NoahideNanna

2011-08-21T21:06:00.005-05:00

Jewish Words and Phrases

I am asked about words and phrases we say many times by our Christian and other non-Jewish or non-Noahide friends. And I got to thinking about how my grandchildren use these same words and phrases in their conversations at school and when they are with their friends. So I thought I would put together a simple glossary for their teachers. Since it is the beginning of a new school year I think it is a good time to introduce these words that they will most likely hear my grandchildren using at some time during the year.

Many people will not ask about something they know nothing about, and I think it is a great opportunity to share with others (in a non-threatening way) a little about our family's holidays and traditions.

Feel free to copy the glossary and share it with your own kid's teachers or your family and friends who don't know what these words are. You can adapt as necessary if your own list is different from mine.

Until next time...

Devora Chana

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Jewish Words and Phrases

Bubbie (rhymes with cubbie, or tele tubbie) - It means Grandma in yiddish.

Shalom - Is the traditional salutation used by Jews and Noahides at meeting or parting, meaning “peace to you”.

Jew - Is any person whose mother was a Jew or any person who has gone through the formal process of conversion to Judaism. Jews by birth can trace their origins through the ancient Hebrew people of Israel to Abraham. (Genesis 13:14)

Noahide - Is a non-Jew who follows the Noahide Code of 7 Divine Commandments that were given to Noah and his children after the flood. These commandments are learned from the Jewish rabbis.

Shabbat - Is the weekly Sabbath, which begins on Friday night at sundown and ends on Saturday night every week.

Rosh Hashanah - Is the Jewish new year. It is not celebrated as the American traditional new year with parties, etc. but is a time of spiritual renewal. It is a day of repentance and deep inner thought about what a person has done during the past year.

Yom Kippur - Is a day of repentance. It is spent fasting and praying.

Sukkot (pronounced Sue coat) - Is a seven day holiday. This year it begins on October 12 (but changes from year to year). We spend the entire week studying Torah (the Bible), spending time outside in nature, visiting with family and friends, praying, and finding ways to bring world peace and improve the welfare of all nations. We especially pray during this week for the Messiah to come and amend the ways of the world.

Hanukkah - Is an eight day holiday. This year it begins on December 20 (but changes from year to year). It is the celebration of the victory of Judaism over Hellenism. It is a time of rededication to our true devotion and dedication to the one true G-d, His Torah and its commandments. It is also a special time of prayer for the rebuilding of the holy Temple in Jerusalem. It is not Jewish Christmas (as many people mistakenly believe) and has nothing to do with Christimas, Christianity, or Jesus.

Purim - The next time we celebrate Purim will be March 7, 2012, and as with other holidays, it changes from year to year. It is one of the most joyous and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar. It commemorates a time when the Jewish people living in Persia were saved from extermination. We read about it in the Book of Esther in the Bible. Everyone dresses in costumes, gives charity to the poor, and takes gifts of foods, special cookies and candies to friends.

Passover - Is another seven day holiday and will begin on April 6, 2012 next. It is the first emancipation proclamation. It is the time we put a special stress on freedom for all humans. We completely clean the house before the holiday begins to remind us to also clean our lives of bad habits. We eat no yeast or wheat products for the entire week. On the first night of the holiday we celebrate with family and friends with a special meal.

Shavuot (May 26, 2012) - Is the holiday commemorating the giving of the Torah. On this day there was a divine revelation and the human race acquired the Torah through it. It is a day we spend studying Torah and praying.

Torah - Is the term that refers to the Five Books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

Beit Midrash - This is "the house of learning" where we go to study Torah and fellowship with other Jewish and Noahide families.

Tzedakah - This is the charitable contributions we give to others.

Mitzvah - Is a good deed done from religious duty.

Kiddush - Is a prayer of "sanctification," recited over a goblet of wine or grape juice on Shabbat and all Jewish holidays.

Shofar - Is a ram's-horn trumpet used in religious ceremonies .

Sukkah (pronounced sook awe) - Is a temporary hut constructed for use during the week-long festival of Sukkot.

Hanukiyah (pronounced hawn a key a) - Is a candelabrum with nine candleholders that is lit each night during the holiday of Hanukkah.

Menorah - Is a candelabrum with seven branches and is a replica of the one that was used in the Temple before it was destroyed in 70 CE. It is displayed in the home throughout the year, but is never lit.

Dreidel (rhymes with cradle) - It is a spinning top that children play with during Hanukkah.

Latkes - These are a traditional food eaten during Hanukkah. They are potato pancakes.

Matzah - Is unleavened bread that is eaten during the week of Passover.

Bentch (sounds like bench) - Is the prayer said after eating meals to thank G-d for our food.

Kosher - Is the term used for food that acceptable according to Torah for us to eat.

Treif (rhymes with safe) - Is the word used to describe food forbidden to Jews - such as pork, pork products, etc.

Bracha - Is the Hebrew word for Blessing.

Naches - Is the yiddish word for joy. (Example: My grandchildren give me such naches.)

Israel Needs YOU!

2011-04-04T21:30:00.002-05:00

PLEASE FORWARD THIS INFORMATION TO ANYONE YOU KNOW [family, friends, co-workers], THAT HAS A HEART FOR HELPING ISRAEL.
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Thank you for your interest in the Emergency Volunteer Project (EVP) to train volunteers who can go to Israel to help with preparedness and in times of emergency.

IMPORTANT MEETING & TRAINING DATES:
EVP's International Director, Adi Zahavi, will be in Lubbock April 11 to meet with interested volunteers as well as with officials, to finalize arrangements for volunteer training in May 2011.

The meeting for volunteers, who would like to train to go to Israel, will be at 7 p.m., April 11 at the Holiday Inn at 3201 South Loop 289 in Lubbock between Indiana and University on the south side of the loop.

IMPORTANT: PLEASE Respond by April 6, with your name and the names of guests you wish to bring to the meeting April 11.

This meeting is a good opportunity for you to meet other volunteers, to learn more about the training coming up in May and about EVP, and to begin your application process, if you have not already done so.
If you cannot come to the meeting, you can still apply for training, but attendance at the meeting will help you with the application process.

REGISTRATION FEE & EXPENSES:
We will soon send you application forms with additional information about completing the requirements to participate in training. The two-day training in May requires a $150 registration fee which must be paid in order to cover the materials and training we will receive AND the fee must be paid in advance. We will notify you shortly of location of training site and discounted hotel rooms.

It is important to pay the registration fee as soon as possible so EVP can plan the number of trainers who must travel from Israel and for size of training space, etc. EVP requires that you pay the $150 registration fee through their website, but if you cannot do that, contact the Committee Coordinating the Volunteer Training (lubbockvolunteers@gmail.com), to make arrangements to pay in cash. The Committee's Financial Team will input your contact information and your $150 cash on the EVP website so you can complete the application.

Learn more about EVP & pay your registration fee for the training: http://www.evp.org.il/English/

WHAT YOU GET FROM REGISTRATION FEE & TRAINING:
Professionally certified volunteer first responders will be trained to work along side of Israel's emergency fire and rescue services and will receive equipment meeting Israel's specialized requirements. All volunteers who
successfully complete the two-day training will be assigned to specific Israeli cities to which they will report within 24-72 hours after they are called to an emergency. After your paying the registration fee & successfully completing training, EVP will pay the airfare, lodging and meals whenever Emergency Volunteer Field Teams
report for duty in Israel.

After completing training, Emergency Volunteer Field Teams may go to Israel to assist with readiness. Trained EVP teams also gain additional knowledge for use in preparing their own local communities and in case
of local emergency. The team members will complete their commitment to EVP by deploying to their assigned cities in Israel when called up after an attack or in natural disasters such as last year's massive forest fire on Mt. Carmel. This fire destroyed much property and killed more than 40 Israelis due to Israel's ongoing drought and the small number of Israeli firefighters available to battle the blaze.

YOU CAN BRING FRIENDS TO APRIL 11 MEETING:
EVP staff from Israel will train first responders (professionally trained and certified fire and rescue; security personnel; EMTs, nurses and other medical personnel; and psychologists, counselors and social workers) along with construction and skilled repairmen (plumbers, electricians and building inspectors); heavy equipment mechanics, and other volunteers to deliver supplies to those in bomb shelters or confined to their homes. There is much to be done both to help Israel with preparedness now as well as during emergencies such as natural disaster, terrorism and military attack.

Volunteering for EVP is an opportunity for supporters of Israel to take an active stand and make a difference in times of greatest need. Working with Israeli fire and rescue and in other volunteer service capacities, volunteers from the U.S. will gain new skills for use in an emergency locally and in Israel as well as an increased understanding of international cooperation during a crisis.

This is an exciting opportunity for volunteers to work directly in Israel to help them in times of crisis. You can spread the word among your friends, family and colleagues at work, church or other organizations who support Israel. You can bring more interested persons to the meeting with the Director, April 11 (just give us the
number). Feel free to forward this information to anyone whom you would like to join you in EVP training.

Thank you for your interest in the Emergency Volunteer Project. We will be sending more information soon, but feel free to contact us at any time with questions.

Committee for Coordinating Volunteer Training
lubbockvolunteers@gmail.com

Israel Need YOU!

2011-04-04T21:30:00.000-05:00

After Purim...

2011-03-26T15:39:00.016-05:00

It is a good and positive thing for people to always remember the wicked deeds of the people of Amalek and their attack upon Israel, and to arouse hatred for them--because they were the first to attack Israel without fear. [As described in Oz Yoshir, the Song of the Sea.] *See Rambam Hilchos Melachim 5:5, SMAG Mitzvas Aseh 115, Chayei Odom 151:2

The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 603) writes that one of the purposes of this is so the world will recognize that those who cause pain to Israel are despised by G-d and that the level of their destruction will be meted out according to their level of enmity against Israel. Since Amalek’s enmity for Israel was greater than that of all other nations they are to be completely obliterated.

Jews and those who stand with Israel should teach this to their children and future generations. (That is why Jews have been commanded to “erase his name“. Jews are instructed in Torah to “not forget the deeds of Amalek.” This means that Amalek is to be despised even with the passage of time, and to remember that G-d saved Israel from them, and that Israel will eventually avenge their deeds and eradicate them. (See S’mak 53 and Sefer Yereim 189)

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Rambam (Hilchos Melachim 6:4) writes that an Amaleki who makes peace with Israel and accepts the seven commandments for non-Jews upon him/herself is not to be hurt. In fact, the reason that the descendents of Haman “learned Torah in Bnei Brak” (Gittin 57B) is because they were the descendents of those sons of Haman who DID NOT fight AGAINST Israel. (Sefer Adar U’Purim p. 68)

We can read about Amelek - those pure haters of G-d and His people, Israel, all throughout the history of the Bible. Ancient Amalek attacked the Children of Israel right after the Exodus from Egypt during the time of Moses and Joshua. The Philistines were the haters of G-d in the time of Samson. The Amelek hatred for G-d and Israel continued on in the times of King Saul and King David, and then in the times of Queen Esther and Mordechi. And continues on even today.

Jewish tradition states, and the Mishnah taught more then 1500 years ago, that there is no particular people that can be identified as Amalek today. But what is known is that the idea of Amalek DOES remain, and it is very powerful and relevant today. Amalek is any and all people who have the intention to exterminate the People of Israel.

Hitler and the Nazis are examples of Amelek in recent history. Fatah and Hamas are current examples of Amelek in our generation.

Hamas is committed to destroying Israel and all her people by the most vicious and vile means possible. The Arab educational systems throughout the West Bank, and the Fatah propaganda through the years has been filled with content taken directly from Hitler and his Nazi ideology. Direct quotes from Hitler's evil minister of propaganda Goebbels fill Palestinian material.

The PLO, was not created as a National Liberation movement, as is commonly believed, but was created for the purpose and goal of destroying the State of Israel.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is certainly an example of Amelek. The leaders and people of Gaza who constantly attack Israeli citizens are proof that Amelek is alive and still very active in a vain attempt to destroy G-d and His Chosen People, Israel.

Many people throughout the world deny this truth, and by doing so, become part of Amelek. By ignoring or denying the enemy of G-d, one becomes the enemy of G-d.

Most of Israel's citizens want peace - at almost any price. They are on the defensive against their enemy and NOT on the offensive. But the majority of Arabs on the West Bank and in East Jerusalem embody the spirit of Amelek and support bombings on buses filled with school children, cheer and celebrate when a sleeping Jewish family is murdered in their home (and the infant sleeping in her father’s arms is beheaded), and are loyal to the groups who carry out these kinds of terror attacks - not only in Israel, but throughout the world.

In East Jerusalem, the West Bank and almost all of the Arab world, terrorists, suicide bombers, Saddam Hussein and Bin Laden are national heroes. This hatred is Amelek.

We read in the Bible, in Genesis 12:3: “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee…” This indicates that one must take a stand. Everyone must choose which side of the line in the sand we will stand on: The Side of G-d and His chosen People, Israel, or on the side of Amelek. Where will you stand?

My answer is this: “…as for me and my house, we will serve the L-rd.”

We have all heard the saying, “In order for evil to flourish, all that is required is for good men to do nothing.” It is true.

The following famous poem also reminds us that we cannot stand silently by and do nothing when evil is raging:

When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.

When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.

When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.

When they came for the Jews,
I remained silent;
I wasn't a Jew.

When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.

May the eradication of Amelek come soon and in our lifetime!

Purim 2011

2011-03-22T21:00:00.027-05:00

Purim is the celebration observed by religious Jews and some Noahides because of the downfall and defeat of an evil man who tried to exterminate them. The Megillah (the Book of Esther), which is read on Purim, instructs people to keep the 14th of Adar as a day of joy and happiness.

If you have not started celebrating Purim yet, I hope you will learn about this meaningful holiday before next year and will include it in your family's special celebrations. I hope you will get some ideas from our pictures, and will share your own with me next year.

I have to let you know in advance that many of the pictures are very blury. I have been having lots of eye problems for a couple of years and don't see very well. In fact, this morning I had another surgery, in hopes that my sight will be restored.

