Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Word of the Year
With the coming of the new year the folks at Merriam-Webster have announced the “Word of the Year” for 2011. I was not surprised by their choice- the word “pragmatic” topped their list of words that have been looked up on their on-line dictionary during the past year.
It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that “pragmatic” would get so much use during 2011. I believe it is a perfect representation of our mood- facing limited resources we have to prioritize how to spend our time and money. Learning to do more with less calls for a “pragmatic” state of mind! It has been a hard word to learn for many of us. It’s a lesson we wish that our government would learn too… less revenue means spending taxes dollars more wisely. “Pragmatic” also means addressing the differences between “want” and “need.” I can’t think of a word that could better describe the American psyche right now- after so many generations of enjoying luxury and “frivolous spending” we now have to think about being pragmatic. I think some of the lessons have been good and I hope that, when things turn around, we will remember some of the things that we have learned.
So yes, I agree; “pragmatic” is a perfect word to describe what we have all been thinking and saying in the year that has passed. It is, however, a word that bothers me as a Jew. Being pragmatic is a great way to approach some things but it is a terrible way to address some aspects of life. While Jews have shown they can be very pragmatic- making the best decisions possible in the most impossible of situations- we are the least pragmatic people in the world! Has there ever been anything about Jewish existence that was pragmatic? Face it, we are a nation of dreamers and we always will be! That has been the key to our role in the human drama. The first Jew in the world, Abraham, did not understand being pragmatic- he believed in a God you couldn’t see, he left his homeland and went on a journey without knowing where he was going, and finally came to a new land that God promised to the children that he did not yet have!
As a people we have witnessed the worst that humanity could create and yet we affirm our belief in the goodness of man. We have wandered from place to place but still believed in a homeland to which we would return. We have seen how much hatred can come into the world but we have never stopped believing in the power of love. With a resume like that we can hardly be called pragmatic! Pragmatism would have demanded that we abandon our beliefs and values but instead we have tried to reshape the world around them.
2011 was a year in which we learned to be pragmatic about many things but not everything! In 2012 keep dreaming big and believe in the least pragmatic premises of all time- the God of Israel, the Land of Israel, and the People of Israel.
With the coming of the new year the folks at Merriam-Webster have announced the “Word of the Year” for 2011. I was not surprised by their choice- the word “pragmatic” topped their list of words that have been looked up on their on-line dictionary during the past year.
It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that “pragmatic” would get so much use during 2011. I believe it is a perfect representation of our mood- facing limited resources we have to prioritize how to spend our time and money. Learning to do more with less calls for a “pragmatic” state of mind! It has been a hard word to learn for many of us. It’s a lesson we wish that our government would learn too… less revenue means spending taxes dollars more wisely. “Pragmatic” also means addressing the differences between “want” and “need.” I can’t think of a word that could better describe the American psyche right now- after so many generations of enjoying luxury and “frivolous spending” we now have to think about being pragmatic. I think some of the lessons have been good and I hope that, when things turn around, we will remember some of the things that we have learned.
So yes, I agree; “pragmatic” is a perfect word to describe what we have all been thinking and saying in the year that has passed. It is, however, a word that bothers me as a Jew. Being pragmatic is a great way to approach some things but it is a terrible way to address some aspects of life. While Jews have shown they can be very pragmatic- making the best decisions possible in the most impossible of situations- we are the least pragmatic people in the world! Has there ever been anything about Jewish existence that was pragmatic? Face it, we are a nation of dreamers and we always will be! That has been the key to our role in the human drama. The first Jew in the world, Abraham, did not understand being pragmatic- he believed in a God you couldn’t see, he left his homeland and went on a journey without knowing where he was going, and finally came to a new land that God promised to the children that he did not yet have!
As a people we have witnessed the worst that humanity could create and yet we affirm our belief in the goodness of man. We have wandered from place to place but still believed in a homeland to which we would return. We have seen how much hatred can come into the world but we have never stopped believing in the power of love. With a resume like that we can hardly be called pragmatic! Pragmatism would have demanded that we abandon our beliefs and values but instead we have tried to reshape the world around them.
2011 was a year in which we learned to be pragmatic about many things but not everything! In 2012 keep dreaming big and believe in the least pragmatic premises of all time- the God of Israel, the Land of Israel, and the People of Israel.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Eight Days of Decisions
We tend to think of Hanukah as a “fun little holiday” for children. Maybe that is a trap we fall into because we have allowed it to become so commercialized as “the Jewish Christmas.” Maybe it is because we have allowed Hanukah to become a bigger deal than it was ever meant to be. To me it is odd that a Jewish family would make a big deal out of Hanukah but do next to nothing to mark Rosh HaShanah or Pesach. I guess it is a matter of perspective and we have certainly, of late, lost all perspective on Hanukah! When we do focus on the message of the holiday we usually talk about the amazing military victory of the Maccabees, the miracle of the oil, or the lighting of the Hannukiyah.
