) by Joseph Caro which is widely referenced by Jews.

Some Orthodox Jews make it part of their practise to study a page of the Talmud every single day. This is known as Daf Yomi which is the Hebrew expression for page of the day. The tradition began after the first international congress of the Agudath Yisrael World Movement in August, 1923. It was put forward as a means of bringing Jewish people together. It was suggested by Rav Meir Shapiro who was the rav of Lublin in Poland.

It is now possible to study the Talmud online.

The Mishnah (original oral law written down) is divided into six parts which are called Sedarim, the Hebrew word for order(s).

Read the original here:

BBC - Religions - Judaism: The Talmud

Category: Talmud | Comments Off on BBC – Religions – Judaism: The Talmud
Tags:

Posted By admin on June 15, 2020

I, as everyone else, have been trying to process the events of the past week or so. How did our country become so flawed thatdriving whileblack is a synonym for danger? What cancer is there in our society that a man like George Floyd would meet his death literally under thekneeof another man, a man sworn to protect and defend?That Breonna Taylor can be murdered in her own bed for sleeping while black?

There is a section in theTalmud, the compendium of Jewish Law,that teachesthat while we are all created in Gods image, we are also, at the same time, individual and unique. Itconcludes:Therefore, each and every one must say, 'for me the world was created.(Talmud Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5)The world was created for me, a female, white Jewish rabbi. And for you. And for George Floyd. And for Tamir Rice andAhmaudArberyand all the others killed because of the color of their skin or their religion or being different or other.

Color, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identification none of these things should matter when it comes to human rights and basic human decency. Why is it still so difficult to say, and more importantly, believe, that Black Lives Matter?

There is a passage in the Talmud that teachesthat when God created humanity, God created only one individual(Genesis 1:27).This teachesus that when we take a life it is as if we have destroyed an entire world,and when we save a life it is as if we have saved an entire world. Having one ancestor for all humanity was intendedto promote peace among the creations, that no onewould say to his friend, My ancestors are greater than yours. The lessonis that weare all created from the samesource, and from one ancestor, Adam, and therefore no one of us is better or more deserving than any other.

Yet, we do have differences: skin of different colors, different opportunities, wealth, or beauty. What we don't like to admit, is that many of these we have the ability to change, as a society. But it is extremely difficult for us to deny ourselves whatever advantageswe think we have. But our scriptures command us: Do not stand idly bythe blood of your neighbor (Lev. 19:16). The way wealth is distributed, the way opportunities are shared, even atrait that might seem pure luck, beauty, is mutable to money and health; all of these could be distributed more fairly if we took seriously the obligations of our faiths for equality.

I am no guru with knowledge of a better future and the steps we need to take to get there. I fully acknowledge that it can be a scary thing to put ourselves out there for the sake of others, especially in these increasingly dangerous times. But, as is found inethics of oursages, it is not up to us to complete the work, neither are we free to desist from it. We are however, required to begin the work.

We neednt startbig;we can startwith small acts of thoughtfulness and compassion. Learn what it means to be an ally and a good citizen.Get involved in efforts to gain civilian oversight of policing, make sure you are registered to vote and help others register to vote, and educate yourself about voter suppression efforts and donate to organizations that fight it. Every action makes a difference because ultimately good follows good. The complexity of the modern world makes us feel as if we have no power. But we do. We just need the courage to act on it.

Rabbi, Fauquier Jewish Congregation

More:

Letter: A place to start: Small acts of thoughtfulness and compassion - Fauquier Times

Category: Talmud | Comments Off on Letter: A place to start: Small acts of thoughtfulness and compassion – Fauquier Times
Tags:

Posted By admin on June 15, 2020

In the age of corona, we are no longer able to visit the sick in person as often or as easily as we wish (and sometimes not at all). In the meantime, lets take a step back and learn 13 facts about this building block of Jewish life.

