Love vs Hate

Love vs Hate
Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“There is one other fundamental difference between love and hate.  Love is always a refuge.  Hate is never a refuge.  Only a mentally sick person can find refuge in his hates.  But love is the enduring sanctuary of life.  Life may rob you of many things.  It often does.  But it can never bereave us of love itself.  That remains.”
-Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver, rabbinic leader, from a December 22, 1940, sermon.
As I look around the world I see a lot of hate. I see terrorist murdering innocent people. I see young people in gangs on the streets of our cities killing out of hate.
Hate has even entered the American presidential campaign. And it seems no one is standing up to it. Even those claiming to be born again Christians are not standing up forcefully and with conviction to the hateful comments.
We as a people no matter what our faith need to be calling out for love to be shown to all people.
The apostle Paul wrote what for me is the most definitive definition of love ever written when he wrote,

“Love is patient, love is kind.

 It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil 

but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.

 But the greatest of these is love.”  

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.

Jesus when asked,
 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  Matthew 22:36-38
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
Jesus was essentially restating what the book of Deuteronomy was saying,
“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”  Deuteronomy 6:5-7.
Are you doing this. Be we Christians, Jews, Muslims or of any other faith no one can deny that Love is fundamental to a life itself.
As Rabbi Silver put it,
  “Love is always a refuge.  Hate is never a refuge.  Only a mentally sick person can find refuge in his hates.”
Martin Luther King jr. said,
“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
We as a society need to be impressing this on our children. We need to telling our leaders, religious and political that is time to stop spewing hate in any form and showing love to all people unconditionally.
Please think about it.

A Just God

A Just God
Thomas Jefferson wrote,
“Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just.” Thomas Jefferson.
The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
I believe we all will have a lot to account for when we stand before God. And the more power we have the more we will have to answer for. The Talmud states,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?”  Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”The Talmud.
This not just a Jewish concept. Jesus told this parable,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:19-31.
God will one day judge the world. Whether you believe in Him or not.
C. S. Lewis said,
“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.” C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain.
If I am wrong about the existence of God and His righteous judgment then you have nothing to fear. If I am right and I firmly believe I am then the individual has a lot to fear.
I believe the more power we have in this world the more we will be held accountable for.
In the parable of Jesus I quoted above the rich man could have just as easily been a politician. A politician with the power to see that even the poorest in our society has enough to eat, a roof over their heads and good medical care. All basic human rights.
 Even our religious leaders should be calling on all people in power to do what is only right before God.
As individuals, we should be doing what we can to help those around us. We as individuals should be calling on our politicians to provide at the very least the necessities of life to all people.
We are our brothers keeper whether we like it or not.
The Talmud tells this story,
Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?”  He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.” The Talmud.
Question: Are you making this world a household of love?
When you stand before God what will he say about you and how you dealt with your fellow man?
Please think about it.

Your Actions

Your Actions
Jesus told this parable,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”    Luke 16:19-31.
Question how do you treat others? If you are an employer, do you pay your employees a living wage with good benefits?  Do you treat them with respect and dignity.
Jesus gave us a universal truth when He said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12.
I am a firm believer that God will one day bring every man and woman on this earth to account for their actions.
In the above parable Jesus points to the rich man who treated Lazarus badly. Didn’t seem to believe in God. If he did the rich man obviously didn’t believe the words of Ecclesiastes who said,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
The way I see it however whether you believe in God or not He still exists. C. S. Lewis states,
“We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade, the presence of God.” 
                                                                                   C.S. Lewis.
And I believe one day all men will have to give an account to God of their actions whether they believe in Him or not. We will have no choice,
I can imagine a scenario like the one described by the Talmud that states,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?”  Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
                                                                                         The Talmud.
What will you say to God?
Please think about it.

