The Image

By and large, we do our best to limit our share of taxes. No problem. It's human nature.

Problems arise when Warren Buffet exclaims that the tax loopholes for corporations and the wealthy are ludicrous. He pays a couple thousand on millions in profit. Legalized theft.

Cut to Greece. They have a residential swimming pool tax. There are 60,000 such pools. The rich have the pools. 300 pay the tax. It is estimated that the Greek underground economy robs 25 % of taxes owed.Italy figures 22 % Spain-20 %. USA - 7 %. The European problem did not happen overnight. The main excuse given for tax evasion is the extravagances and corruption of government, bridges to nowhere, waste. It's an ingrained system, an addiction. Greece was rewarded with a 50 % reduction on its debt.

The Greek president may be gone, but he made his citizens look in the mirror. You think that they will change ?

Forget taxes. Every negative behavior is some form of theft/narcotic. It would be nice to see a change.

Thank you Rabbi
For your message I t was so well said That I send it to a person that I thought that he need to read this.message . maybe he will turn his heart around and learn how to forgive another !
I enjoy each time and look forward to another one may G-D Bless and keep you !

Wow, loved this one. Straight to the point!

Have a hard time being "forgiving" when it comes to our countries political leaders behaviors, greed and lack of concern for the citizens of America.

So, I will print this out and read and absorb as often as possible so I can continue to be loving and forgiving to the majority of those I interact with on a daily basis. Sometimes, it is difficult to be forgiving to those who hurt our hearts, act abusively and let the chips fall where they may! We always can change so let that be the battlecry!

Lately I am reading a ton about empathy and forgiveness and loving your neighbor. However I see so many villains in our world. And a few people who go from good to less than good, and bad to worse. And yes I see people go from great to greater.

The ideal presented here is beautifully uplifting and I mean that. I observe more of a downward slope in reality. Maybe I am jaundiced, the slide probably evens out.

This sounds indeed beautiful, but what about the Souls who experienced the holocaust and other countless similar tragedies... This wisdom would imply that they (who experienced these tragedies) have treated other human beings the way they were treated ...(G-d forbid) ???! How can that be ....???

Every time I read the daily posting based on the wisdom of Rabbi Schneerson (of blessed memory) I am blown-away by the relevance of the statement, and how easy it is to understand! As someone who sadly doesn't know Hebrew, and who only touched on Talmudic teachings (by reading on my own, as an adult; long after my confirmation, at Shevuot, 5722. I'm just thrilled to learn something new every day, and to be able to understand the "lesson" of the words. I've never stopped my learning, and I come from a family that has been part of the Reform movement for a number of generations now. But don't mistake it for being "Judaism Lite" as some say in criticizing our existence. It's one of the reasons I enjoy these daily postings: My Judaism is a "living, breathing and RELEVANT part of my life! So these daily teachings (along with my other extensive reading and seminars) are (and always will be) an important part of my daily meditations and actions, especially when it comes to Tikkun Olam!

Thanks - I needed this reminder today....

outstanding. enlightening. fantastic.

I feel I totally fail in this subject. As much I trust G-d I also know how.we all fall short of His glory and am more familiar with our negative side. So honestly I think I do not have a very good image of myself nor most of everybody and mainly just hope for G-d's mercy in the mean time for all.

I really needed this one.