Visiting the sick is a fundamental Jewishvalue. The Hebrew term for visiting the sick is bikur cholim. Among Ashkenazi Jews, this is pronounced BICK-erKHO-lim. In Modern Hebrew, it sounds more like bee-KOOR kho-LEEM.

Although not explicitly legislated in the FiveBooks of Moses, visiting the sick is considered a mitzvah (obligation). So importantis this act, that we enjoy both its dividends in This World and the primaryreward in the World to Come.

Visiting the sick is one of the mitzvahs thathas no set limit; each person is encouraged to do it as much as possible, evenvisiting the same person several times in a single day.Those who increase the frequency of their visits are praiseworthy, providedthey do not become burdensome.

Visiting is not appropriate at all times.Tradition tells us to stay away in the early morning or late hours when thepatient is being tended to and may not appreciate a visit. Nor should one visitat any other time they believe their presence will not be appreciated.

While Abraham was recovering from hiscircumcision (which he performed on himself at the age of 99), Gd visited him.The sages tell us that this indicates Gd Himself visits the sick.

The Talmud teaches that the visitor absorbsone sixtieth of the patients sickness.

A young student of Rabbi Akiva fell ill, andnobody bothered to visit him. When Rabbi Akiva heard, he himself went to visit.Seeing the deplorable state of the young man, who was not receiving help, RabbiAkiva himself swept and tidied the room. The grateful student exclaimed:Master, you have revived me!

The Talmudic narrative asserts that one whovisits a sick person and prays for their recovery is considered to have giventhem life. Conversely, neglecting to visit and pray is comparable tomanslaughter.

When visiting the sick, one should not sit ona higher surface than the patient. Why? The Divine presence rests on the bed ofthe sick person, and it would be disrespectful to sit above Gd, so to speak.

We say no blessing when fulfilling thismitzvah. Why is that? For one, we cannot know in advance if our visit will bewell-received. Since we may potentially not perform a mitzvah at all, noblessing is said.

Since the purpose of the Torah is to bringpeace and harmony to the world, the sages see it as axiomatic that one shouldvisit non-Jewish patients just as one visits Jewish ones.

In many communities, Bikur Cholim societies dojust more than just visit the sick. Services may include stocking kosher foodin hospitals, providing rides to medical appointments, accommodations for thosewho must stay near hospitals, childcare and meals for those at home, patientadvocacy, and more.

Since the 19th century, the ill of Jerusalemhave been treated in the Bikur Cholim Hospital (now a branch of Shaarei ZedekMedical Center), which operates according to Jewish law and initially provideda vital alternative for Jews whose only other option was to be treated byChristian missionaries. No longer a tiny operation in the Old City, it hasremained true to its purpose: Bikur Cholim.

The Bikur Cholim Hospital as it appeared in the summer of 1924 (credit: Bikur Cholim Hospital).

See the original post:

13 Facts About the Mitzvah to Visit the Sick - Mitzvahs & Traditions - Chabad.org

Category: Talmud | Comments Off on 13 Facts About the Mitzvah to Visit the Sick – Mitzvahs & Traditions – Chabad.org
Tags:

Posted By admin on June 15, 2020

The name Korach, which when translated from the Hebrew means baldness, ice, hail, or frost, is the 38th weekly Torah portion (, parashah in Hebrew) in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the fifth in the Book of Numbers. It tells of Korachs failed attempt to overthrow Moses.

It constitutes Numbers 16:118:32. The parashah is made up of 5,325 Hebrew letters, 1,409 Hebrew words, 95 verses, and 184 lines in a Torah Scroll ( , Sefer Torah) It is generally read in the synagogue in June or July.

The study of the biblical account of Korachs rebellion against Moses, and of the numerous Midrashim and Commentaries describing Korachs personality and actions, yields a complex, even contradictory picture. Korach was no ordinary rabble-rouser. He was a leading member of Kehatites, the most prestigious of the Levite families. Joining him in his mutiny against Moses and Aaron were two hundred and fifty men of Israel, leaders of the community, of those regularly called to assembly, men of renown. Korachs difference with Moses was an ideological one, driven by the way in which he understood Israels relationship with Gd and by the manner in which he felt the nation ought to be structured.