When I was taking the pictures I had no idea that the camera lens was covered in schmutz (my daughter's word), and that the pictures were coming out blury. Everything looks blury to me. Anyway, some of the pictures are not good quality, but I still want to share them.

Everything doesn't have to be perfect or expensive to be fun and to raise the level of holiness in your home. I hope our family's ideas will help you to come up with some ideas of your own and will encourage you that YOUR FAMILY TOO can celebrate Purim (and all the holidays) no matter where you live.

If you have ideas I'd love to hear about them. I'd love to see your pictures too, if you have a blog, FB, or other way to share.

Blessings!

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We had a lot of fun decorating the house for the party. The girls are getting old enough now to have ideas of their own about how they want things to look. I love having them help with the decorating.

I buy bags of balloons at the dollar store instead of the party store. I buy about 10 bags at a time so we always have some on hand. I also buy ribbon on the big spools so we never have to worry about running out.

I bought several packages of shiny stars on clearance at Hobby Lobby a couple of years ago and they always come in handy for any kind of party.

I hit the bargain jackpot after Hanukkah last year at Target. I picked up lots of shiny blue garland for $.45 each, Star of David lights for $3.00 a string, and window gel decorations for $.40 a package. The girls love the window gels. I would have spread them out a little more than they did, but the most important thing was for them to have fun.

We used colorful plates, cups, and napkins, from the dollar store, candy and snacks, some yummy food, and of course the Queen Esther Crown cookies. I thought the table looked great. (I don't like the traditional hamentaschen cookies and have never learned to make them yet.)

The girls sorted all the groggers by color and style so everyone would be able to find one that was just right to use while booing Haman.

A few years ago I found this Haman punching balloon. Kids always have so much fun punching him in the face. It really looked funny for all the beautiful little Queen Esthers dressed in pink and wearing crowns to be rolling around punching out the bad guy.

Last year I bought a bunch of cheerleader pom poms at the dollar store so we can cheer and yell Yea! Yea! when we hear the names Esther and Mordeichi. It adds a little more excitement and something else for the young kids to listen for during the reading - which can be quite long for them.

I added another fun activity to the reading of the Megillah last year. I got to thinking about how kids might not understand the concept of "casting lots" and thought about how throwing dice is similar. So I bought some big dice, some red dice with flashing lights inside, some regular dice, and some necklaces that are made of shiny dice beads. During the part of the story that talks about the lots I tossed the dice all over the room. The kids had fun gathering them up, then playing with them at the same time they were listening for the names of Haman, Esther, and Mordechai.

People dress in costumes on Purim. There are a number of reasons. Here are a few:

*costumes symbolize the fact that the spiritual world is hidden from humanity
*masks symbolize the fact that the whole Purim incident was wrapped in "the hidden nature of G-d's countenance
*G-d's name isn't even mentioned in the Book of Esther - G-d is "hidden"
*The name "Esther" means "hidden"

We all chose our costumes, and asked our friends to wear costumes when they came to the party if they wanted to. But we also had masks, face paint, wigs, and crowns available for those who didn't have costumes.

I came across lots of sets of face paint after a popular pagan holiday that is celebrated in October. They were on sale in the clearance section of Wal Mart for a dollar each. This is an awesome price since each set normally costs anywhere from $5 - $10 at the party store. The girls loved the hearts and rainbows I painted for them. That's about as artistic as I am when it comes to face painting. I had never done it and will have to learn how to do more detailed designs.

I found these adorable crowns with pink feathers at the Dollar Tree. They were perfect for our little Queen Esthers.

I put out a selection of masks, and the kids had fun wearing them too.

After reciting hamotzi (blessing for bread) and the bracha for wine, we all enjoyed the Purim seudah (special meal) together.

Our family also follows the tradition of making a small package for each guest who celebrates with us. This is called giving Mishloach Manot. Each package consists of at least two ready-to-serve foods. This year we gave soft drinks and nut snacks.

We also made packages to give to the homeless. Giving these gifts is called Matanot L'evyonim. The girls decorated paper bags before putting in the fruit juice and crackers.

Purim is so much fun! So next year grab a few decorations, put on a mask or costume, invite some friends for lunch, and celebrate a great victory over evil.

My Thoughts As I Prepare For Shabbat

2011-03-18T16:26:00.002-05:00

As I work on my Shabbat (Sabbath) dinner preparations my mind wanders…

It wanders to a far far away kitchen with a young Mother making her own Shabbat meal preparations last Friday - just a week ago. It was a routine that was quite familiar to her. Something she did every week.

I wonder: Was she peeling potatoes, as I am doing now? Were her children making pictures to decorate the house, or were they wiping finger prints off of - or on to - the book shelf where their holy books were resting? Were her beautiful dishes being handled oh, so carefully by the children as they set the Shabbat table? Was her chicken cooking in the oven and her pot of cholent (stew) simmering in the crock pot?

Did her own thoughts wander? “Will everyone get done with their tasks and jobs for the week in time to take baths and say prayers before we light candles and set down for dinner? I wonder if the children remembered to make their beds and polish their shoes? Did I remember to iron Abba‘s shirt for tomorrow?”

Just as my Friday is hectic today - hers too, was jam packed with so much to get accomplished before the days end last Friday. Even more so for her - with the children, their friends, and several neighbors who might stop in for a Shabbat visit (as they were in the habit of doing) to prepare for.

Yes, Friday is a busy day for me, and was for her too. But somehow things always plays out in exactly the right way - at exactly the right time. That’s part of the magic of Shabbat preparations.

And so it was, that day, last Friday, in that kitchen far far away. The meal in her home was perfectly cooked - and delicious. The children, well, the whole family, was extra happy. Adar II and all, a joyful time. And of course, everyone was looking forward to Purim, which added to the joy and excitement.

The Shabbat candles seemed to flicker - just a little brighter than normal. The music - the songs and chants - sounded just a little different for some reason. A little sweeter. A little lighter. It actually sounded like a choir of angels singing along with the family…

It was hard to say goodnight - lila tov - so everyone could get some sleep. It seemed that everyone wanted, no, needed, for the evening to continue for just a little longer.

But everyone finally said enough lila tov greetings, gave enough hugs and kisses, and finally said the bedtime Shema. And all was quiet in the house.

The baby and her Abba were snoring together on the bed. Ima was getting ready for a little much needed sleep. Big brother was reading - waiting up to talk to his sister about something if she would just hurry up and get home from the youth group meeting.

Poor middle brother had fallen asleep in the family room. He couldn’t even stay awake long enough to get in his bed. The other two little guys were sleeping peacefully in their beds.

All was quiet in the beautiful mountain village. As the Mother opened the bathroom door to join her sleeping husband and infant was she thinking, “What a wonderful place to raise Torah kids…"

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These were my thoughts this afternoon as I peeled potatoes, breaded chicken, and baked Purim cookies. And it is with gratitude to Ruth Fogel for her dedication to a Torah life that I will pay tribute to when I light my Shabbat candles in just a little while. I want to thank her for her strength and courage to live her life as a beautiful example of honoring Shabbat, Torah, and G-d.

I also want to pay tribute to Rabbi Udi for bringing light and joy to this world by his love for and dedication to a Torah life.

And finally, I want to remember the lives of their children who were taken out of the world at such young ages: Yoav, Elad, and baby Hadas.

May their blood be avenged, and may their memories always bring blessing to their surviving family and friends, and to all the world.

The world will be a little darker this Shabbat because their light was snuffed out by hatred. May we help to restore their light with our lighting candles tonight - and may the merit for doing so be theirs. May we spread Shabbat Shalom throughout the world by our own loving deeds, study of Torah, and giving Tzedakah (charity).

Welcome to My New Followers

2011-03-17T22:00:00.001-05:00

I want to welcome my new followers who have decided to spend some time reading my blog:

Welcome to the biological mother of my future step-grandson, and welcome to the biological father of two of my grandsons, and welcome to their friend from Mountain View California.

If you don’t understand the words, phrases, and terms I use here on the blog you will easily be able to google them and find any number of reputable resources on the web that will explain things. There are many good sites for non-Jewish G-d fearers, which I hope you all have an interest in learning about.

I do hope that you find whatever it is you are looking for here on my blog.

True Story of Family Being Murdered Recently

2011-03-16T22:16:00.016-05:00

I wanted to tell you a true story. …

There once was a nice Christian family who lived in a friendly little town mountain top town with a population of about 1000. The members of the family were: a Father, a Mother, and their six children: a daughter, 12 years old, four sons, ages 11, 6, 4, 2, and another daughter, 3 months old. The couple had always wanted lots of children and were so happy that they had been blessed with such a large family.

The Father was a minister and teacher at the seminary. The Mother was a homemaker - busy with the children and also very active as a volunteer at the school and in many things in town. Before the baby girl was born she had worked part-time but needed to be at home with the baby, so had to give that up. They were not worried about money. They knew that God would provide everything they needed. He always had.

They were avid gardeners and good neighbors. They were well loved by everyone in town. The children had lots of friends, and it was a common sight to see their friends coming and going from the house. Theirs was a house filled with love!

They were a religious family and attended church every Sunday. Their religion was very real and they loved God with all their hearts and souls. They were very generous and loved to help people any time they saw a need.

Ever since the Father and Mother had been married they would come home from church every week and have a special lunch that had been lovingly prepared by the Mother. They often invited guests to sit at their table. The Mother was a wonderful cook. It gave her such joy to bake homemade breads, cakes, and prepare special foods every Sunday. Every week she would use her beautiful dishes and crystal, set out on her lovely table coverings.

During lunch they would always talk about the sermon and what the children had learned in Sunday School. They would sing songs together, talk about the things that were important to them, and pray together.

Many times the Grandparents would come for Sunday lunch, but if they didn’t, the Family would call them on the phone so everyone could talk. They knew it was a real blessing that the children had both sets of Grandparents and Aunts and Uncles in their lives.

But everything changed for the family last weekend.

That day started out just like any other Sunday. The Mother got up very early to prepare everything so it would be ready when they got home from church as she did every week. Then they went to church. It was a wonderful service.

When the service was over they came home and enjoyed the delicious meal the Mother had prepared. The oldest daughter had invited some friends to come home with her, and when they finished eating they all left to go to a youth group meeting.

The Father phoned his parents to talk to them while the Mother started getting the younger children down for naps. After the Father got off the phone he went to lay down with the baby to take a nap too.

Then, the unthinkable happened. Two men sneaked into their house through a window. They started going through the house, quickly going from room to room. The Mother was in the bathroom when the intruders went into the master bedroom and slashed the throat of the Father and the 3 month old baby girl. When she came out of the bathroom she was stabbed. Evidence showed that she tried to fight off her attackers.

The murderers then went into another bedroom where the eleven year old son was laying on his bed reading. Above his bed was a poster with this prayer printed on it: May it be Your will, Lord that I love every one as myself, and that you cause the hearts of my friends and neighbors to love me fervently, and that I be accepted and desirable to everyone, and that I be loving and pleasant, and that I be gracious and merciful in the eyes of all who see me.

They slashed his throat. Then they went on to another room where they stabbed the four year old boy in the heart. Apparently they did’t see the two year old who was in the same room because he was spared. He was possibly under the blankets asleep, but no one will ever know for sure.

They then locked the doors, and went out the same window they had come in through. And by a miracle the six year old boy, taking a nap on a sofa in the family room - was also spared. The murderers escaped without being seen by anyone in town.

The 12-year-old daughter returned home after the youth group meeting and found the door locked. She knocked and yelled, trying to get someone to let her in, but no one opened the door.

She noticed muddy foot prints near the entryway, and got scared since no one would open the door. She went to a neighbor’s house and asked if he could help her. They looked in the window and saw the six year old asleep. Everything seemed in order - other than the muddy footprints both inside and outside the house. They yelled and knocked on the window, waking the sleeping boy up, telling him to open the door.

He did, and the neighbor went back home as the 12 year old daughter went inside. She saw the unwashed dishes cleared from the table, a hot plate, a tray of almost untouched cookies, toys scattered on the floor, a cradle - and muddy footprints everywhere. She went to her parents bedroom to find out what had happened.

When she entered her parents’ bedroom she saw the horrific blood-soaked scene and discovered the bodies of her parents and infant sister. The two year old boy was lying next to his bleeding parents, shaking them with his hands and trying to get them to wake them up. He was crying.

She then ran to the other rooms and saw her murdered brothers in their rooms. She ran out of the house screaming. The same neighbor who had just helped her immediately came running back, and called the police. Emergency personnel came quickly.

The children's paternal Grandfather recounted the difficult moments his family faced on that horrible day last weekend. "We received the grim news about the attack …we were driven to my son’s home and saw the scene of the despicable murders. We returned home with the three kids who remained alive," he said.

The small town’s mayor (who is the brother-in-law of a dear friend of mine) said the local residents are in shock, trying to digest an attack that was so shocking and brutal. “They are still trying to absorb what happened, something so cruel, so brutal, a husband and a wife and three children murdered in their home, there’s no words that can describe it.“

He described the family as a very special family that was very involved in making their town a better place for all the families there. More than 20,000 people attended the funerals for the family. That is an indication of how much they will be missed.

It has been a very sad week for me, thinking about all this pain and violence. But I don’t think most people even heard about it. With all the sad news coming out of Japan - hundreds, perhaps, thousands of other people losing their lives - the media kept us updated on that situation, and the story of this beautiful family got lost somehow.

I don’t know if this true story has affected you after having read about it or not. But I have not been able to get it off my mind - out of my thoughts. I didn’t know this family. But people who are important to me did. And I wanted to do something to bring the victims of this horrible crime to the thoughts of as many people as possible. They were real people. With real lives. Real hopes and dreams. Accomplishing real things in this world. And now they are gone. Taken away from the world by hatred and violence. And I am outraged. I am broken hearted.

So, this is my tiny little way of helping the world to recognize the great loss of their lives. It is my way of letting the world know that I don’t want to see hatred and violence continue in the world. It is my way of saying goodbye to people that mattered. To say to the murderers: you have left a big hole in the world by taking these people out of it.

