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#AND christianity interprets most of it completely differently from how judaism does
theygender · 2 years
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The more I learn about judaism the more I wonder where tf christianity got all its bad shit. Why is divorce a sin in christianity when judaism has recognized the right to divorce for nearly a millennia and has codified religious laws for it. Why does christianity consider sex to be dirty (to the point where puritans considered it a sin to enjoy having sex with your own spouse) when in judaism it's considered holy and it's a literal mitzvah to have sex with your spouse on the sabbath. Why does christianity consider it a sign that you're faithless if you question your religion when in judaism that's considered an essential part to developing your faith. I'm probably stating the obvious here but I still can't get over the fact that there's no historical basis to any of this shit before christianity started, it's like christians just said "hey guys what if we took the torah and built a new religion around it but this time it was actively hostile to human life"
#rambling#disclaimer this isnt about individual christians im speaking about the religious trauma i experienced in my own life etc etc#these are just a few examples that I've noticed but they're definitely something#the part about sex in particular shocked me bc sex is pretty much viewed as actively evil in a lot of christian denominations#like you should only do it to create children and if you take pleasure in it (even if its with your own spouse) youre a dirty sinner#there arent as many examples like this nowadays but if you read puritan laws about sex it's like#you're allowed to have sex with your wife basically 10 times a year but you have to be fully clothed with the lights off#and you cant have sex on a holiday or a sunday and you cant touch each other and you have to try as hard as possible to hate it#literally WHERE did that mindset come from?? like for real#in judaism having sex with your spouse is basically considered a celebration of everything holy#and if you have sex on the sabbath (the holiest day in the jewish calendar—above every holiday)#its considered TWICE as holy#make it make sense#this is one of the things people mean when they say that lumping judaism in with christianity as 'abrahamic' religions is meaningless#theyre literally nothing alike#the only similarity is the torah but thats only half of the christian bible and one third of the jewish one#AND christianity interprets most of it completely differently from how judaism does#im tired#greatest hits#hall of fame
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Hello, I have a question about "biblically accurate angels" that I was hoping to hear your opinion on.
At this point it's been made clear that the entire concept of "biblically accurate angels" is antisemitic and ignorant of the actual origin and context of those specific depictions of angels, and I'm just wondering what you think would be the most respectful way for non-Jewish people to address the issue.
What I mean by that is, do you think non-Jewish people should just stop trying to depict angels in that way because there is no way to do so respectfully, and should stop even trying to talk about "biblically accurate angels" at all because they just don't know what they're talking about anyway.
Or do you think that maybe if people educated themselves enough and came up with a less offensive way to refer to those depictions of angels then they could potentially engage with the concept respectfully?
I ask because my fiance is very enamored with the whole idea of "biblically accurate angels" and I'm just trying to figure out if I should tell him to completely drop it because it's antisemitic, or if I should try and find some resources for him to actually learn about how those depictions of angels fit into Jewish beliefs. He watched a video about "biblically accurate angels" made by W*ndigoon one time and I just worry that it's given him an incredibly skewed and innacurate understanding of the subject.
Considering that the Christian tradition of angels does include descriptions similar to those in Ezekiel, I don't think there's anything wrong with depicting angels in this way if you're not Jewish. My issue is with the "fandomization" of angels and the term "Biblically Accurate Angels". I wish people would stop treating them like Eldritch horror monsters, because they're beings people actually believe in. They're not cryptids, they're sacred. If you're going to talk about them, I'd rather the term "Ezekelian Angels" be used, or "Non-humanoid". And yeah from the little I know about W*******on, and of course their highly inappropriate channel name, they're not exactly the best source to get respectful, accurate information about other cultures and belief systems.
If your partner is interested in the theology of angels and their different interpretations, then he should look to Jewish sources on angels and the actual history of them and their depictions. If your partner can learn to not treat angels like cryptids or fantasy monsters, and can learn to treat those who believe in them respectfully, as well as be well-versed in the actual source material, then there's nothing wrong with him being interested in them.
However, if he's not Jewish, he shouldn't be learning about the angelic hierchy and their spiritual attributes in depth, the Mercava, or the Sefirot, as those are deeply embedded in Kabbalah, which is absolutely off-limits to non-Jews and requires a high level of learnedness, even if you're Jewish.
Some basic articles below about angels in Judaism:
Best of luck with your partner!
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ungodlydandelion · 2 years
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Idk how many different ways I gotta say it but christianity =/= Judaism and the christian old testament =/= the Torah; they're completely different from a contextual standpoint and a bit different from a translation & content standpoint.
When I'm criticizing stuff in the OT that mirrors things in the Torah, while the Torah’s version and common interpretations may be interesting; they simply aren't the same story at all. To the point of it being like "yeah, I get it that the christian version is offensive and oppressive. That's- That's literally my point. It doesn't mean the Judaic version is just as offensive. They're probably very different. I haven't read the Torah or the Talmud, so I couldn't say."
The OT doesn't even contain all the same stuff in the same order - and different christian sects have different old testaments (there's anywhere from 39 to 49 books).
Like, for the easiest example with probably the closest translation between the two: OT god asking Abraham to sacrifice his son is usually seen as a story about being willing to sacrifice things that you love for god. The g-d of the Torah asking Abraham to sacrifice his son has been explained to me as a story about how you should question or have a dialog with g-d before just following orders.
They may have similar text, but the context of the stories are the base morals beneath them and they teach different things. Plus the years of added interpretation in modern times.
The pain caused by the christian version is real even if it "shouldn't" be like that because the Jewish version is different and christianity draws from Judaism. "Shouldn't" does not mean "isn't". Christianity isn't Judaism plus Jesus, and the connection between the two is long lost in most sects. Often any cultural connection was actively destroyed due to christian antisemitism. They are not the same!
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queerprayers · 2 years
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Hey, I saw your ask on dealing with antisemitism in Judaism. I'm not religious at all but it was super interesting to me because I have a culturally/ex Christian mother and Jewish father, but both atheists and raised me atheist. I'm curious, though, about when you said 'Abandoning God's chosen people' and why anyone would think anyone would be his chosen people if he exists. Wouldn't we all be? I have ties to both faiths and have been considering looking in to both more despite being raised staunchly atheist but the idea of a people being any more important to God always leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Are we not all his children? Why would Jewish people be any more special to him?
(re: this post)
Hello, beloved, thanks for bringing this to my attention! I love when people ask follow-up questions because sometimes I need other people to point out to me what should be obvious! I'm used to that phrase being used in my communities and scripture, and I honestly never really investigated what it meant or how it was being used, so thank you again for giving me the opportunity to think about what I was saying. I apologize for not being as intentional with my language as I could be, and let's see if I can explore more my own words. (Usual disclaimer: Not an expert, not Jewish.)
I completely agree that the idea that God loves some more than others or is some kind of nationalist being full of divine racial favoritism is a bad-taste-in-the-mouth kind of notion. And I think that's what it can sound like to a lot of Gentiles, especially when it's used for political reasons. (Disclaimer #2: Not going into Israeli politics here. I honestly see Christians using the phrase politically more than Jewish people, especially rapture/end-times people.)
"God's people" and "chosen" can mean a lot of different things, and there can absolutely be toxic interpretations of the phrase. When thinking about this concept, I immediately remembered the post that goes like this: "Xtians (and generally non-Jews) think it means 'chosen for more ice cream.' In actual Jewish theology, it means 'chosen to do the dishes.'" (x)
"Being God’s chosen people carried with it greater spiritual responsibilities and implied more demanding standards and the necessity to develop a spiritual vigour worthy of those whom God had selected to preserve and transmit his revelation to all the world." (Encyclopedia Britannica)
While, like most religions, there are many Jewish people that will explain that they have the right beliefs/are more holy/etc., I didn't find many people using the concept to argue for their superiority or that God loves them more. In fact, many people that I read were adamant that God has a relationship with everyone and that "the righteous of all nations have a share in the world to come." (x)
"This view does not preclude a belief that God has a relationship with other peoples—rather, Judaism held that God had entered into a covenant with all humankind, and that Jews and non-Jews alike have a relationship with God." (Wikipedia)
"God permitted to every people something he forbade to others . . . [and] God sends a prophet to every people according to their own language." —Natan'el al-Fayyumi (x)
Barbara Brown Taylor says that in her experience,
"Judaism actively discourages converts, since a person does not need to be Jewish in order to be righteous in God's eyes. Why take on so many extra responsibilities if you are fine with God the way you are?" (Holy Envy)
This is a foreign concept to many Christians! Actively evangelizing is seen as a duty in many communities—and to accept and celebrate the ways other people find God is something we can perhaps learn from.
The scripture tells us that God claims the whole world and God singled out the Jewish people—and also that God expected something in return:
"'. . . if you will obey Me faithfully and keep My covenant, you shall be My treasured possession among all the peoples. Indeed, all the earth is Mine, but you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.'" —Exodus 19:5-6
The covenant between God and Israel is integral to Jewish religion. Judaism maintains that the covenant with Noah after the flood was a universal covenant made with all humanity, which demanded basic morality, and then the covenant made with Abraham and his people gave them alone the Law. (x) Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg recently posted a piece about covenantal relationships:
A covenant is a binding agreement, a pact between two parties, confirmed by oath, sacrifice, or other means. What exactly is being agreed to varies widely by context; it has its origins in ancient kings' contracts, laying out the obligations of a ruler to his people and the people to their ruler. In the Exodus story, though, the concept of a covenant is turned from a mere contractual relationship into a sacred bond of mutual obligation and care. (x)
We use "chosen" to mean that Abraham's people were given the Law, and expected to follow it—but why them? The first answer is, we don't know.
"...nowhere does the Bible tell us why Abraham rather than someone else was chosen. The implication is that God chooses whom He wishes and that He owes no accounting to anyone for His choices." —Michael Wyschogrod (x)
There are theories as to why Abraham was chosen (that he was very righteous, etc.), but we don't have a definite answer. I did see the fascinating concept that God chose the people that chose God:
"The Lord offered the Law to all nations; but all refused to accept it except Israel." (The Jewish Encyclopedia)
"In the Bible, the choice of Abraham is assumed and no explanation for it is given. In Genesis 12, God appears to Abraham without any introduction, and commands him to leave his father’s home. But a rabbinic source—embraced and embellished by the 12th-century philosopher Maimonides—asserts that it was in fact Abraham who found God. Abraham alone among his contemporaries established the falsehood of idolatry, affirming that there was only one God who ruled the earth. It was only after this that God appeared to Abraham." (My Jewish Learning)
Over and over we see people in the Bible chosen for various reasons, not always because they were more worthy, but because God had a job for them to do. I do believe that God chooses people and communities to carry out God's will.
"I believe that every people—and indeed, in a more limited way, every individual—is 'chosen' or destined for some distinct purpose in advancing the designs of Providence. Only, some fulfill their mission and others do not." —Rabbi Lord Immanuel Jakobovits (x)
I would point out that perhaps identifying that God chose Abraham's people to carry out a mission does not exclude any other community from being chosen. They are chosen people—does this mean God didn't choose anyone else? Or does it mean that God gave every people a job, every individual a job, and the nation of Israel (and now, followers of Judaism) has their responsibility to uphold a covenant, just as Christians have a responsibility to follow Jesus? I have learned so much from studying other religions, and I believe the gifts of their own unique knowledge are part of God's will for them. God is always bigger than we think They are, and God's ways are not our ways.
I've mentioned before that I see the modern queer community in Christianity and other religions as being uniquely chosen to change the way we think about identity, marriage/family, and law. Perhaps instead of asking, "Why were Jewish people chosen and not others?" we can begin to ask, "What was I chosen for? What was my community chosen for? What gifts are other people and communities giving to the world?"
I want to be clear that there are many modern Jewish thinkers that reject idea of being "the chosen people" as either completely wrong or simply not relevant anymore. (x) There is no one Jewish opinion, just as there is no one Christian opinion.
Note: A lot of Christians will say that the Jewish people were chosen to be the ancestors of Jesus. While I do believe that it matters that Jesus was Jewish, I think this is ultimately a disservice to Jewish culture and religion. If the only value one can find in Judaism is that Christianity came from it, this paints Jewish people as vehicles for Christianity, as a people meant to be replaced.
I also want to make clear that when I said we were hurting God's people, I wasn't implying we should treat Jewish people better or with more respect than any other community. I was simply repeating something I had always believed without much question, that God chose the Jewish people for a purpose, to be a nation of priests, to show God's light to the world.