This year I would ask you to consider Hanukah in one new way which, I believe, is very true to the spirit of the holiday. Hanukah does not mark the end of a struggle that was only political. It was a spiritual struggle. Antiochus called upon the Jews to make a decision- follow his religion or be punished, worship God or worship the personification of the empire. It seems many Jews were willing to compromise with this decree. There were those who were willing to embrace the Greek gods in order to make their lives easier. Had they prevailed Judaism would have been doomed and the Jews would have disappeared into the population of a vast empire.
There were, however, other voices. The Maccabees brought together those who refused to abandon their faith, their values, and their identity. I have no doubt that their decision was the hardest thing that they ever had to make. To oppose the emperor meant the risk of death. To fight him meant facing an enemy army of great superiority. Those who joined with the Maccabees did so at great risk and yet it was the only decision that they could make.
I believe this is the most inspiring aspect of Hanukah. We celebrate the bravery of a group of our ancestors who had to face a monumental decision: What does being Jewish mean to me? Is it only a label, one that can be discarded if need be? Is it something so deep that I refuse to live without it? Most of us are lucky enough not to have to face that question ourselves. What is incumbent upon us is to reflect on the courage of those who did face such a decision. When we celebrate Hanukah we celebrate the strength of their faith and the resolve of their decisions.
The world eats away at our souls in so many ways- it is hard to be a spiritual person when so much of our energy must be directed to our physical needs. It is hard to maintain the uniqueness of one’s Jewish identity when there is so much pressure to “be like everyone else.” Hanukah is the perfect time to think about the decisions you make to be Jewish. Trust me, you do have to decide, you have to make a conscious choice very often. Will you be a Maccabee or will you choose the easier path? Your life may not depend on the decision but your soul does.
If you want to give a loved one a great gift for Hanukah give them the gift of your decision- the miracle of Jewish life. We have to make decisions of all kinds every day. Make Hanukah eight days of making the right decisions.
We tend to think of Hanukah as a “fun little holiday” for children. Maybe that is a trap we fall into because we have allowed it to become so commercialized as “the Jewish Christmas.” Maybe it is because we have allowed Hanukah to become a bigger deal than it was ever meant to be. To me it is odd that a Jewish family would make a big deal out of Hanukah but do next to nothing to mark Rosh HaShanah or Pesach. I guess it is a matter of perspective and we have certainly, of late, lost all perspective on Hanukah! When we do focus on the message of the holiday we usually talk about the amazing military victory of the Maccabees, the miracle of the oil, or the lighting of the Hannukiyah.
This year I would ask you to consider Hanukah in one new way which, I believe, is very true to the spirit of the holiday. Hanukah does not mark the end of a struggle that was only political. It was a spiritual struggle. Antiochus called upon the Jews to make a decision- follow his religion or be punished, worship God or worship the personification of the empire. It seems many Jews were willing to compromise with this decree. There were those who were willing to embrace the Greek gods in order to make their lives easier. Had they prevailed Judaism would have been doomed and the Jews would have disappeared into the population of a vast empire.
There were, however, other voices. The Maccabees brought together those who refused to abandon their faith, their values, and their identity. I have no doubt that their decision was the hardest thing that they ever had to make. To oppose the emperor meant the risk of death. To fight him meant facing an enemy army of great superiority. Those who joined with the Maccabees did so at great risk and yet it was the only decision that they could make.
I believe this is the most inspiring aspect of Hanukah. We celebrate the bravery of a group of our ancestors who had to face a monumental decision: What does being Jewish mean to me? Is it only a label, one that can be discarded if need be? Is it something so deep that I refuse to live without it? Most of us are lucky enough not to have to face that question ourselves. What is incumbent upon us is to reflect on the courage of those who did face such a decision. When we celebrate Hanukah we celebrate the strength of their faith and the resolve of their decisions.
The world eats away at our souls in so many ways- it is hard to be a spiritual person when so much of our energy must be directed to our physical needs. It is hard to maintain the uniqueness of one’s Jewish identity when there is so much pressure to “be like everyone else.” Hanukah is the perfect time to think about the decisions you make to be Jewish. Trust me, you do have to decide, you have to make a conscious choice very often. Will you be a Maccabee or will you choose the easier path? Your life may not depend on the decision but your soul does.
