The Way of Love: Tools for gardening in a better world

וְכִתְּת֨וּ חַרְבוֹתָ֜ם לְאִתִּ֗ים וַחֲנִיתֽוֹתֵיהֶם֙ לְמַזְמֵר֔וֹת לֹא־יִשָּׂ֨א ג֤וֹי אֶל־גּוֹי֙ חֶ֔רֶב וְלֹֽא־יִלְמְד֥וּ ע֖וֹד מִלְחָמָֽה׃ 

Isaiah 2:4

Let us make tools for health instead of war. 

Nations would do better if they invest their military budget in fighting illnesses and poverty. Investing in higher education for everyone who qualifies and want to learn and serve his/het community. Remove the property taxes and use military budget for public education. Education is the best tool to empower a nation and overcome war and all type of violence. Wars start in the minds of people, there is where we must stop it, said an old statement from the UNESCO (their new version posted at their site includes women, since some women today have been plotting war and violence. There was a time when the female was the symbol of compassion and love). Education must be a priority in government budget. Only demagogues enjoy an ignorant nation. 

Note: It is another topic, however, here is a thought: The only compulsory, hence required, education should be the one that will insure all citizens can read, write, use basic arithmetic, and a fundamental basic knowledge of world history and cultures. Perhaps, a knowledge of how their political system works and an understanding of their constitution can be very useful. After it, anything else is optional, but encouraged. Although, requiring mastering another language besides his/her first language can empower students and the nation. 

Working for peace is more than just stopping the wars. Peace is not simply the absence of violence, rather the presence of mercy, love, compassion, tolerance, patience, and everything that is good.  Love is the essence. 

An old Hellenistic Jewish poem, attributed in the Christian tradition to Saul of Tarsis, a.k.a. Paul, says (my paraphrases of it):

Greco-Hebrew Love Poem (1 Cor. 12:31-13:13)

Strive for the best. However, I will show you a more excellent way of life, the Way of Love. If I could speak all human languages, and even of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong. If I could be like the prophets, and understand all mysteries and have all knowledge, and faith, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give to others from my wealth, but do not have love, it is meaningless.

Love is patient; love is kind; there is not arrogance or selfishness in love. Love is forgiving. Love rejoices in everything that is truth. It suffers all things, believes the good in everyone, hopes the best for all the Creation, and endures all things.

Love will never end. Faith, hope, and love abide, but the greatest is the Way of love. 

אך כעת עומדות שלש אלה

אמונה

תקוה

ואהבה

אבל הגדולה שבהן

הדרך אהבה

 

אָֽהַבְתָּ֥ לְרֵעֲךָ֖ כָּמ֑וֹךָ

Leviticus 19:18b ויקרא