There are a couple of things that I changed about the story when I wrote about it. Oh, it is a true story. But this family was not a Christian family. They were Jews. The father was a rabbi and teacher at a yeshiva (Torah school), not a minister. The mountain top town they lived in is in Israel. And they were killed on the Sabbath (Friday night) and not on Sunday. The rest of the story happened as I told it.

And the murderers were not only murderers, they were Palestinian terrorists. The same kind of people who flew airplanes into the twin towers and the Pentagon and murdered so many of our good citizens on that horrible day in 2001. Those terrorists were not from Palestine, but they are of the same belief system. And part of the same organizations of hate and destruction. They are people who hate both Jews and Christians. People who hate Israelis and Americans. And everyone else too.

The reason I told the story the way I did is that so many times we simply choose not to notice a story if it concerns people who are of a different race or religion. Or someone who lives far away - all the way across the ocean. After all, there is enough trouble right here. And everyone blogs and writes articles all the time. We are always being bombarded with details and information about everything going on. It can be overwhelming, I admit.

But I am not sure that people are really aware of the dangers so many families in Israel - like the one that was brutally murdered last week - face daily simply because they are Jews. Jews living in the Land of Israel. Legally. And rightfully.

Our own government treats them as our enemy rather than our ally. Every year our government officials send millions of tax payers’ dollars to the very organizations and groups that carry out terror throughout the world. And they pressure the government officials of Israel to stop defending the citizens who are attacked by those who have publicly and openly stated that their goal is to kill every Jew on the face of the earth. (Then all the Christians.) In essence, our government has taken sides with the murderers and terrorists. And they are using our money to do it. Shame on them.

I admit I feel helpless when it comes to making much of a difference. I vote. And I try to make myself aware of what goes on in the world. And I write to my representatives and congress members telling them what I think about things. I ask questions. I point out what I think needs change. But truthfully, I feel that it is a waste of my time and efforts.
Our political system is out of control. It is filled with corruption.

My bringing this story to you is not in any way a political statement - although I do completely disagree with US policy when it comes to Israel defending its citizens. It is simply my tribute to a family that was taken away from the world when two terrorists decided to end their lives last week. It is my offer of condolences and sympathy to the surviving children, and other family members. It is the only thing I have to offer in my grief.

May God avenge the deaths of these innocents soon and completely. And may the surviving children be nurtured and provided for by the loving hand of the Almighty.

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I am ending my post with a request, followed by photos of the murdered family. The photos were released by the family with full permission so the horrific reality of their loved ones being murdered while sleeping will be known throughout the world. The world deserves to know that these people were loved. That their lives mattered. Warning: The photos are very graphic in nature. The faces of the victims have been blurred - but not changed in any other way.

My request is this…

On Friday night (March 18) after sundown, please join me in lighting a candle to honor the memory of the Fogel Family who was murdered last Friday night as they slept. Let this small effort serve to unite us all in peace and hope for a better future. Shalom.

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View of Itamar, Israel, home to approximately 1000 people

The home of the Fogel Family - with the announcement poster for baby Hadas still on the front door

Rabbi Udi Fogel, age 36, beloved husband, father, son, brother, teacher, and friend to many

Ruth Fogel, age 34 loved life, loved her children and family, and loved God

Yoav Fogel was the oldest son of Udi and Ruth

Elad, only 4 years old when he was brutally murdered by terrorists

Baby Hadas, only 3 months old was a beautiful baby girl

Udi and Hadas both had their throats cut by the terrorists

Yoav was reading in his bed when he was murdered

Elad was murdered but his little brother was spared

Many people attended the funerals of the Fogel Family

Police estimate there were 20,000 mourners at the funeral. There are many more throughout the world who did not attend.

The shrouds holding the bodies of the young Fogel children

Ruth's father weeps at the funeral of his beloved daughter and her family

It was a sad day for humanity with many tears shed in grief

Unbelievably, Palestinians began celebrating the deaths of the family as soon as it was announced. They passed out candy in the streets as a symbol of sweet victory at the death of more Jews.

Such unbelievable behavior is impossible for normal human beings to understand...

But, as we all know, terrorists are not normal human beings.

Please join me and thousands of others throughout the world on Friday night in lighting a candle to remember the Fogel Family and as a symbol of your hope that we will somehow all work together to bring peace to the world.

G-d's Beautiful Colors

2010-11-14T00:04:00.002-06:00

Even though I don't live in the mountains or in Maine, Canada, or other beautiful places in the world, I have discovered many beautiful colors of the changing leaves on the trees. G-d's beautiful creations and designs are all around us at every minute of every day - and we can enjoy them if we just open our eyes and our hearts. Today I am thankful for the colors of Autumn.

Ambushed and Murdered While Going Home From Work

2010-09-03T00:12:00.013-05:00

Imagine if you will, driving home at the end of the day. You are sitting next to your husband or wife in your car. You have given a ride to two friends who live in your neighborhood, who are sitting in the back seat of your car. You are chatting happily, discussing the events of the day. Laughing together. Just enjoying your life. You are looking forward to getting in the house, hugging your children, and sitting down to a nice dinner.

Then, imagine that suddenly gunmen come running from the side of the road, shooting into your car. Bullets are flying everywhere. The car stops because the driver’s foot falls from the gas pedal. After the car is stopped, the gunmen come running to the car, open the doors, drag everyone – already injured and bleeding - out onto the pavement, and shoot them at close range – killing everyone.

Then, the cowards run away as cowards always do. They go into hiding. And everyone in the nearby town where they live begins celebrating your deaths.

What I have described here is what happened earlier this week on a roadway in Israel. Hamas gunmen murdered four Israeli citizens in a well-planned ambush. The victims were: Yitzhak Ames, age 47 and his wife, Tali, age 45, who was nine months pregnant, Kochava ben-Haim, age 37, and Avishai Schindler, age 24. These were real live people with families and friends who loved them. They were murdered for no other reason than they are Jews. Jews, living in Israel.

Israel became an independent state in May 1948 after being recognized by the United Nations as a country in its own right. So, these four Israeli citizens had every right to be driving on that roadway. The Hamas terrorists did not have a right to be there for the purpose of killing them.

Less than 24 hours later another couple, Moshe and Shira Moreno, were also shot while driving in their car on a different road. The car was hit at least 10 times and overturned on the side of the road. The couple, in their 30s was able to get out of the car and hide in a ditch, and thankfullyk they survived the attack.

It is sometimes easy to forget that the people we hear about who are victims of terrorist attacks are real live people, with real live families. And sadly, the media oftentimes doesn’t even report on these kinds of stories. This kind of news isn’t popular. It makes the bad guys out to look like – well, bad guys. It is not something that most people want to think about at all.

It’s much easier to watch the news if they are reporting on things like hot air balloon rides. Or some medical breakthrough – which with US healthcare policies, no one will be able to afford anyway. Or some celebrity being arrested for drugs once again. Most people want fluff, not actual news.

It’s really past time for Americans to wake up and smell the falafel, as a friend of mine says. It’s time to stop pretending that Muslims and Palestinians are harmless people. It’s time to face the reality that anyone who refuses to live according to their demands will sooner or later be targeted to be murdered – just as these four innocent people were.

It doesn’t matter if you are Jew or Christian or Buddhist or secular. The goal of Islam (which Muslims and Palestinians are part of) is to kill everyone who does not accept their way of life. It is NOT a peaceful religion like many people would have us believe. It is a religion of hatred and terror. A religion of destruction.

A religion that teaches that it is ok to tape a bomb on your child or your mother or yourself and to kill as many innocent people as possible. A religion that encourages little children to hate people so they can carry on the death and destruction when they grow up. A religion that says it is acceptable to shoot innocent people while driving home at the end of the day.

We, here in America, can’t even imagine the possibility of gunmen running around shooting at our cars for the simple reason that we are alive.

Yes, there are crazies here too, who murder and maim people when they go on a rampage. In fact, we saw a story of one such man yesterday. But even these dangerous, crazy murderers are not in the same category as Hamas and other Muslim terrorists. They have lost their minds – not their souls.

I want to tell you a little about the four people who were murdered by Hamas terrorists this week. I didn’t know them. I had never met them, or read their blogs. I had never eaten a meal in their homes. But I know many other people who live in Israel, as they did, who face the same dangers every day of their lives. And I love them dearly and pray for their safety every day.

So, in honor of the four people who were taken from their families and friends I say, May the G-d of Israel avenge their blood, and may their memories bring blessings to those who will miss them.

Yitzhak Ames was a historian and was writing an encyclopedia of laws, customs, and artifacts associated with the Holy of Holies at the time of his murder. For the past seven years he visited the Temple Mount every month on Rosh Chodesh (the first day of the new month), and was a tour guide who accompanied groups to the Temple Mount area every Wednesday. He dedicated much of his time to studying and learning by heart all the relevant works in the Mishna and the writings of the Rambam.

This week he changed his normal routine and instead of going up on the Temple Mount on Wednesday, he went up on Tuesday – only a few hours before his death.

One of his closest friends was quoted as saying, “Yitzhak’s whole life was the Temple Mount. He worked as a security guard and a dishwasher, but this was his whole life.”

Only a few days before he was murdered he posted what ended up being his final blog entry. In that entry he said that this year on Rosh Hashanah he wasn’t going to pray for a livelihood as he as done in years past, but was going to pray that the Temple will be rebuilt.

Five years ago he moved his family to Gush Katif to show support for the families who were being evicted from their homes by the Israeli government in order to turn them over to the Palestinians in exchange for peace. They lived there for six months. During those six months he opened their home to all the activists who came to the area to protest the expulsion. (I was blessed to be able to go to Israel and attend several protest rallies and prayer rallies, but to my knowledge I never met Yitzhak.) The floor of the Ames home was completely filled with people sleeping there. They provided meals and hospitality for anyone who needed it.

Because of Yitzhak’s activism on behalf of Gush Katif the Israeli government revoked his permit to own and carry a firearm late last year. Had this not happened he would have been armed, and perhaps, could have fought off their attackers when they were ambushed?

Tali Ames worked as an accountant in addition to being the mother of six children. She was due to give birth to her seventh child in only a few days. Yitzhak and Tali celebrated their 25th anniversary two weeks ago.

Their children who were left to mourn them are: Daniel, 24 – Ruth, 19 – Ariel, 16 – Ruchama, 12 – Hodaya, 9 – and Oz, 5.

At the funeral of their parents Ruth said, “I didn’t have a chance to tell you how much I love you both. Mom, I promise you I will take care of the children that will grow up without you and Dad. Dad, I promise that I will continue your work with the Temple Mount. I will make sure families keep coming and that they love it as much as you do.”

Ariel eulogized his parents with these words, “Mother, father, something changed yesterday. You were a natural part of the family, and suddenly you’re not here. I can’t believe that a mother that took such good care of us is no longer here. Come back to me, mother.”

Kochava Ben Haim was married to Momi. She had suffered with poor health for many years, and with great difficulty was finally successful in becoming pregnant. She only had one child, a daughter, who is now eight years old.

Kochava was a special education nursery school teacher. She was on her way home to her family after attending the schools “welcome back” party at which her adoring special students, who are incapable of understanding hatred, decorated new school bags with her just one hour before she was murdered. She was also a very active volunteer in her community. She was always involved in preparing food for people in need. She also worked at preparing study sheets for the community so they could study Torah together.

Momi, a volunteer for Zaka (a community emergency response team), was dispatched to the scene of the attack with his colleagues, when to his horror he discovered that his wife was among the dead. He started crying and screaming, “That’s my wife! That’s my wife!” He was taken to his home, where he had to tell his daughter that her mother had been murdered and would never come home again.

At Kichava’s funeral Momi lamented the loss of his wife, saying, “My Kochava, my love, my partner, how will I say goodbye to you? I’m afraid. I just want you to stay. Monsters, cowards, to shoot innocent civilians – it’s cowardice to shoot a woman in a moving vehicle like that.”

Avishai Schindler had recently completed his army service. He got married a year ago, and was studying at a Hebron yeshiva (Torah school). He and his wife did not have children yet. They had only started their lives together, and now she is left to mourn him. Left to go on alone - never seeing their dreams and hopes come true.

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Palestianians celebrated in the streets after the murders.

Man handing out candy to the children who participated in the celebration.

Man holding his son on his shoulders, while the child waves a gun in the air.

People waving flags in celebration of the murders.

A Test From G-d

2010-07-15T20:19:00.004-05:00

"Compassion is the feeling of sympathy which the pain of one being awakens in another; and the higher and more human the beings are, the more keenly attuned they are to re-echo the note of suffering, which, like a voice from heaven, penetrates the heart, bringing all creatures a proof of their kinship in the universal G-d. And as for man, whose function it is to show respect and love for G-d's universe and all its creatures, his heart has been created so tender that it feels with the whole organic world . . .mourning even for fading flowers; so that, if nothing else, the very nature of his heart must teach him that he is required above everything to feel himself the brother of all beings, and to recognize the claim of all beings to his love and his beneficence." (Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, a 19th century philosopher, author, and Torah commentator)

"His compassion is over all His creatures." (Psalm 145:9)

We understand the biblical precept to emulate G-d's compassion when we read Deuteronomy 28:9, "And you shall walk in His ways."

"As G-d is merciful, so you should also be merciful. As He loves and cares for all His creatures, and His children are related to Him because He is their Father, so you should also love all His creatures as your brethren. Let their joys be your joys, and their sorrows yours. Love them and with every power which G-d gives you, work for their welfare and benefit, because they are the children of your G-d, because they are your brothers and sisters." (Rabbi Hirsch)

He also wrote: "Here you are faced with G-d's teaching, which obliges you not only to refrain from inflicting unnecessary pain on any animal, but to help and, when you can, to lessen the pain whenever you see an animal suffering, even through no fault of yours."

G-d made the same covenants with animals as He did with human beings. "As for me, behold I establish My Covenant with you and with your seed after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the fowl, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you; of all that go out of the ark, even every beast of the earth. (Genesis 9: 9 & 10)

Then we read in Psalm 145:9, "G-d's tender mercies are over all His creatures."

