Question for You: What's your favorite pic Maret took, and why?
Showing posts with label Jewish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jewish. Show all posts
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Friday, December 18, 2009
Butter....a New Art!
Yes, our daughter Rauchelle is artistic. Sometimes a little bored??? Maybe. This is what she was doing today, in preparation for serving up butter with fresh challah tonight for Shabbat and the final night of Chanukkah.
An edible menorah, without candles. Fun!
Question for You: Do you have a unique art-style you'd like to share??
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Sixth Night of Chanukkah
Our neighbours came over for supper and to help us eat No-fry Doughnuts (Danaka did a great job making them) and play games.
Daniel
Grace
Scott & Claire
Kitchen crew dipping and eating doughnuts
Jennifer, Karen & Rauchelle
Question for You: What's your favorite boardgame?
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Star of David and a Lily
Question for You: Did you know that the Star of David symbol was based on the lily native to Israel?
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Jewish 101
Prelude
We were invited to participate in celebrating the third night of Chanukkah with Greg who figures he's one of very few Jews in this part of our country. We were thrilled that he invited us over as we don't even really know him. But he was excited to find out that we know and are respectful of things about Jews because when our daughter Rauchelle was invited to his place one Friday for a bbq and a ceildh (celtic social usually with music with/without dancing) she presented him with a loaf of fresh challah I had baked especially for him. So that birthed an excitement in him to get together with us. Thus, the invite for Chanukkah.
Who's Who?
L to R: Dawn (Greg's girlfriend), Greg (the host), Robin (Dawn's sister)
Rich (aka Richard, dh of Robin)
Ingrid (& dh Gordon, not pictured) knows all about James Harriet, & Danaka and her had a wonderful visit! And beside her is Ken (Dawn's dad).
And Marilyn (Dawn's mom) and Laars, fascinated with the bowl that held a collection of ceramic and wooden dreidels.
Yarmulke vs Kippah
Both words refer to the same object, the yarmulke, er... the kippah you wear on your head. Yarmulke is a Yiddish word. Kippah is Hebrew. Now you know.
Here Gaelyn is quizzing Greg about the thingy on his head. He explains about it symbolizing how Jews try to be mindful and respectful at all times of the presence of God. Wikipedia says:
"Reasons given for wearing a kippah today include:
* Recognition that God is "above" mankind;
* Acceptance of the 613 mitzvot (Torah commandments);
* Identification with the Jewish people;
* Demonstration of the "ministry" of all Jews."
Here Gaelyn gets a chance to try Greg's yarmulke on, and amazingly the colors go with her already busy sweater!
And here's my sunny Everette donning a yarmulke.
Things We Did
Greg told a little Jewish history especially for the children, about the root to the Chanukkah Festival of Lights. He lit the menorah and recited in Hebrew the blessings (I love the little I hear of Hebrew) and gave a little 'toast'.
We were treated to latkes that Greg spent the afternoon shredding potatoes to make freshly for us. He served them up with sour cream, apple sauce, and cranberries, along with finger desserts. The latkes were a hit, and the children are asking me to make them at home.
Greg showed the children how to spin the dreidel. (And I learned its pronounced dreydl whereas I've been calling it a drydl.) This is a gambling game played with a square top. The traditional explanation of this game is that during the time of Antiochus' oppression, those who wanted to study Torah (an illegal activity) would conceal their activity by playing gambling games with a top (a common and legal activity) whenever an official or inspector was within sight. (Judaism 101)
After the children were done gambling away their chocolate coins (Maret got the biggest loot) and they ate too many of them, Mitchell and Rory (Robin & Rich's son) had fun playing with the gold wrappers.
It was such a hit at Greg's that Gaelyn said "When we come back tomorrow....."
But honestly, I think Greg is enjoying his quiet house with just his 2 cats (and maybe Dawn)!
Question for You: Do you celebrate Chanukkah, or any of the Feasts of the Lord?
HAPPY CHANUKKAH
We were invited to participate in celebrating the third night of Chanukkah with Greg who figures he's one of very few Jews in this part of our country. We were thrilled that he invited us over as we don't even really know him. But he was excited to find out that we know and are respectful of things about Jews because when our daughter Rauchelle was invited to his place one Friday for a bbq and a ceildh (celtic social usually with music with/without dancing) she presented him with a loaf of fresh challah I had baked especially for him. So that birthed an excitement in him to get together with us. Thus, the invite for Chanukkah.