Yet Korach is regarded as the father of all quarrelers: his very name is synonymous with disharmony and conflict. The Talmud goes so far as to proclaim: Anyone who engages in divisiveness transgresses a divine prohibition, as it is written: And he shall not be as Korach and his company.' But if there is more to Korach the person and the idea than a jealousy-drive power struggle, why does every petty squabbler fall under the umbrella of Dont be like Korach?

Obviously, there is something at the heart of Korachs contentions that is the essence of all disunity.

The particulars of Korachs campaign also require explanation. What exactly did Korach want? His arguments against Moses and Aaron seem fraught with contradiction. On the one hand, he seems to challenge the very institution of the kehunah (priesthood), declaiming to Moses and Aaron: The entire community is holy, and Gd is within them; why do you raise yourselves over the congregation of Gd?

(Moses had divided the people of Israel into several classes of holiness: ordinary Israelites, Levites, Kohanim (priests) and, at the pinnacle of this pyramid, the Kohen Gadol (High Priest). The Israelites the farmers, merchants, craftsmen, soldiers, and statesmen of Israel were to pursue the normal existence of physical man a life and vocation that involve the bulk of a persons time and talents in the material world.

The tribe of Levi, however, was distinguished by the Gd of Israel from the community of Israel, to be brought closer to Him, to serve as spiritual leaders and priests, instructing Your laws to Jacob and Your Torah to Israel; placing incense in Your nostrils and burnt offerings upon Your altar (Numbers 16:9; Deuteronomy 33:10). Within the tribe of Levi itself, Aaron and his descendants were consecrated as Kohanim and entrusted with the primary role in serving Gd in the Sanctuary. Aaron himself was appointed Kohen Gadol, the greatest of his brethren in this hierarchy of holiness. Korach seems to be objecting to this spiritual elitism.)

But from Moses response (Is it not enough for you that the Gd of Israel has distinguished you from the community of Israel that you also desire the priesthood?) we see that Korach actually desired the office of the Kohen Gadol for himself!

This paradox appears time and again in various accounts of Korachs mutiny in the Midrashim and the commentaries. Korach comes across a champion of equality, railing against a class system that categorizes levels of holiness within the community. Yet, in the same breath, he contends that he is the more worthy candidate for the High Priesthood. Do we find anything like that today in the claims for equalism in the riots going on?

Our Sages have said: Just as their faces are not alike, so, too, their minds and characters are not alike. Such is the nature of the human race: individuals and peoples differ from each other in outlook, personality, talents, and the many other distinctions, great and small, which set them apart from each other.

It is only natural to expect these differences to give rise to animosity and conflict. And yet, at the core of the human soul is the yearning for peace. We intuitively sense that despite the tremendous (and apparently inherent) differences between us, a state of universal harmony is both desirable and attainable. Let us hope that the differences between us can soon stop and the world can finally achieve peace. This is why we pray for the Moshiach to come daily, as it looks like that is what it will take to bring peace.

Here is one way to make your point:

Like a SurgeonMorty Applebaum was laying on the operating table, about to be operated on by his son David, the surgeon.

Morty said, David, think of it this way: If anything happens to me, your mother is coming to live with you.