"Even in the worm that crawls in the earth there glows a divine spark. When you slaughter a creature, you slaughter G-d. " (Isaac Bashevis Singer, 1902-1991, Polish-born Jewish American author noted for his short stories, winner of the Nobel Prize in literature in 1978)

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A couple of months ago I had a little "test". Sometimes these "tests" come my way to remind me that I need to be compassionate at all times, in all situations, and that the things I learn from my studies in Torah, Talmud, and Kaballah are not to be "filed away" some place in my mind, but to be put into action when necessary.

So what was my little "test"?

I was driving down the street one day about 1:00 in the afternoon. It was very hot, I needed to get home, and my schedule for the day was quite full. Suddenly, the car in front of me hit a dove that was either sitting in the street and flew up when the car came by, or simply flew into the car as it was passing. I didn't see what happened. I just saw the bird fall to the street, flapping around. The driver of the car kept going. I don't see how they could not have known they hit the poor little thing. But maybe they didn't.

Anyway, I slowed down as I drove by the bird, looked, and to my horror saw that it was struggling to get up. There were cars traveling in both directions so I felt sure it would be run over any second. I pulled into the parking lot, thinking to myself, "Are you nuts? What do you think you are going to do?"

But I knew I just could not leave the little creature there to be run over. I thought that I would just stand there with my crossing guard stop sign to keep anyone from running over it and call animal control to come get it from the street. That was the best plan I could come up with.

But to my amazement, I saw the bird struggling frantically trying to get out of the street. Surprisingly, it somehow made it to the curb where it collapsed into a little trickle of water running down the street. I watched from a distance to see if it was dead. I thought it was because it was perfectly still.

But as I took a step closer I startled it and it started back out into the street, so I quickly stepped back.

I remembered that there is a wild life refuge center here in town. I took a baby squirrel there about ten years ago. So I decided that I would go get a box and come back, get the bird into the box and take it to the refuge center.

I went and dug a box out of the dumpster at Dollar General, which was the nearest business. As I was driving back I kept hoping the bird would be gone. I thought that possibly it was not seriously injured but only had the breath knocked out of it and it was temporarily stunned.

But, there it was, still lying quietly in the stream of water beside the curb, breathing heavily.

Then, Hashem sent a hero to save the day. I looked up, and across the street a woman was walking by. She looked over at me, probably wondering what I was doing standing there holding a box. It was very hot that day.

I yelled across the street to her, "Are you afraid of birds?" Thinking back on that moment I'm surprised she answered me and didn't speed up her step and get the heck out of the area in case I was dangerous or crazy or something.

But she said, "No. I'm not scared of birds. What's the problem?" And she started towards me. I sighed a huge sigh of relief. You see, I am terrified of birds. I always have been. I think they are beautiful. I enjoy watching them - as long as they are no where near me - and there is no possibility of them getting near me.

I told her what had happened, admitted my fear of birds, and told her I wanted to try and catch the bird and get it out of the street. Without another word she took the box out of my hand, walked quickly to the curb, scooped up the bird before it could struggle into the street, went over to my car and put the box in the back seat.

She said that it would not be able to fly out because of it's injuries. I thanked her and she smilingly said goodbye and walked away.

Even though she said the bird couldn't fly out I was terrified to get into the car with a bird in an open box. I thought that I would have a wreck if it did somehow fly out, or I would simply jump out of the car and let it crash. So I found a paper bag in the back of my car to put on top of the box just to make sure.

Then we were off to the rescue center. Me, a terrified human, and a bird who was probably even more terrified of me than I was of it. I found myself saying a little prayer for the poor bird as I drove. I kept thinking of how I had heard that doves are mates for life, and that this bird's mate might have been sitting somewhere watching the entire scene - worried or sad about losing his/her mate. Or that he/she would simply wonder what had happened - where had the mate gone if it had not seen what happened. I don't actually know if this is fact or fiction, but I was thinking about it as I drove. I was very sad for both this bird, and his/her mate.

I arrived at the refuge center, took the box out of the car, and was walking towards the drop-off area when a girl came around the building. I told her what had happened and she took the bird out of the box, carefully and gently held it in her hands, looking at it.

As she was holding it in her hands gently stroking it's head I looked at it. It was very beautiful. She said it was a ring neck dove.

She turned it over and began examining it. She determined that both of it's legs were broken and it seemed to be seriously injured. She said that it was not very likely that it would survive it's injuries. She said that if a bird can't use it's legs to help it take off it can't fly any more. She also said she suspected it had internal injuries.

She then assured me that if the staff made the determination that the bird would not be able to recover that it would be given a tiny little bit of medication that would put it to sleep. She said that she appreciated me bringing it in - whether or not it survived. She said that it would have suffered in the heat, and possibly gone back out into the street and been killed. And even if it had to be euthanized it would not suffer that horrible fate.

As we stood there talking about the bird I looked into it's eyes. And I felt that it somehow knew that it was cared for. It did not seem frightened in any way. It looked at me as I stood there talking to the girl.

I know it seems unlikely, but I could tell it was saying thank you by the way it looked up into my eyes. It gave me a good feeling to know that - even if it would die, that it would be in a peaceful, quiet, cool and caring place.

I filled in the paperwork, gave them a donation of a few dollars - all I had in my purse - and left. I was actually very sad as I drove home. I felt good about having had the opportunity to help a poor little bird, but sad that it had happened.

Even though my relationship with this tiny little creature that I was terrified of was brief, I still felt somehow "connected" to it. I was thankful that I was in the right place at the right time to be able to do something good. And I was really really thankful that the woman was there to put the bird in the box for me.

G-d is always watching over His creatures. From a tiny little bird to a plus-sized middle aged woman.

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Here is the link to the place I took the bird: www.spwrc.org

Why I Choose to Replace the o With a Slash When Writing G-d

2010-06-21T21:57:00.000-05:00

I have been asked many times why I spell G-d's Name with a slash rather than the letter o. I wanted to explain my reason now. Before giving my explanation though, I want to share some verses from the Bible that are important to me and play a role in my decision making in every area of my life on a daily basis…

“…thou shalt love the L-rd thy G-d with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. (Deuteronomy 6:5)*

Serve the L-rd with gladness… (Psalm 100:2)

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might… (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

The fear of the L-rd is the beginning of knowledge but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)

Now for my explanation…

It is customary in Judaism when writing the words “God” or “Lord” as “G-d” and
“L-rd”. This is done as a way of showing reverence and respect for God and His Name. The rabbis teach that God’s Name should not be written in a place where it might be discarded, defaced, or erased. [examples: emails or blogs that might be printed, magazine or newspaper articles, letters, cards, etc. that will be put into the trash, burned, or disposed of as garbage]

This practice does not come from the Bible verses instructing people not to take the Lord's Name in vain, as many believe. “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7)

This verse refers solely to oath-taking and is a prohibition against swearing by God's Name falsely or frivolously. (The word is normally translated as "in vain" but literally means "for falsehood".)

The practice of replacing the letter o with a dash actually comes from Deuteronomy 12:3 & 4: “And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place. Ye shall not do so unto the Lord your God.”

We see here that the Israelites were instructed that when they would take over the promised land, they should destroy all things related to the idolatrous religions of that region and should completely and utterly destroy the names of the local deities. They were then immediately instructed NOT TO DO THAT TO GOD.

We understand from this that erasing the Name of God should be avoided. The general opinion today among rabbis is that this only applies to the sacred Hebrew Names of God and not to the word "God" in English or any other language. But even among the very religious Jews who consider it unnecessary to practice this custom many, nonetheless, write the Name "God" with a dash rather than the letter o out of respect and to avoid erasing God's name even in a non-forbidden way.

There is no actual prohibition in Jewish law from writing “God” in any language other than Hebrew. It is simply practiced as a form of respect for The Holy One and His Name. The Name of God should be treated with respect at all times and in every situation.

The written Name could possibly be defaced, obliterated, or destroyed accidentally by someone who does not know better, so it is best to avoid casually writing it at all.

It is important to understand that words typed on a computer are not permanent . To delete, backspace over, cut and paste, or copy files with God's Name in them is acceptable. However, once a document is printed it becomes a permanent form. That is the reason it is customary to avoid writing a Name of God in emails, message boards, blogs, etc. There is a risk in doing so that someone reading it might print it out, then deface it in some way without knowing that it is disrespectful to God and His Name to do so.

Printed books are considered to be permanent, so the o is not replaced with a dash in bound publications that are used for reading, studying, and prayer. This includes Tanach, Chumash, Siddur (Jewish prayer book), and other holy books.

In making my decision (close to 10 years ago) to write G-d with a dash I did so as an act of “Kiddush Hashem” which means “sanctification of The Name“. I replace the o with a dash as a tiny way that I can increase my respect for G-d numerous times every day. Every time I type that little dash it serves to remind me to show utmost respect for the Almighty - even in my emails and blogs.

*Note: The above mentioned references are from the King James Version of the Christian Bible.

PLEASE DO NOT PRINT THIS BECAUSE I DID NOT REPLACE THE LETTER o WITH A DASH IN GOD'S NAME FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS EXPLANATION.

Parsha Emor - Leviticus 21:1-24:23

2010-05-02T13:58:00.009-05:00

Chapter 23 verses 1 & 2: And the L-rd spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to the children of Israel and say to them: The L-rd's appointed [holy days] you shall designate as holy occasions.

I teach a children's class, made up of children ages 6-11 at our local Noahide study center each Shabbat. I take only one or two ideas from the Parsha each week to teach.

We started this weeks class by reviewing the Seven Mitzvot for Noahides and the Ten Commandments for Jews. I wanted to do this to remind them that G-d gave the Jews additional instructions and instructed them to teach His "rules" to all the nations of the world. I also wanted to remind them that idolatry - whether by Jews or Noahides - is non pleasing to Him.

After our review, we then began discussing what holidays, celebrations, and holy days are. Each child contributed to the discussion. None had heard of most of the holy days as described in Torah. Some had heard of Hanukkah and Passover. All of them had heard of the holidays of Christianity.

I gave each child a coloring book and a worksheet to write down the names of the holy days and holidays that are ok for Noahides to celebrate.

We talked about how it makes G-d happy when people obey His mitzvot and live according to Torah. We also talked about how not doing things the Torah tells us to do makes G-d unhappy.

We discussed how some people think it is ok to make up religious holidays or celebrations even though they are not mentioned in Torah. I was sure to mention that they are not bad people, but that they just have not learned about Torah yet.

Our discussion about celebrating holidays that are not mentioned in Torah led to the opportunity to talk about Hanukkah and Purim. Then American holidays, our birthdays, etc.

We talked about how some holidays make people happy but make G-d unhappy.

By the time class was over we had discussed how just because other people are doing something fun does not make it ok to do if it goes against what the Torah teaches us. We also talked about how it is not always easy - especially when our family and/or friends are doing those things.

I hope that when the "other" holidays roll around each year these children will have the strength with G-d's help, to forego participating.

I also hope that, as they mature each year, they will look forward to celebrating all of the holy days that G-d told Moses to teach to His people, Israel.

May we all - Jew and Noahide - do the best we can to learn and obey G-d's instructions to the world.

I put the commandments on the wall so we could refer to how each holiday falls in line with, or goes against G-d's Torah. (Example: Father's Day and Mother's Day, which are not mentioned in Torah. We talked about how we don't worship our parents, but we love them and want to make them feel special - which means to show them honor. One of the commandments G-d gave to the Jews was to honor their parents. So, because G-d gave that commandment, it is an acceptable thing to celebrate these non-religious holidays.)

As we discussed each holiday I put a picture of a child, along with the name of each Torah holiday on the side of Holiness. I only put a smile face with the name of acceptable celebrations on the same side so the children could easily see which ones are ok to participate in.

On the opposite side of the display I put a picture of a frown face and the word Idolatry. I then put smile faces with the name of holidays that make people happy, but make G-d unhappy underneath. This made it clear to the children that to participate in these holidays and celebrations might be fun, but that it is not what G-d wants us to do.

Why must we follow the Torah?

2010-04-30T14:25:00.002-05:00

QUESTION: Isn’t it good enough just to be a good person? Why must we follow the Torah?

ANSWER: And the answer is--Why must you keep traffic laws? Isn’t it good enough to be a good person? How many good people go through red lights? How many good people have killed innocent persons by driving drunk?

Good intentions are not enough to be a good person. A man must be bound by a code. And if he is choosing a code, he might as well take the very best code there is. There is no such thing as a good person without Torah.

A good person can be a mercy killer, he kills his old mother because he cannot see her suffer. A good person can be a selfish man, who thinks he is doing good, when in reality he is only helping himself, because he is blinded by his own desires.

We have to know that nobody is able to live with standards that he himself creates.
...whatever people consider as standards in one generation can change in another generation. It’s only those who live by the eternal standard of Torah, who remain good forever and ever.

"A Moment with Rabbi Avigdor Miller, Z’ tl

Eighth Day of Pesach - Mashiach's Feast

2010-04-06T18:25:00.000-05:00

Acharon Shel Pesach/the last day of Passover has a special connection to the coming of Mashiach/Messiah. It is the day we celebrate our hope for the coming of Mashiach.
The eighth day of Pesach is celebrated by eating a special, festive meal, a custom initiated by the Baal Shem Tov, approximately 250 years ago, called Mashiach’s Feast. In the time of the Baal Shem Tov, the main element of the meal was matzah. The custom of adding four cups of wine was added at a later time.

Matzah is poor man's bread, flat and tasteless. Wine, in contrast, not only possesses taste, but also induces joy and delight.

The four cups symbolize, among other things, the four letters of G-d’s Name, which will someday be revealed.

What is the connection between the last day of Pesach and Mashiach? The last day of Pesach is the conclusion of that which began on the first night of Pesach. The first night of Pesach is the festival commemorating the Israelites’ redemption from Egypt by the hand of G-d. It was the first redemption, carried out through Moshe, who was the first redeemer; it was the beginning. The last day of Pesach is the festival commemorating the final redemption, when G-d will redeem the world (both Jews and non-Jews) through Mashiach, who is the final redeemer. The first day of Pesach is Moshe’s festival; the last day of Pesach is Mashiach's festival.