If you want to give a loved one a great gift for Hanukah give them the gift of your decision- the miracle of Jewish life. We have to make decisions of all kinds every day. Make Hanukah eight days of making the right decisions.
Monday, December 12, 2011
The L'Chaim Show JLTV-- Looking Ahead
Watch for my upcoming interview wih Dr. Raanan Gissin on the L'Chaim Show. The show will soon move to Sunday evening- watch for details.
The 90 Million Dollar Internet
Most of us think of the internet as a wonderful tool. You can get information, send e-mails, go shopping, and a wealth of other daily chores. To be sure, the world-wide-web has changed our lives in many ways. We all know that with all the blessings come the “dark side” of the web- all the bad things that can happen on line. It is a mixed blessing but the flow of digital information has become a permanent part of our lives. While much of the future is unknown, one thing is for sure- the internet will be an even greater part of the lives of our children and grandchildren.
There is an important public debate that is taking place that may affect all of us eventually. Even if you are a casual or novice user of the internet, two bills before Congress are worthy of your attention. One is called the “Stop Online Piracy Act,” the other is called the “Protect IP Act.” Both bills have good reason for consideration. They both basically try to protect the rights of people who produce entertainment, movies, music, and books. The bills will try to prevent the on line piracy of these media- to prevent people from “pirating” them, i.e., creating digital versions that other people can get without paying.
At first glance this seems more than fair- it costs money to make a movie so why should someone be able to download it for free? On the surface these bills do nothing more than try to prevent people from stealing what “belongs” to someone else. Only fair, right? The stakes in this battle are very high. Estimates say that groups on both sides of the issue have spent more than 90 million dollars in lobbying for or against these bills. Why are groups so willing to spend so much money? For the entertainment industry the investment makes sense- spend a little, save a lot! People will have to pay for their music and movies. Why are other groups spending millions to oppose the bill? Are they a bunch of crooks who just want to steal music?
This brings us to the bigger issue- the control or restriction of the internet. The “net” is the most powerful weapon on the face of the earth. From “Occupy Wall Street” to the popular uprisings in the Arab world we have seen the new tool that moves, motivates, and unites people is their ability to communicate instantly. Those who oppose these bills worry that new restrictions will begin to eat away at the freedom of information and communication that we now enjoy. Their thinking is that “the internet does not need police.” While piracy is one of many abuses of the internet, some folks are very skeptical of regulations.
While these seem like small issues to many of us, what we decide now will dictate how we use the internet in the future and, while I don’t justify piracy, I would like to keep the internet a cyber-place without stoplights and parking tickets. Next time you are on line say “hi” to the grandkids for me!
This article appeared in the South Florida Jewish Journaland the Atlanta Jewish Times
Most of us think of the internet as a wonderful tool. You can get information, send e-mails, go shopping, and a wealth of other daily chores. To be sure, the world-wide-web has changed our lives in many ways. We all know that with all the blessings come the “dark side” of the web- all the bad things that can happen on line. It is a mixed blessing but the flow of digital information has become a permanent part of our lives. While much of the future is unknown, one thing is for sure- the internet will be an even greater part of the lives of our children and grandchildren.
There is an important public debate that is taking place that may affect all of us eventually. Even if you are a casual or novice user of the internet, two bills before Congress are worthy of your attention. One is called the “Stop Online Piracy Act,” the other is called the “Protect IP Act.” Both bills have good reason for consideration. They both basically try to protect the rights of people who produce entertainment, movies, music, and books. The bills will try to prevent the on line piracy of these media- to prevent people from “pirating” them, i.e., creating digital versions that other people can get without paying.
At first glance this seems more than fair- it costs money to make a movie so why should someone be able to download it for free? On the surface these bills do nothing more than try to prevent people from stealing what “belongs” to someone else. Only fair, right? The stakes in this battle are very high. Estimates say that groups on both sides of the issue have spent more than 90 million dollars in lobbying for or against these bills. Why are groups so willing to spend so much money? For the entertainment industry the investment makes sense- spend a little, save a lot! People will have to pay for their music and movies. Why are other groups spending millions to oppose the bill? Are they a bunch of crooks who just want to steal music?
This brings us to the bigger issue- the control or restriction of the internet. The “net” is the most powerful weapon on the face of the earth. From “Occupy Wall Street” to the popular uprisings in the Arab world we have seen the new tool that moves, motivates, and unites people is their ability to communicate instantly. Those who oppose these bills worry that new restrictions will begin to eat away at the freedom of information and communication that we now enjoy. Their thinking is that “the internet does not need police.” While piracy is one of many abuses of the internet, some folks are very skeptical of regulations.
