Just Act Naturally

Rabbi just sent out a daily dose entitled Illumination that answers this.

Most people do not understand Jewish pride because they do not have anything like it. When you are rooted deeply in history and connected to a sense of a special relationship with G-d that has gone on for aeons, you become endowed with a feeling of validity. A sense of special participation in something grander than your own life.

A non-jew normally does not have this deep sense of holistic identity. Your ethnicity, your religion, your habits are one and do not contradict. It is a reason to be envied and picked on. (Like pretty girls always get backstabbed by girls who want to be like them but can't)

A famous Rabbi once said, those who raise themselves up will be brought down and those who humble themselves will be raised up. That's good advice I think.

By telling these people that we are all one in G-d, you actually show that you are above them.

Is there any body that knows of an argument or an article on this site that could counter what Mark said. It's a real argument, I got myself some anti-semetic antagonists who were friends of some people that I met and told something similar to what is in this dailydose. (They antagnozied me each time I came back as well. It is rediciculous how ignorant people of this century could be). Cecilia pointed out that nazism was built on ideology based on superiority and that is a valid argument, nobody wants to go there. But there are some people who use oppiates inappropriately, should that mean medical patients who suffer pain should be denied medication? Of course with Jews it is not medication because it is impossible for it to be perscribed.

I didn't know there was such an alternative to Jewish people naturally feeling inclined towards keeping the Torah.

That totally changes the color of your post. Kosher seems to be working on you.

The term superiority threw me off. Racism is a global problem, it is not exclusive to the Jewish people. It's the primal brain at work. That was just my point. As for Rabbi Freeman, I've seen too much of his work to accurately say, he does not operate on the reptilian brain level.

Mark, G-d gave you a brain that utilizes the prefrontal cortex more, a part attributed to altruism. A habit that you and your ancestors have formed for generations obeying the 613 mitzvahs.

To see the universal humanity beneath the cultural differences is the Jewish People's gift to the world. (it is sad, that some are not honoring this) By preserving the Torah, the way you have, you keep alive this ancient blessing. With people like you, it is alive even more. G-d Bless you.

Hello Simon and cecelia,

G-d gave me the gift of a brain. I use it every day to glorify and sanctify His great name. And to be in this world and do my best to see it. This is what He expects of me. And of every human being, you included. Even though you're not Jewish.

I wish you abundant peace. Both of you and Tzvi and all those who seek honesty. I did not mean to offend. Just to push back against the hurt.

Mark, have a look at the "Getting rid of Chametz" pages. Shalom.

Thank you Tzvi Freeman for all your wisdom. You bring joy through your beautiful writings.

But I wanted to add this so much regarding the Mitzvahs!

There are many illogical Jewish Mitzvahs, like don't eat pork or don't wear clothes that combine wool with linen.

Well, pigs we now know, hosts many parasites that do not die when cooked. The Torah states they are unclean, and they are. Pork eaters have been found to have worms in their bloodstream!

As for wearing wool and linen. There is something about combining animal and plant materials that made me raise eyebrows. Wool and Hemp intervowen has increased conductivity. Hemp is not linen but it is a plant material. If you're wearing something with increased conductivity, more electricity goes through you. Not a good idea, right?

The mitzvahs seem to protect human genetic purity . (Have you heard of baby Jews born with crab-like hands?)
I don't know, Kosher did give us Jesus and Einstien.

The Jews have a basis for feeling superior but, that said, so did the Nazis. Superiority complex is humanity's curse.

You sound frustrated, however where do you see Tzvi Freeman saying in this meditation that jews are superior? I believe that is a seperate discussion and i'm sure if you pose it to "ask the Rabbi' he'll answer it.

Have you checked out honestreporting.com or some other media tracker to get a rounded view on Gaza and the palestinian conflict?

What a bunch of bunk. Every now and then Tzvi Freeman lets his misguided sense of superiority bubble up into view. If Jews are chosen, then they have a mission to perform the mitzvahs included in the Torah. Just to do them because that is their mandate. But this does not infer that they are superior to any non-Jew. G-d made us all and loves us all and has built the need to give and to receive into the psychological makeup of every human.

I look at the war in Gaza as an example of the dangers of such a sense of superiority, where Jews can see Palestinians as less than human and therefore it becomes justifiable to crush civilians underfoot without compassion.

What's happened to "Never Again" and acting as "a light unto the world."

Sad. So sad.