Pesach is the festival that celebrates freedom. The first day celebrates Israel’s’ redemption from the first exile; the last day celebrates the future redemption from the final exile.

Today, the last day of Passover, I spent the day studying about Mashiach and the Final Redemption. I ended the week of Passover by partaking in the Mashiach’s Feast - complete with shmurah matzah and four cups of wine (in my pretty pink wine glasses). I, together with many other people throughout the world anticipate and celebrate the imminent arrival of the Mashaich. [Lance could not be at home for this special time.]

I wanted to share some of the things I learned (or reviewed) about Mashiach today…

*When Mashiach comes the world will rise to perfection. The material world will remain unchanged with all its natural laws and characteristics, and yet, at the same time, people will have a heightened sensitivity to spirituality and be able to perceive the G-dliness in all of creation.

*When Mashiach comes there will be no temptation to do evil. We will no longer have the inclination towards evil within us. We will have the ability of pushing ourselves to the limits. In the Messianic Era “choice” will mean how high we want to soar - how much do we want to accomplish.

*Mashiach is not the eternal domination of one people and the eternal damnation of all others.

*Mashiach is Utopia. The Era of Mashiach will usher in the ultimate pleasure - the pleasure of basking in G-dliness.

*Mashiach is the answer to “Why are we here?” We will no longer suffer from anxiety and depression. We will understand the reason(s) we were born.

*Mashiach will teach the purpose of life to the universe and redeem mankind from meaninglessness. When he comes divine inspiration will be poured out on all mankind and the knowledge of G-d will fill the world like the water in the sea.

*Mashiach will solve the problem of world hunger. There will no longer be famine any place on earth. No one will be starving. In fact, people everywhere will have a higher standard of living than they do today.

*Mashiach will bring peace to the world. There will not be any more wars. No more school shootings. No more bullies. No more terrorist attacks. No more hatred or fighting between people. No more jealousy or gossiping. Even the wild animals on earth will live peacefully with other creatures and humans.

*Mashiach/Messiah (comes from the Hebrew word meaning “the anointed one”) will be a dynamic global leader. All the nations of the earth will recognize him as Mashiach and will accept his dominion as world leader. He will be Jewish. He will be a learned Torah scholar. He will be fully human, born of two Jewish parents. He is not G-d, but will teach the world to know G-d. Any potential Mashiach must be a direct descendant of King David. (There are many people living today who can trace their lineage back to King David.) In every generation there is a person who potentially could be the Mashiach. When G–d decides the time has arrived, He will bestow upon that individual the necessary powers for him to precipitate that redemption.

*All mankind will worship one G–d and live a more spiritual and moral way of life. The coming of Mashiach will complete G-d’s purpose in creation: for man to make a dwelling place for G-d in the lower worlds.

We are living on the threshold of redemption! And every person living and breathing now can do something to bring Mashiach today and bring an end to the suffering of the world. Every Jew, every non-Jew, every man, every woman, every boy and every girl can participate in this awesome and amazing time of working to bring Mashiach. We can all work as individuals and work together to bring Mashiach!

Here is a list of things we can do to hasten the coming of Mashiach because by doing so the world will become a better place:

-Do not participate in idolatry or pagan practices. Honor and worship only the One True G-d.

-Work every day at growing closer to G-d.

-Do not murder, steal, or curse G-d.

-Avoid cruelty to animals.

-Increase our study of the entire Torah – written, oral, and mystical (particularly sections about Mashiach, the future redemption, and the holy temple.

-Be committed to our families by honoring our marriage vows and being faithful to our husbands or wives and by loving our children and providing a peaceful and nurturing home in which Torah is taught and G-d is worshipped.

-Increase our tzedekah (charitable giving).

-Increase our deeds of chesed (lovingkindness).

-Look for opportunities to help people and be willing to step up and offer the help that is needed.

-Increase our prayer time, both hitbodidut and the prescribed prayers.

-Increase our bikur cholem (visiting the sick).

-Become more humble and modest.

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Now that Pesach has ended I lit the havdallah candle, and will now have my first meal with leavened bread.

Seventh Day (Sabbath) Blessing for Children

2010-01-08T16:45:00.001-06:00

Giving children a special blessing each Sabbath is a beautiful way to strengthen the bond between parents and their children.

Blessing children on Sabbath after the candles are lit and before the meal is eaten is an age old custom in Jewish homes. (Vayechi Genesis 47:28-50:26)

Each family has its own special way of giving the blessing. In some homes the father gets up from his place and goes to the child's place.In some families each child takes his or her turn coming to the father.

In some homes both the father and mother give the blessing. Grandparents often give a blessing to their grandchildren if the parents are not present or do not have the custom to do do.

When giving the blessing it is done by placing the right hand on the child's head and the left hand around his/her shoulder. This manner of giving the blessing is distinct and different from the manner Jewish parents give their children a blessing. They place both hands on the child's head. (Note: you will develop your own individual custom which feels pleasant and joyful to both the children and the adults with practice and time.)

After giving the blessing you might want to whisper something special and personal to each child. (Examples: if he/she did well on a test, cooperated with siblings, has problem, etc. )

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Sabbath Prayer For Children

May G-d bless you, (insert child's name), to walk with Him among the righteous of the nations.

May He bless you with a good, sweet, and long life.

May He bless you with happiness and peace, both now and forever.

(For boys: May He send you a wife who will love and care for you, and may He help you to be a good husband and father.)

(For girls: May He send you a husband who will love and care for you, and may He help you to be a good wife and mother.)

May G-d hear my Sabbbath prayer today.

Fly Like an Eagle

2009-11-02T20:14:00.000-06:00

On Monday, November 2, 2009 at sunset the date on the Hebrew calendar became 16 Heshvan, 5770.

Fifty five years ago on the sixteenth day of the month of Heshvan in the year 5715 my soul left heaven and entered the human earthly body I now inhabit. I was the first of four daughters born to Larry and Linnie Sanderson in Littlefield Texas.
On that day my soul's mission on earth began.

The Torah Parsha for my birthday is Vayeira, which is found in Genesis 18: 1 through Genesis 22: 24. I can't believe I am 55 years old and have never looked up my birthday Parsha. When I realized today that the Parsha we read last Shabbat is my birthday Parsha I was completely blown away.

The themes of this section of Torah are: hospitality, G-d's faithfulness in keeping promises, things that seem impossible in our thinking not being impossible at all when one trust's G-d, and tests that G-d sends our way.

It really IS MY PARSHA!! Jeremiah 1:5 says, "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee..." Psalm 139: 3 says, "Thou ...art acquainted with all my ways."

Hospitality comes so naturally to me. If I am not working on a party, planning and preparing for house guests, or looking for the next event I am just not happy. Planning, doing, inviting, and having people come to my home is my true joy in life! Now I know why.

And I have seen G-d's faithfulness throughout my life in many situations that seemed hopeless to me. I have had my share of tests, and must sadly confess that I have not always passed them with flying colors. Yet, here I am. Still living and breathing after 55 years of not always getting it right. Not even close so many times.

I have been thinking a lot lately about getting older. I'm not old yet, but am certainly middle aged. I sometimes forget about how old I really am until I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. It's funny how I don't feel any different than I did when I was 15, 25, 35, or 45.

Yes, I am a little slower, have more aches and pains than I did in younger days. But the "Me" inside this body forgets about all that goes with aging until I see myself in that mirror. Oy vey! Who is that peering out of the mirror at me?

It's certainly a reminder that I ain't gettin any younger. Wrinkles. Gray hair. You might know what I mean. And if you don't know yet, you will.

Time. How does it fly by so quickly!?!

I love the song, "Fly Like An Eagle" by the Steve Miller Band (1976)

You can go to this link to hear it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1f7eZ8cHpM

This is going to be my theme song for the upcoming year, B'H.

Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future

I want to fly like an eagle
To the sea
Fly like an eagle
Let my spirit carry me
I want to fly like an eagle
Till I'm free
Oh, Lord, through the revolution

Feed the babies
Who don't have enough to eat
Shoe the children
With no shoes on their feet
House the people
Livin' in the street
Oh, oh, there's a solution

I want to fly like an eagle
To the sea
Fly like an eagle
Let my spirit carry me
I want to fly like an eagle
Till I'm free
Fly through the revolution

Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future

Isn't it a great song!!!

I also have some favorite Bible verses that I hope to incorporate into my life in a more real way during my 55th year on earth.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1 & 2 - "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die..." and Psalm 90:12 - "Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." *time keeps on slippin into the future...

Isaiah 40:31 - "...they that wait upon the L-RD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." *I want to fly like an eagle

Leviticus 19:9-10 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the L-RD your G-d. *feed the babies, shoe the children, and house the homeless

There's no time like the present to make changes in my life that will allow me to be a better human. I've already been here for more than 50 years, and no one knows how long they have to accomplish their soul's mission.

Psalm 90:10 tells us, "The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away."

So, if I merit to live on this earth for 80 years, I still have some time to try and make the world a better place by my being here.

Ad me’a v’esrim - “May you live for 120 years” is a traditional Jewish birthday greeting. The idea behind the greeting is simple: Moses lived for 120 years. Maybe I will, too.

I sincerely hope to become a better person. More generous. More kind and patient. Less stressed, and more trusting.

I had hoped to invite people to spend the day with me, but since I have been taking an "eye" test for three weeks now, I won't be able to do that this year. But hopefully we can spend some time together soon.

Widget

2009-09-13T19:15:00.001-05:00

Connecting Myself to The Land of Israel

2009-08-12T20:27:00.000-05:00

I LOVE The Land of Israel and long for the day I can return. I have been blessed to be able to visit there two times (so far). My hope and prayer is that I can go again , and again, and again. If I can't live there, I hope to go often.

I will never forget the first Shabbat that I was in Israel. I was completely overwhelmed with emotion as I watched my youngest daughter lighting candles in the home of dear friends. I wept with joy and love for G-d, for His Land, for the holy Shabbat, and for my daughter.

(Note: This picture is not of my daughter. I got it from the internet because I don't have a picture of her lighting the candles.)

To be in Israel was an amazing experience. To walk on the soil, to breathe in the holiness of the air - feeling the Presence of G-d surrounding me- was a feeling that would be very difficult for me to describe. Just being in Israel "spoke" directly to my soul, giving me renewed strength and vitality physically, mentally, emotionally, and of course, spiritually.

The Presence of G-d is so tangible in Israel that it would be impossible not to feel it. G-d promised in His Torah that He would have a constant, 24/7 connection with the Land of Israel. Devarim 11:12 says, "A land that the L-rd your G-d scrutinizes constantly; the eyes of the L-rd your G-d are on it from the beginning of the year until the end of the year." WOW! G-d must love the Land of Israel more than a mere human can understand.

Bresheit 12:1 tells us, "G-d instructed Abraham, 'Go from your land, from your birthplace, from your father's house, to the land that I will show you.' "

The Hebrew word for "go" -- lech -- is followed by the word lecha, meaning "to yourself." The classical Biblical commentator Or HaChaim asserts that going to the Land of Israel entails moving towards one's self, one's truest, deepest self. I agree with him.

Nachmanides, the great 13th century sage, claimed that the mitzvot of the Torah could be properly fulfilled only in the Land of Israel. Performing mitzvot outside the Land, he wrote, was merely for the sake of keeping in practice, so that when the Jewish people return to the Land, they will know what to do.

I do hope and pray for another opportunity to return to Israel, but in the mean time, I try to do something every day to demonstrate - both spiritually and physically - my love, support for, and bond with Israel.

Praying for peace for all of Israel (not only Jerusalem) connects me spiritually. I make physical connections by using things that are grown or produced in Israel. I have found it amazing that it is really more simple than I would have imagined to find things from Israel. Here is a picture of some of my "connections" with Israel.

I found this hand soap and hand cream at Pier 1 Imports. It is made in Israel, so every time I wash my hands or use lotion I am gaining the benefit of having the holiness of Israel attached to me physically.

I just found these great take out style plastic containers yesterday at Big Lots. I have also found some other plastic type items in the past at other stores so I think that plastic manufacturing might be one of Israel's industries. I feel good about buying anything from Israel because, not only does it connect me to The Land phisically, but it is helping to put money into the economy of Israel. If I can help to support even one business or help to put food on the table of an Israeli employee, then I want to do it. (Notice the label.)

I keep this souvenir I bought on one of my trips hanging in the hallway so I can see it many times throughout the day as I pass by it. My mind immediately takes me back to Israel when I see it.

I love eating and serving foods from Israel! I bought the coffee, pickles, and olives in a kosher grocery store when I was in Dallas a few months ago. I got the jelly in our local grocery store and found the tea in a small gift shop here locally.

To be able to actually hold in my hands, stones that came from Israel is such a blessing to me. I have a small bowl of stones that I picked up from various places while on my trips. (Note: Never take stones from the Holy Temple Mount if you visit there.) When I go to bed each night I choose one of the stones to hold in my hand under my pillow as I go to sleep. I say the bedtime Shema, then drift off to sleep with a tiny bit of Israel with me while I sleep.

A dear dear friend painted a beautiful smoothe stone from her garden and gave it to me as a gift. It sits on my nightstand near the bowl of small stones.

I keep pictures of Israel's captured sons on my fridg so I will remember to pray for their safe and speedy return to their homes and families.

There is absolutely nothing more beautiful than music in Hebrew! Each time I listen to one of my Hebrew cds my soul sings along - even though I don't understand the words with my ears, my soul sure does.

Other ways I attatch myself to Israel is by working on trying to learn Hebrew, by watching Israeli videos, Torah scholars, and rabbis on dvd, by studying Torah and teaching it to my grandchildren, and by giving tzedekah to Israeli charities.

I found this Dead Sea bath salt at Big Lots. I have purchased it from other stores as well, and have found that it is pretty common nowadays. Every year in the mall there are Israeli young people who sell Dead Sea products in little booths in the walkways throughout the mall.

I don't take baths, but the salts are luxurous for soaking tired feet at the end of a long day. When I have my feet in the water, I think of the day we went to the Dead Sea and spent the afternoon at the spa and floating on the sea. It was a wonderful experience.