I don't really have an answer, just a lot more questions—that's what happens when you learn more about religion, in my experience. This was a bit haphazard, but I wanted to include all the different voices I found while researching, even if I can't neatly tie them together. Wishing you many beautiful questions in your journey, and please continue pointing out to religious people their hypocrisies and blind faith. Perhaps that is why God chose atheists. :) (x)
<3 Johanna
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writingwithcolor · 3 years
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Jewish and Muslim children of gods & biblical figures
hello! this blog has been an amazing help as a white, pagan writer and i just wanted to say thank you for that! 
i have a book i’ve been working on for about a year now, and the short summary is that it takes place in a world where if enough people believe in something existing, it does. from urban legends, cryptics, and religion.
the main story plot follows a group of teenagers who are the children of biblical figures (and later hellensism, since those are the religions i used to worship and now do), but several characters are different religions than that. i can’t believe it’s taken me so long to realize this, but isn’t it kinda… off? to have jewish and muslim characters be children of greek gods and biblical figures? i don’t want to completely erase that part of them, and its also stated in the story that the religions they believe in are true, also, but i’m neither muslim nor jewish, so i don’t want to just assume it’d be okay.
(also, for context, the plot causes such a diverse cast of characters. they are brought together because of they are their children, like percy jackson, i guess)
Here is a recent post that listed our concerns with inclusion of Jewish characters in settings where polytheism is literally true: Can Jewish authors write polytheistic settings?
One way I might fix the awkwardness of having the child of a "Greek god" convert to Judaism (lol backwards Chanukah?) is if, as in the linked post, the "gods" aren't actually on the same level of divinity as the entity in our prayers, but are just like, mortal superbeings that just happen to have way more power than regular humans. As for biblical figures, well, there are tons of Jewish biblical figures so if you want to write fanfiction about them that's legit, just do your research to make sure you're using Jewish interpretations about them that aren't filtered through Christian analysis. (And there are also Jewish characters in the New Testament.)
Honestly as a Jewish person I would not feel left out if I was not included in one of those polytheism-is-true stories. I may off-hand wonder where we fit into the worldbuilding, but that would be less distressing than some kind of depiction of being stubborn, wrongheaded, backward, and ignoring the reality in front of our faces, which is hard to avoid unless it's clear the gods are just, as I said, mortal superbeings and not literally divine and on the same level as HaShem. Which would be the other way of making me cool with it.
--Shira
Shira’s answer covers most of it for me, but I did want to come back to this part:
>>it takes place in a world where if enough people believe in something existing, it does.
There are a couple of things about this that don’t seem quite compatible with our theology, at least as I’ve been taught it.
First of all, this seems to be suggesting that Hashem was created by humans, through their belief? I don’t love that. I pray multiple times a day to the ‘Master of the universe, Who reigned before any form was created.’ Proposing a deity that exists simply because people believe in it doesn’t answer many of the questions that religions set out to deal with, such as ‘How did we get here?’ and ‘What does it all mean?’ And it’s fundamentally not the God I pray to.
Secondly, although this is pretty much what Shira already said, I want to point out again that monotheism and polytheism are obviously not compatible, unless you add certain caveats. Our prayers and other sacred texts repeatedly emphasise the ultimate Oneness of Hashem. Judaism just can’t be right in a world where Hellenism is also right, unless you go with the Greek gods being nothing more than humans with superpowers. In the post that Shira linked to, we already talked about including Jewish characters in polytheism-as-fact settings, and we highlighted the diversity of Jewish opinions on this (Shira and Dierdra: Yes, IF…; me: Pass, BUT…). I thought this was important to bring up again, because this sounds like an ‘all religions are true’ story and I wanted to highlight that these are not as inclusive as they may at first sound. They’re actually very difficult to pull off respectfully. Usually (not always), people who write that kind of story are the folks who have never had to fight for their beliefs or have them seen as anything other than the norm.
Finally, I’m curious about what this premise means for racism and other bigotries. Many people believe in a type of monster called a Jew who controls government and finance and kills babies for fun. Does that exist in your story, too? I’m not saying you can’t go ahead with this premise, but just something to think about: maybe there should be some checks and balances on the it’s believed = it’s true thing.
On another note, as Shira touched on, I was confused by this part:
>> to have jewish and muslim characters be children of greek gods and biblical figures?
According to our own traditions, we are the descendants of Biblical figures? I’m not sure what you thought would be off about that, but it would be kind of cool to see a character being singled out Percy Jackson style because they were a descendant of Yitzchak and Rivka – as long as it was well-researched and executed in line with how we view these figures.
--Shoshi
The Muslim portion of this character is open to followers. Muslim mods are not active at the time of this answer. We’ll recruiting for more mods; Muslim writers, feel free to apply anytime! https://forms.gle/qywJmrwcZj3E28nh8 
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sophieakatz · 3 years
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Thursday Thoughts: Good Omens and Judaism
Recently, I watched Jill Bearup’s review of the Good Omens Amazon Prime adaptation – a video you can watch here, and even if you don’t, I highly recommend you watch any of her other videos, especially her newer stuff about fight choreography – and something she brought up set my brain rolling down a particularly interesting hill.
She compares the series (written by Neil Gaiman) to the book (written by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman), and points out how one of the things the series does differently is that it shows the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Jesus doesn’t appear in the book Good Omens, though a major part of the story’s premise is that all the events described in the Bible actually literally happened. The book is centered on the birth of the Antichrist, but it doesn’t present us with the Christ that he is “anti” to.
Bearup comments that the story of Good Omens doesn’t really work so well if Jesus’s death (and subsequent rebirth) is one of the things that actually literally happened in the world. This is because the other major part of the story’s premise is that Heaven is, in many ways, just as bad as Hell. The angels are just as much a threat as the demons are to the world, to humankind, and to our protagonists. There is no inherent, definite separation between “good” and “bad” in Good Omens; humanity, and life on Earth, is the important thing worth fighting for.
But Jesus’s death indicates that there is an inherent “good” separate from “bad.” It also indicates that Heaven is the ultimate good place, and the ultimate goal, because Jesus’s death was for the purpose of redeeming the sins of humanity so that humans could in the end go to Heaven. If Heaven is just as bad as Hell, how can there also be this objectively good “dying for our sins” thing?
I find this view particularly interesting because none of this occurred to me while watching Good Omens. I didn’t think at all about the Jesus scene or what it implied. It didn’t linger with me; it didn’t affect my interpretation of the rest of the show.
And that’s really because Jesus doesn’t matter to me. At all.
I didn’t grow up with the Jesus story. My first exposure to any New Testament content was the time my dad was in a community theatre production of Jesus Christ Superstar. He played Caiaphas, and we have home video of my siblings and I – little Jews between the ages of 2 and 8 – singing about how much of a problem this Jesus guy is in our best imitation of a bass voice. Mom didn’t let us stay to watch the second act, so we missed out on all the betrayal and whipping and death parts, and once the run of the musical was complete, we never watched it again.
In middle school, it took me until the last chapter of The Last Battle to realize that Aslan had been Jesus all along. Yes, I did read all seven Narnia books; I just thought it was fun fantasy, until they all suddenly died and went to heaven. In hindsight, I get how heavy-handed the sacrifice and rebirth in The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe is, but at the time, I didn’t know that part of the Jesus story, let alone that it was something people cared about or believed.
Bearup is right – Good Omens doesn’t work with Jesus. The series worked for me because I didn’t think that the Jesus death scene had any impact on the rest of the story, because as a Jew, that scene doesn’t have any impact on my life philosophy.
And I think that’s the key thing here. Good Omens makes the most sense if you remember that it’s a Jewish man’s take on Christian theology. Neil Gaiman is Jewish. Of course Jesus doesn’t matter in Good Omens. He’s a detail that doesn’t fit with the story’s philosophy and is therefore easily deleted or relegated to a flashback that’s actually about Aziraphale and Crowley’s friendship.
Which brings me to something I did think about while watching Good Omens. Though it focuses on the Christian Bible, Good Omens is really fricking Jewish.
For Jews, the here and now matters so much more than whatever is after death! The mashiach hasn’t come yet; no one’s “saved” our souls. In fact, our souls don’t need “saving” – “Elohai neshama shenatata be t'horah he,” we say – “My G-d, the soul You have given me is pure.” We are already good, as we are now. We’re here on Earth doing the work of creation every single day, and that work is important. All that we create – all the stuff that Aziraphale and Crowley love about us in Good Omens – is important. The very idea of everything being destroyed so that we can all be shuttled off to Heaven or Hell is, well, icky.
The existence of the angel Aziraphale and the demon Crowley is also very Jewish. In the Torah, angels don’t really have personalities. They’re malachim – literally, messengers. If one shows up, it’s treated in the text like it’s just speaking G-d’s words. We have stories about them in the Talmud that give angels a little more color, but they’re not exactly painted in a very “good” light there. In one midrash, when the Red Sea closed over the Egyptians, allowing the Jews to escape slavery, the angels sang and danced in celebration. G-d then said to the angels, “Why are you celebrating? My children are drowning in the sea.” So the idea of an angel like Gabriel, who’s spent his whole time hanging out in heaven, being a jerk who doesn’t care about humanity fits well with the Jewish perspective. However, if an angel did stick around on Earth for thousands of years, getting to know us, instead of simply parroting G-d’s words… then he’d probably become a decent fellow who loved humans. That’s Aziraphale.
As for Crowley, well, Jews question everything. Arguing with G-d is our thing, all the way back to Abraham. We love G-d, sure – if we believe in G-d, and there are plenty of Jews who don’t. For every law that exists, for every story we tell or prayer we recite or tradition we take part in, there is a Jew who has said, “But why, though? Does it really have to be like that?” And isn’t that what got Crowley in trouble in the first place, and what motivates him throughout the series? “Does it really have to be like that?”
Good Omens talks a lot about “God’s ineffable plan,” and it leaves things ambiguous in the end about whether the events of the series actually were Herself’s plan. That’s very Jewish, too. The Jewish answer to “Does G-d have a plan?” is, basically, “Does it matter?” We’re here now. We’re living our lives now. We’re doing what good we can now. If there’s a Heaven or a Hell, if there’s even a literal G-d, if any of the stuff in the Bible actually literally happened… Well, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.
Tl;dr, if it feels like Jesus doesn’t make sense in Good Omens, that’s because he doesn’t. Jesus left Judaism behind, and Good Omens is a Jewish story. It’s Jewish fanfiction of the New Testament. Which itself is fanfiction of the Torah. Think about it.
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menalez · 2 years
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Please don't feel obligated to answer this, I know it's not your job to educate, this is just something that's piqued my interest suddenly, I know no Muslim women, and you're really educated. Are there different "sects"(?) of Islam? For example, I know in Christianity, there's Catholicism, Protestantism, etc. as well as Orthodox, Reformist, etc. Judaism. Also, what kind of reformation and reinterpretation do you think would need to be done in order for Islam to progress alongside (1/?)
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don’t apologise for asking. i like these opportunities bc i sometimes also learn and think critically while answering.
yes, there are sects within islam. there’s many, many sects but there’s two major ones, view them as the protestants & catholics of islam: shi’a and sunnah. if u notice in my bio, it says im shi’i born. shi’a are a minority in the muslim community (10%), and there’s a large shi’i population in: iran (most known example & also best example of shi’i religious extremes), bahrain, azerbaijan, and iraq. sunnis are the majority and the most notable example of sunni religious extremes would be saudi arabia. there’s also sufis, who aren’t an official separate sect & often a subsection of shi’a or sunnah, from my experience they’re usually more open-minded and progressive but i may be wrong.
within shi’ism and sunnism are also various sects. as an example, saudi arabia follows something called wahhabism (not all saudis follow & believe in this ofc but the saudi govt does & teaches this form of islam to their people). wahhabism is also the form of islam followed by ISIS, al-qaeda, and taliban. this form of islam came to exist in saudi and is fairly modern (1700s). in my opinion, and to my knowledge, this is the most dangerous and violent form of islam and it’s incredibly worrying how it continues to spread (partially due to saudi’s efforts at spreading it).
i think for there to be progress within islam & muslim communities, there definitely needs to be a new approach to religion. but i know my beliefs on how things should change is controversial, and most muslims that ive come across would take deep offence to this. firstly, there is no way to make the hadiths better. we could discard a lot of them, but to begin with it doesn’t make sense to me why any muslims even follow it. so i think that aspect should be completely discarded. the quran (which is the muslim holy book, equivalent to the bible for christians) states that it is complete and that it requires no additional documents or books to complete it. there’s literally hadiths (which are basically “this man said that another man said that the prophet said that…” or “this man said that [religious figure within islam] said that..”) which are basically talking about how the prophet himself apparently made them burn the hadiths they were making in his time & insisting that there be no hadiths. here’s a few examples:
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besides that, it’s contradictory, unreliable, was written a long long time after the prophet’s death, and has the most idiotic shit within it. as an example of this, here’s a famous one that puts women n the same category as fucking dog and donkey.
