Why Are We Selfish?

My mom came to America in 1920 with her mother and 3 siblings - her father left earlier with the two eldest - boys. Later he sent for his wife and the other 4 children, my mother was the youngest. (I am the baby of the baby)

They kept kosher - and all did well financially - but my mom was the only one who got divorced and my father never gave financial support and we rarely saw him.

My mom worked 2-3 jobs - was ashamed to tell her parents that she was divorced. I married a man born in Warsaw - came in 1938 wearing tstsi - we got divorced after 2 children - he showed himself to be anti-Semitic Jew! 2nd husband & I joined a Reform synagogue & he was learning Hebrew & enjoyed synagogue; raised in a stressful 'home' by two anti-Semitic parents, he worked hard on himself & was a total mensch. We both knew how to give to each as well as to others. Just as my mom taught my brother & me. BUT my son hates religion & my daughter became Catholic-both shun me. In my mid-80s I am solo & ok. Reply

That was an awesome and Divine teaching. Thank you. Reply

Bellybuttons I find the notion of whether Adam and Eve had bellybuttons to be fascinating. Being that they are created by G-d, a navel would seem superfluous. But then each of us is created in the Divine Image. And WE have bellybuttons. So does G-d?

I understand the practice of navel gazing as an aid to meditation. It takes me to the source of my personal physical existence and connects me in a direct line (cord) back to Adam and Eve. And with the cutting of the cord, I am separated from my Mother's heart and become dependent on my own. As such, I am brought into plurality and must find my way back to the One G-d.

So did Adam and Eve have bellybuttons? Reply

Children To raise the children right, first you have to behave normal, to show the right example to the children. Reply

re: Did Adam have a belly button This questioner is what is so wrong with today's society, especially those who are ensnared with the "keep up with the Joneses" mentaility.

Today, too many people have done their children more harm by giving them everything they have every wanted and didn't stop to think that they were teaching them to be selfish. That's why we teach our children from the time that they can talk to say thank you and please.

This leads to the thought process that leads those children into selfishness and in fact keeps them from the joy of giving, which is so much a part of Judaism.

Too many parents try to be their childrens' friends instead of first being their parent above all.

My advice would be to sit the children down and explain how things will be different. And stick to the statement "if you don't show me respect, then I cannot reward that behavior." Reply

I think we are afraid of our children. Afraid that they will not love us if we ask them to help us or themselves.
When we ask our children for help or to help themselves we need to know and trust that we are teaching them and they will love us for giving them the opportunities to be a better person, eventually if we have done our jobs right :)
We need to take pride that we are raising children that are NOT ONLY very intelligent but that are open, receptive and caring to all human beings! especially their mothers! ha! Reply

Why Are We Selfish It is unfortunate to say in the least we have become a society of ourselves as number one. We go to therapist who tell us we owe nothing to the wonderful souls who sacrificed their hearts, love, endless hours, finaces, and support. If we see an elderly person struggling to open a door - do we assist them or do we get angry because they are in are way and holding us up? We warehouse our parents and relive our guilt. Should a parent be less giving? No. A parent guides their children through Torah and must hope they have learned. Reply