Who's Who?
L to R: Dawn (Greg's girlfriend), Greg (the host), Robin (Dawn's sister)
Ingrid (& dh Gordon, not pictured) knows all about James Harriet, & Danaka and her had a wonderful visit! And beside her is Ken (Dawn's dad).
And Marilyn (Dawn's mom) and Laars, fascinated with the bowl that held a collection of ceramic and wooden dreidels.
Yarmulke vs Kippah
Both words refer to the same object, the yarmulke, er... the kippah you wear on your head. Yarmulke is a Yiddish word. Kippah is Hebrew. Now you know.
Here Gaelyn is quizzing Greg about the thingy on his head. He explains about it symbolizing how Jews try to be mindful and respectful at all times of the presence of God. Wikipedia says:
"Reasons given for wearing a kippah today include:
* Recognition that God is "above" mankind;
* Acceptance of the 613 mitzvot (Torah commandments);
* Identification with the Jewish people;
* Demonstration of the "ministry" of all Jews."
Here Gaelyn gets a chance to try Greg's yarmulke on, and amazingly the colors go with her already busy sweater!
And here's my sunny Everette donning a yarmulke.
Things We Did
Greg told a little Jewish history especially for the children, about the root to the Chanukkah Festival of Lights. He lit the menorah and recited in Hebrew the blessings (I love the little I hear of Hebrew) and gave a little 'toast'.
We were treated to latkes that Greg spent the afternoon shredding potatoes to make freshly for us. He served them up with sour cream, apple sauce, and cranberries, along with finger desserts. The latkes were a hit, and the children are asking me to make them at home. 
After the children were done gambling away their chocolate coins (Maret got the biggest loot) and they ate too many of them, Mitchell and Rory (Robin & Rich's son) had fun playing with the gold wrappers.
It was such a hit at Greg's that Gaelyn said "When we come back tomorrow....."
But honestly, I think Greg is enjoying his quiet house with just his 2 cats (and maybe Dawn)!
Question for You: Do you celebrate Chanukkah, or any of the Feasts of the Lord?
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Are Birthday Celebrations Jewish or Biblical?
Our family has entered what we refer to as Birthday Season, where 8 of us have birthdays between end of November and early March. I was curious as to the history behind celebrating one's birthday, particularly for Jews and Christians in earlier years. Below is just some of what I found in my search, and by no means is it meant to be exhaustive. Just interesting and/or informative.
If the recognition of one's birthday was important, we might expect holidays for the birthdays of Moses and Abraham, among others, but there is no such thing mentioned in the Bible. There is no record of their birthdays, just as the New Testament does not record the date of Yeshua’s birth. The season of Yeshua's birth isn't even indicated, although one can figure the likely time of His birth based on other Biblical indications (it wasn't in winter).
"This is not to say that there are no sources in Torah for the concept of a birthday. The Talmud speaks of the specialness of a person's date of birth as a time of empowerment and opportunity for him or her. One of the most important days of the Jewish year is Rosh Hashanah, Adam's--and mankind's--birthday. But as a rule, Jews did not celebrate their birthdays. Indeed, while the dates of passing (yahrtzeit) of the great figures of Jewish history are recorded and commemorated, their dates of birth are mostly unknown.
"King Solomon gave voice to this attitude when he said, "Better the day of death than the day of one's birth" (Ecclesiastes 7:1). On the face of it, this seems a rather negative view of life. But upon deeper contemplation, it in fact expresses the classical Jewish attitude that "deed is the paramount thing"--that actual achievement, rather than concept, theory or potential, is what is significant." CHABAD.ORG
"In Judaism souls are memorialized by their day of death, their yahrzeit - their personal anniversary, not the day of their birth. The age and birthdays of those in the community are recognized by verbal mention, but not celebrated." MASHIYACH.COM
"Acknowledgment of years to some degree had to take place as the Old Testament categorizes various people at various times based upon age (e.g. Leviticus 27:3-7; Numbers 4:2-3). But there is no recorded example of the Hebrews actually celebrating their dates of birth.