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the wildest thing is this hadith is seemingly criticising itself for being misogynistic, and yet… people literally believe that those three arbitrary things “annul” their prayers. here are some other examples:
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there’s countless so this is by no means all of it. but i simply can’t see how any of these things can be interpreted in ways that aren’t blatantly misogynistic. a lot of the time, the misogyny and homophobia and antisemitism etc are things that i see people using the hadiths to justify. so basically, for one, the first step would be to stick simply to the quran.
for the next step, verses like the ones used to argue the hijab is compulsory seriously need to be interpreted with less bias. there is nothing in the actual verse which says women should cover their hair, men basically made a reach and said “well this clothing (jilbab) is mentioned and that cloth is meant to be draped over the head and draped around the body! therefore you have to cover your head!” but we have literally no idea how jilbabs even looked back then. there’s lots of evidence that muslim women in the prophet’s time didn’t even cover their heads at all, but that his wives did & some noble women did. it was a sign of social status, and a commonly worn form of clothing (which we simply don’t even know how it looked to begin with), and somehow it was twisted into “you have to wear the hijab”. there’s also various other verses which have better, less misogynistic interpretations. there’s one verse which has often been translated into “lightly hit your wife if she disobeys” (this is commanded to be done after several things don’t work, but bad regardless) and ive seen a female muslim scholar’s argument on how the term translated into “hit” actually would make more sense in context if interpreted as “withdraw from”. you can read more on that verse here and here. theres also plenty of progressive interpretations of the verses about qaum lut, which i found pretty convincing. if you’re interested in me sending you progressive interpretations which challenge the traditional & commonly believed interpretations, i could do that as well. but i hope you can see how it works with the examples i provided above.
now, even though i think it’s possible to interpret these verses differently and to significantly reduce the misogyny within the religion, i think most muslims are pretty unwilling to reconsider or view things differently. a huge portion would be deeply offended at my suggestion to drop the hadith, and many would be reluctant to believe interpretations that are different from what they grew up learning. i don’t fully blame them, i saw how far the indoctrination goes. we are taught these things from a very, very young age. i was learning basic maths and at the same time i was taking mandatory islamic classes. first time i recited a quranic verse to my mother (taught to me by a random female janitor at pre-kg), i couldn’t have been older than 3. the difference between me and many of the people in my country, is that i grew up with communist grandparents, and parents that are not at all religious. i grew up with a mom constantly criticising the hijab and talking about how it’s not actually mandatory. i grew up with relatives openly calling religion nonsense that shouldn’t be followed. so i went into islamic classes with the mindset that what we’re being taught and told isnt necessary accurate to what is even written, and even if they were accurate, theres nothing proving to me that it’s got any truth to it. that’s not the case for most muslims, so of course many of them are reluctant to even question it and take offence to what they’ve been taught their entire lives even being framed differently. so basically, i think it’d be a long time before things change. it’s possible, but not likely.
sorry my response was really long! but i hope i answered your question.
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tlaquetzqui · 3 years
Note
Orthodox Judaism, like Catholic and Orthodox Christianity, relies quite a bit on Oral Tradition in addition to scripture. However, some things in the Talmud, which are claimed to be Oral/Sacred Tradition (claimed to be passed down from Moses, and God the Father, a near consensus among the Rabbis, like how our Traditions often come from a near consensus (or does it have to be a complete consensus?) among Church Fathers) are.... concerning, shall I say (part 1)
(Part 2) The Babylonian Talmud permits the rape of captive women. Not anti Semitic slander, it is literally there (Kiddushin 21a-22b). Rabbis acknowledge this. This isn’t me misinterpreting it. It differs from the Biblical written Torah by saying the man may have sex with the woman immediately after the battle. Pretty blatantly rape.
(Part 3) The earlier Jerusalem Talmud disagrees with this, it follows the written Biblical protocol (no sex before mourning period is over and the woman has converted to Judaism, much more humane thank God). But it is not considered as authoritative as the Babylonian Talmud. My concern is: if the Talmud contains Oral Tradition passed from Moses and God himself, then what if this ... atrocious interpretation is from God, and then what kind of God is he..
“Pretty blatantly” is not the word I would use; nothing in the Talmud is blatant, or even particularly straightforward. Most of the passages in question concern the manumission and ransoming of slaves, with a long and bizarre digression about piercing slaves’ ears. So far as I can tell 21a only describes female slaves in terms of betrothals and with reference to ransoming them. The trouble comes in with 21b–22a, but even that, while saying something that seems to mean (the euphemistic phrasing is annoying) taking one captive sexually (at one point it seems to say for only one sex-act, but then it seems to mean as a mistress while in camp) is permitted, for the rest of the passage it’s discussing marriage-by-capture again. Then it’s back to talking about the conditions for manumission and the ransoming of slaves, and their pierced ears. 22b is mostly just about Canaanite slaves in general again.
To me the obvious interpretation is that, aside from it actually being hard to tell what it’s actually saying about captive women, if it does contradict the commands given in the Tanakh, or the well-known natural law, then it should not be treated as speaking with authority. Just as one of the Christian Fathers, say Origen or Tertullian, is not treated as authoritative when he contradicts the rest of the Tradition. (And besides, we know from history that Jews simply did not, as a matter of course, do such things. Obviously Jewish soldiers sometimes committed rape. All societies have soldiers that commit rape. Jews, alone of all ancient societies, did not list opportunities for rape as an incentive when recruiting soldiers. Of all the many conflicts Jews had with various other peoples in the centuries since Roman annexation and the fall of the Second Temple, from the Roman-Jewish Wars to the Jewish bandit-state of Nehardea in the Parthian era to Sephardic collaboration with the Islamic subjugation of Spain, Jews were sometimes noted for massacres, but not for large-scale rape.)
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drdevoraak · 5 years
Text
Tarot 101~
Major Arcana I-X
Remember to keep note of how you feel about the cards (i.e. if you like them or not).
Please only scroll down once you’ve done this!
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Major Arcana I – The Magician
~You’ve jumped through, and you’ve landed in another realm. In front of you is a table.~
If you look closely, the four suits are on the table (wands, cups, swords, and pentacles).
You have everything you need to succeed in life right in front of you. All you have to do is pick up the tools.
This is the card of focus.
Do not waste your energy on meaningless things, like jealousy… Focus your energy. Take the tools. Move on.
~Once you’ve got your focus, you move to the next realm… Which you can do, now, since you have all the tools you need.~
Major Arcana II – The High Priestess
(she’s a couple with the magician btw)
This is the card of knowledge, both classical knowledge and spirituality.
Notice all the the symbolism around her:
The moon (Wicca)
The crescent (Islam)
The cross (Christianity)
The Torah (Judaism)
The headdress (Egyptian mythology)
And, one that most people will gloss over… The embroidery on the veil behind her is shaped in the Kabbalah’s tree of life… As are the two columns on each side of her. (not super important rn, this isn’t a class on Kabbalah ha)
Now, the other thing that is super important to notice… She doesn’t seem to be in movement, is she? She is still – almost statuesque.
This is also the card of stillness.
She asks us to stop spiraling, to go still and to collect knowledge before acting and reacting. It is not easy. At all. But once we do this? Then we can keep growing.
She also requires us to go inside… And when we start looking, we realize how little there is outside. The way we see the world is just that, the way WE see the world. It’s all projection. If we were completely objective, there would be no pain. Things would just… BE. We are human, though, and whilst we can never be the High Priestess, we can try and emulate her more – to find the balance.
Major Arcana III – The Empress
The Mother.
She can be nurturing, giving… But she can also be choking, smothering.
Just like how cushions can be comfortable, they can be too soft and suffocate you. Depending on your question, you might want to try and relax more, or notice that you’ve relaxed too much.
You must find the balance between her and her husband…
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Major Arcana IV – The Emperor
The Father.
Look at his throne, and how different it is from the Empress’ cushions. His is cold, rigid, uncomfortable.
He is the representation of discipline, making decisions, and logic. This is not a bad card, despite what most people see it to be. Just like the Empress’ comfort, in small doses, this is necessary to life. Too much of it, and we suffer.
ONE IS NOT BETTER THAN THE OTHER.
You need both in order to live a fulfilling life. You must develop the one that is harder for you – balance is key.
Major Arcana V – The Hierophant
(N.B. ALL 5 CARDS ARE TRICKY!!!! I will post about numerology at the end... also, hierophant means some kind of priest/pope~)
Notice the main character, who holds power and truth. Notice now, that there are two monks kneeling before him. Are they listening to the authority? Or looking at the keys on his throne and preparing to take them and leave to listen to their own voice?
…Or are you the Hierophant himself, believing that you are always right?
Usually, Tarot asks for introspection, to look within yourself for answers, but this is the one card that screams: “look outside. Look at your environment.”
I know that the different interpretations are tricky, but it all depends on your questions when you finally get to spreads. When we get there at the end of this course, you can definitely ask questions as to what the HECK he means.
Major Arcana VI – The Lovers
Whilst the man is admiring the woman’s body (passion, also represented by the tree on fire behind him), she is looking up at the heavens. ~Only through your “feminine” (your open, intuitive side) can you achieve ascension.
SUPER IMPORTANT NOTE
Pixie and Waite did not believe in the binary social coding of gender as is still perpetuated in most Western societies. They believed that, as we in the universe are all made of the same things, and therefore are one, there was no gender. However, they represented different facets of humanity by the binary, female and male, yin and yang, etc.
This is the inner marriage card.
You have to access ALL of these parts of you to move on in life, to grow.
P.S. if you pick this card in any spread, you should immediately pick out two other cards and ask “which two parts of me aren’t getting along?”
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Major Arcana VII – The Chariot
Pay attention to this card. Really look at it. What’s wrong with this picture?
The “chariot” doesn’t seem to be moving, does it? There are no reins, no wheels, and it seems to be made of a block of concrete. The sphinxes also seem to be pointed in two different directions.
This is the card of will, of alignment.
No matter how difficult, you CAN make that chariot move. Align all the parts of you (sphinxes represent the “male” and “female” again), and WILL the chariot into moving.
If there’s a will, there’s a way – but, if you fall out of alignment, you will stay stagnant.
Major Arcana VIII – Strength
Look at the woman and the lion. Whilst lions are traditionally represented as strength….. who really seems to be in control here?
She is. Strength does NOT equal force.
This is the card of “gentle” strength.
The lion has also traditionally been used to represent one’s Shadow, and gentle strength is the only way you can learn what it is and how to overcome it. If you attack the parts of yourself that you hate, your Shadow only becomes stronger. TAME your Shadow, just how she is taming the lion.
Only then can you become Master of your path.
Major Arcana IX – The Hermit
What’s different about this one?
It’s all grey – very different from the previous cards.
Alone (but not lonely) stands this man on top of a mountain (knowledge). He hold a stick, which represents endurance, patience, and resilience.
The is the card of looking inside oneself.
The issue that you are facing has nothing to do with the outside, with your environment. You have a wound, and you must find it.
Only then can you heal and see with more clarity and objectivity what is actually going on outside.
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Major Arcana X – Wheel of Fortune
Disclaimer: one of the hardest cards in the deck to undedrstand, so please don’t feel bad if you don’t really get it. This is tarot ~101~ after all.
Imagine this wheel being your life. This wheel, just like life, keeps turning, no matter what you try and do. You have no choice.
Or do you?
If you stand on the outside, it can, and will, crush you. But, you can make the conscious decision to stand on the inside of the wheel – and at the very center, is stillness.
This is the card of reactions.
When you are on the outside, you react to everything. You get hurt easily, and you blame the wheel.
But you can control how you react – not everything has to hurt as much. Step inside the wheel, and you will see that what’s on the outside doesn’t really matter.
If you have a deck on hand, I would suggest doing your first pull with the first eleven (11) cards – ask the cards what you should be paying attention to as you shuffle, and pull. If it’s reversed, flip it back upright for now: again, this is Tarot 101.
[beginning | next: major arcana xi-xxi]
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Meditation's Beneficial Magic
Meditation in the Mind
More and more these days we see countless recommendations to practice the age old art and science of meditation. Most, if not all, extol its seemingly magical power on the human psyche through its purported benefits. These recommendations and claims have stood the test of time- they are universally accepted and well justified. For eons past those who came before us have spoken volumes regarding this great gift we all posses but today sometimes, we neglect to use. Why now are we again reminded of this?
All of us are participating either aware or unaware. in a quantum shift bringing at times, tumultuous changes in all areas of our society and world structures. No one is exempt from the effects these rapid changes bring. While universally experienced, these trans-formative energies are individually unique and processed differently depending on a person's outlook. With a little discipline and practice we can apply this gift of meditation to help balance stress levels, reduce mind-movies which seem to play nonstop to bring increasing levels of joy, clarity and purpose into life.
Tumblr media
While it's true that meditative practices are known by many names in virtually all cultures each with various forms of practice, finding one that will work for you is quite easy. Best of all, this gently leads us ultimately to a special place we often desire and want- greater understanding and acceptance to life's mysteries.
So, let's briefly explore the subject for the sole purpose of learning how to reap many beneficial rewards available through meditation. Besides, it is true, the best things in life are free. So let us begin to clear our minds of useless, wayward abstract thoughts having no justification to control or dictate our life's direction. We will find meditation allows you in the purest sense, to create your own life's experiences. (More discussion about that possibility a bit later). For now, consider that during meditation you can replace, and clear out unwanted thoughts with life affirming versions gaining- a true, lasting peace of mind, body and soul. Meditation is your gateway offering all that and more...you can even create some magic in your life through this simple process!