Yehuda Lave writes a daily (except on Shabbat and Hags) motivational Torah blog at YehudaLave.comLoving-kindness my specialty.Internationally Known Speaker and Lecturer and Author. Self Help through Bible and Psychology. Classes in controlling anger and finding Joy. Now living and working in Israel. Remember, it only takes a moment to change your life. Learn to have all the joy in your life that you deserve!!! There are great masters here to interpret Spirituality. Studied Kabbalah and being a good human being with Rabbi Plizken and Rabbi Ephraim Sprecher, my Rabbi. Torah is the name of the game in Israel, with 3,500 years of mystics and scholars interpreting G-D's word. Yehuda Lave is an author, journalist, psychologist, rabbi, spiritual teacher and coach, with degrees in business, psychology and Jewish Law. He works with people from all walks of life and helps them in their search for greater happiness, meaning, business advice on saving money, and spiritual engagement

Here is the original post:

Can the Bible teach us anything about the riots today? - The Times of Israel

Category: Talmud | Comments Off on Can the Bible teach us anything about the riots today? – The Times of Israel
Tags:

Posted By admin on June 15, 2020

My brothers sudden, unexpected death has left within me a gaping hole.

A month ago, I received a phone call that changed my life forever: my brother had suddenly, unexpectedly died. To say that the news hit me like a ton of bricks would be an understatement; it was as if I had been hit by a freight train boring down on me at top speed. I felt as if a dark impenetrable cloud had descended upon my life.

When I ripped my shirt at his gravesite, I felt as if I had torn a hole right into my soul. I felt I would never experience happiness again. I would never laugh again, I would never sing again, and I would never love again. And I would never want to have a relationship with God again.

Although my brother was a happy, healthy, fun loving guy, he suffered from years of chronic low back pain. He had two back surgeries in the past for herniated discs and recently the pain had returned. He was trying physical therapy, but to no avail. As a last resort, he took some strong prescription medication and had a fatal drug interaction with something else he was taking at the time. By the time he was found, his heart had stopped and he was unresponsive.

Me and my older brother

My older brother was more than my brother to me, he was my best friend. A thousand memories began constantly playing through my mind. Growing up, wrestling together on the living room floor, watching movies together, playing wiffle ball in our backyard with the neighborhood kids, reading scary stories to each other. My brother was my superhero, a gentle giant would always be there to care for me and protect me. As we got older, the dynamics of our relationship inevitably changed but the bond only got stronger. We talked almost daily, we were there for each other in difficult times and celebrated together in joyous times. Losing him left a large gaping hole in my heart.

Grief is mourning the loss of a relationship. At times it can be debilitating. I remind myself that it comes from a place of love. In fact, the stronger the love, the stronger the grief. The Talmud teaches that for every sickness, there exists an antidote somewhere in the world. So, what is the antidote for grief? Ironically its what caused the grief to begin with, namely, love. An outpouring of love, doing positive acts in the memory of the deceased, helps to heal. Receiving love and care from friends and family during the mourning period. And feeling the love one has for the deceased by sharing their memories and keeping this love alive. And my relationship with my brother has not ended; I talk to him every day and know hes listening.

My brother with his two daughters

Sometimes we dont fully know a person until they leave this world. After my brother died, I received hundreds of messages from friends, family, and coworkers on how my brother touched their lives, often in incredible ways. My brother had the great capacity to love unconditionally. I heard countless stories of him helping people, many of whom he barely knew, whether it was finding someone a job, Shabbat hospitality, helping someone through a divorce, or visiting someone sick in the hospital.

In addition to love, the other antidote is emunah, faith. Faith is not a crutch; it takes enormous inner strength to achieve faith. Rather, faith is a comfort. It is understanding that the soul is something that is very real, in fact, more real than what our naked eye sees. We are not bodies who happen to contain a soul, but the other way around. And the soul is very much aware of what occurs in this world after it leaves its earthly existence. And they are in a much better place than they ever were in, when they were here, as they are now soaring to their true potential, unshackled by their physical bodies. It is understanding that the World to Come is indeed the World of Truth, as it is called in the Talmud, for it is there, and only there, that all of the questions and struggles of this world are fully answered and we finally achieve the clarity we seek. It is understanding that our world is seeing the wrong side of the quilt, and the Next World is seeing the beautiful tapestry that exists on the Other Side.

