Keep Shabbath, it is a gift from the Heavens

This Jewish year of 5782 (September 6^th, 2021-Sepetember 25^th, 2022) is considered the shemitá year (שמיטה‎) or Sabbatical year (שביעית‎).  The Jewish people are instructed to release the land from farming, allowing it to rest and individuals from debts (Leviticus 25:3–6, Deuteronomy 15:1–2). The rabbis agreed with the interpretation that the land refers to the territories where ancient Israel settled with Joshua. It does not apply outside it; however, many practice, as a symbol of their devotion, giving a break to part of their farm land. It is a very good practice to keep the ground healthy.

Concerning personal debts, to avoid abuses in times of the Second Temple Judaism the prozbul (פרוזבול‎ > προσβολή) was developed. Debts are transferred from individuals to the Sanhedrin, today to the local rabbinical court (Beth Dyn). Hillel the Elder argued that the debts forgiven were between individuals, not to the community or an institution like the Sanhedrin. Obviously, today it does not refer to debts made at a bank or similar financial institution. The purpose was not to avoid releasing individuals from debts, rather to avoid abuses of this instruction. There were those who would abuse the law just as today there have been people who, knowing they would be protected under the bankruptcy laws, get themselves in more debts before applying for bankruptcy. The prozbul prevents anything like that from happening. Of course, there are questions about its interpretation. Neverth

eless, there are individuals who had forgiven very large amounts of money owed to him/her during the shemitá year as an act of religious devotion, even if the debt is by an institution, even when it does not apply to salary owed by a “business” to an individual.

This shemitá is every seven years. A beautiful symbol of the hope for redemption of humanity and the world. A time when nature, i.e., environment, and humans will rest from exploitation and other abuses or even from practices that may be permissible, like farming, but that could cause damage to the land and the workers if it is uncontrolled.

Every week we have a religious practice of spiritual devotion, the Shabbath. It is a time of rest to regain both physical and spiritual strength. It is a gift from the Heavens. The Almighty knows our physical and spiritual limitations. Often, we gather at the local synagogue for prayers and to listen the chanting of the section of the Torah (parashá פרשה‎) and from the prophets (haftara הפטרה) for that week. Frequently a reflection or sermon is expected, as an interpretation and application of the readings for our daily lives. We abstain from work, especially profitable one (some type of needed work within your house are allowed). It is a weekly time of worship and spiritual refreshment. It is not a “law” that make us suffer, instead it makes us free. The prophet Isaiah (66:23) wrote that in the “Messianic” age all nations will gather to worship the Only One True God on Shabbath. The world was given a time of rest at Creation and time for renewal at redemption. Keeping Shabbath does not make us slaves rather free people. It is a time when everyone, the rich and the poor, people of every ethnicity, gather as members of the Jewish faith to worship as equals the Almighty.

Take time to rest. Take time to renew yourself physically and spiritually. Enjoy the gift from the Heavens.

מִזְמ֥וֹר שִׁ֗יר לְי֣וֹם הַשַּׁבָּֽת׃

A psalm. A song; for the sabbath day.

ט֗וֹב לְהֹד֥וֹת לַיי וּלְזַמֵּ֖ר לְשִׁמְךָ֣ עֶלְיֽוֹן׃

It is good to praise the LORD,
to sing hymns to Your name, O Most High,

לְהַגִּ֣יד בַּבֹּ֣קֶר חַסְדֶּ֑ךָ וֶ֝אֱמ֥וּנָתְךָ֗ בַּלֵּילֽוֹת׃

To proclaim Your steadfast love at daybreak,
Your faithfulness each night

עֲֽלֵי־עָ֭שׂוֹר וַעֲלֵי־נָ֑בֶל עֲלֵ֖י הִגָּי֣וֹן בְּכִנּֽוֹר׃

With a ten-stringed harp,
with voice and lyre together.

כִּ֤י שִׂמַּחְתַּ֣נִי יי בְּפׇעֳלֶ֑ךָ בְּֽמַעֲשֵׂ֖י יָדֶ֣יךָ אֲרַנֵּֽן׃

You have gladdened me by Your deeds, O LORD;
I shout for joy at Your handiwork.

מַה־גָּדְל֣וּ מַעֲשֶׂ֣יךָ יי מְ֝אֹ֗ד עָמְק֥וּ מַחְשְׁבֹתֶֽיךָ׃

How great are Your works, O LORD,
how very profound are Your designs!

Written and posted on January 8th, 2022 after Shabbath.

Updated January 9th, 2022

Keeping Kashrut? or, Please, watch your hands!

The following was my reply to a Christian friend.

Why do we keep kosher? Kosher or kasher (כשר‎) refers to food that is ritually pure under the laws or instructions of kashrut (כַּשְׁרוּת‎) from the Torah. The term has become in popular language within and outside Judaism to describe something that is acceptable.  In traditional Judaism a Sefer Torah must be done following specific Talmudic rules to be considered acceptable, hence, kosher. However, we use the term mainly about the food we eat and how it is prepared, especially for those who eat meat. Vegetarians don’t have to be concerned, although today the growing number of vegetarians among observant Jewish people have led to watch more closely where and how eatable plants are grown. While it is important that it is not in contact with animals that are not kosher, it is even more important that are not produce from farms that exploit workers or use items that can cause environmental problems.

Tradition says that these instructions were given by Moshe inspired by God. In some cases, they were given directly by God. Keeping kosher is an act of devotion to the Almighty. We recognize that even in the simple act of eating God is Lord. It is also a way to express gratitude for what the Almighty grants us to eat. Perhaps, health issues were not the main reason, but it is very healthy to avoid some items many other people eat. The fact is that even some Christians in the USA would avoid eating some items others eat. Of course, they would say it is just a matter of different cultures.