As you may have heard or if you are already a dedicated practitioner, individuals report profound psychological, physical and spiritual well-being as they practice meditation daily. What then is meditation really all about? For beginners, how can one start? And how far can I go with sincere dedication? In this article are going to examine a few areas- some historical background, benefits, science of the mind and advanced possibilities.
History to Date
According to many archeologists, meditation pre dates written records. It could be easily envisioned a person entering an altered state of consciousness by simply gazing in the mind-stilling flicker of fire while taking no thought. The earliest documented record of meditation comes from India in their Hindu scriptures called tantras. These records date back over 5,000 years coming from the Indus valley and were combined with what is referred to today as yoga. Along with expanding trade, cultural exchange was also carried westward and meditation practice was soon embedded in eastern thought and spiritual practices.
With the advent of Buddha around 500 AD, many diverse cultures began to develop their own interpretations and specialized meditative techniques. Some techniques still in use to this day are said to deliver incredible mind-over-matter powers and supernormal skills that transformed the practitioner. Today, these are devout individuals and are not necessarily monks living in some remote mountain monastery. They are everyday people like you and I. Of course advancing through time, the long history of meditation is no longer only attributed to the Hindus and Buddhists. Not to be left out, Christianity, Islam and Judaism also participate in the perpetuation of meditation each with its own take on the practice.
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However, historically these religious faiths do not dominate in their teachings and practices a culture of meditation when compared to the Asian traditions. Meditation finds its place here in our Western culture in the early 1960's into the '70's. This was a time when much of our culture was being tested, demanding to be redefined. Meditation found fertile ground in which to flourish and expand. Some could say it was the "hippie" revolution which inspired to embrace acceptance of foreign ideas but only ones that possessed real substantive value. It was not long after that when the Western medical and scientific community began to conduct research and studies on meditation. And what did most studies if not all, to varying degrees find?
You guessed it- significant health benefits. One of the most important aspects of meditation is how it releases stress from our bodies. This is achieved by bridging the gap between our conscious and un-conscious selves, situations or non-justified thoughts that ferment stress become less significant and actually lose their power. Through meditation, it does not take long before you feel more peaceful and relaxed about everything. What happened to cause this nearly miraculous change? Studies have proven that meditation raises serotonin levels which directly affect our behavior and emotional temperament. Conversely, low levels of serotonin lead to depression, headaches even insomnia. All symptoms associated with stress.
Today, our western civilization with all our "advanced" knowledge has re-affirmed the ancient knowledge and understanding of meditation's therapeutic power to help alleviate mental and physical ailments. And this was just the infancy of discovery or shall we say re-discovery of unlimited powers available inside each of us. Today, mediation without question is a universally medically accepted form of holistic healing used worldwide. Meditation could be summed up as a natural mechanism within each of us that enables the spirit within, the higher, true self to bridge the communication gap into our physical aspects grounding us in unconditional love.
Rebirth through Breath
Beyond all the medical community assertions lies a vast segment of the population seeking additional benefits when practicing meditation. How can what appears initially only to be a physical act, effect our true inner being so profoundly by simply clearing our conscious thoughts and focusing on our breath? Well the secret really is in our breath. When you first start a meditative practice at face value, it appears really easy. Yet, early on many are easily frustrated because they have really never truly attempted to quiet their thoughts while awake. Successfully navigating the mental mind field of what apparently appears to be non-stop streams of thoughts popping up can at first be a daunting task. Be forewarned this is a common occurrence and quite normal and there is a solution. It's funny actually once realization sets in that you really are like two individuals within a single physical body. And that is not far from the truth.
I, like many who meditate found out early on one key to successfully get beyond this mental speed bump is to acknowledge the thought. Proceed to then dismiss it entirely or agree to revisit the thought after the meditation session and return the mind's focus to your breathing. I have used this method to great success getting past the egos gate keeper role which it often plays.
You may find this method helpful as well if not, find what brings your focus back without distracting thoughts. Again, breathing's role is of utmost importance in this whole process because it is the gateway bridging the physical body with the spiritual body. The goal here is what I refer to as the death of thoughts through focusing on your breath. Becoming more sensitive of taking no thought along with staying present in the moment by the simple act being consciously aware of your breathing, an amazing inner rebirth begins. Next, we define some good basic steps for all meditation practices.
Meditation 101
Chances are in your life you have unknowingly experienced moments in a purely meditative state. The odds are that when this occurred, you found yourself outside in nature. In nature we more easily find resonance with a deeper more real aspect of ourselves which often comes alive in the natural environment.
Perhaps it occurred while relaxing on a beach watching the hypnotic like waves repetitively washing ashore or possibly noticing the invisible wind rustle leaves on a tree as warming sunlight bathed your face. If you recall during these moments, you found a completely relaxed feeling immerse your entire being because you were free of distracting thoughts. This is what being in "the moment" is all about. It is as if your mind tunes into the higher natural frequencies of life which for the most part, are virtually non-existent inside buildings and such. Yet, with focus, proper intentions and processes we can escape these limitations imposed in man-made environments. Of course meditation can be greatly enhanced when it is practical in natural surroundings.
The whole concept of meditation takes on various identities depending what an individual's intention is while performing a chosen meditation. Some may want physical or mental relief, others, answers or directions for a better life. Either way, choices are clearly individualized. Find yours since this goes a long way in helping you along the path aided with a unique, personalized purpose. Define it for you! To begin a meditation, a few simple rules are universally accepted. These generally are-
1) Break away from distractions. Turn off the outside electrical/technological intrusions like phones, computers, TV's etc. A quiet, calm peaceful place is preferred. At first, commit 10 minutes or more with no interruption.
2) Posture is important in that you must be comfortable. Preferably this is with your back upright and your spine to you head straight. Normally a seated position on the ground is preferred with hands in your lap; it can also be done in a chair. Lying down initially is not suggested as you body can assume a sleep mode.
3) Close your eyes gently, relax your jaw and facial muscles. Do a "body scan" looking for any muscle tension that may exist releasing any found. Continue relaxing now for a few moments allowing your body to become comfortable. Be observant of bodily tension arising. The key is to physically relax.
4) Slowly evacuate your lungs completely. Gently inhale and exhale through your nostrils with a deep (from the belly) rhythmic cycle filling your lungs to capacity and expelling the air completely. Slow, long in and out breaths are ideal. Pausing momentarily at the end of each in and out breath. Focus on the feeling and sounds during the entire cycle.
5) Activate the heart-mind connection which provides an initial thought-clearing mode. Do not attempt to suppress these thoughts. Acknowledge them. Briefly as thoughts arise, dismiss them by surrounding any with the six heart virtues of: appreciation, compassion, forgiveness, humility, valor, and understanding. Another very powerful technique is to apply unconditional love (without a judgment position) to any thoughts that may arise, release them and return focus to your breathing.
6) Steadily and incrementally increase the time duration spent in your practice. As the moments of time lengthen between arising thoughts, you are now well on the way to higher levels of meditation. Remind yourself to notice and appreciate the beneficial by-products you have regained.
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Text
Meditation's Beneficial Magic
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Breathing in the Mind More and more these days we see countless recommendations to practice the age old art and science associated with meditation. Most, if not all, extol its seemingly magical power on the human psyche through its proposed benefits. These recommendations and claims have stood the test of time- they are universally accepted and also well justified. For eons past those who came before us have spoken volumes regarding this terrific gift we all posses but today sometimes, we neglect to use. Why now are we again reminded of this? All of us are participating either aware or unaware. in a quantum shift bringing at times, tumultuous shifts in all areas of our society and world structures. No one is exempt from the effects these rapid improvements bring. While universally experienced, these trans-formative energies are individually unique and processed differently depending on ones own outlook. With a little discipline and practice we can apply this gift of meditation to help balance pressure levels, reduce mind-movies which seem to play non-stop to bring increasing levels of joy, clarity and purpose inside life. While it's true that meditative practices are known by many names in virtually all people each with various forms of practice, finding one that will work for you is quite easy. Best of all, this gently potential customers us ultimately to a special place we often desire and want- greater understanding and acceptance so that you can life's mysteries. So , let's briefly explore the subject for the sole purpose of learning how to reap many positive rewards available through meditation. Besides, it is true, the best things in life are free. So let’s begin to clear our minds of useless, wayward abstract thoughts having no justification to control or stipulate our life's direction. We will find meditation allows you in the purest sense, to create your own life's experiences. (More discussion about that possibility a bit later). For now, consider that during meditation you can replace, and clear out unwelcome thoughts with life affirming versions gaining- a true, lasting peace of mind, body and soul. Meditation is your entry offering all that and more... you can even create some magic in your life through this simple process! As you may have seen or if you are already a dedicated practitioner, individuals report profound psychological, physical and spiritual well-being as they process meditation daily. What then is meditation really all about? For beginners, how can one start? And how far can I pick sincere dedication? In this article are going to examine a few areas- some historical background, benefits, science of the mind plus advanced possibilities. History to Date According to many archeologists, meditation pre dates written records. It could be easily created a person entering an altered state of consciousness by simply gazing in the mind-stilling flicker of fire even though taking no thought. The earliest documented record of meditation comes from India in their Hindu scriptures called tantras. These records date back over 5, 000 years coming from the Indus valley and were combined with precisely what is referred to today as yoga. Along with expanding trade, cultural exchange was also carried westward and introspection practice was soon embedded in eastern thought and spiritual practices. With the advent of Buddha approximately 500 AD, many diverse cultures began to develop their own interpretations and specialized meditative techniques. Some solutions still in use to this day are said to deliver incredible mind-over-matter powers and supernormal skills that transformed a practitioner. Today, these are devout individuals and are not necessarily monks living in some remote mountain monastery. They are people like you and I. Of course advancing through time, the long history of meditation is no longer sole attributed to the Hindus and Buddhists. Not to be left out, Christianity, Islam and Judaism also participate in all the perpetuation of meditation each with its own take on the practice. However , historically these religious faiths don't dominate in their teachings and practices a culture of meditation when compared to the Asian traditions. Meditation sees its place here in our Western culture in the early 1960's into the '70's. This was a time when high of our culture was being tested, demanding to be redefined. Meditation found fertile ground in which to flourish as well as expand. Some could say it was the "hippie" revolution which inspired to embrace acceptance of unusual ideas but only ones that possessed real substantive value. It was not long after that when the Western professional medical and scientific community began to conduct research and studies on meditation. And what did most reviews if not all, to varying degrees find? You guessed it- significant health benefits. One of the most important aspects of self-examination is how it releases stress from our bodies. This is achieved by bridging the gap between this conscious and un-conscious selves, situations or non-justified thoughts that ferment stress become less significant and lose their power. Through meditation, it does not take long before you feel more peaceful and relaxed about almost everything. What happened to cause this nearly miraculous change? Studies have proven that meditation raises serotonin levels which directly affect our behavior and emotional temperament. Conversely, low levels of serotonin lead to unhappiness, headaches even insomnia. All symptoms associated with stress. Today, our western civilization with all our "advanced" knowledge has re-affirmed the ancient knowledge and understanding of meditation's therapeutic power to help alleviate mental and physical ailments. And this was just the infancy of discovery or shall we say re-discovery from unlimited powers available inside each of us. Today, mediation without question is a universally medically accepted version of holistic healing used worldwide. Meditation could be summed up as a natural mechanism within each of us that allows the spirit within, the higher, true self to bridge the communication gap into our physical factors grounding us in unconditional love. Rebirth through Breath Beyond all the medical community assertions lies an infinite segment of the population seeking additional benefits when practicing meditation. How can what appears initially only to be described as a physical act, effect our true inner being so profoundly by simply clearing our conscious thoughts together with focusing on our breath? Well the secret really is in our breath. When you first start a meditative practice at face benefits, it appears really easy. Yet, early on many are easily frustrated because they have really never truly attempted to quiet ones own thoughts while awake. Successfully navigating the mental mind field of what apparently appears to be nonstop water ways of thoughts popping up can at first be a daunting task. Be forewarned this is a common occurrence and really normal and there is a solution. It's funny actually once realization sets in that you really are like a few individuals within a single physical body. And that is not far from the truth. I, like many who meditate found out in the beginning one key to successfully get beyond this mental speed bump is to acknowledge the thought. Proceed to in that case dismiss it entirely or agree to revisit the thought after the meditation session and return the mind's center to your breathing. I have used this method to great success getting past the egos gate keeper role which unfortunately it often plays. You may find this method helpful as well if not, find what brings your focus back without the need of distracting thoughts. Again, breathing's role is of utmost importance in this whole process because it is the gateway bridging the actual physical body with the spiritual body. The goal here is what I refer to as the death of thoughts as a result of focusing on your breath. Becoming more sensitive of taking no thought along with staying present in the moment by way of the simple act being consciously aware of your breathing, an amazing inner rebirth begins. Next, we define some terrific basic steps for all meditation practices. Meditation 101 Chances are in your life you have unknowingly experienced moments in a just meditative state. The odds are that when this occurred, you found yourself outside in nature. In dynamics we more easily find resonance with a deeper more real aspect of ourselves which often comes alive in the habitat. Perhaps it occurred while relaxing on a beach watching the hypnotic like waves repetitively washing on land or possibly noticing the invisible wind rustle leaves on a tree as warming sunlight bathed your face. If you happen to recall during these moments, you found a completely relaxed feeling immerse your entire being because you were free of distracting thoughts. This is what being in "the moment" is all about. It is as if your mind tunes into the higher natural frequencies of life which for the most part, are virtually nonexistent inside buildings and such. Yet, with focus, adequate intentions and processes we can escape these limitations imposed in man-made environments. Of course meditation can be really enhanced when it is practical in natural surroundings. The whole concept of meditation takes on various identities depending what your intention is while performing a chosen meditation. Some may want physical or mental relief, others, solutions or directions for a better life. Either way, choices are clearly individualized. Find yours since this moves a long way in helping you along the path aided with a unique, personalized purpose. Define it for you! To begin some meditation, a few simple rules are universally accepted. These generally are- 1) Break away from distractions. Switch off the outside electrical/technological intrusions like phones, computers, TV's etc . A quiet, calm peaceful place is desired. At first, commit 10 minutes or more with no interruption. 