My brother holding my son

The person who helped take care of the graveside arrangements shared with me an incredible insight. To comfort a mourner we say the word HaMakom, which means the Place. We say, May the Place comfort you together with all other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. The Place refers to God for He is the Omnipresent One who is everywhere. He is the Place for the universe. Although paradoxically He is the One who allowed the death to occur, it is only He Who can provide the comfort that is needed. Some pain is too great for humans alone to help and we have no choice but to turn to Him. Only His Presence can fill the gaping place in ones heart.

We are about to mark the Shloshim, the 30-day period since my beloved brothers passing. As customary, his friends and family are finishing the entire set of Mishna so his soul could have a further elevation. The Lubavitcher Rebbe used to say that learning Torah in the memory of a loved one is like sending a care package to their soul, for the soul craves much more than what the physical world has to offer.

A portrait of my brother that I painted

I am finally beginning to see that the once impenetrable dark cloud which descended upon my world is penetrable after all. I am beginning to see that once again I can laugh, I can love, I can sing. The same God who created the heart which has the capacity to grieve also created it with the capacity to heal.

I believe grief serves as the ultimate crucible to our spiritual selves. When we eventually emerge from it, we are different than before. I love my family much more and never take them for granted. I appreciate the great gift of life more than ever. And my relationship with God is stronger and my purpose in life has never been more clear.

May Ephraim Meir ben Yechiel Mordechai have an illuyei neshama, an elevation of the soul, and may his memory be a blessing for all of Israel.

Here is the original post:

Confessions of a Grieving Heart - Aish

Category: Talmud | Comments Off on Confessions of a Grieving Heart – Aish
Tags:

Posted By admin on June 15, 2020

In the wake of George Floyds death at the hands of police officer Derick Chauvin, a new cry has emerged from amidst the protests against racism and police brutality shaking the nation: Defund the Police. The cry means different things to different people, but in addition to addressing the fraught tensions between black communities and the police, the idea of defunding the police or minimizing their presence in American cities suggests a future in which people police themselves more than they do now.

So the call to defund the police resurrects an ancient question: Are people essentially good and in minimal need of law enforcement, or is the idea of our better angels a fantasy? Its a question that was of great interest to our Jewish Sages.

The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 4a) cites a verse in Habakuk (1.14) that compares people to fish. Just as among the fishes of the sea, the larger fish [naturally] swallows the smaller one, so, among people, were it not for the fear of the kingdom [i.e. governmental authority, utilizing police] the stronger would [naturally] swallow the weaker.

Along similar lines, the Mishnaic sage Rabbi Chanina Sgan haKohanim counseled that Jews should pray for the welfare of the government and offered the maxim (Avot 3:2) that, Without the fear of the kingdom a man would swallow his neighbor alive.

An aquarist like me can well relate to the metaphor; mixing large fish and those small enough to fit in their mouths together in the same tank is a recipe for disaster, at least for the smaller ones. And, of course, countless corpses around the world once held the souls of people who simply hadnt the strength to resist others hatreds and violence.

So its reasonable to assume that Jewish tradition would counsel as strong a government, and law enforcement authority, as possible. But Jewish tradition actually counsels a more subtle eventuality. It was not lost on our sages that there have been times when governments have been evil, and when officers of the law have acted immorally. Its something we have repeatedly seen, most recently in Minneapolis.

The current pandemic of political polarization leads many people to assume that one is either for police or against them; for defunding departments or strengthening them. That is, though, a false dichotomy. What most proponents of defunding police forces mean to suggest is that we shift some of the money currently spent on overtime or unnecessary, expensive equipment for police to better police training, and to more accessible mental health, housing and education programs for citizens in depressed neighborhoods.

Those latter efforts arent intended to supplant policing, but to make shows of force less necessary, and the possibility of police misconduct less likely.

Carried by the current anti-authoritarian winds, the conviction that authority isnt necessary for society to function is dangerous; it could well yield a breakdown of the essential law enforcement curb that prevents people from swallowing each other alive.