The Dead Sea minerals have strong healing powers, so I know that I am making myself physically more healthy while I am connecting to Israel.

Other things to help me to stay connected to Israel, G-d, and His Torah as I go through the day.

Rebbe Nachman from Breslov said, "Wherever I go, I'm going to Eretz Yisrael."

That is my heartfelt desire as well. But until the time comes that I am able to do so I will continue to look for ways to connect myself to Israel in physical and spiritual ways every day.

2009-08-10T15:01:00.001-05:00

My dear friend, Pam, called early this morning to let me know that her daughter was in labor with her first grandchild. After reminding her to drive safely (through downtown Dallas rush hour traffic) I hung up the phone and began praying Psalm 20 for both mother and baby. This Psalm has power to bring an easy delivery and birth.

After I prayed I went for a walk in my neighborhood. I wanted to share my photos and my thoughts.

Mazel Tov Pam, Jenny, and Zack! May your family continue to grow in love and peace!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

My Shabbat Celebration June 12, 2009

2009-06-22T22:09:00.000-05:00

Me with my new Persian friend

My dear friend since 5th grade

The Shabbat candles and challot

The second meal (Shabbat morning)

Chabad House in Dallas

Standing by the menorah in front of the shul

I spent Shabbat two weeks ago in Dallas. I had gone down for a Noahide conference earlier in the week. After the conference I stayed with a Christian friend that I have known since we were in the 5th grade.

She had attended the conference with me and wanted to have Shabbat dinner and attend prayer service at a synagogue. She had never participated in either of these things.

I cooked dinner Friday night for the two of us. Then Hashem sent a surprise guest to the apartment.

One of my friend's co-workers had no power in her apartment due to storms in the area knocking out power to many homes and businesses on Wednesday night. She phoned and asked if she could come over to do her hair and makeup in the bathroom since she could not see in her own apartment.

So, as I was finishing dinner, setting out the candles and flowers she arrived. We began talking and I learned that she is Muslim and is from Iran. Her parents sent her and her siblings to universities in the US and Canada. They do not want their children living in Iran.

She said that her family is not religious, but that her grandmother does say the prayers. We discussed religious conversion, being a Noahide, and Pam mentioned some things about Christianity. It was quite an interesting conversation to say the least.

She said that if someone converts to a religion other than Islam in Iran that they would be killed. She said she likes the freedom that people in America have to choose any or no religion and that no one will try to stop them. Or kill them.

I asked her if she wanted to join us for Shabbat dinner and she said that she would like that. So, I had the blessing of lighting Shabbat candles in the home of a Christian friend with a Muslim guest. I had the opportunity to explain (very basic language) why candles are lit, why Shabbat is important to all mankind, and why it is a special time for my family.

I never would have thought about spending Shabbat in such a way! I am thankful for every opportunity Hashem offers me to learn something else about His ways and about myself. I have to admit that I have stinking thinking when it comes to Muslims and some other groups of people. (Don't get me wrong. I have no fondness or kind words for terrorists, murderers, and the likes of that kind of Muslims.)

When I looked at and listened to this young, beautiful, Persian, girl I saw that she is no different from my own daughters and nieces. She has dreams and hopes for her future. She loves her parents. She wants to live in peace with people. And she was interested in what I had to say to her.

We agreed to stay in touch via emails, and I now consider her to be a friend.

I thought that sharing Shabbat with a Christian and a Muslim might be just about as far out there as things would ever get. But then, last Shabbat I had a Budhist sitting at my table with my family.

G-d does still have a few tricks up his sleeve I think.

Sunday French Toast Recipe

2009-06-01T22:57:00.000-05:00

This is a great way to serve a loaf of left-over challah after Shabbat. Try it. You'll like it!

Ingredients:
6 medium eggs
1 1/2 cups milk (or half and half)
1 tsp vanilla
1 TBLS honey
1 tsp grated orange zest
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt (optional)
1 large loaf challah, or any other bread that you like

1 TBLS butter
1 TBLS extra virgin olive oil or vegetable oil

Powdered sugar in sifter shaker
Maple syrup
Honey
Jam or jelly, any flavor

Preparation:

Cut challah into 3/4" slices, set aside

Crack the eggs into a bowl and mix with a fork or whisk until blended.

Add the milk to the eggs and mix.

Stir in other ingredients and mix.

Pour into an oblong casserole dish.

Place slices of bread into the egg mixture for 3-4 minutes to soak up the liquid. Turn each slice over for aproximately a minute while heating the butter and oil on a griddle or in a skillet.

When it is hot, place the egg soaked challah slices on the griddle and cook on medium heat until golden brown. Turn each slice over and brown on the other side.

Remove from griddle and place on an oven safe plate and put in the oven (set to low or warm) while you cook the remainder of sliced challah.

When ready to serve, sprinkle powdered sugar on each slice.
Serve with syrup, honey, jam, or with only the powdered sugar. Yummy with coffee.

The Weekend Is Here!

2009-05-15T18:09:00.000-05:00

Each of us has experienced another week of living on planet earth. Now we will enjoy what in America we call The Weekend. It is what most people look forward to all week. TGIF is a popular saying that we have all heard many times. (Thank G-d it is Friday!)

This week has held many different kinds of experiences for us, the inhabitants of earth. Some have been blessed to hold down a job, have the health and ability to get up each morning and do work in exchange for money to buy the things we need and want.

Others have been blessed to have been able to stay in their homes and take care of loved ones: children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, or others who need to be cared for lovingly. This type of work is so important and provides many benefits, but money is not one of them.

Then there are those who have a job but were sick and could not go to work. Some had car problems or accidents, leaving them without a ride to work.

Some have moved to new houses or different countries.

There were people who lost loved ones or friends to death, distance, or estrangement.

We have laughed. We have cried. We have been tired and cranky. We have been kind - or not so kind. Some got married. Others divorced. Some had a new baby. Some had children graduate from school.

Some have achieved goals that they had set. Others may still be moving towards their goals or setting new or different goals.

But no matter how the week went for us, we have now reached the weekend, and will have two days to spend resting, playing, being with people who make us happy, reading, playing games, or doing the other things that make our lives pleasant. (I do realize that there are some of us who work on the weekend, and have time off on other days of the week.)

Wherever you are this weekend, whatever you are doing, just know that I am thankful that you are in my life. Whether I see you every day, or have not seen you for many years, whether we have never met face to face, but are Face Book Friends, whether you live near to me or far far away, I hope for you a peaceful and joyful weekend.

I want to give you the same blessing I give to my children and grandchildren every Friday night...

May G-d bless and keep you.
May He make His face to shine upon you.
May He give you peace.

Shabbat Shalom!

Until next time...

Darla

Shabbat For One

2009-05-04T22:18:00.000-05:00

Non-Jews are capable of reaching the same spiritual heights as Jews. Adam, Shem, Eiver, Chanoch, Noach, and Avraham were all non-Jews - yet, all of them were able to achieve high levels of closeness to G-d.

In last week's parsah (Acharei Mot and Kedoshim/Vayikra 18:5) we read the following verse: "And you shall guard my chukim (decrees) and my mishpatim (laws). You shall carry them out and live by them. I am Hashem."

Does this verse apply strictly to Jews?

R' Meir says: "How do we know that even a non-Jew who involves himself in the study of Torah and keeps the commandments is equal to a Kohen Gadol (High Priest) and by so doing shall live?"

"Greater is the man who does mitzvot in which he is obligated than one who does them without being obligated." Rabbi Chanina -Bava Kama 38a

The gemara uses the generic word man (adam) and does not say, "Kohanim, Levites, and Israelites" so we learn that this refers to any person - not only a Jew.

There is a longstanding debate in Judaism whether this gemara refers to a non-Jew who observes only the seven commandments required of the descendants of Noah, or one who observes all the commandments of the Torah.

What is meant by "shall live"? Rashi's interpretation on this text is: "In the hereafter; for if you say it means in this world, ultimately everyone dies. So it means that a person who upholds the commandments of the Torah enjoys the hereafter; his reward is in the World to Come." or as Maimonides said: "All who improve themselves and their souls in their attributes, knowledge, and faith in the Creator, blessed be He, are among those sharing in the World to Come, including the gentile."

Torah is a teaching of life, a system that cares for the well-being of each and every individual - both Jews and non- Jews. It is a Tree of Life for those who adhere to it.

Shemot/Exodus 20:8 says - "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy."

This is one of the commandments given to Jews. It is not one of the Noahide commandments. This does not mean it is ONLY for Jews.

Rabbi Yoel Schwartz of the Jerusalem Court for Bnei Noach, says,

"There are those who say that every Ger Toshav (a non-Jew living in Eretz Yisrael in the time of the Jewish Temple, who has formally accepted the obligation to observe the Noahide laws in front of a Jewish court) has to uphold and keep the Sabbath. (Rashi, Kritot 9, Yevamot 40) There is room to suggest that the Noahides, even nowadays, by accepting to fulfill the seven commandments, are in the same category as a Ger Toshav and should, according to Rashi, be required or at least allowed to keep the Shabbat.

A Noahide should not observe the Shabbat in the manner that a Jew does. A Noahide should not give occasion for a Jew to break the Shabbat."

Rabbi Schlomo Carlbach taught: "Shabbat will always exist, even if there be no Jew to observe it, because on Shabbat something happens to the world, G-d opens the gates, and something so holy comes from heaven down to us, and all we have to do is pick it up.
The Zohar asks, 'how did Noah have the strength to resist a world that was rotten to the core? When everyone around him seemed perverted and crazy, Noah and his family held out alone, right? Where did he get the strength from?
Well, the name Noah is the same as the Hebrew word for rest. The Zohar says that Noah wanted to serve G-d. Noah wanted to keep Shabbat. Since nobody else picked up the power that came down from heaven, Noah and his family could take it all! And that’s how he had the strength to resist the world. He had the power of the world in his bones.
So, every Shabbat, imagine if you would pick up from the world the power of heaven. Imagine how much strength you would get, how much holiness you could put in your bones."

The Gerrer Rebbe, the Pinei Menachem, writes that "Shabbos elevates everything in the world to the upper worlds, and like the gemara (Shabbos 118b) states, even one who worshipped idols like in the days of Enosh, if he observes Shabbos, his sins will be forgiven."

Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, the Arizal, composed the following: "Yemina usmala uveinaihu kallah bikushitin azla umanin ulevushin, three preceding days to the right and three succeeding days to the left – and amid them the Shabbos bride. With adornments she goes, vessels and robes."

This passage teaches us that Shabbat is the center of human life. One should always be focused on preparing for Shabbat. In a similar vein, one should always be preparing oneself in this world for the World to Come, as Shabbat is a semblance of the World to Come.

I love Shabbat. It is my favorite time of the week. It is a time I spend with my family. It is a day I don't go out into the world to buy groceries, run errands, pay bills, or rush around until I am exhausted. It is a day I focus on G-d and His Torah and how I can make the world a little better by my being here.

It is a day that I can recharge my batteries. It is a day that I actually enjoy going outside and walking around the neighborhood. It is a day that I don't feel guilty if I spend extra money on desserts and special flavored coffee. It is a day that taking a nap is ok and does not upset my schedule.

I have been "keeping Shabbat" for close to 10 years. Do I do it "right"? Not even close. The rabbis don't need to worry about that! But I try my best to do things that elevate the day to a higher level of holiness in my life and in our home. It is a special day for me.

Some weekends my husband and I are both at home. Some weekends we are at our lake cottage. On other weekends some or all of our children and grandchildren are with us either at home or at the cottage. Sometimes I am at home alone while Lance goes fishing.

Last Shabbat I stayed at home while Lance was at the cottage with friends. I had a nice, quiet Shabbat alone. I took some pictures to share in hopes that it will encourage someone who feels he/she can't observe Shabbat without a community.

I admit that I prefer to be with other people on Shabbat. But Shabbat is a gift from Hashem for anyone who wants to accept it. It is personal. So whether there is one person in your house celebrating Shabbat, or a large group of family members and friends, each person can do something to elevate the day. Eat special food. Use special dishes. Wear something new or special.

Be creative! Enjoy the many blessings of Shabbat!!!

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I didn't want to make big loaves of challah so I used a secret "recipe" I learned from my daughter-in-law. I purchased some frozen rolls and defrosted six of them.

I rolled out the defrosted dough into ropes.

I braided the ropes together.

Then I put egg wash and sesame seeds on each loaf, let them rise, and baked them.

My youngest grandson knows it is almost Shabbat each week when he smells the challah baking in the oven. Even though none of my grandchildren were with me this time, I enjoyed remembering other weeks when we were together for the celebration.

The Imrei Emes quotes the Heilege Ishbizter who said, "fish is eaten before any other food on Shabbos because fish symbolizes life. The first specie that HaShem created was fish and fish are not dominated by the evil eye."

I follow the Jewish custom of eating fish on Shabbat. I would not eat the fish in jars for several years because I think it looks disgusting and gross. But at a Passover seder a couple of years ago the hostess served it. Because I could not avoid eating some I tried a tiny tiny taste - much like a two year old would.

To my surprise I liked it very much, and have since introduced it to my family, who has also overcome their aversion to "fish in a jar covered by slime".

I prepared a beautiful green salad and used my favorite dressing. I had planned to have matzah ball soup, but forgot to start making it in time.

My entree was a frozen dinner from the organic section. After it was heated I put it on a pretty plate. Even a frozen dinner tastes good on Shabbat!

A glass of my favorite flavored tea was naturally required in honor of the special celebration.

A pretty pink wine glass for kiddush...

Lighting candles...

Saying the blessings, then it was time to eat.

After eating dinner and spending some time reading one of my favorite books there was time for dessert and coffee before going to bed. I found some tiny little kosher chocolate cupcakes and tiny little kosher ice cream cartons and knew it was meant to be. Delicious, is how I would describe my special little dessert!

It was then time to get some sleep. So off to bed I went. On Sabbath day I enjoyed the entire day relaxing, reading, napping, and playing in the backyard with my dog, Haley. (*This picture was not taken on Shabbat day but it was the only picture of Haley that I could find.)