"If you search the scriptures you will notice that many people are mentioned being born, but that the precise date (either with a lunar or solar calendar reference) is not given. If God wanted birthdays to be celebrated, than perhaps He would have given specific birth dates in the Bible--but He did not." COGwriter.com
I don't think one can be dogmatic about whether its right or wrong for one to celebrate their birthday. There is no direct Biblical instruction in regards to celebrating or not. But I personally see there are certainly reasonable (and strong) arguments for NOT celebrating. That view wouldn't be popular in our western culture where birthday celebrations are almost one of those 'holy-cow' issues...'our right' to celebrate no matter what.
Some Torah authorities are opposed to any sort of celebration of one's birthday, often based on a statement of King Solomon, who said, "A good name is better than good oil (ointment/fine perfume), and the day of death [is better] than the day of birth." (Ecc 7:1) Also, "this opposition is seemingly supported by the Talmud which determined that it is better that man not have been born than man having been born." Thirdly, the Torah only mentions a party at the same time that Pharaoh was celebrating his own birthday, and it resulted in the death of the baker. Some believe that "this implies that only such morally degenerated people as the sovereign of Egypt would celebrate a birthday, but not Torah True Jews..."
In the New Testament the only mention of a birthday party was for Herod, and that incident also ended with a death, John the Baptist's head on a platter.
There are, however, other Torah authorities today that permit and might even encourage celebrations on one's birthday as means of inspiring self-reflection and introspection. But celebrating birthdays just aren't historically a "Jewish" custom.
It seems that in the 4th century, once December 25th was officially designated as a day to celebrate Jesus' birthday/Christmas, that's when celebrating birthdays became more common place. So up till the 4th Century (AC) birthdays weren't celebrated.
Conclusion? It appears that according to the Jews, counting ones days is one thing, celebrating them is yet another.
PS. "The New Testament does not mandate or even describe any annual celebration of the nativity." David Brown
PPS I was totally shocked to read "Back in 1969 Anton Lavey wrote The Satanic Bible. On page 96 (in the 1976 version) it mentions birthdays:
THE highest of all holidays in the Satanic religion is the date of one’s own birth." COGwriter.com
Hmmmm.
Question for You: Do you think it's important or at all relevant how the Jews or early followers of Yeshua treated one's birthday?
If the recognition of one's birthday was important, we might expect holidays for the birthdays of Moses and Abraham, among others, but there is no such thing mentioned in the Bible. There is no record of their birthdays, just as the New Testament does not record the date of Yeshua’s birth. The season of Yeshua's birth isn't even indicated, although one can figure the likely time of His birth based on other Biblical indications (it wasn't in winter).
"This is not to say that there are no sources in Torah for the concept of a birthday. The Talmud speaks of the specialness of a person's date of birth as a time of empowerment and opportunity for him or her. One of the most important days of the Jewish year is Rosh Hashanah, Adam's--and mankind's--birthday. But as a rule, Jews did not celebrate their birthdays. Indeed, while the dates of passing (yahrtzeit) of the great figures of Jewish history are recorded and commemorated, their dates of birth are mostly unknown.
"King Solomon gave voice to this attitude when he said, "Better the day of death than the day of one's birth" (Ecclesiastes 7:1). On the face of it, this seems a rather negative view of life. But upon deeper contemplation, it in fact expresses the classical Jewish attitude that "deed is the paramount thing"--that actual achievement, rather than concept, theory or potential, is what is significant." CHABAD.ORG
"In Judaism souls are memorialized by their day of death, their yahrzeit - their personal anniversary, not the day of their birth. The age and birthdays of those in the community are recognized by verbal mention, but not celebrated." MASHIYACH.COM
"Acknowledgment of years to some degree had to take place as the Old Testament categorizes various people at various times based upon age (e.g. Leviticus 27:3-7; Numbers 4:2-3). But there is no recorded example of the Hebrews actually celebrating their dates of birth.
"If you search the scriptures you will notice that many people are mentioned being born, but that the precise date (either with a lunar or solar calendar reference) is not given. If God wanted birthdays to be celebrated, than perhaps He would have given specific birth dates in the Bible--but He did not." COGwriter.com
I don't think one can be dogmatic about whether its right or wrong for one to celebrate their birthday. There is no direct Biblical instruction in regards to celebrating or not. But I personally see there are certainly reasonable (and strong) arguments for NOT celebrating. That view wouldn't be popular in our western culture where birthday celebrations are almost one of those 'holy-cow' issues...'our right' to celebrate no matter what.