But at the same time, while there will always be a need for laws and their enforcers, there are ways, other than aggressive policing, that can help prevent us humans from descending to our default of beastliness in the first place. Providing services and opportunities to urban communities and their residents are likely more effective deterrents to crime than providing military weaponry to police departments.

The Midrash (Sifra, parshat Behar) offers a parable: If a donkey is carrying a heavy burden, even a single person can easily keep it from falling off. But if it has already fallen to the ground, even five men will be unable to lift it up and put it back on the animal.

Human nature, which, as per Rabbi Chanina, can be dark, is a burden. If it fully expresses itself, then, like the physical burden fallen from the donkeys back, dealing with it will take inordinate effort.

But if the burden can be prevented from falling in the first place, if the worst potentials of human nature can be undermined with carefully considered interventions and opportunities, there will be less for the heavy lifters, the necessary agents of law enforcement, to lift.

Avi Shafran blogs at rabbiavishafran.com and also serves as public affairs director of Agudath Israel of America.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Forward.

What does Jewish tradition say about Defund the Police? Its complicated.

Read the original here:

What does Jewish tradition say about Defund the Police? Its complicated. - Forward

Category: Talmud | Comments Off on What does Jewish tradition say about Defund the Police? Its complicated. – Forward
Tags:

Posted By admin on June 15, 2020

Every year on June 14 World Blood Donor Day is observed all around the globe. The first World Blood Donor Day was celebrated in the year 2004, to spread awareness about the importance of blood donation and its significance for saving lives.The recognition of World Blood Donor Day by WHO has helped in spreading awareness and in dispelling many long-held myths regarding blood donation.

The theme for World Blood Donor Day 2020, has been chosen as "Safe Blood Saves Lives", to stress the importance and universal need for safe blood for providing help to those in need of it; whereas, the slogan for the campaign is "Give blood and make the world a healthier place", to encourage people to donate blood for the betterment of humankind. The event serves to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gift of blood and also to raise awareness of the need for regular blood donations to ensure that all individuals and communities have access to affordable and timely supplies of safe and quality-assured blood and blood products, as an integral part of universal health coverage and a key component of effective health systems.

This becomes even more important in COVOID 19 Pandemic time, where fewer people are coming out of home, leading to shortage of blood. Remember, Giving blood in the time of COVID-19 is safe and Safe blood saves lives

On June 14, 1868 a boy named Karl Landsteiner was born, who grew up to become a Nobel laureate for discovering the ABO blood group system. World Blood Donor Day is celebrated every year on June 14 to honor his memory.

The event was first initiated in the year 2004 by the World Health Organization (WHO), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, in order to spread awareness among the masses about the pressing need for the safe and voluntary blood donation by healthy people. It has been a global phenomenon ever since, to drive people to come out and donate blood every year.

The world needs enough safe blood for everyone in need . Every few seconds, someone, somewhere, needs blood. Transfusions of blood and blood products save millions of lives every year. Health is a human right; everyone in the world should have access to safe blood transfusions, when and where they need them. Access to safe blood and blood product is essential for universal health coverage and a key component of effective health systems.

There are about 5 liters of blood in the human body. One donation can save up to 3 lives. A single blood donation helps many patients as the blood is usually segregated into RBCs, Platelets, WBCs and Plasma and those components are separately given to different patients.

There are eight main blood types: A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB-, O+ and O-

Donated blood lasts only 42 days; hence, blood donation ought to be done regularly

There are no confirmed reports of coronavirus being transmitted by blood transfusion anywhere in the world

Donating blood is good for the health of both the donors and the patients

You do not need to take a covid-19 test before donating blood

Any healthy person between 16-60 years can donate blood after the required gap of 60 days

Remember Safe blood saves lives ! and "One who saves a life, saves the world entire" - (Talmud Yerushalmi)

Read more| 5 quick steps to pre-register for your desired route on redBus

See the original post:

Everything you need to know about world blood donor day 2020 - India Today

Category: Talmud | Comments Off on Everything you need to know about world blood donor day 2020 – India Today
Tags:

Posted By admin on June 15, 2020

From the moment they took to the screen with their love story, Loren and Alexei Brovarnik became everyone's favorite 90 Day Fiance couple.

