Wednesday June 27, 2007
Today we took a look at current events with the help of the wisdom of our Sages.
One of the major news outlets announced: 
Israeli intellectual Amos Oz was awarded the annual Prince of Asturias prize for literature Wednesday in recognition of his works denouncing extremism and advocating Israeli-Palestinian peace.
The jury meeting in the northern city of Oviedo said Oz had "contributed to turning the Hebrew language into a brilliant literary instrument...
Does this not bother you? Don't they realize that the #1 Best seller of all time - known as the Bible, was written in Hebrew...
Back to the quote:
"...while revealing certain truths about the most pressing and universal realities of our times, with as much attention to defending peace between different communities as denouncing all forms of extremism."
Mr. Oz denounces "all forms of extremism." So if I was extremely good or extremely kind does he denounce that? If I am extremely humble would he denounce that? Maimonides writes that everything must be taken in moderation with two exceptions, 1. the avoidance of anger 2. humility, you simply can't be too humble!
Back to the article...
"For 40 years now, I have been struggling for a historic compromise between Israel and Palestine, based on a two-state solution...," Oz said upon receiving word that he had received the award.
The problem with this is that the "two state solution" needs more definition because it isn't working. Right now we have a three state mess, where the Palestinians have split into two states.
This brings to mind a quote from the Ethics of Our Fathers: "One who says 'What's mine is yours and what's yours is mine' is an ignoramus. One who says 'Mine is mine and yours is yours' is average. He who says 'Mine is yours and yours is yours' is pious and he who says 'Mine is mine and yours is mine' is evil."
The one who says 'Mine is yours and yours is mine' is an ignoramus because you have to be able to recognize borders. Without borders you have chaos! Clear borders are an absolute must. Once we've defined what's mine and what's yours then, if I'm feeling generous, what's mine can also become yours.
I also have a general bone to pick with the media. The Mishnah says, "There are seven traits of a wise man... Concerning that which he has not heard he says, 'I haven't heard' and the opposite is a fool." If there is an entire subject being discussed but there is one detail that he is not familiar with the wise man say, "I am not adequately familiar with this entire subject."
The media these days, as soon as they hear a little bit about a subject assume that we know the whole subject and claim to be able to discuss it intelligently. How can these reporters claim to know well enough what's actually going on in Israel or in Iraq? you can't assume to know all the details necessary to make a proper judgment. Especially if you're going to condemn people based on the absence of information. This is the behavior of an ignoramus!
They really shold go back to just reporting.
There is one more Mishnah in that same chapter that we discussed. "Any love that is dependant on a condition, if that condition ceases the love ceases. But if it is not dependant on anything it will never cease."
If you hear what this Mishnah is saying it is revolutionary in its simplicity. What is that something that love shouldn't be dependant on? Looks? Cooking? Personality?
A thing can be anything including Love itself. All the dating websites scream, "Are you looking for love?" and that's such a silly notion because that love is dependant on something - the love itself. Love is not an end, it's a emotional tool or attitude with which we treat those who are important to us. If you go looking for someone to love, that person is going to end up suffering.
Benny's Musical Clip of the Week was Father Don' Cry by Avraham Fried. To purchase the album click here. We then introduced the "This Week in Jewish History" theme song whose lyrics you can see below.
I would love to see some feedback, please! Until next Wednesday at 7,
Shalom!
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"We've Got A Strong Desire"
The lyrics to our History segment theme song performed by Shlock Rock.
(I'm still looking for where one can buy this online.)
Adam, Eve, Abel, Cain,
Noah's Ark, Flood of Rain,
Terach, Idols, Haran dies, Abraham leaves home.
Sarah, Isaac, Brit Milah,
Angels visit, Akeida,
War of Kings, Salty Wife, Rescue in Sodom.
Yitzchok, Rivkah, Twins inside,
Jacob, Birthright, Isaac's Blind,
Stolen Blessing, Esav Cried, Angel's ladder to the sky.
Rachel's beauty, Yaakov's hitched,
Lavan, Leah, daughter switched,
Four Wives, twelve Tribes, Near Beit Lechem, Rachel Dies.
Chorus:
We've got a strong desire,
We are always yearning for the Torah's Learning.
We've got a strong desire,
We will stay united, never be divided.
Colored Coat, Brothers hate,
Sold to Egypt, Head of State,
Famine, grain, Goblet Test, Brothers Reunite.
New King, Jews are slaves,
Moshe's born, princess saves,
Yitro's daughters, burning bush, Aaron joins the fight.
Ten Plagues, Jews free,
Splitting of the Red Sea,
Amalek, Torah given, Golden Calf Jews Forgiven,
Korach, forty years, Balak, Bilaam, Pinchas spears.
Moshe Leaves, Jews Grieve, Joshua's the new chief.
Chorus
Jordan river, Jericho,
Walls fall, Shofar Blow,
Devorah, Shimshon, Shmuel, Saul,
David, Stone, Goliath Fall.
Solomon, Temple built,
Civil war, blood spilt,
Eliyahu, Elisha, Yishayahu, Yirmiyah.
Purim, Esther, Mordechai,
Beit Hamikdash second time,
Antiochus, bad decrees, Judah and the Maccabees.
Temple Two burnt down, Exile all around,
Shamai, Hillel, Beitar, Bar Kochva, Akiva's star.
Chorus
Mishna, Gemara, Karai,
Rav Yehuda Hanasi,
Rashi, Rabbeinu Tam, Baalei Tosfot, Rashbam.
Rambam, Sefer Mada, Inquisition, Torquemada,
Baal Shem Tov, Kuzari, Vilna Gaon, Shabtai Zvi.
Maharal, Libelists,
Golem, Prague, Kabbalists,
Chmelnitzky, Shtetl life,
Haskalah, Internal Strife.
Chorus
Hitler, Auschwitz, Holocaust,
Krystalnacht, Six Million lost,
Herzl, Balfour, Promised Land,
U.N.Vote, Partition Plan.
Nuremberg, Ben Gurion,
Six Day War, Moshe Dayan,
Golda Meir, Wall Reclaimed,
Yom Kippur, Entebbe Raid.
Olympics, Munich, Athletes shot,
Carter, Begin and Sadat,
Iron Curtain, Lebanon,
Shcharansky Free, Rav Moshe Gone,
Jews from Ethiopia,
Glasnost, Russian Yeshiva,
Intifada, we won't bow,
WE WANT MOSHIACH NOW!!!!
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