Some Torah authorities are opposed to any sort of celebration of one's birthday, often based on a statement of King Solomon, who said, "A good name is better than good oil (ointment/fine perfume), and the day of death [is better] than the day of birth." (Ecc 7:1) Also, "this opposition is seemingly supported by the Talmud which determined that it is better that man not have been born than man having been born." Thirdly, the Torah only mentions a party at the same time that Pharaoh was celebrating his own birthday, and it resulted in the death of the baker. Some believe that "this implies that only such morally degenerated people as the sovereign of Egypt would celebrate a birthday, but not Torah True Jews..."
In the New Testament the only mention of a birthday party was for Herod, and that incident also ended with a death, John the Baptist's head on a platter.
There are, however, other Torah authorities today that permit and might even encourage celebrations on one's birthday as means of inspiring self-reflection and introspection. But celebrating birthdays just aren't historically a "Jewish" custom.
It seems that in the 4th century, once December 25th was officially designated as a day to celebrate Jesus' birthday/Christmas, that's when celebrating birthdays became more common place. So up till the 4th Century (AC) birthdays weren't celebrated.
Conclusion? It appears that according to the Jews, counting ones days is one thing, celebrating them is yet another.
PS. "The New Testament does not mandate or even describe any annual celebration of the nativity." David Brown
PPS I was totally shocked to read "Back in 1969 Anton Lavey wrote The Satanic Bible. On page 96 (in the 1976 version) it mentions birthdays:
THE highest of all holidays in the Satanic religion is the date of one’s own birth." COGwriter.com
Hmmmm.
Question for You: Do you think it's important or at all relevant how the Jews or early followers of Yeshua treated one's birthday?
Friday, November 13, 2009
A Menorah: A Family Affair
It Takes a Family
I spent hours looking online to order a menorah after checking local stores with no success. Most places weren't able to deliver to Canada, and those that were tended to be too expensive or were out of stock. No go.
Maret asked me "Why can't we make our own menorah?" to which I replied "We can!! Why don't we find some driftwood." So the next day a few of the girls set out to the beach to find a menorah!! (well, the base materials, anyways)
But what they brought back wasn't conducive to the project. So Everette went to the beach with a few of the children today and brought back 3 options. This was the biggest and the best according to mama so we made it happen!! And it looks great.Everette drilled the holes with mama & Chelle's holding-help and a lot of on-lookers, Rauchelle lacquered the wood, and we all get to enjoy the lights of our labour.
We are pleased with the effects. Will be using it for more than Hanukkah! We started tonight, for the Sabbath.
Question for You: Do you have a menorah, and if so, what does it look like?
Friday, October 16, 2009
satan's Dirty Little Secret
Everette and I often watch "It's Supernatural!" with Sid Roth on Sunday mornings on TV, and sometimes rewatch archived videos online at sidroth.org
There's several points covered in this interview, the beginning of which is pastor Steve Foss' testimony of his own conversion to following Christ.
The main reason I wanted to share this video with my friends and family, is because Steve talks about 2 demons from which (he says he was shown in a vision)all the evil spirits who afflict us get their energy from. They are the demons of Insecurity and Inferiority. He explains how issues like rage are actually empowered through the 2 root demons, and basically all of our issues come back to those 2 problems. He describes how these relate to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and how Eve was tempted and succumbed to the lies of the serpent....undermining who she was and the relationship she already had with God.
I really really encourage you to listen and consider what Steve has to say.
I've pondered these two things, Insecurity and Inferiority, recently when I've wondered what made myself or somebody else behave in a particular way. Like, why is somebody a 'cutter'? Why do I react to my husband that way? Why do I take offense? And I can see many many correlations between an action/reaction and those two areas of Insecurity and Inferiority.
If I truly know who I am in Christ Jesus, and how my relationship is with the Father, then I wouldn't have issues or battles where I presently do. Like water rolling off the back of a duck, peoples opinions or responses or actions wouldn't have any influence on me, good or bad. All that would matter is the strength of my relationship with God, and in that I would be properly positioned and totally secure.
Search the Scriptures and know who you are in Christ Jesus. Know your identity in Him. There is great power in that.
