Heart of the World

This is quite possibly, even certainly, true. Then look to the world. Then look to yourself. Then look back at the world. Then allow for the realisation that this is not a statement of massive privilege, favour and honour, but a conferment of vast responsibility, accountability and expectation.
This is a job description, not a first prize.
How’s the job coming along? Reply

Why “they”, why not “we”? Reply

YoBo's two cents I see nothing arrogant in the statement. As an African American woman, allow me to flip the script. I can do this without being labeled racist. I live in a community with one of the highest crime rates in the nation and the only reason i have a 90221 zip code is because I became my parents' full time caregiver. Fortunately, I come from a family which stressed the value of education. We are one of the few Black families which can trace its roots back at least 8-10 generations. Our families (plural) still own land purchased legally after the emancipation Proclamation. Now, allow me to get to my point. Every major US city with a high concentration of people who look like me tends to have high crime rate, high drop out rate, high abortion rate, high STD rate, highest incarceration rate, and the only thing lowest are literacy scores. I pray for the day when Black people are healthy and whole as a people for then the world will be healthy and whole as a world.

Make sense now, eh? Reply

I know several re-born Christians (a little over the top in their zeal) who have told me Jews are to be protected, that they are vital to the survival of humankind. Then they knock themselves out to convert me!
I do agree that we have a wonderful and thoroughly mysterious element of the Divine presence of G-d in us. And while disagreeing with most of what Dr. Rubenstein says, I do feel there is a jealousy and envy that non-Jews possess and express subtly or freely.
But that is not what the Daily Dose is about. Because we have the potential for the presence of G-d within us, it is no good unless we actively engage in Tikkun Olam with our own, individual gifts. We are small in number, but we can do so much...
Thank you for your presence in my daily life. Reply

daily dose I just love you guys you have helped me through a very hard time which I am going through, still you're writings and verses of the day are what I need thank you. Reply

What kind of humility is that ? I always thought Judaism emphasizes the great importance of humility.
Is that an expression of humility this nice daily dose ?
If that's true, maybe now we know why human history has been such a mess so far ...? Reply

I am very saddened to read the comments here, and the "Dose" itself. Dr. Rubinstein, shame on you, and to the others, who do you think you are. And to the author, you seem to me to be much too full of yourself.

When I hear Jews speaking this way, I see people who need to feel special and apart. But I believe that G-d commands us to throw our energies at making our "selves" as small as possible and, in the morning, when we say Modeh Ani, to dedicate ourselves to rid ourselves of ourselves.

Think about this, please. Reply

Inherited Jewish DNA Most of the DNA a person inherits comes from the Father's side. This is a biological fact and is why I am a Reform Jew of Patrilineal Lineage--my lineage is on my father's side, and I have much of my father's DNA inherited. Reply

I have to disagree with Mr. Tzvi Freeman.
Our Adonai is one to all humanity.
Including the Jews. Reply

Heart of the World Absolutely personal statement as I am a foreigner from the far end of the world being Vietnamese I did not know any real Jew growing up. Then I thought they were just people of a long ago past, did not exist anymore: that how ignorant I was! By the grace of our G-d and I believe part of what He does during these days that I read your condensation and know enough to agree wholeheartedly with the wisdom of Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory. Reply

Heart of the World This was so moving for me that I almost wept...its amazing to me that its true that we are the smallest minority and yet if we stay healthy both mentally and physically the world will be a better place for all...how does that work I'll never know but it is true and I know you are right...it is so beautiful to be a Jew and to be able to help others and be a part of a life force and live... Reply

Heart of the world "Hormones, vitamins, chromosomes, etc., make up only a minuscule portion of the body
-yet they are the most crucial elements of life."

I am unable to comprehend the connection with your above verse and the one below. Kindly elaborate. Thank you.

"Jews are the smallest minority of all the peoples of the world
-yet they are the most vital element of history."

Kindly explain the connection with Reply

gays work harder you are entitled to your opinion on that matter, however, mine is that they work harder bc they feel they have to prove themselves to be normal contributing citizens of 'moral' worth. Reply

Canary as a warning of danger. Henrietta,

I think you have it exactly correct.

Very best wishes, Reply

For Henriette & David As you are both entitled to your opinions, I am also entiltled to share my own. As a cardiac surgeon who has returned to Judaism, in large part due to this wonderful website and my local Chabad shliach, I can say that I am blessed to see the hand of G-d in my work each day, probably more than I would in most other professions. We Jews are the only humans, and creations for that matter, on Earth that as it's written in the Tanya, have an actual part of G-d within us. The non-Jews feel that, and it's their jealousy that causes anti-Semitism. But absolutely nothing and no one can hurt us if it's not G-d's will. We have to do what G-d asks of us, and He'll take care of our safety.

Homosexuality is one of the biggest sins in the Torah. Although gays can be wondeful people, they are committing a terrible sin which drags down their beautiful souls. In addition, anyone in a healthy state of mind cannot help but be repulsed by this unnatural, disgusting act that goes contrary to G-d's will. Reply

When the Jews are OK, so is the world; when NOT... Working hard is fine. Basically, if we are able to do our work, we are OK and the world is OK.

But the other side of the picture is, when the Jews are in trouble, the world is in trouble.

THAT is where we serve as the canary. Reply

The Health of Cities -- and Societies There's been a study, and I'm sorry I don't have it handy, that shows that the wealth of societies goes up proportionately as there are Jews ad gays in their cities.

Gay people, both male and female, tend, at least in my experience, to be creative (as well as being decent, non-criminal, friendly and intelligent) so their net contribution to the commonweal is pretty obvious.

What, then, of us Jews, so pale by comparison? Well, we save. I picked up two pieces of garbage on the street this morning. My daughter tells the teachers how they ought to run their school...

But maybe there's a less romantic aspect to all of this -- canary in the coal mine? Canary schmanary.

I think it may be the fact that we work harder than anybody else. Reply

Another way to say it Your conclusion is good. But there is another way to reach that conclusion without, please forgive me, sounding so arrogant about ourselves.

We are small and vulnerable and we have been chosen by the world as its scapegoat. If nobody is bothering us, it's because nobody is bothered, but if we are the only ones being bothered, the others should watch out, because we won't be the only ones.

We are the metaphoric canary in the coal mine. We, being vulnerable, succumb to the metaphoric poisonous gases more quickly, warning the others that something is wrong and they would do well to stop and look around and get out of the situation *the coal mine) while they can. Reply