2) Posture is important in that you must be comfortable. Really this is with your back upright and your spine to you head straight. Normally a seated position on the ground is usually preferred with hands in your lap; it can also be done in a chair. Lying down initially is not suggested as you overall body can assume a sleep mode. 3) Close your eyes gently, relax your jaw and makeup muscles. Do a "body scan" looking for any muscle tension that may exist releasing any found. Continue unwinding now for a few moments allowing your body to become comfortable. Be observant of bodily tension arising. The key may be to physically relax. 4) Slowly evacuate your lungs completely. Gently inhale and exhale through your nostrils with a serious (from the belly) rhythmic cycle filling your lungs to capacity and expelling the air completely. Impede, long in and out breaths are ideal. Pausing momentarily at the end of each in and out air. Focus on the feeling and sounds during the entire cycle. 5) Activate the heart-mind connection which provides an initial thought-clearing mode. Do not attempt to suppress these thoughts. Acknowledge them. Briefly as thoughts arise, dismiss them just by surrounding any with the six heart virtues of: appreciation, compassion, forgiveness, humility, valor, and understanding. An additional very powerful technique is to apply unconditional love (without a judgment position) to any thoughts that can arise, release them and return focus to your breathing. 6) Steadily and incrementally increase the time entire length spent in your practice. As the moments of time lengthen between arising thoughts, you are now well on the way to raised levels of meditation. Remind yourself to notice and appreciate the beneficial by-products you have regained. Eleven Benefits of Meditating Daily Here's a short list (certainly not all inclusive) of the benefits that come from a daily meditation practice- one Your life becomes significantly clearer and calm The hustle and bustle of everyday life is choking our minds in the peace we deserve! Our technology advancements shouldn't suffocate our minds; it should allow us to achieve even more peace. Meditation helps put those events in perspective for our daily tasks. 2 . Your blood demand is lowered Science has proven it, meditation lowers the blood pressure, which in return is related to a stress levels and stress management. Much better than taking pills to lower your blood pressure! 3. People all over you enjoy your company Regular meditation leads to higher/positive energy that you are consistently tapping into. This effectively makes you very pleasing to be around, and people like that! People naturally gravitate to the people who make them feel good. 4. Your hitting the ground with God is strengthened Spiritual awareness is strengthened with a daily meditation practice. You naturally become more cognizant of your surroundings, and higher awareness always leads to a deeper connection with God. The trees begin explaining personalities, and the landscape takes on different meanings... all through a deeper awareness. 5. You achieve several hours about sleep in one 20 minute meditation session Another scientific fact is that meditation is known to put you to a deeper state of rest than deep sleep. Deep sleep is associated with a delta brainwave. Deep relaxation can drop you into that delta brainwave rapidly, achieving the effects in a shorter amount of time. 6. Conditions seemed very difficult suddenly have clear solutions For every problem a solution exists. When your mind is clear and additionally you're in a state of peace, solutions appear. Being in a state of peace just naturally lures in solutions and pathways into your field of view. 7. Your productivity sky rockets because of a person's ability to have clear focus If solutions to problems appear more frequently when meditating daily, then imagine when there is to your everyday tasks. Solutions to everyday life become more and more obvious. And you begin to take note of these subtle changes since your spiritual vision grows clearer and wider. 8. Your life expectancy increases Science has shown that usual meditation will increase your life expectancy. It's pretty obvious to see... less stress and more peace promotes healthy skin cells and healthy cells regenerate healthier cells. And likewise, stressed cells regenerate more stressed cells. So stay longer by choosing more peace in your life. 9. You effectively reduce stress in your life Speaking of stress, mind-calming exercise has a profound effect on reducing stress in your body. Because meditation promotes peace and inner calm, stress dissolves dramatically from this meditative process. Again, science has proven it. 10. You can visualize powerfully when blended with positive affirmations and meditation Meditation is powerful at clearing the mind and focusing on simple things... such as breathing... or a flower. But, it can be used for so much more! To powerfully manifest your desires, you must get into an apparent connection with the source of manifesting (God/Universe/Ethers). If your spirits are on high while you visualize then the communication approach for manifesting positive events in your life is strengthened. While meditating I like to repeat affirmations, otherwise known as mantras, to help focus my energy into the positive. These statements can be as simple as "love" or "I are love, I am joy, I am peace". 11. You feel fantastic throughout your day! And finally, when you meditate on a regular basis, you may feel fantastic. Plain and simple. You feel good. Everything else is details. Science of Meditation's Magic Today there is a lot of scientific studies validating in a laboratory setting, that while in a meditative state, significant changes occur with our neurological activity. Just as to why brain frequencies are altered is not yet fully understood. Neuroscientists hypothesize our brain is actually rewiring connections sculpting new avenues of brain circuitry seen during magnetic resonance image resolution. Could we simply be accessing the higher mind which subdues the thinking, egoic-centric mind where restrictions of self-consciousness disappear? Seems very plausible. Regardless of the exact reason for this profound change, some other "super consciousness" force appears to be altering the way our brain functions while in a meditative state. Dr . Gregg Jacobs who was simply the assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and a senior research scientist at Harvard's Mind/Body Medical Institute now practicing at UMass Memorial Medical Center, published a book in 1993: That Ancestral Mind: Reclaim the Power. This book was the subject of a Time Magazine article back in August 2003 providing insight into the science behind meditation. Based on his research he made some interesting observations and arguments referring to what he labeled: the Ancestral Mind and the Thinking Mind. Dr . Jacobs argues, the conventional research implies our emotional well-being is being greatly hampered by the over-reliance on our dominant Thinking Mind- the verbal, rational, analytical and problem-solving part of ourselves. Over vast ages of time we have severed connection with an equally important part of our makeup- the Ancestral Mind. To me, this speaks of becoming a more truly balanced human being, maximizing the potential of consciousness. While that statement may not be in scientific jargon, any implication is the same. The Ancestral Mind: Reclaim the Power Book blurb- Dr . Jacobs offers a practical process for re-engaging with this indelible part of our being, explaining how to access life-enhancing positive emotions while reducing negative ones; connect with a more intuitive intelligence and foster a deeper, expanded sense of daily knowledge; and achieve a more integrated concept of self through a closer harmony of intellect and emotion. What is Taking effect In your Brain During Meditation? Scientists have only recently developed tools sophisticated enough to see what goes on inside your brain when you meditate. Below are a series of three interactive graphics from the 2003 Time "The Science of Meditation" article showing brain activity changes that occur during meditation. Clearly some profound changes occur inside brain. Our brain appears to interact and be directly influenced by our higher-minds and consciousness itself. Frontal cortex - is the most highly evolved part of the brain, responsible for reasoning, planning, emotions and self- sensitive awareness. During meditation it tends to go offline. Parietal lobe - processes sensory information about the surrounding environment, orienting you in time and space. During meditation, activity in the parietal lobe slows down. Thalamus - is a gatekeeper for the senses. It focuses your attention by funneling some sensory data deeper into the human brain and stops other signals in their tracks. Meditation reduces the flow of incoming information to a drip. Reticular Formation - receives incoming stimulus and puts the brain on alert, ready to respond. Meditation calls back the arousal signal. After training in meditation for eight weeks, subjects show a pronounced switch in brain-wave patterns, shifting from the alpha waves of aroused, conscious thought to the theta waves that will dominate the brain during periods of deep relaxation. Even people meditating for the first time will register your decrease in beta waves, a sign that the cortex is not processing information as actively as usual. After your first 20-minute session, patients show a marked decrease in beta-wave activity. Consciousness Directs Matter Are you ready to be able to dive into infinite possibilities of the more unique, inherent benefits of meditation? How far can one go into the universal domain that will retrieve enhanced power to intentionally co-create in this world? And no, you don't have to become a Zen Buddhist monk. Rather than go off in the quantum realm too far, allot is becoming understood within the research community about the creation power of our thoughts. The following knowledge is equally important to understand and apply its power when practicing meditation. Deliberate thought merged with meditation is an extremely powerful combination. By now everyone has got a little taste of the premise in the movie "Secret" regarding the subject of manifestation or as I like to label it- "deliberate intentions of thought". While that subject matter may seem new and novel to a whole segment of the population, like meditation, it has existed to get a very long time. Ever heard the famous quote from Napoleon Hill in his 1937 book titled- Think in addition to Grow Rich? It sure sounds like it could be in the Secret: "What the mind can conceive and believe, it could actually achieve" Interestingly enough in the book, Mr. Hill did not expressly reveal the step-by-step process to create instances which aligned with ones invocation of a positive mental attitude. He left that for the reader to locate. However , he did provide clues and examples which he documented through interviewing over 500 flourishing people while researching his first course study titled: The Law of Success. He went on to describe this approach idea as a "Definite Major Purpose" in order for the reader to be challenged and ask the question- In precisely what do I truly believe? His philosophical perspective was that 98% of people had no firm beliefs contributing them to be handicapped in achieving what they want in life. So yes, change your thoughts, change an individual's world. I mention Mr. Hill because he clearly proved the absolute power of deliberate considered to create your desired life. And this approach succinctly aligns with the infinite possibilities afforded in meditation. Much like a professional stage hypnotist can temporarily manipulate someone's actions by accessing and placing suggestions in a specialized place within their psyche, similar gateways or altered states of consciousness are possible during meditation. Some of our subconscious minds cannot distinguish between the physical "reality" we are witnessing and merely vivid thought projections. It can be here that during certain meditative states one can interject desired images powered by emotions, or predefined affirmations by purposely focusing intent, expediting their arrival in the physical. I personally believe the reason time appears to be collapse between the desire (intention) and actual delivery is directly related to the reduced level of mental (Thinking Mind) resistance we hold while in certain meditative states. We receive sooner that which is wanted within our life because of the drastically reduced counterproductive, opposing beliefs or thoughts. During meditation these contrary brain send thought forms are minimized thereby allowing quantum mechanisms to more fully dominate. Call it miraculous or a miracle or quantum physics in action, but despite of the term used, it is real. This principle is exactly the conclusion Mr. Hill wanted his readers to arrive at. Of course, meditation is not directly mentioned, simply alluded to, but clearly meditation accelerates this entire creative process by reducing resistant thoughts that hinder progress. Regardless if while meditating you receive an urge to take a specific action which leads to a solution and chance meeting bringing you closer or delivering entirely a previously specified outcome, the objective is demonstrated. The only prerequisite is that you must clearly define exactly what you want. Remember- "Definite Major Purpose". Begin to let one self feel (believe) what you will experience when the object desired has arrived and let the universal powers do their a part. You will quickly find this power is quite useful in improving your well-being when practiced routinely using meditation. A New Direction Awaits In closing, meditation is a wonderful gift that is available to all who seek. But, one ought to seek that which is worthy of attention. As we have learned there are many beneficial reasons to practice this lost but reemerging art. And apparently, the distraction and conveniences of this post-industrial age have dulled a part of us that's never forsaken us and remains vigil in wanting to empower us to our full potential. Just think, it's only breaths away! As our socioeconomic landscape is now being radically redefined as we step further faraway from a primarily consumerism driven lifestyle, meditation can play a significant role in this era helping us being more balanced and grounded. Many are awakening to the fact that a life based solely material gain to obtain a state of happiness is fraught with dangers and distorts real, lasting values. Material affluence is not really a problem, but trying to live a life where that is the primary focus distances us further from your higher nature. We have many choices demanding our time and attention today, to sacrifice a critical activity just like meditation which could alter and improve your life beyond where you find yourself now, would be a tragedy. If you do not currently meditate on a regular basis, please consider doing so as this is a proven way for greater well-being, enhanced health and vitality in addition to starting to be more at peace with the world surrounding you. Start today and thank yourself for directing people here- all is purposely directed! Tim's writing expertise and intuition for understanding arcane, nonmainstream theme including esoteric topics begun at the age of 14. It is through his expansive career in financial which affords Tim a unique ability to apply a professional, down-to-earth approach when writing about the science of spirituality.