Christianity often misread Jesus' words concerning this issue. There is a story recorded in Matthew (15:1-20 ∥ Mark 7:1-23 ∥ Luke 11:37-41). The Perushim asked why the followers of Jesus did not watch their hands before eating according to the tradition of the elders of Israel. Jesus takes the opportunity to point out how there are other things that in fact defile humans spiritually. Of course, no watching your hands before eating can hurt you, especially during a pandemic. Christian readers use this story to argue that his argument declares all food pure. The Greek text (Mark 7:19) does not ends with the statement about Jesus declaring all food clean, as we find in many English translations. The statement in the Greek text refers to the human body purifying the food that is eaten, by rejecting what is not healthy for the body. A natural amazing process. Jesus was not arguing against the kashrut laws, rather using the occasion to argue that religious rituals do not make us any more holy or saints, though they can lead us to holiness, to deeper devotion. Rituals are powerful expressions of faith.

Another story used by Christians is found in Acts 10. The legend says that Peter Simon had a vision telling him to eat. The animals he saw were considered non-kosher by biblical Jewish laws or instructions. Peter answered stating that he has never eaten anything impure. The voice tells him, according to Peter’s interpretation, not to call impure other human beings. That "food" was non-kosher, therefore it was correct for Peter not to eat it. Treating other human beings as lower than we are because religious reasons was wrong, and Judaism teaches that too. It was not for ethnic reasons, rather religious practices that separated Peter from non-Jewish people. The Torah makes such a distinction. This was not the tradition of the elders, rather from what Christianity agrees to be the Word of God, the Torah. We eat with non-Jewish people as long as we do not eat what is forbidden to us. Just as some Christians avoid drinking alcohol or even tea. They may join a meal time with coworkers of a different faith or non-religious at all, as long as they are not experiencing peer pressure to drink alcohol. This led to rules for young people to avoid eating with others outside their denominational Christian tradition, to prevent them from the use of alcohol. There is nothing wrong with that as it was not wrong for Jewish parents to teach their children in ancient times to avoid eating with non-Jewish people in order to avoid finding themselves eating non-kosher items. This was taken to adulthood, even when they had the maturity to avoid eating such a thing, like pork. However, again, it was to prevent from finding themselves eating what is forbidden. The danger can be if this is taken as an ethnic issue or dismissed as a cultural practice. It is neither one. Even worse is making this an ethnic distinction rather than a religious precaution from breaking the kashrut laws.

A very enthusiastic evangelical Christian said, in a conversation with me, that Jesus of Nazareth “made him free” to eat anything. I responded, with respect to the tragic and unjust suffering and death of Jesus: "All that suffering so you can eat whatever you want? No need for it. You already have been eating anything." After all this man was not a Jewish person who previously kept kosher. Nevertheless, I have met children of Israel who have been misled by some missionaries who make similar comments about their "freedom." One of them, at a Pentecostal "Messianic Jewish" event stated in his speech that Jesus made him free from all these "Laws" then he threw the tallit, the one he was wearing, on the floor and step on it. This was very controversial even among the Christian missionaries leading and sponsoring that conference. My respond to Christians with this approach is: "Can you say in the same statement: Laws of God?" Of course not. Even the writings attributed to Paul on these matters, never refers to freedom from God's instructions. It would make him and Jesus to be false teachers if the “laws” he was referring were from “the Law of God.” Instead, it seems Paul was speaking about freedom from the laws of sin by living in the laws of Love, the divine instructions. In spite of everything, living under the divine instruction is true freedom. Paul quotes often from the Torah in his arguments for holiness and against all type of immorality, especially sexual misbehaviour.

In Islam there are similar rules concerning food. They call it ḥalāl (حلال). The main rule is to avoid eating pork and the proper preparation of meat. While seafood. like shrimp and lobster, is prohibited in Judaism, it is not in Islam. The issue is mainly what meat is allowed and the process to prepare it, similarly to kashrut. The watching of hands etc. among Muslims is done no just to eat, but before prayers. It is a symbol of purity and respect to the place of prayer and devotion to God. Don't we get well clean and dress up to meet a religious or political leader or a very special person? Therefore, the Muslim do this watching as a symbol, as a religious act of devotion, as he/she approaches the presence of God! It is a beautiful act of piety. Rituals are beautiful and enhance devotion. In Judaism we have many rituals, so traditional Christianity. There is something beautiful in religious rituals as long as we do not give them more meaning beyond what it is. Except for baptism (βάπτισμα) in Christianity, neither Judaism nor Islam consider the use of water, for example in the Muslim wuḍūʼ (وضوء) or the Jewish immersion in the mikveh (מקוה‎) as something that would bring spiritual purity. Rather these are practices to show spiritual devotion and symbols of purification to approach the Almighty. In fact, it is the practice of immersion within the mikveh, when someone join the Jewish faith, that became the baptism in Christianity. In Judaism we believe that God still hear your prayers and welcome you into the Divine Presence ragardless if you were able to perform any specific ritual as a symbol of spiritual purification. For example, if you are currently ill in a hospital, know that the Almighty still hear your prayers.

The prophet Jeremiah (2:22) said, in the name of God:

כִּ֤י אִם־תְּכַבְּסִי֙ בַּנֶּ֔תֶר וְתַרְבִּי־לָ֖ךְ בֹּרִ֑ית נִכְתָּ֤ם עֲוֺנֵךְ֙ לְפָנַ֔י נְאֻ֖ם אֲדֹנָ֥י יֱִי׃

Water does not actually make us any more holy than others, neither what we eat (although it shows we are obedient). Jesus was just reminding the Perushim about it. He was not rejecting the instructions about kashrut, neither Mohamed. However, regardless of your views, please, watch your hands before eating. It is for your own benefit and to protect others. That’s a good religious bahaviour, caring for others’ health as you care for your own (unless you are careless with your own health). I guess I am getting out of the subject. Stay healthy, please, and eat what is good for your body. 

May God's presence purify our souls making us holy and pure as a Temple of people. 

What is love?

