I Remember Charlie

charlieCharlie was a sincere convert to Judaism. He was a person of truth. He lived in Israel because he said that is our home. I had the privilege of knowing him when he was in the US.

It says in the Torah in several places our obligation to love the convert. I understand why.

It is a challenge to leave that which you grew up with and join a new nation, and a new set of values. Thus we are commanded to make the transition easier.

Many a time, a convert is a pioneer and a searcher of truth. What others accept as status quo, they question. They want answers and to find truth in their life. This is one thing I appreciated about Charlie. He wasn’t afraid to question values or society to arrive at truth. He once said he tried pleasures of the world but that he found no happiness there. He didn’t just experience life – but evaluated it to make sure it was proper, it was bringing him satisfaction and it was true.

It is not common that you find someone so sincere in the pursuit of truth and justice like Yeshayahu ben Avraham. When he learned that something was true, he was not satisfied as leaving it as an interesting concept to reflect upon, he took action to implement it into his life. He used go to the rabbi’s house, sometimes late at night, to discuss issues that were concerning him and to find out what the Torah says about it. He patiently asked questions until he was satisfied with the answers. He was willing to change, even if it was at times a challenge for him, if he felt it was the truth. There were times where the rabbi did suggest things that he could improve. He took it to heart and put the words into action.

He was a man that did what he could to improve the welfare of his fellow man. If there was a cause that he felt needed improvement, he tried to take action to correct the situation.

Charlie lived by the the Torah’s Philosophy of “what is hateful to you you should not do to others.”

Charles Coburn, also known as Charlie – was converted by a Beit Din Tzedek / a righteous Jewish Court of law. He was adamant at doing things right. Since he had a question about his first conversion, he made another one to assure that it was done according to Halacha / Jewish law.

He was a regular guy, in search of spirituality. He observed the Shabbat and kept kosher and lived according to Halacha. He was a regular guest for Shabbat meals at various families in the Jewish community.

In July of 2010 Charlie was riding his bicycle in West Springfield, Massachusetts when he experienced heart pains. The police brought him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The authorities there buried him in a public cemetery. Some individuals from the Jewish community arranged a disinterment to have him buried in a Jewish cemetery.

Charlie had great love for the land of Yisrael and a strong desire to live in Eretz Yisrael. He loved his fellow Jews and was a strong Advocate for the release of Jonathan Pollard and Gilad Shalit. He was an activist against parking in wheelchair ramps, idling engines, talking in shul / synagogue and making noise late at night when people are sleeping. He helped people in need and readily helped to complete minyanim (10 men for the prayer service).

Yeshayahu ben Avraham, z”l a Ger Tzedek – a sincere convert to Judaism – was niftar / died the 15 av 5770, He lived in Israel, Connecticut, Massachusets and New York. Before he retired, he was a bus driver. Apparantly because he loved to help people.

What Jewish People Believe – the Foundations of Judaism

MP900309698The foundations of Judaism are compiled by Maimonides.

Also known as the RaMBaM, an acronym for Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, he wrote a code of Jewish law called the Mishne Torah and many other commentaries on Torah. He explains that there are 13 Principles of Judaism :

1. That the Holy One, Blessed Be He exists & supervises
2. & that He is One
3. & that He has no body & no likeness of a body
4. & He was before anything from before
5. & that there is no worship except to Him
6. & He knows the thoughts of people
7. & the prophesy of Moses our teacher is true
8. & that he (Moses) is the master of all prophets
9. & that the Torah was given from Heaven
10. & that it [the Torah] will not change at any time, G-d forbid
11. & that G-d punishes evil & greatly rewards the good
12. & that the king Messiah will come
13. & that the dead will be resurrected in the future.

to decide to believe in Judaism you should answer the following:

1) Does it make more sense that G-d exists or not?
2) Did G-d Give a Law to People?
3) What is that Law?
4) Did G-d Change His Mind?

Here are answers:
1) Yes. It doesn’t make sense that the world came about by randomness.
2) Yes, A company wouldn’t offer a product without user instructions – even clothes have washing instructions.
3) The Torah is the only law that was given by G-d to an entire nation of millions of witnesses in the entire history of the world. Of the thousands of religions that exist, no other religion claims this fact. Almost all people agree that the Torah / the 5 Books of Moses was given by G-d to the Jewish People.
4) G-d said he will not abandon the covenant with the Jewish people. Also, does it make sense, that G-d, Omniscient and Omnipotent, with knowledge of all the past, present and future will change his mind. G-d knows all and knew that the Jews would keep the Torah till today. A person bets to win not to lose. G-d, knowing the past, present and future, put “His money” on the team (ie, the Jews) that he knew was going to win.

Abraham taught the world that anything that has a weakness cannot be god. Anything that can be destroyed, or can die – anything physical or spiritual – like an object, animal, tree or person – cannot be God.

The 13 Principles
http://www.aish.com/authors/104772434.html
Our Free Happiness Card Contains the 13 Principles

How Does One Find G-d?

Tall Green TreeMany ask variations of the questions: Can You Prove G-d Exists? How Do You Find G-d? How Can G-d Let …. Happen? They all stem from the search for meaning, the search for Spirituality, the search for G-d.

To find G-d you just have to search honestly and be logical. If you are searching truthfully you can take the example of Abraham, the forefather of Judaism to arrive at belief in G-d.

Abraham’s Search for G-d
Abraham — the one who “discovered” the true God was three years old when looking for Him. He reasoned that if the heavens and the earth exist, there must be a Creator.

In his age idolatry was rampant. How did he find G-d? His manner of determining who was the true G-d was to find a G-d without a weakness.

If there’s anything that is stronger than a supposed god, it cannot be the real God – because the supposed “god” has a weakness. Anything that has a weakness cannot be the true G-d.

To find out who is the true G-d, his train of reasoning was thus:
He thought: Is the Sun the real G-d?
He answered: No. He said to himself this cannot be because the sun set at night – the Sun has a weakness and cannot be G-d.
He thought: Is the moon the real G-d?
He answered: No. The moon disappeared in the morning – thus the moon has a weakness and cannot be G-d.
He thought: Are the clouds the real G-d?
He answered: No. They are dispersed by the wind – thus the clouds have a weakness and cannot be G-d.
etc.

Rejecting gods
There is an important point here. When Abraham saw that a God that he thought was a true God had a weakness — he rejected it as the true God. Thus, anything that has a weakness must not be G-d. Thus G-d is not an object, not a star, not a planet, not an animal, not a man (dead or alive), not anything physical, not anything spiritual.

If there is something that has a strength over a supposedly god — that thing that one thought was a God is not a God. A man dies. thus a man cannot be G-d. A cow dies. Thus it cannot be G-d. A rock can be crushed – thus it cannot be G-d. Only something that has no weaknesses can be G-d. All of these things can be destroyed. All have limitations. Thus all cannot be G-d.

True God
Abraham finally discovered the true G-d – the G-d of the Jews – Hash-m – that eventually took Abraham’s descendants – the Jewish People – out of Egypt and gave them the Torah. The only time G-d appeared to an entire nation in all History.

If one were to suppose that there were is more than one G-d — God forbid — that is not possible either because to be the true G-d. One must be able to destroy and not to be destroyed. If someone were to suppose that there is more than one God – one G-d would have to be stronger than the other — only one would be able to destroy and not be destroyed. Only that one would be the one and only true God. If he can be destroyed he cannot be the true G-d. If he cannot destroy something or prevent himself from being destroyed, he cannot be the true G-d.

Reward and Punishment
About reward and punishment – if a person was punished the second they transgressed or rewarded when they did good – there would be no Free will. Thus some reward and punishment is meted out after a person’s death.

Why G-d Does not Appear Today
G-d does not need to appear to people for people to know he exists. He appeared once in history to the entire Jewish nation – of millions of people – and gave them the Torah. No other people claim this fact. It is a fact just like George Washington was president of the US. Anyone who wants to believe in G-d can refer to that event. Just like a winner of a spelling bee doesn’t have to spell in front of anyone who asks them to prove that they won the spelling bee. They just have to show them the “Spelling Bee Winner” Certificate. In the Torah, G-d says he will never change his nation.

Laws to Follow
To receive a share in heaven, Gentiles have to follow the seven Noahide laws.
Jews have to believe in the 13 principles of the RAMBAM and observe the Torah commandments.

Seeing G-d in Life
G-d sends us messages each day. You meet someone. They ask you to come over for a Shabbat meal. Coincidence? To Come and Learn Torah? Happenstance? G-d sends his messages to us daily. We just have to be attuned to hear them.

G-d is Good
If we were to properly contemplate the good that we receive daily from G-d – we would not be able to thank one iota of all that he gives us, like: breath, life, existence, children, family, friends, money, activities, water, food, torah, spirituality, a chance to connect with him, a body, eyes, ears, health … you continue the list.

Prayer and Proof of G-d
Pray to the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – the G-d of the Jews and all the universe – and He will answer you. This is also one “proof” of His existence. Since He is all powerful, you can ask Him for anything you need. He has no limits to provide it for you. Keep in mind that he wants only your good.

Related Articles
Abraham and Healthy Spirituality
Who is G-d
Jews and Non-Jews
The 13 Principles of Judaism from the Rambam

17th of Tammuz – Start of Three Weeks Period in Jewish History

MP900309700Today is Shiva Assar BeTammuz (the 17th Day of the Month of Tammuz)
The five things that happened on this Day in Jewish History. This is why we fast

1. The First set of Tablets of the 10 Commandments were broken – due to the sin of the Golden Calf
2. The Walls of the City of Jerusalem were Breached in the battle against the Romans
3. A Sefer Torah was Burned by Apostemus
4. An Idol was Placed in the Beit Hamikdash / Holy Temple
5. The daily offering in the Beit Hamikdash was stopped

This starts the period of the three weeks where we observe certain aspects of mourning for the difficult occurrences.

One who mourns over Jerusalem will merit to see its rebuilding.

It should be rebuilt soon, in our days. Amen.

L’Chaim : Book on Guarding Your Health

Lchaim CoverBASED ON THE latest findings, Torah wisdom, and true stories, Dr. Shmuel Shields gives clear, user-friendly guidelines to be healthier, stronger, and more energized—and fulfill the mitzvah to “guard your health.” Meal plans, recipes, and practical takeaway tips make weight loss and healthy lifestyle changes a possible, achievable goal.

Get the facts on fats—and why we can’t live without them.
Find out why weight loss is all about portion and proportion.
Learn how to stay on track even on Shabbos and yom tov (have your kugel and eat it too!)
Boost your immunity and say good-bye to frequent colds and flu.
Get the scoop on carbs—the bad and the good.
Improve concentration by feeding your brain.
Learn ways to cope with stress.
Increase your energy and endurance levels.
And more!

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Why Do You Feel Good When You Recycle?

MP900341698There are two receptacles in the kitchen. One for tossing away and one for recycling. Throw in one – no fun. Throw in the other – you feel like you accomplish something.

why?

As mentioned in other posts – the person is composed of the body and soul. Your essence is your soul. When you please it you feel good. What pleases the soul? Doing the Mitzvot. Mitzvot are commandments from the Torah.

One of the Commandments is “Bal Tashchit.” – Do Not Waste. It includes refraining from unnecessary destruction and wasteful consumption (Maimonides – Kings 6:8,10).

When you recycle you accomplish this Mitzvah. Thus you feel good.

Here is someone who started a recycling program in Israel.

Green is Good.

The Plant Experiment: Speaking Nicely Makes Them Grow Better

Poppies in a MeadowWe tried the following experiment:
Take three seeds. Plant them, each in a different container. Speak nicely to one of them. Say nothing to the next. Speak harshly to Third.

Results of The Plant Experiment:

HARSH WORDS:
Plant Hardly Grows – Stayed In Ground. Grew Roots Downward

NO WORDS:
Plant Starts To Bud. Minimally Coming Out Of Ground

NICE WORDS/ POSITIVE / PLEASANT SPEECH:
Plant Buds. Comes Out Of Ground. Grows 2 Cm.
Grows 2 Cm Higher Than Others.

Speak Pleasantly To Plants To Make Them Grow

CONCLUSIONS:
If Plants Grow By Listening To Positive Speech – Even More So Should Humans.

Positive Speech Is Necessary For The Proper Development Of All Of Hash-M’s Creatures.

Kal Vachomer / A Fortiori – If We Need To Speak Nicely To Plants, Even More So Should We Speak Nicely TO And ABOUT Our Family, Friends & Brothers & Others.