I Love Balloons

2009-04-05T08:25:00.001-05:00

A Sad Day For Israel and the World (4/2/09)

2009-04-03T23:12:00.000-05:00

Only five hours after the freckled, always smiling, 13 year old Shlomo Nativ, of blessed memory, son of Rabbi Chaim and Revital Nativ, walked out the door of his home in Bat Ayin and crossed the same street he had crossed many times in his lifetime, he was brutally murdered by a Palestinian terrorist. The attack took place right before noon in the center of Bat Ayin, in front of the grocery store.

Shlomo's family brought his corpse out of their home on an orange stretcher, wrapped in a prayer shawl. Friends and neighbors accompanied the body of Shlomo, along with his family, to the nearby cemetery where he was buried Thursday afternoon. Using a megaphone to address the crowd, one of the mourners said that in the month of Nisan it is not permitted to deliver eulogies. "Anyway," he said, "words fail us."

The terrorist also attacked another young boy, Yair Gamliel, 7 year old son of Ofer & Michal Gamliel. Yair was evacuated by helicopter to Jerusalem’s Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center. A spokesperson for the hospital said that Yair arrived fully conscious despite his grievous wounds. He underwent emergency surgery to repair his fractured skull. He is listed in serious, but stable condition.

Yair and Shlomo were near the local council building, where children often play, when a terrorist dressed as a settler approached them, slamming an axe into their heads. Shlomo managed to get back to his home before he collapsed and died.

Shlomo's parents were away shopping for Passover but some of his siblings were home. One of his brothers tried, in vain, to revive him by pressing on his chest.

Yair ran in the opposite direction, and rounded the corner of the council building as the terrorist raced after him, still holding the ax. A neighbor who had gone to the local council building to pay a bill saw the terrorist and fought with him, eventually managing to take the ax from him.

Just about that time, one of Shlomo's brothers came out of a carpentry shop with a friend and saw what was going on. The brother had a gun and shot in the air, while his friend ran after the attacker, but failed to catch him. The police said that according to eyewitness reports, the terrorist fled the scene after running wild and attacking passersby, escaping capture.

Bat Ayin is located between Jerusalem and the southern West Bank city of Hebron in Gush etzion and is home to aproximately 1000 religious settlers. The Nativ family was one of the founding families of the town of Bat Ayin.

The terrorist was able to enter the settlement with ease because it lacks a security fence, unlike most other settlements in Judea and Samaria. Bat Ayin residents did not want such a fence because they believe they should be able to live in safety without it.

Shlomo Nativ was the eighth of nine children.

Friends who visited the Nativ family on Friday at the Shivah reported that the family is a beacon of strength and faith in the Almighty, remaining composed and actually strengthening and comforting the hundreds of people that came to offer their condolences.

May G-d send comfort toShlomo's family and may He avenge his blood.
May Yair Tuvia ben Michal be blessed with a complete and speedy refuah shleimah, and may G-d protect him and all of Israel's sons and daughters. May He have compassion on all of Israel and stop the suffering.

Unexpected Opportunities to do Random Acts of Kindness

2009-03-31T07:04:00.001-05:00

Yesterday morning I had the radio on in the car while driving to the recycling drop off center. The DJs were going on about nothing in between songs. At one point they began reading the names of celebrities who were having a birthday. Then they read the names of local residents with birthdays. I don't know how they know whose birthday it is unless a family member or friend calls it in.

One of the names I heard was a woman who was stopping by my house later in the day to pick up some things I had posted on Freecycle. Her name is a little bit unusual, so I knew it was her.

When I got home I put a little gift together (including balloons and shiny, curling ribbon), put it on top of her bag of Freecycle items, and just left it there for her to discover.

I have never met this woman face to face. Our interaction has been only emails exchanged in reference to the Freecycle post I had placed and she had answered.

About mid-afternoon I heard a light knock on the door. I was in the middle of doing some things so did not answer it, thinking it might be a salesperson or traveling missionary.

Last night I got the following email from the birthday girl: hi ya i wanted to say thank you for the birthday bag .. hugs

I responded, telling her how I knew it was her birthday. I then got this email: i could not figure out how in the world you knew it was my birthday lol its been a good day thanks husband got me chinese food so would not have to cook and my 7 year old got me a cat cup cake and a card .. he is waiting for me to cut him some lol night (name omitted)

I am glad that I recognized an unexpected opportunity to bless someone with a random act of kindness. I was blessed by blessing her!

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Pirkei Avot 1:2: The world stands on three things: on the Torah, on the service (of G-d), and on acts of loving-kindness.

Pirkei Avot 6:9: When a person departs from this world, neither his silver, nor gold, nor precious stones nor pearls accompany him; only his Torah and good deeds.

Shabbat 127a: People who perform acts of loving kindness will be rewarded by G-d in this world [during this life], and rewarded a second time in the next world.

Shabbat Shalom and Happy Something on a Stick Day!

2009-03-28T18:56:00.000-05:00

March 28 is National Something on a Stick Day. So I decided to make foods on a stick for our Deckard Shabbat Spread. We have been having a special "spread" for many years now every Shabbat.

I love doing this, and my family loves that I love doing it. On Shabbat day I put out our main meal buffet style and we call it "the spread". Sometimes it is just Lance and me. We have the spread whether we are at home or at the cottage.
Many times Laurie will call and say they are coming over for the spread. I always enjoy having the girls here with us for our Shabbat meals (or any other time, for that matter).

I always try to have special foods, fruits, and desserts that we don't have during the week. But no matter what we have I like to set it out in pretty dishes, display it beautifully, and make it a true celebration meal. We honor Shabbat by eating tasty foods. And today those foods are on a stick.

I hope you enjoy the pictures and descriptions.

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I love corn dogs, but since I stopped eating meat that is not certified kosher I have not been able to have a corn dog at the mall or fair or anywhere else. It has been 10 years since I have had a corn dog. A couple of years ago while at the mall I had a fried cheese on a stick. It was absolutely delicious. I would not even want to guess how many fat grams and calories, as well as high sodium content was in that thing. But it was a wonderful treat.

So today I decided to try to make cheese on a stick.

First I set out all the ingredients for the batter - which I looked up on a recipe website since I had never done it before.

I then cut the cheese into chunks and put a stick in each piece.

I mixed the batter.

I then put the shortening in the pan to melt and heat it.

After it was hot, I put the battered cheese chunks into the grease to cook.

I did not choose the correct type of cheese to use because most of it melted into the pan. Next time I will probably try cheddar or some other kind that is harder so it won't melt so quickly.

I have to say that, in spite of them not being gooey like the ones at the mall, they still tasted pretty good. I used a VERY HOT mustard for the dip. Yummy!

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The other foods on sticks that I prepared for our spread:

Corn on the Cob

Salmon (We had to eat this with chop sticks since I did not know how to get it on a stick.)

Pickles and Olives

Boiled Eggs sprinkled with Paprika

Bean KaBobs (soy beans and garbonzo beans)

Fruit KaBobs (strawberries, cherries, banana chunks)

Jelly Beans

When I set everything out for the spread I added our American and Israel flags (on sticks) for a reminder to pray for our troops today and also to pray for the Peace of Jerusalem and our dear Rabbi and his family who live in Israel.

Noahide Seminar in Dallas Texas

2009-03-28T09:12:00.000-05:00

I am just now getting around to making an entry on my blog about a wonderful three day Noahide seminar I attended in Dallas recently. It was great to learn from Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum from Jerusalem, Israel and to study with other people living a Torah based life.

It was held in the DATA of Plano shul. The meal on Sunday was catered by Cafe Fino and was delicious I might add. My dear friend, Andrea Woodward, spent a lot of time, effort, energy, and money to put it together, and it was a great success! I appreciate all she did.

I met some new people that I hope to stay in contact with - although I have not been very good at doing so thus far. It seems I always have too many projects going on if I am at home, or I don't have internet availability if I am at the cottage, which is as often as I can get down there.

Andrea is planning another seminar in June. I plan to attend (G-d willing) and can't wait to learn more about living a better life.

Lost Penny Day

2009-02-12T13:38:00.000-06:00

The purpose of Lost Penny Day, celebrated on February 12, is to encourage everyone to gather up spare pennies and donate them to a good cause. Lost Penny Day takes its name and intent from President Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president whose picture is on the copper penny and whose birthday is today.

Gather up all those pennies that you have been dropping in jars, candy dishes and coffee cans, and stashing in junk drawers. Give them to a worthy charity that you are passionate about helping.

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I wanted to think of something fun and uplifting to do to celebrate Lost Penny Day. I spent quite a bit of time on the Internet reading about pennies. I found the following information interesting:

-The word penny is probably derived from Penda, the name of an eighth-century English (Mercian) king who coined a piece of money called the penig or pennig.

-More pennies are produced than any other coin in the United States.

-The first penny was designed by Benjamin Franklin and was made of pure copper.

-According to the US Mint, the approximate life span of a coin is about 25 years.

-Lying side by side, it would take 84,480 pennies to reach one mile. Stacked flat one atop the other it would take 1,108,800 pennies to reach one mile.

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As I was reading about the penny I wondered how many pennies it would take to make a pound. I read on several different websites that depending on the time the penny was minted it could weigh less or more than others. It seems that there is no set formula to determine how many pennies it takes to make a pound because of this variation in weight.

I decided to find a pound of pennies so I started going through drawers, my car ash tray (I don't smoke.), pockets, purses, and other various hiding places for change and other treasures.

I got out my kitchen scale and started stacking pennies until I stacked enough to make a pound.

It took 173 of my pennies to make a pound.

I decided to start saving pounds of pennies to send to a group that I visited while in Israel a few years ago. The group is Lev U Neshama (Heart and Soul). It is based in Tzfat, one of Israel’s four holy cities. It is located high in the mountains of the Northern Galilee about 15 miles south of the Lebanese border.

I would love to live there in Tzfat someday. It really is very holy - from the air you breathe to the food you eat. It is one of the most beautiful and peaceful places I have ever been to. I did not want to leave.

A friend of mine is a volunteer with this group. One hundred percent of funds they collect goes towards their projects.

I have sent money from time to time, but today I am putting the group on my "regular" list of groups I donate to.

I realize that a pound of pennies won't save the world, but it can buy a little food for someone. I will plan to send 20 pounds of pennies every month. (Of course I will actually send a check, but will save the pennies to cover the check.)

You can read about this wonderful group of people and their projects at: http://www.levuneshama.org

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I love the following story. I don't remember where I first read it. I have no idea if it is a true story, or if someone just wrote it to make a point. But no matter, it has inspired me.

I have always picked up money if I see it on the ground. But since reading this story I always think of it when I do pick up money.

I have a little jar that I keep all the money I find. I don't know if I will ever spend it, or if my family will just find it in my closet some day while cleaning out my things and wonder why I kept it.

I hope you will enjoy the story as much as I do.

(Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house.

The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. The husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself immensely.

As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband. He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment.

Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts. Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny.

He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up?

Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She causally mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value.

A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this? "Look at it." He said. "Read what it says." She read the words "United Sates of America."

"No, not that; read further." "One cent?" "No, keep reading." "In G-d we Trust?" "Yes!" "And?" "And if I trust in G-d, the name of G-d is holy, even on a coin.

Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! G-d drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in G-d at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to G-d; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is G-d's way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, G-d is patient and pennies are plentiful! )

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Interesting true story about pennies:

In 1987 an 18 year old college freshman of Rochelle, Illinois named Mike Hayes came up with a novel idea to obtain the funding to pay for his college tuition and expenses.

He thought that just about anyone could spare a penny to donate to him. So he wrote a letter to Chicago Tribune columnist Bob Green and asked him to publicize his request that everyone reading the column send him a penny.

I remember reading the article at the time. In fact, I cut it out and kept it because I thought it was so unusual. I enjoyed Bob Green's articles, so it was one that I followed for many years.

Here is part of the article published on September 6, 1987:

"No one likes being used, but in this case I'm willing. It sounds like fun. Mike Hayes, 18, is a freshman science major at the University of Illinois in Champaign. He is looking for a way to finance his college education, and he decided that my column is the answer. "How many people read your column?" he asked me. I told him I didn't know. "Millions, right?" he said. "All over the country, right?" I said I supposed that was true. "Well, here's my idea," he said, and proceeded to explain. I'll break it down simply: Mike Hayes wants every person who is reading this column right this minute to send him a penny. "Just one penny," Hayes said. "A penny doesn't mean anything to anyone. If everyone who is reading your column looks around the room right now, there will be a penny under the couch cushion, or on the corner of the desk, or on the floor. That's all I'm asking. A penny from each of your readers."

In less than a month he had received the equivalent of 2.3 million pennies. Some people did send only a penny. But many people sent nickels, dimes, quarters, and even more. Donations came from every state in the US as well as from Mexico, Canada, and the Bahamas.

Mike did end up with the $28,000 he had set out to get. He went on to earn his degree in food science from the University of Illinois.

Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day

2009-02-11T23:10:00.000-06:00

Today was Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day (February 11)

Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day is in recognition that everyone spills a little milk now and then. It's a day to be optimistic, think positive, look on the bright side, and to find something good in everything that happens. As the song says: Don't Worry, be Happy!
It is a day to recognize that unplanned and unwanted things happen. And, when they do we must remember that everything G-d sends our way is GOOD.

One of the basic tenets of the Jewish faith is that G-d is the essence of good, and since everything in existence derives solely from Him, evil has no true existence. There is only “revealed good” and “hidden good.” What we experience as “evil” is, in truth, hidden good—good that we, because of the limits of our perception, are incapable of perceiving as such.

The Talmud cites a story that illustrates this point:

Rabbi Akiva taught: A person should always say: “Everything that G-d does, He does for the good.” Rabbi Akiva was once traveling, when he arrived in a certain town. He asked for lodging and was refused. Said he: “Everything that G-d does, He does for the good,” and went to spend the night in a field.

He had with him a rooster, a donkey and a lamp. A wind came and extinguished the lamp, a cat came and ate the rooster, a lion came and ate the donkey. Said he: “Everything that G-d does, He does for good.” That night, an army came and took the entire town captive. Said Rabbi Akiva to his disciples: “Did I not tell you that everything that G-d does, He does for good?”(If the lamp had been lit, the army would have seen me; if the donkey would have brayed or the rooster would have called, the army would have come and captured me.)