Question for You: Do you see issues of insecurity and inferiority in your own life? I certainly do in mine.
There's several points covered in this interview, the beginning of which is pastor Steve Foss' testimony of his own conversion to following Christ.
The main reason I wanted to share this video with my friends and family, is because Steve talks about 2 demons from which (he says he was shown in a vision)all the evil spirits who afflict us get their energy from. They are the demons of Insecurity and Inferiority. He explains how issues like rage are actually empowered through the 2 root demons, and basically all of our issues come back to those 2 problems. He describes how these relate to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and how Eve was tempted and succumbed to the lies of the serpent....undermining who she was and the relationship she already had with God.
I really really encourage you to listen and consider what Steve has to say.
I've pondered these two things, Insecurity and Inferiority, recently when I've wondered what made myself or somebody else behave in a particular way. Like, why is somebody a 'cutter'? Why do I react to my husband that way? Why do I take offense? And I can see many many correlations between an action/reaction and those two areas of Insecurity and Inferiority.
If I truly know who I am in Christ Jesus, and how my relationship is with the Father, then I wouldn't have issues or battles where I presently do. Like water rolling off the back of a duck, peoples opinions or responses or actions wouldn't have any influence on me, good or bad. All that would matter is the strength of my relationship with God, and in that I would be properly positioned and totally secure.
Search the Scriptures and know who you are in Christ Jesus. Know your identity in Him. There is great power in that.
Question for You: Do you see issues of insecurity and inferiority in your own life? I certainly do in mine.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Variety of online Videos
Everette somehow came across some incredible videos yesterday. We are talking INCREDIBLE TALENT and unusual. Some of them moved me to tears. This one is of aerieal bombings over Kiev during WW II. Lots of tears in the audience.
Thanks to Coralyn for letting me know about this video about Mandatory Flu Shots for Health Workers. Coralyn has tonnes of information on her site about Holistic Health,Natural Remedies,Global Consciousness. Be sure to check Coralyn out.
Also on the health topic, I really enjoy much of what Paul Nison has to say, and lots of information is passed on through all his videos. Today's interview was with some Jewish dance teachers who are now eating a raw diet and loving it. You can see their love for Yeshua and for life itself. Enjoy!
Thanks to Coralyn for letting me know about this video about Mandatory Flu Shots for Health Workers. Coralyn has tonnes of information on her site about Holistic Health,Natural Remedies,Global Consciousness. Be sure to check Coralyn out.
Also on the health topic, I really enjoy much of what Paul Nison has to say, and lots of information is passed on through all his videos. Today's interview was with some Jewish dance teachers who are now eating a raw diet and loving it. You can see their love for Yeshua and for life itself. Enjoy!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Sukkot
Sukkot has started, and my children have built another fort/booth farther away from the house, using spruce and moss for the roof (because that's all that's available here on the property), and they are bedding down on cat-tail rushes, cat-tail fluff and moss with a plastic liner underneath it all. Hope they stay warm there tonight. Danaka is sure that they will.
I'm not so adventuresome so I'll cuddle up with Laars and Everette in our bed and sleep with the window open to enjoy the fresh air. Actually, we've been doing that every night now...the open window. We sleep better that way usually, and after listening to Paul Nison's videos about the health benefits of sleeping outside we got back to having the window open.
So, have yourself an awesome weekend, because I know we will. There is so much to be thankful for, and as we celebrate Sukkot we can easily identify the abundance the Lord has blessed us with. We Thank You, Lord.
Question for You: Does your family celebrate the Feasts of the Lord?
I'm not so adventuresome so I'll cuddle up with Laars and Everette in our bed and sleep with the window open to enjoy the fresh air. Actually, we've been doing that every night now...the open window. We sleep better that way usually, and after listening to Paul Nison's videos about the health benefits of sleeping outside we got back to having the window open.
So, have yourself an awesome weekend, because I know we will. There is so much to be thankful for, and as we celebrate Sukkot we can easily identify the abundance the Lord has blessed us with. We Thank You, Lord.
Question for You: Does your family celebrate the Feasts of the Lord?
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Holy Experience
I found a blogger the other day, a fellow homeschooling mom of many named Ann Voskamp. Ann has a way with words, and a heart laid bare. Such beauty and honesty she portrays in her blogs.