On Giving

On Giving

The Talmud tells these two stories
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?”  Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
                                                                                      The Talmud.
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?”  He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.”
                                                                             The Talmud.
We here in the western nations live in societies that have great wealth. At the same time there is a lot of poverty and need.
Question: what have you done lately to help the less fortunate around you?
Everyone can do something even if it’s just a simple act.
The Judaism has a concept called Tzedakah. It is a concept that I believe all people can understand and practice be they Jewish, Christians or of any other faith.
The following is as good an explanation of Tzedakah. It comes from a Jewish website. It explains,
“Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for acts that we call charity in English: giving assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes. However the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word “charity suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and the powerful for the benefit of he poor and needy.
The word “tzedakah” is derived form the Hebrew root Tzadei-dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness. In Judaism giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act, it is simply and act of righteousness, performance of a duty giving the poor their due.
The Obligation of Tzedakah
Giving to the poor is an obligation in Judaism, a duty that cannot be forsaken even by those who are themselves in need. Some sages have said that tzedakah is the highest of all commandments, equal to all of them combined, and that a person who does not perform tzedakah is equivalent to an idol worshipper. This is probably hyperbole, but it illustrates the importance ot tzedakah in Jewish thought. Tzedakah is one of the three acts that gain us forgiveness from our sins. The High Holiday liturgy repeated states that G-d has inscribed a judgement against all who have sinned, but teshuvah (repentance) tefila (prayer) and tzedakah can alleviate the decree.
According to Jewish law, we are requiered to give one-tenth of our income to the poor. This generally interpreted as one-tenth of our net income after payment of taxes. Taxes themselves do not fulfill our obligation to give tzedakah even though a significant proportion of tax revenues in America and many other countries are used to provide for the poor and needy. Those who are dependent on public assistance or living on the edge of subsistence my give less but must still give to the extent they are able; however, no person should give so much that he would become a public burden.
The obligation to perform tzedakah can be fulfilled by giving money to the poor, to health care institutions, to Synagogues or educational institutions. It can also be fulfilled by supporting your children beyond the age when you are legally required to, or supporting your parents in their old age. The obligation includes giving both to Jews and gentiles; contrary to popular belief, Jew do not just care for our own. Quite the contrary a study of reported in the Jewish journal indicated that Jewish ‘mega-donors’ (who give more than $10 million a year to charity found that only 6% if their mega-dollars went to specifically Jewish causes.
Judaism acknowledges that many people who ask for charity have no genuine need. In fact, the Talmud suggest that this is a good thing: if all people who asked for charity have no were in genuine Need we would be subjected to punishment for G-d for refusing anyone who asked. The existence of frauds diminishes our liability for failing to give to all who ask. Because we have some legitimate basis for doubting a beggar’s sincerity. It is permissible to investigate the legitimacy of charity before donating to it.
We have an obligation to avoid becoming in need of Tzedakah. A person should take any work available, even if he thinks it is beneath his dignity to avoid become a public charge.
However, if a person is truly in need and has no way of obtaining money on his own he should not feel embarrassed to accept tzedakah. No person should feel to proud to take money from others. In fact it is considered a transgression to refuse tzedakah. One source says that to make yourself suffer by refusing to accept tzedakah is equivalent to shedding your own blood.
Levels of Tzedakah
Certain kinds of tzedakah are considered more meritorious than others. The Talmud describes these different levels of tzedakah, and Rambam organized them into a list. The levels of charity from the least meritorious to the most meritorious, are: 

Giving begrudgingly

Giving less than you should, bu giving cheerfully,

Giving after being asked

Giving before being asked

Giving when you do not know the recipient’s identity, but the recipient knows yours

Giving when you know and the recipient’s identity, but the recipient doesn’t know yours.

Giving when neither party knows the other’s identity.

Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant. 

As Christians the above is something I know I can understand it lines up perfectly with Christian thought.
But even from a strictly human stand point tzedakah makes sense. I believe is something we should all be practising irrespective of your faith. It is the humane and right thing to do.
Please think about it.

A Universal Truth

A Universal Truth

“Love is patient, love is kind.