We have to develop the habit of realizing that the "tests" in our lives should not cause us to give in to worry and fretting. We should try to remember not to "cry over spilled milk". We should remember the lesson from Rabbi Akiva and be assured that we are only experiencing "hidden good".

Rather, with Hashem's help, we can try to take a positive attitude and fix the problem or get past it.

We all know the concept of the question: Is the glass half full or half empty? The pessimist sees it as half empty. The optimist sees it as half full. It's all in our attitude toward life.

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How I celebrated today...

I did some research about milk in the Torah. I found some interesting things and will share them now:

-The gematria (numerical value) of the Hebrew word for milk, chalav, is 40. Jews (and some Noahides) eat dairy foods on Shavuot to commemorate the 40 days that Moses spent on Mount Sinai receiving instruction in the entire Torah.
Moses spent an additional 40 days on Sinai, praying for forgiveness following the golden calf incident.

He then spent a third set of 40 days before returning with a new set of stone tablets.
The numerical value of chalav, 40, has further significance in that there were 40 generations from Moses who recorded the Written Torah, till the generation of Ravina and Rav Ashi who wrote the final version of the Oral Torah, the Talmud.

Further, the Talmud begins with the letter mem - gematria 40 - and ends with mem as well.

-Why is Torah likened to honey and milk?

Honey comes from a bee, which is not kosher, and milk comes from a live animal whose meat is forbidden until the animal is slaughtered in a human and kosher manner.

Both honey and milk, therefore, allude to the power of Torah which can transform a sullied soul into one of holiness and purity. (from Chag HaShavuot published by Yad L'Achim)

-Man cannot live on bread alone, nor can he survive on just water. Yet, one of the miracles of childbirth is that a mother's milk provides her newborn with all the nourishment it needs. In this sense, Torah is like milk, for it encompasses within it all the sustenance that man's soul needs for spiritual vitality and growth. Thus, milk foods allude to the Torah itself.

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One of the things that I feel is very important for me to do is to teach my grandchildren the food blessings that arepart of traditional Judaism.

The Sages ordained that "one should not derive benefit from this world without first reciting a blessing. Making a blessing before eating or drinking is tantamount to "asking permission" from G-d, acknowledging that "the world, and everything in it, is G-d's" (Psalms 24:1) and G-d is the true source of all the gifts of life. It imbues the mundane act of eating and drinking with a spiritual awareness--awareness of the true Source of our sustenance, and of the purpose of eating and drinking.
There are different blessings for different food types before eating, and after-blessings when the meal or snack is complete.

This is the bracha/blessing before drinking milk and eating dairy foods:
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, by Whose word all things came to be.

This is the translation of the prayer that Abraham taught his Gentile guests to say after they ate food to their satisfaction, in order to teach them that there is only One True G-d:
Blessed is G-d of the Universe, whose food we have eaten.

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My mitzvah for the day was to buy six cartons of milk and give them to six mothers who are financially strapped and have a hard time buying food for their children. I am so thankful that all six of my grandchildren are able to have milk to drink. I wanted to share just a tiny blessing with others in honor of Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day.

Umbrella Day Celebration

2009-02-11T09:35:00.001-06:00

As I have already mentioned in a previous post, I suffer from depression. In the past couple of years I have been working on overcoming this. Per Rebbe Nachman's prescription, I look for silly and funny things to improve my moods.

The rabbis teach us that the continuous obligation of Noahides is yishuv olom/improving the condition of the world. I know that I cannot accomplish this mitzvah if I am depressed.

A few years ago I saw a coffee mug in a little gift shop. I loved what it had to say, so needless to say, I bought it. I have taken the words of wisdom from that mug and put it into action.

The words on the mug are: Go Forth Into the Day and Make It GOOD! That is now my personal motto. I think Rebbe Nachman would like that. I wonder if he drank coffee? If so, I think he would have enjoyed having a mug like it too.

In working towards making every day good I find something to celebrate every day. Sometimes I celebrate alone, sometimes with my grandchildren, and sometimes with others.

Yesterday was Umbrella Day. I celebrated by myself, here at home. It was lots of fun. All my children and grandchildren were out of town, and my husband was at work. So, I just had fun in a simple way.

I worked on putting my celebration photos on a blog, then forgot to hit save, so it just disappeared. It was too late and near bedtime to redo it, so I will post yesterday's celebration blog today. So, here goes. I hope you enjoy my blog about Umbrella Day.

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When : Always February 10th
Umbrella Day is in honor of one of the world's most invaluable inventions. On a rainy, day, we are sure glad that someone was smart enough to invent it. It's also increasingly popular to use umbrellas to shade ourselves from harmful UV radiation, and the heat of the sun.
Umbrellas come in all sorts of sizes, colors, shapes, and, designs. Businesses and organizations use them for advertising. The smallest umbrellas fit inside a purse or glove compartment. Golf umbrellas are popular sizes. Then, there are lawn and beach umbrellas. [from some random website]

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The weather here was not rainy. In fact it was so windy that an umbrella would have blown away to the heavens had I tried to put one up outside. I have a servicable black umbrella, but decided I wanted a new one. A pretty one. So I went to the dollar store and bought a pretty teal colored one. It folds up so small I can put it in my computer bag or book bag to carry it with me.

I then came home to bake some cupcakes. I hardly ever bake anything since we can get kosher desserts and baked goods pretty easily. I gathered everything on the counter and started my celebration.

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Here are all the ingredients I used. I felt like I was setting up for a cooking show. You will notice in the photo that I had sat out some colored sugar sprinkles. I decided not to use them since the kids would not be here to eat the cupcakes, so they are not on the finished product as you will later see.

It is very irritating to me when I try to eat a cupcake and it sticks to the little paper liner. So when I bake cupcakes I lightly spray the inside of each paper liner. It also irritates me when the baking pan stays sticky after using the spray directly on it. So, I place each paper liner on a spread out newspaper page to spray it, then put the liners in the baking pan. It works great! The cupcakes don't stick, and I don't have a messy, sticky pan to clean up later.

Because I keep a traditional kosher kitchen I check each egg for blood spots before using it. This is a photo of me holding the egg in a glass bowl up to the light to check it.

I use mostly organic foods and really think the brown eggs are pretty as well as having a very rich dark yoke.

I filled each cupcake liner with one fourth of a cup of the batter. This makes the cupcakes rise just to the top of the liner. I like the uniform size that this amount of batter makes.

I baked the cupcakes for 20 minutes. Since everyone's oven is not exactly the same, you would choose the time that works best for your own baking project.

I let the cupcakes completely cool on wire racks before frosting them.

I set up umbrellas around the table, put on a pretty white cotton table cloth, sprinkled a few brightly colored jelly beans around, added some pretty ribbons, put the cupcakes on some of my colored glass dishes, and suddenly it was a party! I made myself a cup of coffee, sat under the umbrella, did a little Torah studying, and celebrated Umbrella day. Later when Lance came home he loved having freshly baked cupcakes. It was a fun day for me.

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Go to the following link to watch a happy Umbrella Day video:

http://www.jumpcut.com/view?id=A717B9B6785611DD845E000423CEF5F6

Tu B'shvat

2009-02-08T19:07:00.000-06:00

The Mishnah proclaims the 15th day of the month of Shevat as Tu B’shvat, the New Year for the Trees in Israel. New years are times for hope and new beginnings.

The following story from the Talmud inspires me to have hope for the future in spite of how bad things seem to be in the world today. The world's economy is in shambles. There are wars throughout the world. Terrorism and crime is rampant. Poverty and hunger are painfully evident on every continent in the world. Our environment is being destroyed by our human actions. Morality is at an all time low. Natural disasters seem to be happening all the time.

It can feel hopeless at times. But I cling to everything that promises hope for the future to be better. I pray for a better world for my grandchildren and their grandchildren after them.

I will have seven new trees planted in the Land of Israel in honor of Tu B'shvat this year. One for each of my six beloved grandchildren: Blake, Ethan, Azariah, Tzipporah, Sara, and Sophia. The seventh tree will be planted for my great nephew, Bryson, who was born this morning, weighing 3 lb. 14 oz.

May they live to see the trees mature and bear fruit, and walk on the Land of Israel, become G-d fearing Torah observant people who make the world a better place in which to live.

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Honi the Wise One was also known as Honi the Circle Maker. By drawing a circle and stepping inside of it he would recite special prayers for rain, sometimes even argue with G-d during a drought, and the rains would come.

He was, indeed, a miracle maker. As wise as he was Honi sometimes saw something that puzzled him. Then he would ask questions so he could unravel the mystery.

One day Honi the Circle Maker was walking on the road and saw a man planting a carob tree. Honi asked the man, "How long will it take for this tree to bear fruit?"
The man replied, "Seventy years."

Honi then asked the man, "And do you think you will live another seventy years and eat the fruit of this tree?"

The man answered, "Perhaps not. However, when I was born into this world, I found many carob trees planted by my father and grandfather. Just as they planted trees for me, I am planting trees for my children and grandchildren so they will be able to eat the fruit of these trees."

Honi then sat down to have a meal. After he ate he was very sleepy. He laid down and went to sleep. As he slept a small cave formed around him, which hid him from sight so people walking on the road did not see him sleeping.

He continued to sleep for seventy years. When he woke up he saw a man gathering the fruit of the carob tree and Honi asked him, "Are you the man who planted this tree?"

The man replied, "I am his grandson."

Legand from Babylonian Talmud- Ta'anit 23a

Art Work by Miriam Dimondstein

My "Statement of Faith"

2009-02-07T16:23:00.000-06:00

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Scripture References (using the Stone Edition Chumash, available from Artscroll):

In the beginning of G-d's creating the heavens and the earth... (Bereishit/Genesis 1:1)

G-d created Man in His image, in the image of G-d He created him; male and female He created them. (Bereishis 1:27)

Hashem G-d formed the man of dust from the ground, and He blew into his nostrils the soul of life; and man became a living being. (Bereshit 2:7)

...on the day that G-d created Man, He made him in the likeness of G-d. He created them male and female. He blessed them and called their name Man on the day they were created... (Bereshis 5:1-2)

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I can't ever remember a time when I did not know about G-d. I grew up going to church every week, hearing the Bible stories in Sunday School, listening to sermons from many preachers, singing songs and hymns about G-d, hearing about G-d from my parents and grandparents. G-d has been part of my life as long as I have been alive on this earth.

I don't think there was ever a day in my life when I even questioned the truth of the scriptures listed above. I just always knew that there was a Being, or a Power, or Something bigger than me, and that G-d was that thing. I knew that this earth and the universe and humans and everything else in the world did not just happen in some random way. I knew that G-d had created things just like the Bible said He did.

I can remember thinking how stupid it was to believe that somehow things just "happened" into existence: The Big Bang Theory. It just never made any sense to me. I never questioned that
G-d really did create everything - including me (through the miracle of reproduction and birth all the way back to Adam and Eve). I have always been fascinated by that thought. That I am a continuation of the original human all these years later.

My parents are dedicated Christians so that is how they raised my sisters and me. As Christians. Being brought up in church and a Christian home I learned more about Jesus than I did G-d.
I find it interesting that somehow, even as a child, I thought there was something flawed about the whole idea of G-d being three parts. So, I suppose you could say that I have just about always thought there was "more to the story" than I was hearing about. I did not know what it was, and for many years did not give it much thought. I just knew that there was more to it.

For most of my life I always felt bad about myself. I knew that I was a "sinner" and that I would never measure up. I wanted to, but knew that I was a failure as a human being because I just could not get things right. I wondered for so many years: "Why was I born?" "What am I supposed to be doing with my life?" "Why did G-d even create the earth and humans in the first place if He knew that we would all be such failures?" There were many other questions like these. And I never found the answers. It was very depressing to realize that I could not "fix" myself, but had to rely on someone else to "fix" me by being murdered. Talk about a downer! And it did not seem logical to me or make any kind of sense.

I can remember thinking that there was something wrong with the "story" because in the human courts of earth if I committed horrible crimes and was sentenced to death the judge would not allow my father or my mother (or anyone else) to die in my place and allow me to walk away with a clean slate. I would have to pay for my own crimes according to the laws of the land.

So, why would things be any different in the heavenly courts? Why would I be allowed to avoid paying the price for my own choices? I always knew that "the buck stops here" as the famous quote goes.

But Christianity was the only way of life I knew. I knew there were people who loved G-d and Jesus and went to church and did nice things and would go to heaven when they died, and I knew there were people who were heathens and did not go to church and who would go to hell when they died.

I sure didn't want to go to hell so I tried to be a Christian.

When I was about 6 or 7 years old I would look at my grandmother's Bible. It was the King James version. In that Bible there was a picture (a copy of a very old painting) of Satan in hell. He had a big metal stick with an arrow on the end of it, poking at a screaming man. The picture was very dark, and there were people sitting or hanging on rocks that looked like they were inside a scary cave. There were flames and smoke, and everyone in the picture looked terrified except for Satan, who looked happy.

That picture literally "scared the hell" out of me. I knew I would do whatever the preachers, my parents, my grandparents, or anyone else told me to do to avoid that place! Even though I was somehow sure there was "more to the story" I spent many years chasing the illusion that Christianity spreads to the world. And I also taught my children to do the same thing.

But, thankfully, in 1998 I began to have the courage to investigate things on my own. I knew that my parents and sisters and Christian friends would not approve. But I started seeking Truth in places and teachings outside the church.

It did not happen overnight. But with G-d's help I was able to discover the Torah and the G-d of Israel - not the god (Jesus) of Christianity. I no longer believe any of the teachings I learned from Christianity. I now seek to learn only what Torah (G-d's instructions) teaches. And for that I must rely on the wisdom of the Jewish sages who teach me how I, as a Noahide, should strive to live my life.

And with G-d's help I will be able to influence and encourage my children and grandchildren and their children (if I live long enough) to seek the wisdom of the rabbis and to live a Torah observant life.