From the moment they took to the screen with their love story, Loren and Alexei Brovarnik became everyone's favorite 90 Day Fiancecouple.Now, the two lovebirds are the parents of an adorable baby boy, and it's time to look back on how they got there. The pair haven't always had the easiest timeline, what with awaiting citizenship approval and convincing Loren's family that Alexei is right for Loren, but these obstacles didn't stop them from believing in each other.

What began as a Birthright trip would soon become so much more, as Loren gave up her home, career, and lifestyle. Alexei made the decision to leave his country and his career as a medic. They both made sacrifices for the chance at something real and everlasting, and their belief in love is how they becameone of90 Day Fianc's sweetest couples.

Loren and Alexei met while she was on a Birthright trip, something anyone with confirmed Jewish heritage is permitted to take prior to a certain age. While it was intended to be a historical trip for Loren, what she likely didn't expect was for it to be historical in other ways - mainly, her love life.

Their relationship was a beautiful thing, and Loren went back to Israel a total of five times to see her soon-to-be fianc. While they'd only spent five trips together, they knew something no one else did - that they had fallen in love. At least, according to their time on90 Day Fianc.They quickly became one of few couplesfans thought could make it.

While on the show, Loren and Alexei spoke of their wedding plans and went through the process of breaking the news to Loren's family. She and her parents flew into Canada to meet Alexei, since he had not been approved as a U.S. citizen yet, and that's where she broke the news. While it was taken fairly well by her mother, her father initially questioned the marriage.

The couple didn't have one conventional wedding. Rather, they had two! The decision was made to have two weddings so that both Loren and Alexei's families could attend one or the other, making sure that each side of the family had good memories from their "I do's" and a chance to play a part in the celebration.

The couple was so well-loved on90 Day Fiancthat they continued to be on spin-off shows, one of which was90 Day Fianc: Happily Ever After. Fans can still catch their episodes on Hulu, where the entire season is currently streaming.

One spin-off show isn't enough! At least, not when it comes to Loren and Alexei.Pillow Talkwas yet another spin-off show, post-90 Day Fianc, but on this one, couples had the chance to sort through their on-screen choices as a group.

The couple has a pretty significant following on social media, and it's here that fans flocked to get updates on their90 Day Fiancfavorites. When the news hit the press about Loren being pregnant, fans went into a frenzy, trying to figure out when the baby was due, what it might be called, and everything else they could. Fans were so excited about the soon-to-be Brovarnik baby.

The couple had a bit of a rough patch as they awaited the approval of Alexei's immigration papers. The process was a long one and took much longer than anyone had anticipated, causing a bit of stress early on in their marriage. It was a lot to deal with, especially with a little one soon to be on the way.

The couple shared great news in January - the two had a gender reveal event and let the world know they were having a boy! A nickname made its way around social media - eventually, the hashtag, "BabyBrov", began trending. It's not every day that a baby gets a social media following before being born!

The couple looked so happy as they announced the sex of their baby during the gender reveal party...

Related:Lili Reinhart And Cole Sprouse's Relationship Timeline (And Where They're Going Next)

January was about to be extra-special, though, as January was the month that Alexei finally gained citizenship in the US. While the couple had certainly dealt with some significant stress up to that point, there was definitely cause for them to celebrate at the turn of the New Year, and they did.

Related:90 Day Fiance: Everything That Led To Anfisa And Jorge's Breakup

Although their time on90 Day Fianchas since come to an end, that doesn't mean fans stopped caring about this beloved couple. While the cameras are no longer rolling, that hasn't stopped Loren from providing updates on both her relationship and becoming a mother, via her social media.

