Just Act Naturally

I am years late in reading this but see it from another perspective. The mitzvahs assist in providing a foundation for growth in spiritual consciousness and oneness with the infinite consciousness. Trying to consider concepts above a animal level without a mental foundation or framework is a path to personal loss. The wise of all religions have attempted to provide the framework in their doctrine and structure.
When one is looking out at the world(s) from within a framework of Jewish, Christian or other consciousness then that group state or the individuals concept of the state may reflex some thoughts that color the scene however may not reflex the concepts in their pure form.
I am very fond of Rebbe Freeman's written concepts and do not feel he is not inclusive of all within his. When he is addressing a Jewish only audience his structure and language may change somewhat to better communicate and it is appropriate. Reply

To Edson 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. Reply

About what Mark posted 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. Reply

To Cecilia on rats and the maze I didn't know there was such an alternative to Jewish people naturally feeling inclined towards keeping the Torah. Reply

How rare 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. Reply

Psst. I am Jewish cecilia. 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. Reply

Re: Mitzvahs Mark, have a look at the "Getting rid of Chametz" pages. Shalom. Reply

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

Psst. I'm not Jewish too, Mark 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. Reply

Mark 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? Reply

Mitzvahs 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. Reply

Pedido........ Moshiach Now!!!!!!!! Reply

The rats and the maze There was an experiment performed on rats to prove genetic programming.

The maternal and paternal rats where required to go through a series of mazes to get to their food supply.

The offspring of these rats went through the mazes faster than their parents.

It's true that since the Jewish people have done the mitzvahs for so long, it has become hardwired in the brain.
The Torah seems to (me to) be alluding to this process of Knowledge becoming Form. Much of the mitzvahs encourage the utilization of the outer frontal brain which is more altruistic than the primal inner brain. In time, altruism became the norm, not just to the Jewish people but to the global culture. Much of these things weren't norm back then. It is not the norm to torture a slave or even have one or use your own offspring for sex now, whereas in the olden days, it was pretty much an everyday thing.

Human Rights and Legal Justice historically was born out of the practice of Judaic mitzvahs. This is a fact. Reply

the mitzvah is a mitzvah defined as something that we do for others, or just those things that we do to promote our own holiness? perhaps wrongly, i interpret the act of mitzvah as going out of ourselves to assist another human. the keeping of the dietary rules, is merely something that we do to further our own spirituality. i welcome an explanation or rebuttal. thank you, rabbi, for EVERYTHING that you do. Reply

Mitzva I do not agree . Universal statements are always wrong including this one. Some Jews may perform a Mitzva because G-d asks for this act in His Torah, however, not everyone is listening or I am associating with none observant Jews. Reply

Mitzvahs I wish I could say that were true, but I don't find anything natural about doing mitzvahs, except those that are based in simple human kindness, like giving charity or helping someone who is floundering. Reply

Mitzvahs What is a mitzvah? Reply