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jewishshadowhunters · 5 years
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Judaism 101: Torah
The word “Torah” is tricky to define, because it can mean different things in different contexts. In its most limited sense, “Torah” refers to the Five Books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. But the word “torah” can also be used to refer to the entire Jewish bible (the body of scripture known to non-Jews as the Old Testament and to Jews as the Tanakh or Written Torah).
In its broadest sense, “Torah” can refer to the whole body of Jewish law and teachings. 
Below we talk about the Tanakh (written Torah), Talmud (Oral Torah), and other important texts. 
Written Torah/Tanakh
To Jews, there is no “Old testament”. The books that Christians call the New Testament are not part of Jewish scripture. The so-called Old Testament is known to us as Written Torah or the Tanakh.
Below is a list of the books of Written Torah, in the order in which they appear in Jewish translations, with the Hebrew name of the book, a translation of the Hebrew name (in the case the translation is different from the English name) and English name of the book.
The Hebrew names are derived from the first few words of the book. The text of each book is more or less the same in Jewish translations as what you see in Christian bibles, although there are occasional, slight differences in the numbering of the verses, and other more significant in the translations.
TORAH (The Law):
Bereishith (In the beginning...) (Genesis)
Shemoth (The names...) (Exodus)
Vayiqra (And He called...) (Leviticus)
Bamidbar (In the wilderness...) (Numbers)
Devarim (The words...) (Deuteronomy)
NEVI’IM (The Prophets)
Yehoshua (Joshua)
Shoftim (Judges)
Shmuel (I &II Samuel)
Melakhim (I & II Kings)
Yeshayah (Isaiah)
Yirmyah (Jeremiah)
Yechezqel (Ezekiel)
The Twelve (treated as one book):
Hoshea (Hosea)
Yoel (Joel)
Amos
Ovadyah (Obadiah)
Yonah (Jonah)
Mikhah (Micah)
Nachum
Chavaqquq (Habbakkuk)
Tzefanyah (Zephaniah)
Chaggai
Zekharyah (Zechariah)
Malakhi
KETHUVIM (The Writings):
Tehillim (Psalms)
Mishlei (Proverbs)
Iyov (Job)
Shir Ha-Shirim (Song of Songs)
Ruth
Eikhah (Lamentations)
Qoheleth (the author's name) (Ecclesiastes)
Esther
Daniel
Ezra & Nechemyah (Nehemiah) (treated as one book)
Divrei Ha-Yamim (The words of the days) (Chronicles)
“Tanakh”, the term used to refer to the Written Torah is an acrostic of Torah, Nevi’im and Ketuvim.
The Torah Scrolls
The scriptures that we use in services are written on parchment scrolls. Always handwritten, they are in attractive Hebrew calligraphy with “crowns” (crows-foot-like marks coming up from the upper points) on many of the letters.
This style of writing is called STA”M (abbreviation for “Sifrei Torah, Tefillin, and Mezuzot”, which is where you will see that style of writing).
You are not supposed to touch the parchment on these scrolls. Some say it is because they are too holy, some say because the parchment, made from animal skins, is a source of ritual defilement, some say because your fingers’ sweat has acid that will damage parchment over time.
Instead, you follow the text with a pointer, called a Yad. “Yad” means “hand” in Hebrew, and the pointer usually is in the shape of hand with a pointing index finger.
The scrolls are kept covered with fabric, and often ornamented with silver crowns on the handles of the scrolls and a silver breastplate on the front.
They are kept in a cabinet in the synagogue called an “ark” (as in the Ark of the Covenant,not Noah’s ark. The words are different and unrelated in Hebrew. Noah’s ark is called teyvat (ship), while the synagogue ark is either an acrostic of “aron kodesh” or holy cabinet or coming from the latin “arca”.)
The Torah scrolls that we read in synagogue are unpointed text, with no vowels or musical notes, so the ability to read a passage is a valuable skill, and usually requires substantial advance preparation.
Chumash
Jewish scriptures are sometimes bound in a form that corresponds to the division into weekly readings (called parshiyot in Hebrew). Scriptures bound in this way are generally referred to as a chumash. This word came from the Hebrew word for five, and refers to the five books of the Torah. Sometimes, a chumash refers to a collection of the five books. But often, a chumash contains the entirety of the first five books, divided up in weekly parshiyot, with the haftarah portion inserted after each week’s parshah.
Oral Torah/Talmud
In addition to the Written Torah, we have an “Oral Torah”, a tradition explaining what the scriptures mean and how to interpret and apply the Laws. Orthodox Jews believe that G-d taught the Talmud to Moses, and that he in turn taught it to others. Talmud was maintained in oral form only until about the 2nd Century CE, when it was compiled and written down in a document called the Mishnah?
Over the following centuries, additional commentaries elaborating the Mishnah were written down in Jerusalem and Babylon. These additions are known as the Gemara. Mishnah and Gemara together form the Talmud, complete in the 5th century CE.
There are as a result two Talmuds. The Jerusalem Talmud, and the Babylonian Talmud, known to be the more comprehensive one, and the one most people refer to when saying “The Talmud.”
Additional commentaries on the talmud have been made by noted Jewish scholars such as Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchakià) and Rambam (Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, better known to the secular world as Maimonides.)
Adin Steinsaltz recently completed a new edition of the Talmud, with his own commentary instead of the Mishnah, Gemara and Rashi commentaries.
The Talmud is not easy to read. It’s like someone else’s class notes for a college lecture you never attended. There are often gaps in the reasoning where it is assumed the reader known what they are talking about, and concepts can often be expressed in a short-hand fashion. Biblical verses supporting a teaching are often referenced by only a couple of words. The Talmud preserves a variety of views on every issue, and does not always clearly identify which view is the accepted one.
The Mishnah itself is divided into six sections called sedarim (orders, English). Each seder contains one or more divisions called masekhtot (tractates, English). There are 63 masekhtot in the Mishnah. Approximately half of these have been addressed in the Talmud.
Though those divisions seem to indicate subject matter, we note that Mishnah and Talmud engage in a lot of free-associations. As a result, widely different subjects can be discussed in the same seder or masekhtah.
Zera'im (Seeds), dealing with agricultural laws
Berakhot
Peah
Demai
Kilayim
Shebiit
Terumot
Maaserot
Maaser Sheni
Challah
Orlah
Bikkurim
Mo'ed (Festival), dealing with Shabbat and festivals
Shabbat
Erubin
Pesachim
Sheqalim
Yoma
Sukkah
Besah
Rosh Hashanah
Taanit
Megillah
Moed Qatan
Hagigah
Nashim (Women), dealing with marriage, divorce and contracts
Yebamot
Ketubot
Nedarim
Nazir
Sotah
Gittin
Qiddushin
Nezikin (Damages), dealing with tort laws and other financial laws
Baba Qamma
Baba Mesia
Baba Batra
Sanhedrin
Makkot
Shabuot
Eduyyot
Avodah Zarah
Avot (also known as Pirkei Avot, Ethics of the Fathers)
Horayot
Kodashim (Holy Things), dealing with sacrifices and the Temple
Zevachim
Menachot
Chullin
Bekhorot
Arakhin
Temurah
Keritot
Meilah
Tamid
Middot
Qinnim
Toharot (Purities), dealing with laws of ritual purity and impurity
Kelim
Ohalot
Negaim
Parah
Tohorot
Miqvaot
Niddah
Makhshirin
Zabim
Tebul-Yom
Yadayim
Uqsin
In recent times, many observant Jews have taken up the practice of studying a page of Talmud every day. This practice, referred to as daf yomi (page of the day), was started at the First International Congress of the Agudath Yisrael World Movement in August, 1923. Rav Meir Shapiro, the rav of Lublin, Poland, proposed uniting people worldwide through the daily study of a page of Talmud. Daf Yomi started its 12th cycle on March 2, 2005. The 13th cycle was started in 2013, and has yet to finish.
Other Writings
In addition to these works, we have midrashim, stories expanding on the incidents in the Bible to derive principles or Jewish law; or teaching moral lessons.
There is also a vast body of responsa, answers to specific questions of Jewish law. Beginning in the middle ages, when local rabbis were faced with difficult issues of Jewish law, they often wrote to the most respected rabbis in the world to get answers to these questions. The local rabbi would present the situation, often including detailed references to the Talmudic passages he had reviews, his own interpretations and the world-respected rabbi would provide a reasoned argument in favor of his answer. Over time, these responsa were collected into printed volumes. This tradition continues to the present day, with responsa dealing with issues relating to modern technologies. We have responsa on the permissibility of cosmetic surgery, the kashering of dishwashers, and artificial insemination. We are currently in the process of computerizing the thousands of volumes of responsa.
As you can see, the body of Jewish tradition is very vast.
In the Middle Ages, for quick answers, there were several attempts to create definite codes of Jewish law. The best-known are Rambam’s Mishneh Torah and Joseph Caro’s Shulchan Arukh. These works were very controversial in their own time, because they did not identify the sources, whether Talmudic or Torah, for these opinions, and generally ignored conflicting voices. There was a concern that such works would discourage Jews from studying the Torah and the Talmud. Today, these sources are well-respected, and the Shulchan Arukh is often treated as primary source.
We asl have a mystical tradition, own as Kabbalah. The primary written work in Kabbalistic tradition is the Zohar. Traditionally, rabbis discouraged teaching this material to anyone under the age of 40, because it is too likely to be misinterpreted by anyone without sufficient grounding in the basics.
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elyn-does-stuff · 5 years
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artekka replied to your post “artekka replied to your photo “artekka: elyn-does-stuff:...”
i haven't heard the name dr notely. i find it unlikely; she's working entirely in our denomination (nazarene). she taught our bible study a unit on the gospels and we talked about luke being the social justice gospel, which was coolio. which parables? do tell
Ah, got it. Awesome denomination, though, my mentor professor for my major led a Nazarene church and he has, by far and large, some of the most practical ways of viewing the OT that I’ve ever encountered. To be a fly on the wall in her bible studies!
Luke is 100% the social justice gospel. As for parables, ah... Luke’s version of the old wineskins, a briefer one on Matthew’s take on the talents, and the treasure in the field in Matthew. Unfortunately, I’ve lost most of the digital copies of my work because of a Google Docs issue, but the Luke one was by far my favorite
I enjoyed it so much because of a single line - “And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, ‘The old is better.’“ (Luke 5:39)
The other Synoptics have that parable, but none of them end on a blatantly positive note about the “old wineskins”. Most modern interpretations of the parable assume that the old wineskins are the bad, fussy Pharisees and that Jesus is coming to bring the awesome new wine and wineskins, but that interpretation simply doesn’t make sense in light of the fact that Jesus states the obvious: old wine tastes better than new.
It involved a delve into similar parables from a few Jewish texts from the pre-NT era, a few odd references from accounts of fasting rituals by very early (first century) Christians, a closer look at the parables before it, and heavy leaning on a paper by a Jewish scholar who did much of his work on the gospels from a Jewish perspective (since they are, by far, the best-preserved religious texts of the time just before the second diaspora).
The conclusion, if I remember correctly (this was a couple years ago and I cannot find the paper for the life of me) was that Jesus was actually addressing an issue of old (OT) traditions and how they were much better than the new, nonsensical and fussy traditions the Pharisees were practicing. It had a very different vibe than the “ditch Judaism” conclusion I got out of it from my very Lutheran, very anti-Judaism upbringing.
I kind of want to go back through Luke and see if I can’t find more hints of Jesus wanting to “fix” Judaism rather than create something entirely new. I wish I could do the faint hints of the full picture I was beginning to see more justice than a rusty, rambly tumblr post lol.
It was another one of those moments where you sit back from like two hours of study just... completely and utterly speechless in awe of what a fantastic orator and teacher Jesus actually was. Parables existed well before Jesus walked the earth, but Jesus was a master of the art.
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pamphletstoinspire · 6 years
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Understanding The Bible - A Practical Guide To Each Book In The Bible - Part 42
Written by: PETER KREEFT
NINETEEN
________
Christ as Prophet, Priest, and King: Hebrews
No one but God knows who wrote Hebrews, or to whom. The clue in 13:23 seems to point to Saint Paul. But for a variety of reasons, most scholars no longer hold to Pauline authorship of Hebrews. However, the jury is still out.
Hebrews seems to be addressed to Jewish Christians who were undergoing persecution for their new belief and were tempted to abandon their faith in Christ under this severe testing (10:32-34), though it had not yet reached the point of martyrdom (12:4). The author argues the need to hold fast to Christ as Lord and Savior—the very essence of Christianity.