Someone asked me: How do I know I am in love? To answer this question, we must consider first: what is love? In Hebrew Ahava (אהבה) as well as in Greek Agapee (ἀγάπη) or Arabic (حب) or in any language, love, according to the context where is often used, implies action. True love is shown in actions. For example, in showing mutual respect. Verbal and physical violence must not be tolerated regardless of how much you love or care for the other person. Obviously, there is not love in domestic violence neither in verbal insults or public humiliation.

Every religion presents the concept of love having its source the Almighty's love for humanity. GOD himself is the source and in essence a transcendental clean light and pure love. Our finite minds experience only a very small emotion of what is love, just as we only see part of light.

Religious traditions portray love by the actions of their leaders or founders. Jesus' love for his disciples is central in the Gospels. A love that led him to die, historically, to protect them from suffering death instead. Mohammed’s love for his followers led him to give up his own life style. Moshe's love for Israel led him to the point of standing between the judgement of the Almighty and Israel.

The Jewish Hellenistic poem of love I quoted earlier, 1 Cor. 13, is considered by both Jews and Christian one of the most beautiful Jewish songs to love. It can be found in some books of anthology of Jewish literature. Here is my translation or paraphrase again:

Greco-Hebrew Love Poem (1 Cor. 12:31-1313)

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

 

“How do I know I am in love?” was the question I was asked. My answer: Read this poem and listen this song again and evaluate if it describes your feelings. If it describes your relationship with the other person. Love is always pure, I could say, holy.

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 

Watch your language! Fill up your mind with everything good!

In the Hebrew Torah a legend was preserved to attempt explaining the origins of the languages (Genesis 11:1-9). It says, this well-known story, that the post-diluvian people decided to build the largest tower. The legend says they wanted a city to stay together as one people. Not a bad idea, which is what often cities empower people to do. But that would reach the Heavens? Impossible of course, although the famous builders of the NYC skyscrapers had that in mind. It is possible that the idea was to protect themselves in case of another flood. A very good idea, after all the higher from the ground the safer you could be from floods. To find yourself in a flood is a very traumatic experience. You want to do everything in your power to prevent such an experience again. 

The story then tells us about divine beings concerned about how the city and tower would mislead the people. Cities are often presented in a negative way through the Hebrew Bible. They should not be allowed to become more powerful than they should, in relation to other nations, in other words: stop imperialism. Often imperialist nations insist in one language and one “race.” Therefore, the solution to prevent the building of one nation with one language was to confuse them by giving them other languages. Logical perhaps. However, there is enough evidence about the evolution of languages, including Hebrew. After all there is not a sacred language. Nevertheless, the legend, like all legends, may have some truth in it. 

Language, as used by humans, is unique. No other living specie have developed such a complex way of communication, at the same time with structures and grammar that allow others to learn someone else’s language. That’s a divine miracle: grammar. Of course, it is possible that the story is in fact as written. Why not? The issue that concerns us now is the use of language.

These ancient people had a language that kept them together as one powerful nation. A power that could get, and in fact eventually got, out of hand. Leading nation against nation with wars, all type of violence, racism, ethnocentrism, imperialism, and similar evils. Having a common language is not wrong. It has many positive aspects. Discriminating others due to language, hence, due to ethnocentrism, is not one of those virtues. 

Language is often used to discriminate against other people. In another story in the biblical text (Judges 12:1-6) how a word was pronounced by someone else was misused as a weapon of war. It is one of the most horrible and tragic stories. Compassion, mercy, housing, access to good education, etc. is frequently denied to people of a different language or ethnicity, even to people of the same ethnic origin (“race”) and language because their accent. It happens in countries of any language, including Spanish and English. It is an international tragic-comedy; you can cry of such bigotry and laugh of such stupidity. 

Humans have taken words of normal non-offensive use in Latin and redefined to insult other humans beings. While among the Romans and Greeks as evidence in the Christian history book called Acts of the Apostles shows (Acts 13:1). This man called Simeon and identified as a prophet by the Christian tradition, had an adjective, a nickname, by which he was well known. In Greek he is called Συμεὼν ὁ καλούμενος Νίγερ. Often English speakers insist in mispronouncing the Greek avoiding the Classical, e.g., Erasmus, or even the Modern diction. If it is the Latin Vulgate they are reading then an English phonetic is given. Why? Because the racists have stolen the word and corrupted the language with their senseless prejudices. Can we rescue this and other words from the racists? Can they be redeemed? A word similar to the common friendly nickname used in Spanish for those named Enrique or Heinrich, Quique, is often used by antisemitic people to attempt to insult Jewish people. Sadly, this particular misuse of a word was probably originally from Yiddish in reference to the circle used by some Jewish immigrants who could not write the Roman alphabet to sign. Later stolen by non-Jewish people to offend them. How far can ignorance mislead humans! The tragic of racism/ethnocentrism is found also among our people. Unfortunately, you can hear in the streets of Jerusalem some “white” Jewish person referring derogatorily to another Jewish person of darker skin or from a different Jewish group, e.g., Sephardic or Ethiopian, with the Yiddish word for black שוואַרץ or the Amharic form of the name of Noah’s grandson Kush (ኩሽ). To overcome racism and antisemitism we need to do some work within our own communities. Again, can we redeem language? Can we take back to its proper use words that the racist has stolen and misused, leaving them without the vocabulary to insult us and others? Perhaps, redeeming these and other words to its proper use can make a difference. However, recently I noticed how some feminists have insisted in adding “a” at the end of neutral terms in Spanish (castellano) in order to make them inclusive. 

For example, juez (judge) could be el juez (masculine singular), los jueces (masculine plural), la juez (feminine plural), or las jueces (feminine plural). However, they insist in refering to the female judge as jueza. In the strict grammatical sense juez is already feminine instead of neutral. Therefore, the obvious way for inclusion would be juezo, but that will be absurd. Nevertheless, the Real Academia de la Lengua Española accepted the change and we should say jueza. Yes, language evolve, but I am not sure changes should be done by the political insistence of an individual. Language evolves with the community. Another one is abogado (lawyer) which they insist should be abogada for the woman. Others include ministro (m) and ministra (f). Ministra in Spanish is the third person singular of ministrar, meaning ‘he or she ministers.’ The one that should be reconsider is politico (politician). It is common to hear, even in news programs from Spain, say política in reference to a female politician. Política in Spanish was always used to mean politics and policy, according to context. Nevertheless, if the feminists insist taking the language to some extremes in order to fight rampant chauvinism and discrimination against women, in solidarity we will stand with them regardless of my questions on grammar and lexicography. Chauvinistic, machista, and all form of discrimination against women must be overcome. However, I noticed that regardless of how the vocabulary have changed in many languages to be inclusive of women, these changes or “redemption” of the language have not changed the attitudes of the men who discriminate against women in the job place, family, community or politics. There have been improvements, but not the changes needed. It is the way we think, our attitudes, our institutions and systematic discriminatory policies embedded within the cultures, especially Western European societies. Therefore, to overcome systematic institutionalized racism, we need to change more than just the language or redeeming words stolen from their proper place in their languages. We must become anti-racist as individuals, as communities, as congregations (of any faith), as a nation. Yes, watch your language! First, let us seek to change our ‘hearts’, our minds. A Hellenistic Jewish proverb says: περισσεύματος καρδίας λαλεῖ τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ (attributed to Jesus of Nazareth, Luke 6:45c). It is written in the book of Mishle Sholomo (Proverbs 4:23-24):

מִֽכׇּל־מִ֭שְׁמָר נְצֹ֣ר לִבֶּ֑ךָ כִּֽי־מִ֝מֶּ֗נּוּ תּוֹצְא֥וֹת חַיִּֽים׃ הָסֵ֣ר מִ֭מְּךָ עִקְּשׁ֣וּת פֶּ֑ה וּלְז֥וּת שְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִם הַרְחֵ֥ק מִמֶּֽךָּ׃

Above all you must guard, guard your mind, because it is the source of life. Keep crooked speech away and devious talk far away from you.

Thus, let us fill up our hearts (minds) with everything that is good. Fill up your mind with the Divine Revelation, a.k.a. Word of GOD, found through the Torah and the Prophets, so when you speak, you speak the very word of GOD. Then, when you speak, your words will be a blessing to those who hear, and you will be a blessing with your actions.

cf. Qur’an, Sura 2 ayat 83

-   يْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَقُولُوا لِلنَّاسِ حُسْنًا. 

מָ֣וֶת וְ֭חַיִּים בְּיַד־לָשׁ֑וֹן וְ֝אֹהֲבֶ֗יהָ יֹאכַ֥ל פִּרְיָֽהּ׃

Proverb 18:21

May the fruit of our mouth be good. Amen.

Let us count our days

תְּפִלָּה לְמֹשֶׁה אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים

A Prayer of Moshe the man of GOD.

Psalm 90:1


A man of GOD. What a beautiful intrοduction! To be called a man or woman of GOD.

This man wrote:

אֲדֹנָי מָעוֹן אַתָּה הָיִיתָ לָּנוּ בְּדֹר וָדֹר בְּטֶרֶם הָרִים יֻלָּדוּ וַתְּחוֹלֵל אֶרֶץ וְתֵבֵל וּמֵעוֹלָם עַד עוֹלָם אַתָּה אֵל

Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.

GOD is before anything else existed. What a thought.

Time is on the Almighty's hands; thousands of years is like a day that just became yesterday.

Humans on the other hand are fragile beings. Like a vapour, temporary and brief is our existence.

Therefore (verse 12):

לִמְנוֹת יָמֵינוּ כֵּן הוֹדַע    וְנָבִא לְבַב חָכְמָה

So teach us to number our days, that we may get us a heart of wisdom.

Let us count our days in such a way that we gain wisdom. Let us live wisely so we may be called a woman or a man of GOD.

Pray with Hope and Faith in the middle of doubts

א  יֹשֵׁב, בְּסֵתֶר עֶלְיוֹן;    בְּצֵל שַׁדַּי, יִתְלוֹנָן.	1 O thou that dwellest in the covert of the Most High, and abidest in the shadow of the Almighty;
ב  אֹמַר--לַיהוָה, מַחְסִי וּמְצוּדָתִי;    אֱלֹהַי, אֶבְטַח-בּוֹ.	2 I will say of the LORD, who is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust,
ג  כִּי הוּא יַצִּילְךָ, מִפַּח יָקוּשׁ;    מִדֶּבֶר הַוּוֹת.	3 That He will deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
ד  בְּאֶבְרָתוֹ, יָסֶךְ לָךְ--וְתַחַת-כְּנָפָיו תֶּחְסֶה;    צִנָּה וְסֹחֵרָה אֲמִתּוֹ.	4 He will cover thee with His pinions, and under His wings shalt thou take refuge; His truth is a shield and a buckler.
ה  לֹא-תִירָא, מִפַּחַד לָיְלָה;    מֵחֵץ, יָעוּף יוֹמָם.	5 Thou shalt not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flieth by day;
ו  מִדֶּבֶר, בָּאֹפֶל יַהֲלֹךְ;    מִקֶּטֶב, יָשׁוּד צָהֳרָיִם.	6 Of the pestilence that walketh in darkness, nor of the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
ז  יִפֹּל מִצִּדְּךָ, אֶלֶף--וּרְבָבָה מִימִינֶךָ:    אֵלֶיךָ, לֹא יִגָּשׁ.	7 A thousand may fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; it shall not come nigh thee.
ח  רַק, בְּעֵינֶיךָ תַבִּיט;    וְשִׁלֻּמַת רְשָׁעִים תִּרְאֶה.	8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold, and see the recompense of the wicked.
ט  כִּי-אַתָּה יְהוָה מַחְסִי;    עֶלְיוֹן, שַׂמְתָּ מְעוֹנֶךָ.	9 For thou hast made the LORD who is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation.
י  לֹא-תְאֻנֶּה אֵלֶיךָ רָעָה;    וְנֶגַע, לֹא-יִקְרַב בְּאָהֳלֶךָ.	10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy tent.
יא  כִּי מַלְאָכָיו, יְצַוֶּה-לָּךְ;    לִשְׁמָרְךָ, בְּכָל-דְּרָכֶיךָ.	11 For He will give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
יב  עַל-כַּפַּיִם יִשָּׂאוּנְךָ:    פֶּן-תִּגֹּף בָּאֶבֶן רַגְלֶךָ.	12 They shall bear thee upon their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
יג  עַל-שַׁחַל וָפֶתֶן, תִּדְרֹךְ;    תִּרְמֹס כְּפִיר וְתַנִּין.	13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and asp; the young lion and the serpent shalt thou trample under feet.
יד  כִּי בִי חָשַׁק, וַאֲפַלְּטֵהוּ;    אֲשַׂגְּבֵהוּ, כִּי-יָדַע שְׁמִי.	14 'Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he hath known My name.
טו  יִקְרָאֵנִי, וְאֶעֱנֵהוּ--עִמּוֹ-אָנֹכִי בְצָרָה;    אֲחַלְּצֵהוּ, וַאֲכַבְּדֵהוּ.	15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him, and bring him to honour.
טז  אֹרֶךְ יָמִים, אַשְׂבִּיעֵהוּ;    וְאַרְאֵהוּ, בִּישׁוּעָתִי.	16 With long life will I satisfy him, and make him to behold My salvation.' {P}

GOD REIGNS! (An interfaith reflection)

מַה־נָּאו֨וּ עַל־הֶהָרִ֜ים רַגְלֵ֣י מְבַשֵּׂ֗ר מַשְׁמִ֧יעַ שָׁל֛וֹם

מְבַשֵּׂ֥ר ט֖וֹב מַשְׁמִ֣יעַ יְשׁוּעָ֑ה

אֹמֵ֥ר לְצִיּ֖וֹן

מָלַ֥ךְ אֱלֹהָֽיִךְ׃ 

How beautiful are upon the mountains the feet of those who proclaim peace, who announce to Zion: Your GOD Reigns! (Isaiah 52:7).

In Christian writings we read that this is the message proclaimed by Jesus of Nazareth and his disciples (1 Peter 1:25). When Jesus was preaching he said that he was teaching, proclaiming, the good news (announcement) of the Reign of GOD. In the Qur'an it is also proclaimed that GOD Reigns over the Creation (Sura 6:18). It is the fundamental message of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. There is Only One GOD who Reigns over the Universe! (Deuteronomy 6:4ff, cf. 1 Cor. 8:6, Qur'an 112). The proclamation of the Reign of GOD is not new neither started with Christianity. It is the ancient message found through the history and pages of the Hebrew Bible, we call Tanakh. Its writers proclaimed: Our GOD Reigns!

Moshe wrote that this GOD is full of mercy and compassion. David the King (Psalm 51) and Jeremiah haKohen (7:22) stated that GOD does not require sacrifices of animals, much less a human sacrifice, to extend love, mercy, and forgiveness. GOD's love moves us to repentance and return to the Way of the Divine Instruction (Torah). Acknowledging that GOD Reigns above us, lead us to be people of compassion and forgiveness; a people that loves mercy, do justice and stay humble before the Holy One of Israel.

יי מָ֭לָךְ תָּגֵ֣ל הָאָ֑רֶץ יִ֝שְׂמְח֗וּ אִיִּ֥ים רַבִּֽים׃

Psalm 97:1

יְיָ מֶֽלֶךְ יְיָ מָלָךְ יְיָ יִמְלֹךְ לְעֹולָם וָעֶד:

וְהָיָה יְיָ לְמֶלֶךְ עַל כָּל הָאָרֶץ

בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא יִהְיֶה יְיָ אֶחָד וּשְׁמוֹ אֶחָד:

Siddur

 

A traditional Sefardi chanting of the verse above

https://youtu.be/_8zVWnX6tnQ

 

A modern version

https://youtu.be/eX248BFikEo

Jesus of Nazareth and the Jewish Tradition

I write the following having in mind the various greetings and questions I received in the last few weeks from Christian friends. I share the following with deep respect and hope it can enhance our dialogue.

In 1915, during the WWI, a drawing was published with Yiddish words "quoting" Jesus saying: “Yes, peace on earth, but wickedness among men.” (Der groyser kundes, December 24, 1915). A very rare reference by to Jesus by a Jewish publication at a time when Jewish-Christian relations were not at its best. 

The Jewish artist expressed a better understanding of the message of the teachings of Jesus than the contemporary "Christian" nations behind the horrible events of WWI. Nevertheless, even today there is still so much misunderstanding within both our communities and the Christian denominations about the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Today is a good day to reflect about it, after seeing how so many Christians have betrayed the truth and code of ethics taught by the Nazarene; while many Jewish and Muslim scholars, even agnostics, are embracing, academically and in practice, the essence of his message. 

A friend wrote me a few days ago saying that if Jesus was living today in the USA, even some of those who claim to be his followers, would reject him and accuse him of being a radical left wing socialist. The ethical teachings of Jesus do reflect a radical Jewish tradition of social justice and theological philosophy. But, academics, social concerns, and similar approaches to Jesus' teachings are often ignored (probably like this brief "essay"), because the power of the Creeds among Christians and the prejudice among others. Sadly books like Toldot Yeshu, a cheap worthless pseudo-biography of Jesus, have done its negative impact among many of our people and others. However, it is tradition on both sides that have more power than anything anyone could ever write.

During the holidays season, especially this year, people greet everyone with "Merry Christmas!" (even some Jewish people) without considering if you may be of a religious tradition different from those who celebrate Christmas. They do not consider if you may be agnostic or nonreligious at all. However, there are times when you see people of other traditions or "atheists" celebrating Christmas. Why? Perhaps due to a business interest, after all, it is one of the main times of income for retail stores. Nevertheless, there is another reason: Tradition! 

Tradition is such a powerful force. It moves people to speak and act without thinking twice about your words or actions. Jesus of Nazareth, the man remembered during the Christmas season (December 25th-January 6th in many countries and cultures), was one who valued traditions, but refused to be bound by it.

A very interesting Jewish man, Jesus of Nazareth! He lived by traditions, i.e., Jewish values, while at the same time questioned some of these traditions. Similarly to the Cohen Jeremiah's questioning the sacrifices system of ancient Israel (cf. Jeremiah 7:22). Questioning is a very Jewish practice. We do not follow a religion because tradition or ethnicity, rather due to a very personal and community conviction. Of course, there are those that the power of tradition force them to keep religious practices without convictions. 

This man, Jesus of Nazareth, is considered in popular Judaism as somehow a foreign character to it, due to the traditions of another religion: Christianity. Christian creeds and theological presuppositions have presented a different image of Jesus to the world, especially to the Jewish people, than the one from the historical texts found among the books of the Christian NT cannon. Instead of teaching the religion of Jesus, the creeds have developed a religion about Jesus. The traditions of the Church speak of him as the incarnation of the Almighty, while the text says that he learned obedience through suffering. He is presented as someone incapable of doing anything wrong, but the text says he was tempted in everything, although it also says he was able to overcome temptations. Setting a sample for humanity, making clear that we can overcome evil too. The text speaks of a human man instead of a divinity, as found in the Greco-Roman mythologies. Reference to him as a manifestation of the divine or a reflection of the character of the Holy One does not mean divinity as presented by the creeds. These creeds have forced Jewish people, through generation, to avoid any reading of the historical Jesus' teachings. This is changing, now that we are making a distinction between the Creeds and the Text.  In academic settings among Jewish people, for example the scholarly work of David Flusser, z"l, Jesus is viewed as a Rabbi, or a teacher, a preacher, or perhaps a member or even leader of a Second Temple Judaism's sect (using sect in its technical definition). There are Rabbis in the Reform Movement considering bringing Jesus back to his historical place within Judaism.

Today many Jewish scholars are reconsidering Jesus of Nazareth and his code of ethics. An Orthodox Rabbi (I do not have his permission to make reference to his name) said: "Everything good taught by Jesus was Jewish." Obviously, after all he was raised in a traditional Jewish religious environment. Perhaps, he was a Pharisee. Jesus of Nazareth was a Jewish man, striving to be faithful to GOD, making every effort to bring honour to the LORD with his words and actions. The biographies we have about him in the books called Gospels are more of theological reflections about his life. These are fragments from both the historical documents and the interpreters of it through centuries of scribal work. However, we can discern within its pages the essence of the message of the historical Jesus of Nazareth. He made emphasis that he was sent to proclaim the Good News of the Reign of GOD (Luke 4:43). This is the same task ancient Hebrew prophets were commissioned, anointed, to do (cf.  Isaiah 52:7). That is the essence of his message: GOD Reigns! Therefore, there is One True GOD, we must love with all our being and care for the humans created in the image of GOD, as we care for ourselves. That is the essence of the message of the Torah (Mark 12:28-34, cf. Deuteronomy 6, Leviticus 19:18). Jesus encouraged our ancestors to be faithful Jews, recognizing that GOD still and forever Reigns over Israel and the Universe. He challenged our ancient Rabbis to live what was preached. Because Judaism is not a religion of just words and books, but of action, of love and compassion and mercy and justice.

What a different world would it be if those who claim to follow Jesus of Nazareth, for example some politicians, would speak and live like he did. You d not have to be called a Christian to follow the way Jesus lived, but if you call yourself a Christian, why don't you live like him?

We need to reconsider the Nazarene's words and their place in our Tradition and convictions. Reform Judaism has an approach to Jesus of Nazareth that many Jews, and Christians, should consider. It can make a major positive impact beyond Jewish-Christian relations and dialogue, it can change the world.

Recommended readings etc:

 Jesus of Nazareth: His Life, Times, and Teaching, by Joseph Klausner 

https://reformjudaism.org/blog/why-interfaith-relations-are-dna-reform-judaism

https://reformjudaism.org/blog/chatting-jesus-sukkah

https://reformjudaism.org/blog/jesus-most-influential-rabbi-history

On The Jewishness of Jesus https://www.abingdonpress.com/product/9781426791581/

https://reformjudaism.org/blog/so-rabbi-what-do-you-really-think-about-jesus

https://m.facebook.com/MovementForReformJudaism/videos/629372744629478/

Rabbi Boteach on Kosher Jesus 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KBBRfSiDUY

Forgiveness: an interfaith reflection

An Orthodox Rabbi asked a group of Amish leaders about the complexity of forgiveness. The Amish answer reflected a conviction about obeying a command without questioning it. However, deep inside many Amish and Old Order Mennonites keep inside anger and even the desire for revenge, as some of them with honesty have confessed. In Judaism expressing anger in words or even worse, with actions is tolerated or understood to some degree. This is a sad reality in the conflicts the current State of Israel faces. The desire for revenge among secular Israelis as well as religious ones is often a power that hurts many innocent people along the way. The same is a tragic fact among Arabic speaking Palestinians under Israel, as it was among Palestinians Jews under the British occupation after WWI. 

In Jewish history we can see how forgiveness was practiced; either out of a religious conviction or political interest. Peace accords have been signed for economical and political reasons. Other times for the sake of interfaith relations. The Inquisition seems to be something forgiven or forgotten while the war crimes (all wars are a crime) of the Holocaust Nazi - will never be forgotten! Why? We have constant images, videos, and organizations reminding us the crime of antisemitism during WWII. No so with the Inquisition. There are no films preserving images from those days neither organizations seeking revenge. That is good. It seems that these images of war crimes keep alive the desire for revenge and empower this force and anger within us almost daily. Of course, this and other tragic events in the history of the Jewish people cannot be forgotten and should never be ignored, in order to avoid these horrible events from ever happening again. Even more important, to prevent us from becoming the perpetrators of such a crime instead of the victims.

If we were able to forgive the Catholic Church and develop dialogue with them, to the point that their hierarchy changed the way Catholics deal with us, could we forgive Nazism and develop a dialogue that may lead them to reject antisemitism? There are still Catholics, including priests, who are antisemitic, just as neo-Nazis today. Could we change that? Is forgiveness that powerful? 

Regardless of the answers by the Amish, the Rabbi expressed his perplexity on the stories of forgiveness among Amish. Forgiveness, out of a religious conviction or due to political interests, prevent us from taking revenge, therefore, it keep us from the vicious cycle of violence that hurts the innocent. Our dialogue with Amish and Mennonites is a good example. Many Mennonites were supporters of the Nazis. There are still Mennonites who consider the Nazi Führer as a hero, displaying images of him in their homes. Regardless of it we are talking to each other. After all, the war criminals are gone. Some of the "Nazis" of WWII alive were ignorant kids at the time, misled by adults who are no longer among them. Does seeking to prosecute a 96 year old woman that was a young girl at the time, perhaps forced to work at a prison or misled by an adult, something we can call justice? Isn't that the force of revenge leading such a passion for vindication for the victims? Would that honour the memory of the victims? I don't know. All I can see is that the desire for revenge lead to more violence and the vicious cycle of wars is perpetuated.

In the Torah (Deut. 32) does not praise revenge rather recognizes that if anyone has authority to judge, that one is the Only One GOD. These words from the song Ha'azinu are interpreted by Christianity (Romans 12:19) as an advice to abstain from becoming overpowered by the desire for revenge. Jesus of Nazareth is quoted saying: Forgive seventy time seven. This have been understood by some Christian teachers as forgiving every time we remember those who hurt us. Islam also teaches forgiveness and trusting the Almighty instead of taking revenge ourselves; regardless of the images in the news of Muslims using violence motivated by the desire of revenge for whatever violence their nations suffered centuries and even millennia ago.

True forgiveness does not mean to forget. Remembering will prevent it from happening again. It means to overcome the senseless desire for revenge, out of a moral duty toward the other. Not out of religious or political convictions, but out of the fact that the other is also a human being. That moral principle is often called love. Without it, humanity will destroy itself. The power of the desire for revenge also hurts those who harvest such a desire within themselves. Therefore, let us trust in the Merciful and Forgiving GOD. It is written:

יִ֭שְׂרָאֵל בְּטַ֣ח בַּה' עֶזְרָ֖ם וּמָגִנָּ֣ם הֽוּא׃

Psalm 115:9

A Principle of Exegesis that can make a difference in politics today

Exegesis is the science of interpreting the oldest available Hebrew text of the Bible. Its rules and principles are applicable to other religious writings as well as to ancient Greek, Latin, Sanskrit, and other literature work in general, including political documents. Hermeneutics can be described as an art of understanding and communicating in writing the concepts, messages, or principles of a particular work. Exegesis looks carefully to the historical and linguistic context of the text. Hermeneutics brings the text to the context of the reader or through homilia to that of the audience, so they can understand its wisdom, acquire knowledge and seek to apply it. 

Context of the original text is absolutely of extreme importance. One principle to consider is the audience or to whom the text or statement was given. Sometime ago a young man with a very large family (no question this is a great blessing) was reminded, especially due to the health of his beloved wife, that the instruction or command to multiply was given to Adam and Hava. Of course, the principle obviously have implications and applications for the rest of humanity. Nevertheless, in the poem of Genesis/Bereshyt 1-2, the instruction was with a clear purpose in the birth of humanity: to fill up this beautiful planet. 

Insisting that the instructions to Joshua or Gideon justify militarism is taking out of context the whole story or legends. If that was literally a historical event, it is always possible that Joshua could misunderstand the instructions. Often when ancient Israel "won" a battle it was understood or misunderstood that the Almighty, Adonay Sevaot, was in their favour and was the one ordering them to fight. If they lost, then it must be because they did something wrong or they were not instructed to go to war. 

Today many religious leaders in the "left" and the "right" or all over the political spectrum around the world, claim that God is in their side. Of course, if they are affiliated to any religious group. They bring moral, ethical and even theological issues into their political games. Many times just to gain power. There are a few who are deeply concerned with the future of humanity. These men and women do have convictions and compassion. Needless to say, but I would say it again anyway, these men and women are very few. They understand the proper exegesis of their ancient writings, both religious and political texts, e.g., their Constitution. They have a good set of hermeneutical principles that guide them to bring the core values of ancient times to the realities of today. Their rhetoric techniques are not to gain power, rather to empower the audience. 

The world needs religious leaders and politicians who can lead wisely. People who care deeply for the other. Women and men who have convictions and willing to dialogue instead of imposing their views through force or deception. Leaders full of mercy, compassion and love. Yes, love; something that still exists and can transform this world into the Paradise it was meant to be. 

The essence of the Hebrew Bible, it was said by Jewish Sages, Christian teachers, and Muslims, is LOVE. Therefore let us understand the text and apply its principles in the light of LOVE.

Note: The booklet "From Ancient Texts to the Internet" on Exegetical Principles, Hermeneutic and Homiletic is available from IHEEB by writing to iheeb.usa@gmail.com

Be an Instrument of Mercy

In the Haftorah (הפטרה) of Yom Kippur we read the legend of the Prophet Jonah. A beautiful story. There is not need to go through the whole narrative which is well known, perhaps, by everyone. Therefore, the conclusion would state its message:

אֲנִי֙ לֹ֣א אָח֔וּס עַל־נִינְוֵ֖ה הָעִ֣יר הַגְּדוֹלָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֶשׁ־בָּ֡הּ הַרְבֵּה֩ מִֽשְׁתֵּים־עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה רִבּ֜וֹ אָדָ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־יָדַע֙ בֵּין־יְמִינ֣וֹ לִשְׂמֹאל֔וֹ וּבְהֵמָ֖ה רַבָּֽה׃  

Should not I have mercy about Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and many animals as well!

In this story the Holy One of Israel extends mercy and cares for an enemy of Israel, the people of Assyria, and sent an enemy of Assyria as a prophet. The Almighty shows compassion especially for those who are not able to make difference between good and wrong, and even for the animals; often the main victims of war.

In contemporary Christianity, too often, the words attributed to Jesus of Nazareth are misused: "The last days will be like the days of Jonah." If that is the case, then be full of mercy, like the Almighty in days of Jonah. In Islam today, there are some individuals who believe that punishment is the proper response against sinners (among some Jewish groups too). However, through the Qur'an, as well as in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian writings, we read stories of mercy and about a compassionate Creator. Every Sura in the Qur'an, for example, starts with a beautiful statement of faith:

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

 Therefore, Jews, Christians, and Muslim, and people of faith or no faith at all, "In the name of GOD the merciful and compassionate" let us be instruments of Mercy!

Let us be instruments of Beauty!

 The GOD created everything beautiful (Qoheleth 3:11, cf. Qur'an 37:6), including humanity (cf.7:29).

וַיַּ֥רְא אֱלֹהִ֖ים כִּי־טֽוֹב׃ 

GOD looked at everything created and saw that it was good (tov טוב)! (Genesis/Bereshyt 1). The Almighty was full of joy by so much beauty. It was amazingly beautiful! 

Sadly some cannot see such a beautiful world. The prophet wrote:

ה֣וֹי הָאֹמְרִ֥ים לָרַ֛ע ט֖וֹב וְלַטּ֣וֹב רָ֑ע שָׂמִ֨ים חֹ֤שֶׁךְ לְאוֹר֙ וְא֣וֹר לְחֹ֔שֶׁךְ שָׂמִ֥ים מַ֛ר לְמָת֖וֹק וּמָת֥וֹק לְמָֽר׃ {ס}         

Ah,
Those who call evil good
And good evil;
Who present darkness as light
And light as darkness;
Who present bitter as sweet
And sweet as bitter!

This irrational behaviour can be summarized paraphrasing the prophet: Woe to those who call ugly what is beautiful and beautiful what is ugly! (Isaiah 5:20). 

GOD created everything good (beautiful). We made it ugly (Qoheleth 7:29). Destroying the environment by polluting the air and water we all need. There is so much ugliness in our world: violence, wars, irrational conflicts and prejudices. Of course, there are not rational ones. 

This new year 5782 one more time we are encouraged to consider this beautiful creation and join the Creator becoming instruments of good, instruments of beauty. 

שנה טובה

Choose Life: An Interfaith Reflection

 In the Torah Moshe calls the Israelite nation to choose life (Deuteronomy 30:19):

הַעִידֹ֨תִי בָכֶ֣ם הַיּוֹם֮ אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם וְאֶת־הָאָרֶץ֒ הַחַיִּ֤ים וְהַמָּ֙וֶת֙ נָתַ֣תִּי לְפָנֶ֔יךָ הַבְּרָכָ֖ה וְהַקְּלָלָ֑ה וּבָֽחַרְתָּ֙ בַּֽחַיִּ֔ים לְמַ֥עַן תִּחְיֶ֖ה אַתָּ֥ה וְזַרְעֶֽךָ׃  

I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day: I have put before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life—if you and your offspring would live— 

According to Moshe, life is found in obedience to the divine instruction, Torah. The Almighty created humanity to enjoy the fullness of life. It starts by filling our minds with whatever is good. Rabbinical tradition teaches: 

בָּרָאתָ בִּי מֹחַ וְלֵב וּבָהֶם חוּשׁ הַמַּחֲשָׁבָה לַחֲשׁוֹב מַחֲשָׁבוֹת טוֹבוֹת וְהִרְהוּרִים טוֹבִים וְלֵב לְהָבִין דִּבְרֵי קָדְשֶׁךָ וּלְהִתְפַּלֵּל וּלְבָרֵךְ כָּל הַבְּרָכוֹת בְּמַחֲשָׁבָה טְהוֹרָה

You created me with a mind and a heart, giving me the faculty of thought in order that I might think of what is good and pure, that I might understand your holy Torah, that I might pray to you, and pronounce all the blessings with pure thoughts. (Metsudah Machzor)

Similarly in the Greek Christian writings (NT, Philippians 4:8) is written:

το λοιπον αδελφοι οσα εστιν αληθη οσα σεμνα οσα δικαια οσα αγνα οσα προσφιλη οσα ευφημα ει τις αρετη και ει τις επαινος ταυτα λογιζεσθε

Furthermore, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are worthy love, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, or if there be any praise, think on these things. (Geneva version)

Ideas that are not pure, good, etc. are often found in popular cultures and even in traditional practices around the world. They fill up our minds through publications, television, radio, or from what we saw in the behaviour of others, etc. No one is aware, at times, that their minds are assimilating the wrong information, ideas, concepts, or thoughts; until they show up in our actions: often using "culture" as an excuse. Therefore, it is important what we read, listen, and watch. Islam teaches (Qur'an, Sura 3:114) about the righteous:

يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَيُسَارِعُونَ فِي الْخَيْرَاتِ وَأُولَٰئِكَ مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ

They believe in Allah and the Last Day, encourage good and forbid evil, and race with one another in doing good. They are ˹truly˺ among the righteous. (Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran)

Feeling our minds with what is good and pure will empower us to do what is good in our relation with others. The Baha'i faith teaches: "Let him do some good to every person whose path he crosseth, and be of some benefit to him." (Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá)

When we choose life, we become instruments of Life. We become a source of life to others. We reflect the image of the Creator, the Source of Life. Therefore, choose life; choose to follow the Divine Instruction to enjoy the fullness of life, here and in the world to come.

טו  סוּר מֵרָע וַעֲשֵׂה טוֹב בַּקֵּשׁ שָׁלוֹם וְרָדְפֵהוּ

15 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

Psalm 34