While these seem like small issues to many of us, what we decide now will dictate how we use the internet in the future and, while I don’t justify piracy, I would like to keep the internet a cyber-place without stoplights and parking tickets. Next time you are on line say “hi” to the grandkids for me!
This article appeared in the South Florida Jewish Journaland the Atlanta Jewish Times
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Is Religion a Myth?
Well, the short answer is yes, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing! Oy! Why would the rabbi write something like that? The word “myth” has been on my mind because it is December already and the group known as “American Atheists” is up to its annual campaign to convince people that all religions are “myths” (although they misuse the word completely.) American Atheists has placed billboards in New Jersey (at the Lincoln Tunnel,) Ohio, and Florida to convince people that the celebration of Christmas is only the perpetuation of a myth (in this case meaning a falsehood.) Here in Ft. Lauderdale we will get to hear a lot about their efforts because the annual American Atheists convention will be held here this month.
When this group says that religion is a myth (they are targeting Christianity but would include any faith system that teaches that God exists) they mean that it is a lie, that any religion is false. They make their position very clear claiming that there is no God and, therefore, society, law, and morality should be based solely on humanistic, secular values. While I would defend their right to believe or disbelieve anything they want, I must reflect on the real meaning of the word “myth” and why the “myth” of religion is important to us all.
I believe that there is a God. There is only one God and all the fighting that we do is all about the various ways in which we choose to worship God. More importantly, I believe that Judaism is the proper way to worship God. That includes respecting people who worship differently or not at all. What of myth? Used properly, a “myth” is a sacred narrative. It tells us where we come from, how and why we got here, and where we should be going. Judaism starts with Abraham, the first individual who posited that God was a solitary unique being. Abraham entered into a special covenant with God and we are here to be a part of that “myth” because we affirm all that Abraham believed.
I am a Jew because I hold the “myth” of Judaism to be the very essence of what I believe to be true. This sacred story tells me that there is something that connects me to the past and the future and that the short little burst of light that represents my life is part of a much greater existence. My belief in God explains where that little light comes from and where it fits into this vast universe.
I actually worry about people like American Atheists. If they want to say that they live without myth they are the ones who are really practicing self-deception (a charge they would level against those who believe.) Their myth is one that they have to create- that man is the measure of all things- the final arbiter of good and evil. That’s a pretty scary proposition to me!
For Jews our “myth” is our sacred history- it is the story of our past and our future. It is the story of why we continue to bring a little more light to this dark world to this very day. Myth is the highest form of truth.
This article first appeared in the South Florida Jewish Journal
Well, the short answer is yes, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing! Oy! Why would the rabbi write something like that? The word “myth” has been on my mind because it is December already and the group known as “American Atheists” is up to its annual campaign to convince people that all religions are “myths” (although they misuse the word completely.) American Atheists has placed billboards in New Jersey (at the Lincoln Tunnel,) Ohio, and Florida to convince people that the celebration of Christmas is only the perpetuation of a myth (in this case meaning a falsehood.) Here in Ft. Lauderdale we will get to hear a lot about their efforts because the annual American Atheists convention will be held here this month.
When this group says that religion is a myth (they are targeting Christianity but would include any faith system that teaches that God exists) they mean that it is a lie, that any religion is false. They make their position very clear claiming that there is no God and, therefore, society, law, and morality should be based solely on humanistic, secular values. While I would defend their right to believe or disbelieve anything they want, I must reflect on the real meaning of the word “myth” and why the “myth” of religion is important to us all.
I believe that there is a God. There is only one God and all the fighting that we do is all about the various ways in which we choose to worship God. More importantly, I believe that Judaism is the proper way to worship God. That includes respecting people who worship differently or not at all. What of myth? Used properly, a “myth” is a sacred narrative. It tells us where we come from, how and why we got here, and where we should be going. Judaism starts with Abraham, the first individual who posited that God was a solitary unique being. Abraham entered into a special covenant with God and we are here to be a part of that “myth” because we affirm all that Abraham believed.
I am a Jew because I hold the “myth” of Judaism to be the very essence of what I believe to be true. This sacred story tells me that there is something that connects me to the past and the future and that the short little burst of light that represents my life is part of a much greater existence. My belief in God explains where that little light comes from and where it fits into this vast universe.
I actually worry about people like American Atheists. If they want to say that they live without myth they are the ones who are really practicing self-deception (a charge they would level against those who believe.) Their myth is one that they have to create- that man is the measure of all things- the final arbiter of good and evil. That’s a pretty scary proposition to me!
For Jews our “myth” is our sacred history- it is the story of our past and our future. It is the story of why we continue to bring a little more light to this dark world to this very day. Myth is the highest form of truth.
This article first appeared in the South Florida Jewish Journal
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