As Romans is the world’s first systematic theology, Hebrews is the first apologetic for the Christian faith. Apologetic here does not mean “excuse” but “defense”; not “I was wrong” but “I am right.” Hebrews argues for the superiority of Christ in every way to pre-Christian Judaism, to prevent Jewish Christians from choosing the shadow over the substance, the promises over their fulfillment, the arrow over the bull’s eye.
The author emphasizes Christ’s threefold office as prophet, priest, and king—the three Old Testament offices that foreshadowed Him. It emphasizes both His divinity (1:1-8) and His humanity (2:9-10; 2:14-18; 4:15; 5:7-9; 12:3; 13:12). The overall theme is like that of Colossians: the all-sufficient greatness of Christ (compare Hebrews 1:3 with Colossians 1:15-20).
Along with Genesis, 1 John, and John’s Gospel, Hebrews begins with one of the four great first verses in the Bible, which reveal a total sweep of history: “In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son.” This beginning sets the theme for the whole book: Judaism is not wrong but fulfilled and completed in Christ and the Church, through whom God has spoken a new Word. The author constantly quotes God’s (Old Testament) Word, as Matthew does, for a similar purpose (to convince and convert Jews). He has a high, holy, and practical attitude of existential urgency toward the Word. It is not just “proof texts” but the present, living speech of the present, living God. “Take care, brethren. . . . ‘Today, when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts’ ” (3:12, 15). This Word is described (in 4:12-13) as “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit [do you know that difference?], of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”
The whole point of the Old Testament Word, according to Hebrews, is to point to Christ. It is incomplete in itself (11:39-40). The Old and New Covenants are strikingly contrasted in 12:18-24, as Paul contrasts law and grace in Romans. By the way, the more I compare Hebrews and Paul’s letters, the more I see Paul in Hebrews—if not his authorship, at least his doctrine.
Christ is shown to be superior in every way:
1. He is superior to angels, for they worship Him (1:4-2:18).
2. He is superior to Moses and Joshua, for they are creatures, while He is the Creator (3:1-4:13).
3. He is a better priest than the human priest Aaron, for His sacrifice was once for all (8:1-10:18). His priesthood is greater than that of Levi, akin to the priesthood of Melchizedek (4:14-7:28). The Old Testament priesthood and liturgy were symbolic of Christ and of Heaven (8:1-5).
It needs to be pointed out here that the medieval penchant for interpreting Scripture symbolically is rooted in Scripture itself. Some modern exegetes turn it upside down and interpret symbolically not the symbol (the Old Testament) but the reality symbolized (Christ’s divinity, Resurrection, atonement, and Second Coming).
4. He is superior to the Old Law, or Old Covenant, for His Blood takes away our sin (8:1-10:39). As a consequence, we have real, objective access to God, and felt, subjective confidence (10:19-20).
The most famous chapter in Hebrews is chapter 11, the great roll call of the heroes of faith, the Christian hall of fame. It begins with the famous description of faith itself (v. 1): “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” See the passage 2:8-9: “As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see Jesus”. Faith goes beyond the seen, but it begins there. It is not like a blind date but like a marriage.
The faith-works controversy is solved (without even being posed) by seeing faith as a thing that works, that acts. “By faith Abraham obeyed. . . . By faith the people crossed the Red Sea. . . . By faith the walls of Jericho fell down. . . . through faith [they] conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions” (11:8, 29, 30, 33, emphasis mine).
Faith and hope are virtually identified in the passages and 11:14-16. Here “faith” includes hope. In 1 Peter 3:15, “hope” includes faith. Hope is faith directed to the future.
The exhortation of Chapter 12 is the practical consequence of chapter 11: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (12:1-2). The Greek word for “witnesses” means (1) martyrs, (2) those who testify, as in court, and (3) those who see or observe, implying that these saints are now watching us from Heaven. How would you feel if you saw thousands of eyes outside your window?
There is a weighty consequence to such a weighty theology of such a weighty Christ: “How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?” (2:3). No more urgent and heart-stoppingly serious passage exists in all the world’s literature than Hebrews 12:25-29. It concludes with a vision of God’s essential nature as “fire”, just as Moses saw Him in the burning bush, and as Pascal saw Him on the night he met Him: “God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, not the God of philosophers and scholars” (Pensées, 913). As C. S. Lewis says of his Christ-figure Aslan, “He’s not tame. But he’s good.” Goodness is not tame. The essential root of modernist theology is right there, in the taming of God.
Chapter 12 also contains one of the greatest exhortations on suffering and its meaning ever written (vv. 5-12). This short passage says more about life’s most popular problem than most complete books on the subject.
Chapter 13 gives us one of Scripture’s many classic passages on the need to be countercultural (vv. 11-14). This is as necessary today as nineteen centuries ago, for the only difference between the old, pre-Christian paganism and the new, post-Christian paganism is that the new version knows more and is more responsible.
Other not-to-be-missed gems in this diamond mine of a book include the following passages, all of them surprising points to learn something new from, not soporific reinforcements of what we all know already:
■ Hebrews 2:11, on our participation in divine life (compare Jn 15:5; 2 Pet 1:4);
■ the passage of 2:14-15, on how Christ destroys not only death but also the fear of death and the bondage this fear keeps us in (what we really fear is not death but Hell!);
■ Hebrews 2:18, on how fully and thoroughly human Christ is;
■ the passage of 5:8, on how even Christ had to learn obedience through suffering (George MacDonald says, “Christ suffered, not that we may be freed from suffering but that our suffering may be changed into his”) ;
■ Hebrews 6:5, on how we already taste “the powers of the age to come” (Heaven), like appetizers;
■ the passage of 9:22, on the need for death and blood and sacrifice to take away sin—contrary to modern, “enlightened” religion, every ancient religion knew this in its bones;
■ Hebrews 9:27, a definitive disproof of reincarnation;
■ the passage of 13:2, on the sacred nature of hospitality and the disturbing proximity of angels; and
■ Hebrews 13:8, on God’s opinion of “new” Christianities.
The central theme and thread holding all these pearls together is the center of all reality, Christ. Hebrews’ essential message is life’s essential message: “Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus” (12:2 NEV), for “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever” (13:8). Hebrews goes down to bedrock.
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thesilverwitch · 7 years
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PENTAGRAM/PENTACLE DEFINED FOR BEGINNER WICCANS
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Symbols are constantly recycled in society and religion. Their meanings evolve over time and can differ from belief system to belief system. A pentacle/pentagram is one of those symbols that has picked up a whole lot of baggage over the years. Beginner Wiccans often come to our religion having to ‘reprogram’ their own way of thinking about the pentagram. For years, pop culture, media hysteria and other religions have drilled the idea into our heads that Pagan symbols are bad, and the pentagram is evil.
Unfortunately, in a lot of books aimed at Wicca for beginners, more misinformation about the pentagram is spread. This time, it errs on the side of trying to make the pentagram look good, attaching to it all kinds of romanticized ideas that are just not factual.
What is a pentagram? What is a pentacle? Is there a difference? Let’s have a closer look at the history of this symbol, and the meaning of the pentagram today.
WHAT IS A PENTAGRAM?
A good place to begin anytime you’re trying to understand a word and its usage is to hit the dictionary and look up the entomology of the word. The word pentagram is rooted in the Greek.
Instead of giving you my own interpretations, I’ll take the meaning directly from the dictionary:
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MEANING OF A PENTAGRAM: A BRIEF HISTORY
The earliest use of the pentagram we know of is from ancient Sumeria-- but it wasn't a religious Pagan symbol. It was a word in their language that meant a corner or angle (due to the 5 sharp angles in the figure).
In the 6th century BCE, Pherecydes of Syros used it to illustrate the five recesses of the cosmology. Pentagram figures occasionally turned up in the far East as well, due to the 5 Chinese elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, water.
Pythagoras went on to use the pentagram as the symbol of man. Partly it was because the shape represented a human standing with his arms spread wide (the top point being the head, the to outer points the arms, and the bottom two points the legs). It was also considered to represent the 5 elements that the Greeks believed made up the physical body: Earth (matter), Air (breath), Fire (energy), Water (fluids) and Aether (the psyche or soul). When Pythagoras’ school was driven underground, students used the pentagram as a secret symbol to identify each other.
In ancient Judaism it was a symbol found in mysticism, related to the top portion of the Tree of Life in the Kabbalah, it stood for the 5 books of the Torah (what Christians refer to as the Pentateuch in the Old Testament of the Bible) and the symbol was featured in a seal representing the secret names of God.
Early Christians into the middle ages used the pentagram heavily as a symbol for Christ’s five wounds. The star of Bethlehem that lead the wise men to the baby Jesus was believed to be the pentagram. In Authorial legends, you’ll often see the symbol of the Pentagram inscribed on knight’s shields and other things—these were actually Christian, not Pagan, references. Christians thought of the pentagram as a protective amulet, and it was the primary symbol of Christianity back then, even more common than the cross.
So the pentagram had a long, ancient history of uses as a Pagan symbol and Judeo-Christian symbol. It had no single meaning. It represented perfection in mathematics, the human body, words, and was also used in religious ritual and magic.
BUT WHAT ABOUT WITCHES, WICCANS, AND SATANISTS?
So I’ve mentioned that just about everyone had used the pentagram back then, except I haven’t mentioned Witches, Wiccans and Satanists. What about them?
The fact is, they didn’t really exist yet. The only “witches” at the time were the kind of folklore and rumor. Oh, don’t get me wrong—there were people who did magick, but they would not have identified with the term “witch”.
WHEN THE PENTAGRAM BECAME ASSOCIATED WITH “EVIL”
The 14th and 15th century saw the rise of occult practices that were rooted in Judeo-Christian symbolism and mysticism, and they borrowed liberally from many of the symbols, including the pentagram. They also borrowed from Gnostic and Paganism symbols. It’s no small surprise Ceremonial Magicians were accused by the Christian church of heresy. And heresy, to a medieval Christian, barrels down to Paganism, Satan worship and witchcraft.
Anything liberally used by Ceremonial Magicians became associated with anything considered heretical. If you don’t want to be associated with such things, you don’t use their symbols.
By Victorian times, the witch hunt craze was ending, and people started to forget how pentagrams were once very common, prominent Christian symbols. It’s now associated with paganism, Satan and witchcraft, and seen as an evil symbol.
The love of romanticized myth and history drive a new movement: the Pagan revival, and the pentagram gets turned around again. This is where it gets confusing, because misinformation and false histories begin to fly liberally from the late 19th to mid-20th century.
This is the time the Pagan Revival begins (mostly a re-invention than a re-construction of “Old Ways”). This is when Margaret Murray published her theories on ancient Witch cults being peaceful Pagan religions—though her works have been completely debunked since. This is when Gerald Gardner founded Wicca, and people came crawling out of the woodwork claiming to be ‘hereditary Witches’, or claiming their coven was ancient, or claiming some unbroken line to the Pagan religions of antiquity. This is also when a few ‘reverse Christian’ groups popped up, with practices specifically designed to mock and rebel against Christianity (those these groups were pretty rare and the NeoPagan community did their best to distance themselves from such groups).
One thing most of these groups have in common, though, is that they adopt the pentagram.
Hollywood – new on the scene in the mid-20th century – adopts the pentagram as well. Hollywood is not interested in accuracy; it’s interested in the shock value of things. They adopt it as a symbol for evil magic and reverse-Christian style devil worship and stick it into just about every horror movie conceivable. This fuels the antics of a lot of bored, rebellious people, particularly teens, who like to spray paint it on park walls and carve it into trees for the shock value.
By the late 20th century, the pentagram is being used and abused all over the place, but it is Hollywood who manages to make an indelible imprint on the social consciousness—and this is further driven by the media with sensationalized reporting during the 1970’s “Satanic Ritual Abuse” hysteria (which has also been debunked).
It’s only the tail end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century in which the pentagram is finally gaining some understanding. Though mainstream society hasn’t completely lost the ‘kneejerk reaction’ to it, the growth of the Pagan Revival and the availability of information via the Internet have helped to quell some of the shock value and fears over it.
WICCAN SYMBOLS: PENTAGRAM VS. PENTACLE
More misconceptions abound, considering the Pagan community more commonly refers to the symbol as a ‘pentacle’ rather than a ‘pentagram’. Many books and websites have tried (and failed) to make the distinction clear. Some assertions I’ve read in passing are:
The pentagram is evil with one point down
the pentacle is good with one point up
The pentagram is just the star
the pentacle is the star with a circle around it
The pentagram is 2-D; the pentacle is 3-D
Actually, all of these answers would be technically incorrect. If you look at the definitions provided above, pentagram and pentacle are synonymous, and have nothing to do with which way the points face, or whether or not they have a circle around them.                           