 It does not envy, it does not boast, 

it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,

 it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil 

but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                                                                 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
Love is a universal concept everyone I think can understand. Yet in our world today there seems to be less of it.
We only have to look at the events in any news cast to see how hatred seems to dominate the airwaves.
When an exceptional act of love or kindness is discovered it seems to be so unusual that it makes the news. Yet acts of love should permeate our society.
The fact that acts of violence are increasing shows we as a society are turning away from the ideals I believe God has laid in the hearts of all men.
Martin Luther King Jr. said, 
“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.”
                                                                                           Martin Luther King, Jr.
Anne Frank a young Jewish girl who hid from the Nazis in the occupied Netherlands during world war two wrote,
“Give of yourself, give as much as you can?  And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!  If everyone were to do this and not be as mean with a kindly word, then there would be much more justice and love in the world.  Give and you shall receive, much more than you would have ever thought possible.  Give, give again and again, don’t lose courage, keep it up and go on giving!  No one has ever become poor from giving!”    
                                                                      Anne Frank
Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver in 1940 said,
"There is one other fundamental difference between love and hate.  Love is always a refuge.  Hate is never a refuge.  Only a mentally sick person can find refuge in his hates.  But love is the enduring sanctuary of life.  Life may rob you of many things.  It often does.  But it can never bereave us of love itself.  That remains."
-Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver, rabbinic leader, from a December 22, 1940, sermon.
It is true only a mentally ill person can find refuge in hate.
Today when terrorists are spreading their hate around the world they fail to see that hate cannot win a single soul to their cause. It cannot conquer the world. Many men have tried and are now mentioned only in history books.
T. H White said,
“There was just such a man when I was young—an Austrian who invented a new way of life and convinced himself that he was the chap to make it work. He tried to impose his reformation by the sword, and plunged the civilized world into misery and chaos. But the thing which this fellow had overlooked, my friend, was that he had a predecessor in the reformation business, called Jesus Christ. Perhaps we may assume that Jesus knew as much as the Austrian did about saving people. But the odd thing is that Jesus did not turn the disciples into storm troopers, burn down the Temple at Jerusalem, and fix the blame on Pontius Pilate. On the contrary, he made it clear that the business of the philosopher was to make ideas available, and not to impose them on people.” 
                                                                                        T. H. White, The Once and Future King.
Even Napoleon Bonaparte who himself tried to conquer Europe said,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. 
Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel.  Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
                                                                                          Napoleon Bonaparte,
Jesus and His apostles literally turned their world upside down. Not by the sword but through the love of God.
To day around the world there are billions who follow the teachings of Christ and that number is increasing even in places where Christianity is being persecuted.
Christians are showing that through the Love of God, the Love of Christ, the world can be changed for the better one person at a time.
The writer of Proverbs said,
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 
Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” 
                                                                                                          Proverbs 3:3,4
Please think about it.

Only Love

Only Love

“Give of yourself, give as much as you can?  And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!  If everyone were to do this and not be as mean with a kindly word, then there would be much more justice and love in the world.  Give and you shall receive, much more than you would have ever thought possible.  Give, give again and again, don’t lose courage, keep it up and go on giving!  No one has ever become poor from giving!”                                                                                                                                                Anne Frank.
Sadly in many parts of the world today our kindness is lacking. Love seems to be nonexistent. Terrorist organizations are trying to impose their will by the sword. Killing anyone who does not agree with them or comply to their will.
T. H White wrote,
“There was just such a man when I was young—an Austrian who invented a new way of life and convinced himself that he was the chap to make it work. He tried to impose his reformation by the sword, and plunged the civilized world into misery and chaos. But the thing which this fellow had overlooked, my friend, was that he had a predecessor in the reformation business, called Jesus Christ. Perhaps we may assume that Jesus knew as much as the Austrian did about saving people. But the odd thing is that Jesus did not turn the disciples into storm troopers, burn down the Temple at Jerusalem, and fix the blame on Pontius Pilate. On the contrary, he made it clear that the business of the philosopher was to make ideas available, and not to impose them on people.” 
                                                                                                T. H. White, The Once and Future King.
No one can win the hearts of men by force. Dictators, Kings and terrorist for centuries have attempted to impose their will on people only to eventually become foot notes in history.
The only real way to win the hearts of people is through love. Napoleon Bonaparte former Emperor of France noted,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel.  Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
                                                                                                    Napoleon Bonaparte.
Jesus set the example of how one should live with ones fellow man when asked,
 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  
                                                                                           Matthew 22:36-40
He also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  
I f you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  
  And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”
  Matthew 5:43-47.
We are to Love those around us the apostle Paul defining pure love saying,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”  
                                                                                                              1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
Jesus said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” 
           Matthew 7:12.
Those who would wish to change the world need to look carefully at how they do it. Force of arms is never an option.
Only Love can truly change the hearts and minds of people.
Please think about it. 