I'd like you to check her blog out, and especially Of Brokenness, Memories, and Fresh Starts. This is poignant and pertinent to what is commonly referred to as Rosh Hashana, or The Feast of Trumpets. It starts tomorrow evening (as does Shabbat).
The Feast of Trumpets traditionally features apples dipped in honey, to signify the sweetness of the upcoming year. And the challah for Shabbat that is usually oblong, is braided circular like a crown, remembering God's Kingship. Well, in a Jewish Cook Book (baking) that I have Danaka and I found a challah with apple pieces. We aren't big on fruit in our baking but I think we'll give this one a try tomorrow. And Mommy-brain has to remember to make it like a wreath or crown. I'm excited.
Like I mentioned, its the Feast of Trumpets. Our shofar is heard occasionally around here, and the children love to blow their brains out over it!! I don't bother (well, occasionally I give it another try) because I've never gotten a good sound out of it, yet. Most of my children must get their musical talents from their father.
Be sure to read Ann's (without an 'e') blog as she'll give more details about The Feast of Trumpets.
Question for You: How do you feel when you hear a shofar being blown?
I'd like you to check her blog out, and especially Of Brokenness, Memories, and Fresh Starts. This is poignant and pertinent to what is commonly referred to as Rosh Hashana, or The Feast of Trumpets. It starts tomorrow evening (as does Shabbat).
The Feast of Trumpets traditionally features apples dipped in honey, to signify the sweetness of the upcoming year. And the challah for Shabbat that is usually oblong, is braided circular like a crown, remembering God's Kingship. Well, in a Jewish Cook Book (baking) that I have Danaka and I found a challah with apple pieces. We aren't big on fruit in our baking but I think we'll give this one a try tomorrow. And Mommy-brain has to remember to make it like a wreath or crown. I'm excited.
Like I mentioned, its the Feast of Trumpets. Our shofar is heard occasionally around here, and the children love to blow their brains out over it!! I don't bother (well, occasionally I give it another try) because I've never gotten a good sound out of it, yet. Most of my children must get their musical talents from their father.
Be sure to read Ann's (without an 'e') blog as she'll give more details about The Feast of Trumpets.
Question for You: How do you feel when you hear a shofar being blown?
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
About some of the books I've recently read
Everette borrowed some books from friends of ours who have a real love for Jews and Israel. And they know that we do, too. Maybe not to the extent that our friends do, but its one of the areas that continues to change in our lives.
So, I spent a Shabbat & Sunday reading "Betrayed!" by Stan Telchin. It's about how a man who was "successful, 50 and Jewish" handled the situation when his 21 year old daughter told him that she believes in Jesus.
The daughter, Judy asks her dad Stan to "just ....find out more about this. You don't have to believe what I believe or believe me, but you're an intelligent man. Read the Bible for yourself and find out whether it's true or not.....It's either true or it's false. If He isn't the Messiah, you'll know it. And if He is, you'll know it. But read the Bible for yourselves and come to your own conclusions."
Stan couldn't deny the positive change that had occured in his daughter's life, and because of their close family relationship he rose to the challenge, even though he assumed the Bible was anti-Semitic. "And when I read it I'll be able to prove to her that she is absolutely wrong."
He thought it might take him to "read the Bible in 10 or 12 hours, maybe four or five nights" but ended up diligently studying for endless months. And in the end, he too believed that Jesus, the Jew, was the Messiah, the fulfillment to 456 prophecies concerning the Messiah.
What amazed me was a common thread I've seen in many religious peoples' lives, whether they are Catholic, Protestant, Muslim or Jew. They believe as they are told, and really don't even read for themselves the religious books they supposedly follow.
***********************************************************************************
I've also read "Once An Arafat Man" by Tass Saada, the true story of how a PLO sniper found a new life.
"At age seventeen, Tass Saada was carrying a high powered Simonov rifle. He had run away from home to become a PLO sniper and chauffeur for Arafat.
"His experience growing up as a refugee in Saudi Arabia had taught him to hate. Like many Palestinians, his hatred -- and his rifle -- was aimed squarely at Israel.
"This is more than the story of a Palestinian refugee making something good of his life in America. It's a story of the ultimate triumph of love over hatred, reconciliation over persistent divisions. It's a story that can inspire us all to overcome the divisions and conflicts in our own lives."