Related:Kylie Jenner And Travis Scott's Relationship Timeline (And Where They're Going Next)

On April 14th, Loren gave birth to a healthy baby boy, whom the couple affectionately named "Shai". The name had a special meaning to both of them and means "gift" as Loren explained, along with her baby's middle name, "Josef" after Alexei's grandfather.

Next:90 Day Fianc: Jenny And Sumit Literally Pay The Cost For Their Love

Next Henry Cavill Might Be Single, But His Love Life Is Not Boring

Originally from New York, Katie is used to a fast-paced lifestyle. She got her personal start with writing in the second grade, and carried that passion with her until she won a spot in her high school's published poetry book - but not before becoming the News Editor and columnist for the high school newspaper. In college, she majored in English Literature with an emphasis in Political Science, soaking up most creativity and method from one of the last professors to study under famed beat poet Allen Ginsberg. The more she wrote, the more she learned about the world and, more importantly, herself. She has been writing professionally and has been published since the age of 19, and for nearly a decade has covered topics in entertainment, lifestyle, music news, video game reviews, food culture, and now has the privilege of writing and editing for TheTravel, and writing pop culture for TheThings. Katie has a firm belief that every word penned is a journey into yourself and your own thoughts, and through understanding this, people can begin to understand each other. Through her voice, she brings personality, research, and a bit of friendly sarcasm to every piece she writes and edits.

See original here:

90 Day Fiance: A Timeline Of Loren And Alexei Brovarnik's Relationship - TheThings

Category: Jewish Heritage Month | Comments Off on 90 Day Fiance: A Timeline Of Loren And Alexei Brovarnik’s Relationship – TheThings
Tags:

Posted By admin on June 15, 2020

A flier from New York Public Library's Dorot Jewish Division. Photo: Dorot Jewish Division/New York Public Library

2006Year that US President George W. Bush proclaimed May Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM). The month celebrates the contributions Jewish Americans have made since they first arrived in New Amsterdam in 1654.

5th and MarketIntersection in Philadelphia where the National Museum of American Jewish Historysince 2018, the home of JAHMis located. JAHM events have also been held at the US Capitol and White House, and federal agencies such as the Library of Congress, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum have worked to promote awareness of the month.

4,879,978Number of miles, or 186 orbits of the earth, that the original 2006 JAHM presidential proclamation has traveled. Jewish-American astronaut Garrett Reisman, the first Jewish crew member on the International Space Station, brought the proclamation with him aboard the US space shuttle Atlantis.

50,000Number of volumes held by the American Jewish Historical Society library. Holdings include the A. S. W. Rosenbach Collection of American Judaica, with more than 350 books and pamphlets published before 1850 relating to Jews experiences on the continent.

1897Year that New York Public Librarys Dorot Jewish Division was established, just two years after the formation of the library. The division contains more than 250,000 items on the secular and religious history of the Jewish people, including a rich collection of primary-source materials on Jews in the US and New York during periods of immigration.

39Number of episodesand countingof the Jewish Womens Archive podcast Can We Talk? Launched in 2016, the podcast features stories and conversations about Jewish women and the issues that shape their public and private lives.

13Number of statesincluding Mississippi, North Carolina, and Texasthat will be represented in the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience, dedicated to the history and artifacts of Jewish life throughout the American South. The museum is set to open this fall in New Orleans.

1968Year the Sydney Taylor Book Award was first presented by the Association of Jewish Libraries. The award is given annually to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience.

24Number of languages and dialects in the Judaica collections at Penn Libraries. The universitys libraries contain approximately 400,000 volumes, one of the largest Judaica collections in the world.

Read the original post:
By the Numbers: Jewish American Heritage Month | American ...

Category: Jewish American Heritage Month | Comments Off on By the Numbers: Jewish American Heritage Month | American …
Tags: