http://www.populate.net/ Articles at Populate.NET en-us http://www.populate.net/Religion_and_Spirituality/passion-for-my-nation-nepal.html http://www.populate.net/Religion_and_Spirituality/passion-for-my-nation-nepal.html Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:39:42 -0700 Mother, I sense your soul. These few words express empathy towards a nation where dreams do begin but surprisingly never seem to cease where love flows like rivulets from the Himalayas and reach out hearts, where endurance has survived pain, and hands filled with love have pushed the nation on a track of peace and harmony. Peace and harmony that have emerged out of struggle, reflecting that peace that is seen in the silent and forbearing eyes of the god man named Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha whose holy feet touched the dust of this nation many centuries ago.

The sight of Everest touching the sky is like hands of the Nepalese people moving forth into eternal space to hold and embrace the stars.

The process of denouement is slow but steady; the city lights are dazzling and sense of loneliness prevails in narrow streets where night rules. The people are almost dead to the world but Nepal is awake as ever.

Time moves in a horizontal line, from A to B, B to C, C to D but awakening moves in a vertical line, from A to deeper A, from deeper A to even deeper A and so on. For an awakened nation these is no past and no future, only present exists for it.

Awareness or the awakening of consciousness through meditation is the awakening of a mankind and path towards Buddha hood. The awakening of every Nepalese is the awakening of the Nepalese society. Complete mass or a community living and moving in the present just deeper and deeper in a vertical motion.

"Take me to far away country where grief lingers no more...."

An awakened community is an aware and meditative community, a basis of emptiness and establishment of that faraway country.
But a mass can’t be enlightened, each drop of water makes up the ocean, one Buddha after another makes up a community of Buddha’s.

The mountains go zigzag finally disappearing into time. That time which only exists in your mind in your imagination and in your wall clock. Everything exists in the present, and that present moves from one point to another point steadily and quickly.

It is a love affair, an affair of one night stand, between a country and its people. The people can sense something or almost touch it: perhaps it is the soul of a nation, which they are dandling with their imagination.

Imagine you have been stabbed in the chest, a moment and the dragger is to be plunged deep into your heart. Suddenly you are alert and your reaction is in tune with the moment, or suddenly it is as though you and the moment are one present has arisen out of no where and past and future have vanished like shadows.

In a similar situation our country stands and the people are reacting in an instant as though the instant and the reaction have merged into one cry for peace, stability and pathway for hope.

Hope floats even in a sea of complete uncertainty and tears just because the pain is there, the country is consciously moving in a vertical motion – from a deeper anguish in her bosom and the future stir blurred. Let a nation up rise as her people sway in search of a bay.

Let love finds its way, let the sun shine through the clouds and let the rain cease.

The delicate sounds of a song are echoing within their hearts, which have resemblance to many voices of the night. They close their eyes and softly whisper. "Mother, I sense your soul."

The faraway hills seem to have heard them, but they seem to resist the temptation to speak back: surely they are not without a voice, there is a voice if silence with in that resistance.

These voices and these songs of the Nepalese people altogether seem to re- quicken the cosmic pulsation.

]]> http://www.populate.net/Religion_and_Spirituality/the-perfect-christmas-gift.html http://www.populate.net/Religion_and_Spirituality/the-perfect-christmas-gift.html Sat, 22 Aug 2009 16:40:16 -0700 The main purpose for Christmas is to celebrate Jesus’ birthday. However we often find ourselves caught up in shopping sprees spending more than we need to, getting ourselves deeper in debt and stressing. Jesus wants the best for us. What are some other things that we could focus on instead of the material things?

We could focus on love, peace, prayer, joy, giving to someone less fortunate and obedience to God. One very important thing that He asks us to do is to forgive one another. Sometimes this is not an easy thing to do, but it is a command which we need to take seriously. As we approach the end 2008, I urge you to join me and let radical forgiveness be one thing that you do.

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15).

God has forgiven us of our sins once and for all. And He doesn’t even remember them.

Colin Tipping the Author of Radical forgiveness wrote: “Radical forgiveness is the Key to Empowerment and Being Able to Forgive Easily and Quickly.”

Is there anyone you need to forgive today? If you want to get close to God you must forgive those who have hurt you, because He has commanded us to do so. The word forgiveness has been used almost 100 times in the Bible; therefore, the act of forgiveness must be close to the heart of God.

Satan would have us believe that our sins are not forgiven. He constantly reminds us of past sins and tries to keep us stuck in a past life mentality. But Jesus has already set the example for us by forgiving those who hurt Him. He also forgives you and me. God declares in Isaiah 43:25:

I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.

What is forgiveness?

According to the dictionary forgiveness is to excuse someone for a fault or an offence; to pardon.

Whom should I forgive?

It is painful to think that many of our hurts come from our family, our own blood relatives; mother, father, sister, brother, uncle, close family friends and so forth. On the other hand there are others, such as bosses, co-workers, friends and associates who hurt us. It does not matter who it is we must forgive them. That is why the Bible warns: Love your enemy. The fact is that we live in a broken world that is painted with human frailties and none of us is free from the faults hurt and un-forgiveness.

We can choose to forgive or we can continue to live in bitterness and hold on to the hurt. I have heard it said many times, “I can forgive, but I can’t forget.” Why would someone want to remember the hurt he has done to someone or the hurt that someone has done to him? It is good remember what happened in the past in order to make wiser decisions in the future. When you carry a grudge that is when it is dangerous.

When the damage is already done, the only thing that can mend it is forgiveness. It does no one any good to hold on to past hurts. Holding on to past hurts builds resentment, anger, hatred and even causes violence. If you really want to learn to forgive, focus on love. If there is someone you need to forgive; do it today. Do not wait until it is too late. Tomorrow is not promised. Life is short.

We have come to the end of 2008 and we can choose a new beginning. If you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus, I encourage you to begin today, by telling God that you believe that Jesus died for your sins, He was buried and rose on the third day and you are sorry for your sins. Ask Him to forgive you for your sins and begin to live for Him. If you have any question send me an email at divinedestiny@cox.net, ask any person who has a relationship with Jesus or go to a church.

Pauline Lewinson

]]> http://www.populate.net/Religion_and_Spirituality/sri-selvam-siddhara%80%99s-services-of-science-of-evil-a%80-dr-commander-selvam.html http://www.populate.net/Religion_and_Spirituality/sri-selvam-siddhara%80%99s-services-of-science-of-evil-a%80-dr-commander-selvam.html Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:21:18 -0700 The spine or the human energy field contains Chakra, or energy centers, that vibrate at different frequencies. Each Chakra presents us with the opportunity to establish a root relationship and to satisfy the deep soul desire. Each frequency holds the gift of a certain power, which enhances our human experience on Planet Earth. As we tune into this power along with specific MANTRAS for each CHAKRAS, we are internally empowered to deal with the specific life challenges of that energy center or Chakra. There are seven Chakra in the human spine each for different body function. As a consequence we live a long meaningful and fulfilling life. We can also heal our self through meditation and chanting of the specific MANTRA with awakening of each CHAKRA. Mantras are powerful sounds and when chanted with devotion produce enormous effects. Mantras are well-off in their meanings and their meaning can be meditated while chanting. As the mind concentrates more and more on Mantras and their meaning along with Chakras, they condition the mind and take up to the higher state and form the path to salvation - the eternal bliss. Read on to know about the significance of specific Mantras…


CHANTING OF MANTRA
Chanting of Mantra is a concept of the Vedic Saints that includes Mantras as one of the main forms of worship, whose end is seen as salvation. Basically, Mantra Jaap means repeating the Mantra. Mantra Jaap involves repetition of Mantra again and again, usually 108 times completes one cycle. Due to this, the Rosary (Mala) used for Mantra Jaap has 108 beads in it.

Practical Aids for Jaap:-

#Take a bath or wash your hands, feet, face and mouth before sitting for Jaap in the morning.

#Sit facing east or north during the practice. This enhances the effectiveness of the Jaap.

#Sit on a rug to conserve body-electricity.

#Sit in a separate meditation room or in any suitable place, such as a temple, on a river bank or under a Banyan or Peepal tree.

#Maintain a steady pose. You can sit in Padmasana, Siddhasana or Sukhasana. Resolve to complete a certain minimum number of Malas before leaving your seat. Select any Mantra and repeat it from 108 to 1,080 times daily (one to ten Malas).

#Use a Rosary of 108 beads. Do not allow the Rosary to hang below the navel. The Rosary (Mala) must not be visible to you or to others, so cover it properly. Use the middle finger and the thumb of the right hand to roll the beads. The use of the index finger is not allowed. Do not cross the Meru (main bead) while rolling the beads.

#Do Mental Jaap for sometime without a Rosary or Mala. When the mind wanders, do the Jaap aloud, or whisper the Mantra for some time and come back to mental Jaap again as soon as possible.

#Do not chant Mantra in haste. Do it slowly with feeling, concentration of mind and devotion.

# If Mantras are chanted mechanically, it is of no use except waste of time. Total devotion and surrender to the deity to whom the Mantra is supposed to be appropriate is a must. Your faith in the Lord has to be total. Then only you will be able to reach the goal and be benefited by the blessings of God.

# Mantras are more powerful if uttered with utmost devotion, dedication and in totality. In fact for a common man, a Mantra is an occult formula to remove various worries and troubles. It is a tool to get one's desires fulfilled through positive vibrations.

CHAKRAS IN HUMAN BODY

Try to associate the chant with the rhythm of the breath and meditate in the form of your Deity. Keep a picture or idol of the Deity in front of you. Think of the meaning of the Mantra while repeating it.

Muladhara(Root Chakra)
Connects Body and Earth

The Muladhara, First or Root Chakra, is located at the base of the Spine, at the Perineum. It is the Lotus with four petals. The name means support, or foundation. The Kundalini lays here coiled up three and a half time. The Kundalini shines in the Muladhara like ten million suns shining at one time. Dakini Shakti lives here.

Presiding Deity – BRAHMA.

Related with - The Large Intestine in the body, Feet and Legs, with the element earth, and with the colors red and maroon.

Primal Relationship - With Physical reality, the Earth, Natural forces, Body, Feeling & Sensations.

Best for Healing of - LARGE INTESTINE problems, DIGESTION problems & RECTUM problems (PILES).

]]> http://www.populate.net/Religion_and_Spirituality/can-religious-leaders-bring-peace-to-the-middle-east.html http://www.populate.net/Religion_and_Spirituality/can-religious-leaders-bring-peace-to-the-middle-east.html Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:01:12 -0800
The clashes, steeped in thousands of years of religious conflict, are already casting a pall over the upcoming presidency of Barack Obama, threatening to pull him into a variety of religious conflicts that has been plaguing American foreign policy for decades.

But in regions so dramatically divided along religious lines, it logically follows that it’s that religious leaders – not diplomats – would be the most effective brokers of peace. A worldwide organization called the Elijah Interfaith Institute promotes that very idea, suggesting that religious leaders of the world should set aside their ideological differences and tackle the issue of world peace. In his book The Thirteenth Apostle, Langdon Street Press (www.arkadybooks.com) researcher and author Arkady Povzikov reveals the potential for success in this worldwide vision. His controversial theories are certain to rattle the churches, temples and synagogues of the world’s religions, if for any other reason, they make sense.

Christians tend to think that if only Islam would shed its more radical elements and gravitate to a more moderate position, perhaps the major problems of the world could be solved.

"The problem, of course, is that Christians can be radical too," Povzikov said.

Those who practice other religions have their own lists of how the world would be a perfect place if the other religions would fall in line behind theirs.

"Everybody thinks their religion is the One," Povzikov said. "But if the religions of the world would agree to tackle serious world problems together, you could bring millions of hearts, hands and minds together to find a solution."

Povzikov thinks that this could happen, and explores the topic in his book. After he recently finished his book, he was surprised to find out that a group exists that proposes religions find common ground to solve worldwide problems. It is made up of more than 40 religious leaders in 15 countries representing Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish and Muslim faiths gathered to seek world unity and peace. The name of that group is “The Elijah Interfaith Group,” and while Povzikov supports the ideals and goals of the group, he is not an official member.

"I was stunned when I found out a group was actually doing what I had envisioned, but the problem remains that too few people know about it," he said.

In his book, Povzikov layers a fictional story over a foundation of truths, similar in style to the DaVinci Code. The truths concern world religions, Russia as it existed before the Soviet Union and as it exists today, and a quest to find the truth about the heritage of his main character. His book uncovers a jarring world secret through loss, love and human experience, and weaves an intricate storyline.

"Any true campaign for peace in many o the troubled regions of the world must include a seat at the table for religious leaders, but it cannot be a stage for them to spout the same old demagoguery and hatred,” Povzikov said. “We must remember that it is only the extremists who advocate violence, and that the millions of followers of Islam and other non-Christian religions favor peaceful coexistence to violence and chaos. If we can gather leaders from both the spiritual and political elements of these countries, we may have the first real chance for peace that these regions have seen in a thousand years." ]]> http://www.populate.net/Religion_and_Spirituality/reasons-all-children-should-enjoy-vacation-bible-school.html http://www.populate.net/Religion_and_Spirituality/reasons-all-children-should-enjoy-vacation-bible-school.html Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:59:21 -0800
Some parents do consider the religious component of primary importance, especially for older children, and will choose a program that has more structured bible studies, at least stories with biblical characters and themes. For other parents, the most important thing is the socialization of their children, and the interpersonal skills they will develop in the vacation bible school setting. Children instinctively like being around other children, for the most part, and this allows most kids the opportunity for a great deal of fun, along with some education, too.

Denominational or not
For parents of all Christian denominations, from Catholic to Pentecostal, vacation bible school is good for themselves as well as for the children. It is, for many families, a happy combination of childcare, play time, class projects and Sunday school. Among the religiously oriented programs, parents can seek out one with bible instruction that is appropriate for their denomination. If their own church is large enough to offer such a vacation program, they will most likely place their children in that one to maintain the peer group associations and continuity.

Interestingly, some Hindu, Buddhist and even Muslin parents, if they cannot locate a vacation program in their own faith system, will place their children in a Christian vacation bible school. They are more concerned with their children getting socialized, learning to play together, having a positive environment and learning ethical behavior than they are with having yet another source besides themselves for their children's spiritual instruction. These days, they can choose from a variety of programs that emphasize common positive themes, citizenship and education as opposed to a steady diet of religious lessons.

From the kids' point of view
Children are complex little creatures, as all parents know. But no matter how unique they are (and they all are), they share certain traits, worldwide and in all cultures. The reasons all children should enjoy vacation bible school include the most basic one, of course, which is that they are social animals that love to play. With the great mix of activities, for both body and mind, the good vacation bible schools will help children channel their abundant energies into good things. They will learn that learning itself is enjoyable, and that working hard can be its own reward and a source of continuing enjoyment, too.

Some few children will have a hard time adjusting, and others will not want to let go of mommy's hand at the door on the first day. The fact is, a parent who relents and lets a child decide on her own not to attend, is robbing the youngster of a tremendous opportunity for growing and maturing. Letting go of their parents and establishing their own “person” in the world is at once a frightening and exciting thing for children, and parents simply must allow them to go through it. In the vast majority of cases, the child who arrives crying and missing mom and dad will be up to her elbows in finger paint by mid-morning.

The truth is, many people remember their vacation bible school experiences with great joy, and consider them important landmarks on their life's journey. The benefits of this time spent in learning, play and some kid-style morality tales can last a lifetime. In fact, some people do not realize until much later in life the tremendous impact things like vacation bible school had on their thinking, their ethics and their lives. If you're a parent with young children, there are few better ways to support their general growth, positive play activities, education and (low-key) moral instruction than with a couple of weeks of vacation bible school. ]]> http://www.populate.net/Religion_and_Spirituality/god-does-his-best-work-when-nothing-else-in-your-life-works.html http://www.populate.net/Religion_and_Spirituality/god-does-his-best-work-when-nothing-else-in-your-life-works.html Fri, 19 Dec 2008 05:42:24 -0800
We are all one step away from unemployment - regardless of how educated, talented, smart, conniving, or secure you happen to think your position is!

We are in the “perfect storm" of wrong conditions for sustainable employment at the living wages and incomes that we are accustomed too.

You want to blame something, try these as we brought this on ourselves! Unfair trade agreements, our insatiable lust for cheap goods, keeping up with our friends mentality, unyielding union demands, non-competitive USA products, under-performing executives, managers and employees, accepting the status quo, lack of innovation, pride, arrogance, speculation, sheer greed, self-absorbed interests, obscene corporate profits and so forth.

We have intentionally forgotten and stopped loving and serving God! How sad we have become as a nation of citizens who claim to stand proudly under the Word of God! We are just now beginning to feel the full depth and results of the sub-prime mortgage crisis, business greed, the world economic meltdown, scarcity of credit, breakdown of consumer confidence, historic drop in home values, suicides, divorces, child abuse, drug and alcohol abuse, man versus man, screw my neighbor because it's all about me mentality plus more that will follow us as individuals and a nation until we change our material focus in life to spiritual life in heaven!

Did you know that Satan controls the world and all that is in it! Do these calamities surprise you! They should, if you base your life in this material world. The question is do you want to base your eternal life on the same premise? I would hope your answer is a RESOUNDING NO!

Yes, it's true that we have to live “in the world” but we don't have to be “conformed to and part of the world.” Come and let your life's foundation be focused on The Rock - The Lord Jesus Christ! Trust in Him, read, believe, pray and be baptized for the remission of your sins, so HE can direct and navigate you through this worldly life we will spend a short period of time in.

So, what does this really mean to you and me? It means we HAVE to adjust our expectations, needs, and goals to totally accept God's will for us instead of ours, which may not necessarily be what our own personal desires and wishes are. Tough decision for the ego-centric person isn't it…but it doesn't have to be…

Here is a small bit of personal commentary about my situation. I was so angry after my first layoff that I completely tore apart and analyzed my life from top to bottom. I analyzed my everyday actions and reactions, attitudes, friends, commitment to God, family and my responses to them. I questioned whether I took all the opportunities that I had but didn't use to talk about God, stop the ungodly language, the jokes, and the unbelief that occurred in the office everyday day. I reflected on whether I took the right amount of time to talk, teach, and pray with the lost! Please realize that God would like you to do this everyday of the week!

Over the last 14 months, I prayed on my knees, cried at least three times a week, humbled myself to God, and was so very thankful for the small amount of food and unemployment compensation that God blessed us with.

At 55 years old, my extended periods of unemployment absolutely broke me spiritually and emotionally to the lowest point ever in my Christian life!

Yet, despite the cloud of continued employment uncertainty, I never gave up, cursed, or forsook God, truly believing and praying that He would lead and direct me to another position (which He did) or to let our home business grow and prosper (as He is doing.) I never forgot that God not only works in your life every minute of everyday but; that God, does HIS BEST work with us when we are totally broken and have little to nothing to rely upon in this artificial material world! It is at this point that God starts to rebuild us they way he needs us to be!

When I put all the superficial and unimportant things in my life aside, God instantly and to my amazement took me into His hand, walked with me, comforted me, talked to me through prayer and scripture, and started to lead me to where He wants and needs me to be! Over the last 14 months, I became closer to God than I ever was in my life before (I thought I was a good and faithful Christian before but now I really feel that I am)!

In our short life on Earth, it doesn't matter how much or how little you have (remember the story of the widow and 2 mites). What is critically important is that you give God the first and best of everything in your life: your commitment, love, prayers, time, and yes your money, even when you have nothing! It's a total package deal from God. You can't pick and choose what you want, how often, or how much. I can tell you from my experience that it's very hard to learn how to be humble and content when you have 2, 3 or 4 family incomes or more; but, when those incomes are gone and you pray several times everyday to God that He will provide funds for you to eat and pay your bills, your contentment and perspective in life changes quickly, significantly, and radically! Everything else in life literally takes a back seat…the way it should!

In closing, let me remind you to always be thankful for everything God blesses you with (even adversity, trials and tribulations), worry about nothing, and serve God to your best ability, everyday! Remember, the Israelites, the exodus and the manna and quail that God provided everyday…and what was their response! You are more valuable than the birds of the air that God provides for, so work hard for God instead of yourself!

Don't look at unemployment, sickness, poverty, diseases, sadness, depression, everyday problems, money problems, spiritual weakness or any other negative event in you or your family's life as the end of the world. Try thinking of it in this perspective…it will change your life, forever!

“God needs to get you to where you don't know where you need to be, yet!”

With this perspective and HIS guidance, God will lead you according to HIS will.

In the meantime, always remember and be a "True and Loving Friend,” as God wants you to be! Take time to visit with, talk to, eat with, pray beside and send messages of encouragement to ALL who need it, regardless of whether they believe in God or not. In doing so, please know that you are God's Angels who help others to learn, love and grow spiritually during the darkest periods in your life.

May God bless and watch over you always!

Live and be the example that God “knows you can be!” ]]> http://www.populate.net/Religion_and_Spirituality/women-tallit-and-tzitzit.html http://www.populate.net/Religion_and_Spirituality/women-tallit-and-tzitzit.html Fri, 19 Dec 2008 02:05:37 -0800 Tzitzit are fringes attached to the four corners of each tallit for women and for men, or a special four-cornered garment (arba kanfot or tallit katan) in fulfilment of the biblical commandment:

"And the Lord spoke to Moses saying: Speak to the children of Israel and bid them that they make fringes on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringes of the corners a thread of blue. And it shall be to you for a fringe, that you may look upon (and you shall see it) and remember all the commandments of the Lord and do them."
(Num.15:37-41)

"And you shall make yourself twisted cords upon the four corners of your covering, wherewith you cover yourself".
(Deuteronomy 22:12)

In the first reference to the tzitzit above, the phrase "children of Israel" is ambiguous as the male plural form is always used in Hebrew when addressing mixed groups. It is, therefore, possible to interpret this command, originally intended to indicate that Jews wore outer garments with fringes, as incumbent on men and women.

This is, in fact, how the Talmud interprets the command in the first instance. In tractate Menachot 643a we read that everyone is obligated concerning the tzitzit - Kohenim, Leviyyim, Yisraelim, converts, women and slaves. Then a comment by Rabbi Simon follows:

"Rabbi Simon exempted women because this was a positive mitzvah limited by time and from all positive, timebound mitzvot women are exempt".

This view was reinforced by subsequent codifiers. In the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayyim 17:2), Joseph Caro writes:

"Women and slaves are exempt (from the tzitzit) because this is a positive, timebound mitzvah".

Moses Isserles, was a Rabbi and Talmudist, renowned for his fundamental work of Halakha and the Shulkhan Arukh, adds this for women's tallit:

"If they (women) wish to wrap themselves in a tallit for woman and make a blessing over it, then it is up to them, as with other timebound, positive mitzvot. But if they do put the talit for woman on, it will appear to be a show of haughtiness or pride in their piety. Therefore, they should not wear tzitzit since it is not an obligation which resides in the person themselves (lo chovat gavra) but rather in the garment".

Isserles' point becomes clearer if we examine one of the commentators on the Shulchan Aruch, the Ba'er Hetev, who writes:

"It is explained that he is not obligated to buy a tallit ... because in all events, any time he is not wearing the tallit even if he has a four-cornered garment, he is exempt from (the mitzvah of) tzitzit. And it is not a personal duty because he is not obligated to purchase a tallit in order to fulfil the obligation of tzitzit. Only if he owns a tallit of four corners and wears it, is he obligated with regard to tzitzit".

In other words, the mitzvah of tzitzit and tallit is something you can only fulfil if in possession of the requisite garment. You need not to own a tallit and do not need to purchase one in order to fulfil the obligation to wear tzitzit. The implication of Isserles is that a woman who would go out of her way to purchase a tallit for women must be showing off her piety. No such implication exists for the man who goes out to purchase a tallit. Indeed, it has become customary for men to do so. ]]> http://www.populate.net/Religion_and_Spirituality/bringing-the-bible-up-to-date.html http://www.populate.net/Religion_and_Spirituality/bringing-the-bible-up-to-date.html Wed, 17 Dec 2008 18:59:57 -0800
From the sublime to the ridiculous, The Bible is arguably the most significant book ever to see print. The word Bible has even become a term that means “a book that is considered an authority on a particular subject,” according to Webster's.

Yet, even among the faithful, it may also hold the title for the most MISunderstood, most MISquoted and most unread book of all time, as well.

According to noted bible authority Val Greenwood, author of I Will Make Thee A Great Nation: Old Testament Stories (www.oldtestamentor.com), the Old Testament in particular is one of the grandest works of religious literature that deserves far more attention and comprehension than it receives in the modern world.

“As we consider life in our modern age, it is readily apparent that the Old Testament has influenced the history and literature of the Judeo-Christian world more than any other book ever written,” Greenwood said. “It contains the stories, the traditions, and the truths that countless generations of parents have handed down to their children and that have been preached with great power from many pulpits.”

However, according to recent polls, Americans' knowledge of the Bible is woefully lacking. Although Gallup found that 60% of Americans read the Bible occasionally, most cannot name even one author of the four Gospels. Harpers magazine found that 12% of Americans thought Joan of Ark was the wife of Noah.

“God helps those who help themselves.” It was Benjamin Franklin who coined the phrase, but three-quarters of Americans believe it comes from the Bible, according to Boston University Professor of religion, Stephen Pothero. His book on religious literacy promotes a fresh effort at biblical education. Even Jay Leno, in his admittedly non-scientific man-on-the-street interviews, found almost no one who had heard of Cain and Abel or Sodom and Gomorrah. Several people thought Eve had been created from an apple or that there were twelve commandments. George Gallup once summed up that America is simultaneously a religious nation and a nation of religious illiterates.

A 2006 study by the Bible Literacy Project concluded that there is universal need for public school training in Bible knowledge. Project author, Dr. M. Wachlin's, survey of college professors found overwhelming agreement “that a lack of basic Bible literacy hampers students' ability to understand both classics and contemporary work.” Erosion of Bible literacy “in the last three or four decades has put much of Western literature beyond the reach of many readers,” adds Professor David Jeffrey of Baylor University.

Greenwood's response to a world woefully lacking in an understanding of the Old Testament was his new book, I Will Make Thee A Great Nation. In it, he has arranged the stories of the Old Testament in a chronological order and made them more accessible to a modern world. When the Bible was written, the general population's attention span did not revolve around eight minutes, and then a commercial break. It was written and arranged in accordance with the parlance of the times, but Greenwood acknowledges that times have changed, and if the stories and lessons and faith of the Old Testament are going to resonate thousands of years past its first publication, it needs to be more palatable to the way people read and absorb information in the world today. ]]> http://www.populate.net/Religion_and_Spirituality/why-are-some-women-wearing-a-tallit.html http://www.populate.net/Religion_and_Spirituality/why-are-some-women-wearing-a-tallit.html Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:26:34 -0800 Many people are asking "Tallit for women! Why?" within the Progressive movement and the Conservative movement today. In one sense this is a straightforward question about women's tallit; in another sense it is extremely complex.

People ask "why?" for many different reasons: simply because they are curious; because they are bewildered; because they are astonished; because they are bemused; because they are angry ... This article attempts in some small way to respond to all these "why's" - and the individual men and women asking them - by presenting the personal accounts of some of the different women who are now wearing a tallit.

The question "what does tradition have to say?" is both more and less complicated than the question "why?" Less complicated, because it addresses the issue of the halachah governing the performance of Jewish ritual; more complicated, because for the ‘Progressive and Conservative' Jews, the received halachah is not the only guideline for working out our contemporary Jewish practice.

By documenting the ‘sources', this article ‘answers' the questions of what ‘tradition' has to say about women's Tallit. But how do Progressive and Conservative Jews respond to that tradition? Clearly, by taking the step of wearing a tallit for morning prayer on a regular basis, women are directly confronting the issue of the performance of mitzvot on the part of Progressive Jews.

Women and the mitzva of wearing Tallit

By tradition there are 613 mitzvot in the Torah, and these have been enumerated and elucidated by the rabbis of the Mishnah, Talmud and Codes. The 613 have been divided into mitzvot aseh (positive commandments) - commandments which say "You shall ..." - and mitzvot lo aseh (negative commandments) - commandments which say "You shall not ..." Originally it was believed that all Jews were obligated to carry out all of the commandments.

However, by the time of the Mishnah, a tradition was developing which sought to limit the obligations of women regarding the mitzvot. In the Talmud, tractate Kiddushin (29a) we read:

"All positive mitzvot which are timebound (that is, which need to be performed within certain time boundaries, whether of a day, a week or a season), men are obligated with regard to them but women are exempt. However, all positive commandments which are not timebound, both men and women are obligated to fulfil them. All negative mitzvot, whether or not timebound, both men and women are obligated to fulfil them."

This is then debated by the rabbis (Kiddushin 34a):

"Our rabbis taught: which are the mitzvot which are positive and limited by time? Sukkah and lulav (dwelling in a sukkah and shaking the lulav), hearing the shofar, and (wearing) tzitzit and tefillin ... But is this a kelal (general principle)? (Eating) matzah, rejoicing (on the festivals) and assembling (for the Shalosh Regalim) are positive, timebound mitzvot and women are obligated in them. Furthermore, study of Torah, procreation and the redemption of the first-born are not positive, timebound mitzvot but women are exempt from them ..."

The rabbis were clearly aware of the contradictions in their case although they eventually arrived at a means of maintaining their general principle (that is, that women are exempt from all timebound, positive mitzvot). Despite the exceptions to this rule, it is obvious that the position of women in ritual was initially a fluid one.

Tzila Amihud owns tallit for woman website that offer handmade silk tallitot made in Israel for women.
]]> http://www.populate.net/Religion_and_Spirituality/no-god-messages-for-buses.html http://www.populate.net/Religion_and_Spirituality/no-god-messages-for-buses.html Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700