A look at the dictionary's answer to pentacle and you see that the only real difference is one is derived from the Greek, the other from the Latin:
DICTIONARY MEANING OF A PENTACLE:
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THE PENTACLE: NOT JUST A FIGURE, BUT A TOOL
A tool arose out of ceremonial magic. This tool was a flat, round disc or paper that was inscribed with protective symbols (a pentagram could be inscribed on it, but there were other symbols they used as well). It is used as an amulet of warding and power because a large part of Ceremonial Magic is invoking and commanding various entities from Judeo-Christian beliefs.
It was called the pentacle or sometimes pantacle. On the Tarot (a Christian-origin divination system), the symbol is used for the suit of coins, and it represents the Element of Earth.
Wicca and other NeoPagan religions borrowed this tool from Ceremonial Magic. They kept the name, but re-defined its purpose since Wiccans don’t believe in Judeo-Christian entities and is not concerned with calling or commanding spirits.
The pentacle (the disc) was adopted as an altar tool, and is used to symbolize the Element of Earth on the altar. It’s also used as a tool for placing sacred items upon it when cleansing, consecrating or charging them.
The Wiccan symbol of choice for this round disc was the pentagram/pentacle. To further confuse things, this tool does not have to be inscribed with a pentagram/pentacle.
TYPICAL MEANING OF A PENTAGRAM/PENTACLE IN WICCA
As far as Wiccan symbols go, the pentagram isn't a representation of good vs. evil. It’s a symbol of our faith, a symbol of the 5 Elements (one for each point), and the circle (the universe) contains and connects them all. No matter which way it’s facing, circle or no circle, there’s nothing ‘bad’ about it.
Another misconception about the pentagram in Wicca is which way it points. Again, you will find common misinformation that says the pentagram is “evil” if point down and “good” if point up. The point down is most commonly associated with Satanism, because the largest branch of Satanism (Church of Satan, est. 1966) adopted the inverted pentagram with a goat head inside of it as their symbol.
It’s traditionally used both point up and point down. Point up pentagrams are more common; but point down pentagrams are not considered evil at all.
The point-up pentagram represents the spirit ascending above matter. The top point represents the Element of Spirit, the other four points represent the four Spiritual Elements.
When a pentagram is point-down, it represents spirit descending into matter. This is most traditionally used in lineage covens during second degree initiations, because it’s at this point of one’s spiritual path that one turns “inward”. You face and challenge your ‘dark side’ – your base emotions, fears, ignorance, prejudices, etc., you deal with them and develop mastery over yourself.
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hg47 · 3 years
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47 Reasons Why I Fear Islam - (Reason 26)
-26-I fear for the freedom of Muslim women locked away behind a veil, and I fear for the safety of non-Muslim women not behind a veil because Muslim men, who already view Infidels as inferior scum, are more likely to see Western women as whores, fair-game to be raped. Their own women cannot say NO to them, for that would be a sin, why should some Western whore say NO?  And if she said NO, so what? ++++------- http://www.amazon.com/Into-Infidels-Lynn-Editor-Copeland/dp/0882643452/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1380152447&sr=1-2&keywords=INTO+THE+DEN+OF+INFIDELS One interesting story in the book INTO THE DEN OF INFIDELS Edited by Lynn Copeland is about LEILA, who was worried about her attraction to Christ.  Her sheik instructed her on how to avoid this evil.  Reading the Koran daily was a big part of it. Unfortunately, for the sheik, the more Leila studied the Koran the further it drove her away from Islam, because: 1) Women have no insight or religious commitment, so women inherit only half that of a man. 2) Due to the feeble intelligence of women, a woman’s testimony in court is worth only half that of a man. 3) Because women are so silly, they can never be philosophers or doctors or judges or [fill in the blank]. 4) Most of those banished to hell are women, used as hell’s firewood. 5) If a women does enter Paradise she will be a Jannah whose only purpose is to please men in paradise. 6) More.  INTO THE DEN OF INFIDELS is a great book.  Read it! ++++------- A Nonie Darwish quote: “How can we expect Muslims to assimilate in America when their religion tells them that Jews are monkeys and Christians are pigs who both should be killed?” ++++------- http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/01/islam_a_religion_custom_made_f.html Amil Imani on how Islam caters to the savage male: 1) 4 wives are allowed the Muslim man PLUS as many one-night stands or one-hour stands as the Muslim man can rent (@hg47: PLUS the Muslim man may rape any women he can get his hands on without fear of punishment under Sharia law.)  These rented-relationships are considered legal temporary marriages, under Islamic law. 2) If a woman is discovered in a love affair outside marriage she will be stoned or possibly thrown into prison for a long sentence. ++++------- tweet ~ Islam condones any and all means to achieve its goals. ++++------- http://www.amazon.com/Cruel-Usual-Punishment-Terrifying-Implications/dp/1595551611/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1380310980&sr=1-1&keywords=CRUEL+AND+USUAL+PUNISHMENT+by+Nonie+Darwish In CRUEL AND USUAL PUNISHMENT Nonie Darwish brings up the point that Muslim men are so used to seeing only completely covered up “good women” that they may “lose it” if they suddenly see a Western girl.  She tells the tragic story during the ’80s when seven Israeli girls were on the beach in Egypt and a Muslim Egyptian soldier murdered them all because when he saw them in T-shirts and shorts he lusted after them, which broke his Ramadan fast, possibly casting him into hell. @hg47 says – By the way, the soldier in this story, after a short prison term, was likely promoted for killing Jews; a true-to-the-faith hometown hero!  If he is alive today, he’s probably a General. ++++------- http://www.americanthinker.com/2013/01/the_closed_circle_of_the_arab.html Glenn Fairman on Islamic honor killings. ++++------- http://www.amazon.com/Cruel-Usual-Punishment-Terrifying-Implications/dp/1595551611/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1380310980&sr=1-1&keywords=CRUEL+AND+USUAL+PUNISHMENT+by+Nonie+Darwish In CRUEL AND USUAL PUNISHMENT Nonie Darwish states that in many hadiths the religiously sanctioned Arabic word for a woman is actually a comparable word to what in American culture is routinely only used on Twitter: the 4-letter word for a bitch starting with a C. In Arabic the word often used in hadiths to refer to a women is “awrah” the naughty word for “pudendum.” @hg47 says – American Islam-lovers not fluent in Arabic (and probably those fluent as well), will deny Nonie Darwish’s interpretation here, but they cannot deny the root meaning of “awrah” which means “defectiveness”, “imperfection”, “blemish” or “weakness”; usually politely translated as “naked” which supports Nonie’s point.  So, best case, using state-of-the-art Muslim-double-thinking, many holy Islamic hadiths refer not to “a man and a woman” but translate as “a man and a defect” or “a man and an imperfection” or “a man and a blemish”.  Go, Islam! ++++------- http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/20/world/meast/uae-norway-rape-controversy/index.html This article by Nicola Goulding and Phil O’Sullivan just gives more proof of how in an Islamic nation a male Muslim can NEVER be convicted of rape and is Almost Never charged of any crime, although here, due to the publicity, he was charged with minor non-rape-related crimes. ++++------- http://townhall.com/columnists/michaelbrown/2013/05/26/is-radical-islam-normative-islam-n1606129 Michael Brown: Is “terrorism” Radical Islam or is it Normative Islam? ++++------- http://www.torontosun.com/2012/03/23/book-tells-muslim-men-how-to-beat-and-control-their-wives Terry Davidson writing about a new halal approved book explaining exactly how Muslims are to beat their wives according to Sharia law. @hg47 says – Most religions, such as Judaism and Christianity, often contain appeals toward some “ideal” and possibly unattainable behavior. Islam, falls into another category. According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halal usually in Islam, every item and every behavior is allowed unless there is some injunction against it within Islamic holy texts.  (Even then, there are many Islamic loopholes.) ++++------- Internet Opinion Poll at http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5263974/Passengers-covered-faces-threatening-says-driver Do you think maskophobia is a fair reason for refusing a passenger on public transport? Yes, it’s a genuine concern167 votes, 69.3% No, it’s just an excuse74 votes, 30.7% Total 241 votes Why not go to the above link and vote! ++++------- http://frontpagemag.com/2011/dgreenfield/five-reasons-to-ban-the-burqa/ Daniel Greenfield on reasons to ban the Burqa within the West.  One interesting argument is the empirical high number of sexual attacks on Non-Muslim women by Muslim men in Europe, and the idea that covered up gals are seen as “good girls” to Muslim boys, but all others are whores who deserve what they get. ++++------- http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-stifling-effect-of-muhammeds-life-and-teachings-on-muslim-society/ Hege Storhaug on how hadiths trash women, almost with every mention, with many examples. ++++------- tweet ~ I am suspicious of any religion which repeatedly calls for non-members to be killed, beheaded, dismembered, and instilled with terror. ++++------- http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.9165/pub_detail.asp Amil Imani on Islamic oppression of women and Islamic oppression of all other religions. ++++------- http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2011/02/opinion-a-hellhole-for-protesters.html JOSH SHAHRYAR on the tragedy protestors face in Iran, and how female protestors in Iraq condemned to death are first raped so the theocracy will never execute a virgin.  Of course, this perfect religion, and perfect nation does not call it rape.  It’s marriage; consummation of marriage; execution. @hg47 says – From this and other articles I have read, many of them no longer online, I judge that Iran crushed the momentary Arab Spring rebellion that happened at Ahmadinejad’s stolen second election.  Their technique is to kill anyone who even might be a protestor. ++++------- tweet ~ I am suspicious of any religion whose holy words refer to the Jewish People as children of pigs and monkeys. ++++------- M. Zuhdi Jasser, M.D. projects the voice of moderate Islam. He talks the talk, and walks the walk; he reached the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy. He argues for reform-minded Islam. In my view, reform-minded Islam would mean reverse abrogation, where instead of cancelling out all the peaceful passages in the Koran concerning Infidels (as things officially stand now within Islam), the violent passages in the Koran on Infidels would be redacted instead. If this is what Zuhdi Jasser means, I wish him luck. @hg47 His article:http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/02/american_islamists_find_common.html Pamela Geller’s counter-argument:http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2011/02/where_are_all_the_jassers.html In the argument between Geller and Jasser the subject of Koran-approved wife-beating comes up.  Jasser argues that the translators are getting it wrong; that the meaning is more along the lines of take a time-out or step back.  Pamela Geller disproves him by quoting Robert Spencer and using 11 different translations of Koran verse 4:34 ++++------- tweet ~ Moderate Muslims who don’t believe in Sharia are seen by many Muslims as apostates, traitors to Islam who should be killed by the “faithful” ++++------- http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/01/islam_a_religion_custom_made_f.html Amil Imani on how Islam is customized for the savage male; and some Islamic loopholes which let the Muslim man cheat and avoid his own religious responsibilities. ++++------- http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/29679 Alan Caruba writes that Americans must be the least Islamophobic of peoples, using President Obama’s background and behavior as key arguments. @hg47 says – To go slightly on a tangent…personally, I don’t think Americans are Islamophobic enough.  What Alan Caruba states about President Obama is interesting.  I, myself, am a moderate Republican who voted Obama twice.  I believe the official term is R.I.N.O.  Locally, at the city, county, and State level, I usually follow the Republican mantra, and vote conservative.  Perhaps I am afraid of change.  At the Federal level, the Republican party has lost me.  Whatever “message” they’re sending is not getting delivered to my “address.” I don’t care if President Obama’s Dad is Muslim, and I don’t care if his Step-Dad is Muslim.  I usually like what The Prez is doing.  If The Prez is a disinformation specialist, he’s got me disinformed.  If The Prez is a long-range Muslim sleeper agent, he’s got me in a slumber.  Yes, The Prez is soft on Islam, and his advisors are worthless; but all of Europe is even softer on Islam, and the government advisors over there are hard-core Muslim-lovers. My record on President Obama is pretty clear.  I’ve lost count of the number of tweets I’ve slung at @hg47 that were positive about Obama over the years.  50?  100?  I set up a special Twitter account just to tweet the vertically-aligned word OBAMA in #twitterart and #140art and other hashtags.  I tweeted at least 1000 of them trying to help get The Prez re-elected.  I forget the old name of that account, but once Obama was re-elected I renamed it @Love140Art and now I just tweet Big LOVE a couple of hours a week.  You can find a few of my old OBAMA SuperTweets at http://favstar.fm/users/Love140Art although favstar has a narrow line width, so they break up more often when shown on the favstar site. Hope this doesn’t hurt my Islamophobe-street-cred.  Maybe they’ll call me an I.I.N.O.  Islamophobe In Name Only. ++++------- A quote from Ihsan Bagby, a board member of CAIR: “Muslims can never be full citizens of this country because there is no way we can be fully committed to the institutions and ideologies of this country.” Keep in mind that CAIR is the voice of Moderate Muslims in America. ++++------- http://www.bikhodayan.com/Islamwoman/11.htm From the article: Examples of Muslim women punished or killed because they were raped. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +Go-To-27+ +Go-To-Beginning-Of-47-REASONS-WHY-I-FEAR-ISLAM+
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