There are alot of memories I'm sure that Tass would like to erase completely from his memory. Enough is told in this story to get a picture of what it was like for him, as a killing machine, without being overly gory, and understanding what fed his hatred for Israel.
Question for You: What books have you read recently?
So, I spent a Shabbat & Sunday reading "Betrayed!" by Stan Telchin. It's about how a man who was "successful, 50 and Jewish" handled the situation when his 21 year old daughter told him that she believes in Jesus.
The daughter, Judy asks her dad Stan to "just ....find out more about this. You don't have to believe what I believe or believe me, but you're an intelligent man. Read the Bible for yourself and find out whether it's true or not.....It's either true or it's false. If He isn't the Messiah, you'll know it. And if He is, you'll know it. But read the Bible for yourselves and come to your own conclusions."
Stan couldn't deny the positive change that had occured in his daughter's life, and because of their close family relationship he rose to the challenge, even though he assumed the Bible was anti-Semitic. "And when I read it I'll be able to prove to her that she is absolutely wrong."
He thought it might take him to "read the Bible in 10 or 12 hours, maybe four or five nights" but ended up diligently studying for endless months. And in the end, he too believed that Jesus, the Jew, was the Messiah, the fulfillment to 456 prophecies concerning the Messiah.
What amazed me was a common thread I've seen in many religious peoples' lives, whether they are Catholic, Protestant, Muslim or Jew. They believe as they are told, and really don't even read for themselves the religious books they supposedly follow.
***********************************************************************************
I've also read "Once An Arafat Man" by Tass Saada, the true story of how a PLO sniper found a new life.
"At age seventeen, Tass Saada was carrying a high powered Simonov rifle. He had run away from home to become a PLO sniper and chauffeur for Arafat.
"His experience growing up as a refugee in Saudi Arabia had taught him to hate. Like many Palestinians, his hatred -- and his rifle -- was aimed squarely at Israel.
"This is more than the story of a Palestinian refugee making something good of his life in America. It's a story of the ultimate triumph of love over hatred, reconciliation over persistent divisions. It's a story that can inspire us all to overcome the divisions and conflicts in our own lives."
There are alot of memories I'm sure that Tass would like to erase completely from his memory. Enough is told in this story to get a picture of what it was like for him, as a killing machine, without being overly gory, and understanding what fed his hatred for Israel.
Question for You: What books have you read recently?
Monday, June 15, 2009
Art at our house
This lion Rauchelle painted on the top of her nighttable.
Aunt Jo gave this big piece of canvas to Rauchelle and she gave her talented first-try at graffiti, and this hangs on her bedroom wall.
Mitchell seems to have traded building boats to float at River Bourgeois for building awesome paper planes with real style.
Mitchell is now baking every Shabbat's challah on his own. It's one of the highlights of our week.
Question for You: What is the prevalent art at your house these days?
Thursday, June 11, 2009
A Wellness Shake
If you check out John Gray's site @ marsvenus.com (he's known for the bks about Men being from Mars and Women are from Venus.....that's not the title, just the gist of it) he has a Wellness Program I don't follow, but I use his 'recipe' for the shake without buying his products. I noticed from the very first day my emotions where way more level and I feel much better on the days that I drink the shakes and the cleanse he suggests. I'll post the recipes, cuz like I said I don't purchase his products.
The premise of his Wellness program is that men & women (mars & venus) have differing nutritional needs for their brains and hormones. I haven't noticed differences in his measurements other than for protein (women needing 10-20g vs men 13-30g per shake) and the flax oil or seed (half the amount for men).
Anyways, what I am finding powerful is that when I drink these shakes and the cleanse, I feel much more stable and in control of my emotions. Not the roller-coaster feeling I used to experience.
I also watched an interview on sidroth.org with a rabbi/medical Dr Eric Braverman from Cornell who believes that most of our medical/phsycological/disease/weight situation is controlled via the chemistry of our brain, and that by using herbal teas and spices we can change our whole physical state, even making us look and feel younger. He believes that God gave us plants/herbs for our health, and considers pharmaceuticals as witchraft (manipulation).
Anyways, here's the shake recipe I use and feel great with, but the taste took a bit getting used to. And I start every morning with the cleanse drink which is ideal for the liver and bloodstream.
