Comments on: Mish’s Condition

By: cond0010

cond0010 — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 06:56:16 +0000

“In fact, a sin offering is demanded of a Nazirite who temporarily deprives himself of permitted pleasures in the effort to change his character.”

Hmmm… would that be to ward against hubris? I wonder…

By: Aaron's cc:

Aaron's cc: — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 23:31:15 +0000

This Shabbos, we have an extra Torah reading, which always comes on the Shabbos before Purim. It’s called Shabbos Zachor, where we re-read the passage about Amalek and the positive commandment to wipe them out. Amalek is the descendant of both Ishmael and Esau. When Esau unites with Arabs, it’s bad news.

Would religious people who consider themselves not antisemitic join God in helping fulfill this commandment? How would they answer to Him their refusal?

Are we ready to slay evil if that’s what God commands? If not, ask yourself why?

Thanks for the recommendation about “The Maker’s Diet” and the well-wishes. The 40-day gimmick is definitely Bible-based, 40 representing transformation.

My wife’s father was a baker and lived to 80. Her brother, also a baker, died of a heart attack at the age of 50. My wife is grateful for having had the chest pains, Divine “taps on the shoulder”, so-to-speak, to tell her to take care of herself. Our kids are on board with the changes that will come, too, as they’d like for us to be around to be happy healthy grandparents someday.

I recently was reading Exodus 16 and came across the passage “Speak unto them, saying: At dusk ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God.” 11 years ago I dropped weight and cholesterol on Atkins. My kryptonite is baked goods, most of all baked stuff with cheese (pasta, pizza). I do well when I finish my baked stuff by lunch and have veggies and lean meat for the rest of the day. I’d fallen off that path and have gained weight for the last 7-8 years.

I know I’m happier when I’m eating according to Exodus 16. If you read it, you’ll see that stuff doesn’t go well for Jews who complain about that diet. http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt0216.htm On the Sabbath, we will splurge a little and have yummy stuff in moderation. Nothing in the Bible espouses asceticism. In fact, a sin offering is demanded of a Nazirite who temporarily deprives himself of permitted pleasures in the effort to change his character.

By: TC

TC — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:48:13 +0000

I suggest Aaron take a look at “The Maker’s Diet” as most, if not all of it, is compatible with keeping kosher.

By: cond0010

cond0010 — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 07:37:42 +0000

I really am taken aback by Mish’s condition. It seems hope is being stymied at every turn of events.
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I am glad that she is surrounded by people who care about her – both close friends and us netizens who have befriended her from the ether. She is dealing with one of the most frightening experiences that life has to offer.
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I have hope that we are giving her strength and fortitude by our presence in her life.

By: cond0010

cond0010 — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 07:24:02 +0000

“Very often, a wife is a net negative, not unlike a tapeworm. But I have to believe that the same God who can bring peace to a torn-up family can make a marriage work.”
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(imho) Marriage is the second most important decision you make in your life, Steve. I am glad you take it so seriously. Some people get married after knowing a person for about a week. That’s like choosing your life’s occupation (or career) in Kindergarten and then being held to that promise for the rest of your life.
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She’s definitely got to be (above ALL else) G_d centered, G_d first and Judeo-Christian. The hard part is determining if that’s the case. I’ve met many people who initially seem that way and really are not.
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I’ve become a firm believer in ‘friends first’ (and for a VERY long time) before a romantic relationship can even start. Even then, ‘Consumating’ a romantic relationship should happen only after REALLY getting to know if your gf/fiancé’s expectations in a long term relationship match your own. In my own meager experiences, I have found that as soon as things get carnal (usually prematurely), the rules change completely and I find myself looking into the eyes of a woman I didn’t really know (obviously, things happened too soon). Perhaps even waiting until after marriage (for physical intimacy) may be the best approach.
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Yea, it’s the blue balls of steel way of dealing with the issue, but I have seen far too much misery in ‘relationships’. Thank goodness I’m older and the fires don’t burn as hot. Perhaps, with younger guys and gals, having a ‘friend with benefits’ may be a way to slake their thirst. But quite frankly, I think it will disqualify that friendship as a long term relationship as physical intimacy has been shared too soon, thus putting a major distortion on the other and more important parts of the relationship.
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I guess there is wisdom in the old fashioned custom of marrying ‘the girl next door’.

By: JeffW

JeffW — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:35:19 +0000

We’ve been praying for Mish, and I hope she recovers from the hemorrhaging soon.
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On “Moses’ Arm’s as imagery for support from/by believers” I heartily agree. The search for imagery (or “archetypes”) can sometimes be taken to unsupportable extremes (mostly by theologians). But this one seems pretty straight forward, and besides, I like it.

By: km

km — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:05:23 +0000

I hope and pray all the best for her.

By: Steve H.

Steve H. — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:02:49 +0000

Aaron has given me the whole spiel.

By: og

og — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:01:35 +0000

Aaron and Hur held moses’ arms. He was praying to help them defeat Amalek. Amalek is basically Islam, today. The symbolism is thick. You should speak with PascalM who is a legitimate scholar on the subject.