CLEANSE drink, on empty stomach
8 oz water (I use hot to melt the honey)
1 oz aloe vera juice
1 tsp honey
juice of 1/2 lemon
trace minerals (ionic plan sourced) in amount recommended by manufacturer (I use Cellfood)
Laars and Anders share my drink most mornings, and Chelle and Everette drink their own most mornings now, too.
The SHAKE
12 oz water
handful whole almonds with skins
1/2 tsp psyllium husk powder (the flaky looking stuff, not the fine powder)
1 TBsp cacao powder
1 TBsp coconut oil****
1 Tbsp flax oil (or 2 TB ground flax seed)
1 tsp molasses (I don't put that in my smoothy. I eat it plain or in warm water. It's not my favorite but it has lots of minerals)
frozen berries for phytonutrients like blueberries (per how thick and cold you like the smoothy/shake)
whole apple (minus the stem/seeds of course, and Gray peels it. I usually skip the apple)
whey protein powder (10-20g for women)
I sometimes add a big handful of baby salad greens
John Gray also suggests adding 1-2 tsp maca root. But I don't have it, and I think that's the ingred in the Vega protein I was using that made me really not enjoy the shake. So I skip it. At present I'm not using protein powder, just getting the protein from the almonds and a raw egg I add. But the next time I order stuff from the healthfood store I'm going to get Udo's Beyond Greens or Prairie Naturals Blueberry Greens Force, and let Everette consume the Vega.
Cheers....to your health!
****my friends will recall that I was allergic to coconut oil/cream. But Praise God! I am completely healed. I asked, I believed, and then I acted on it. No more hives or sick feeling from it. I have several TBsp each day now)
Question for You: Do you have a health drink you have every day?
The premise of his Wellness program is that men & women (mars & venus) have differing nutritional needs for their brains and hormones. I haven't noticed differences in his measurements other than for protein (women needing 10-20g vs men 13-30g per shake) and the flax oil or seed (half the amount for men).
Anyways, what I am finding powerful is that when I drink these shakes and the cleanse, I feel much more stable and in control of my emotions. Not the roller-coaster feeling I used to experience.
I also watched an interview on sidroth.org with a rabbi/medical Dr Eric Braverman from Cornell who believes that most of our medical/phsycological/disease/weight situation is controlled via the chemistry of our brain, and that by using herbal teas and spices we can change our whole physical state, even making us look and feel younger. He believes that God gave us plants/herbs for our health, and considers pharmaceuticals as witchraft (manipulation).
Anyways, here's the shake recipe I use and feel great with, but the taste took a bit getting used to. And I start every morning with the cleanse drink which is ideal for the liver and bloodstream.
CLEANSE drink, on empty stomach
8 oz water (I use hot to melt the honey)
1 oz aloe vera juice
1 tsp honey
juice of 1/2 lemon
trace minerals (ionic plan sourced) in amount recommended by manufacturer (I use Cellfood)
Laars and Anders share my drink most mornings, and Chelle and Everette drink their own most mornings now, too.
The SHAKE
12 oz water
handful whole almonds with skins
1/2 tsp psyllium husk powder (the flaky looking stuff, not the fine powder)
1 TBsp cacao powder
1 TBsp coconut oil****
1 Tbsp flax oil (or 2 TB ground flax seed)
1 tsp molasses (I don't put that in my smoothy. I eat it plain or in warm water. It's not my favorite but it has lots of minerals)
frozen berries for phytonutrients like blueberries (per how thick and cold you like the smoothy/shake)
whole apple (minus the stem/seeds of course, and Gray peels it. I usually skip the apple)
whey protein powder (10-20g for women)
I sometimes add a big handful of baby salad greens
John Gray also suggests adding 1-2 tsp maca root. But I don't have it, and I think that's the ingred in the Vega protein I was using that made me really not enjoy the shake. So I skip it. At present I'm not using protein powder, just getting the protein from the almonds and a raw egg I add. But the next time I order stuff from the healthfood store I'm going to get Udo's Beyond Greens or Prairie Naturals Blueberry Greens Force, and let Everette consume the Vega.
Cheers....to your health!
****my friends will recall that I was allergic to coconut oil/cream. But Praise God! I am completely healed. I asked, I believed, and then I acted on it. No more hives or sick feeling from it. I have several TBsp each day now)
Question for You: Do you have a health drink you have every day?
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