You and the Poor

You and the Poor

Jesus tells this parable,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” 
                                                   Luke 16:19-31.
This parable is a warning to I believe rich and not so rich. It’s a warning to treat the poor respectfully.
There are a lot of wealthy people out there that are helping to poor Bill Gates, Warren Buffet just to mention two. There are over a hundred billionaires who have pledged to give away half their fortune before they die or upon death. These are honourable men.
The Jews have a concept called tzedakah. I got this brief explanation of Tzedakah from a Jewish website,
“The word “tzedakah” is derived form the Hebrew root Tzadei-dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness. In Judaism giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act, it is simply and act of righteousness, performance of a duty giving the poor their due....
The Obligation of Tzedakah
Giving to the poor is an obligation in Judaism, a duty that cannot be forsaken even by those who are themselves in need. Some sages have said that tzedakah is the highest of all commandments, equal to all of them combined, and that a person who does not perform tzedaka is equivalent to an idol worshipper. This is probably hyperbole, but it illustrates the importance of tzedakah in Jewish thought....
According to Jewish law, we are required to give one-tenth of our income to the poor. This generally interpreted as one-tenth of our net income after payment of taxes. Taxes themselves do not fulfill our obligation to give tzedakah even though a significant proportion of tax revenues in America and many other countries are used to provide for the poor and needy. Those who are dependent on public assistance or living on the edge of subsistence my give less but must still give to the extent they are able; however, no person should give so much that he would become a public burden...
The obligation to perform tzedakah can be fulfilled by giving money to the poor, to health care institutions, to Synagogues or educational institutions. It can also be fulfilled by supporting your children beyond the age when you are legally required to, or supporting your parents in their old age. The obligation includes giving both to Jews and gentiles;...”
Levels of Tzedakah
Certain kinds of tzedakah ar considered mor meritorious than others. The Talmud describes these different levels of tzedakah, and Rambam organized them into a list. The levels of charity from the least meritorious to the most meritorious, are: 

Giving begrudgingly

Giving less than you should, bu giving cheerfully,

Giving after being asked

Giving before being asked

Giving when you do not know the recipient’s identity, but the recipient knows yours

Giving when you know and the recipient’s identity, but the recipient doesn’t know yours.

Giving when neither party knows the other’s identity.

Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant. 

 As Christians and indeed anyone believer or not I think we need to consider the concept of tzedakah. It teaches us to show love in a tangible way to people.
The Talmud tells this story,
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?”  He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.”
                                                                                                            The Talmud.
Question: are you making the world a household of Love?
Please think about it.

You and the needy

You and the needy
Jesus said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” 
Matthew 7:12.
The Jews have a concept called Tzedakah. It is something I believe all people, Christian, Jew, or anyone for that matter should consider. The following is a brief explanation of Tzedakah from a Jewish website.
“Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for acts that we call charity in English: giving assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes. However the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word “charity suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and the powerful for the benefit of he poor and needy.
The word “tzedakah” is derived form the Hebrew root Tzadei-dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness. In Judaism giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act, it is simply and act of righteousness, performance of a duty giving the poor their due.”
The question I would ask you the reader do you treat others the way you want to be treated. Do you do your best to help the poor and needy in your community?
Jesus tells this parable.
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  
 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” 
                                                      Luke 16:19-31.
I believe we as human beings have a duty to help those who are in need as much as we can. It is a sacred trust God has given us.
The Talmud also tells this story,
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?”  
He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.”
                                             The Talmud.
As I write this it is the first week in January 2016. Not counting the millions of refugees that are streaming out of the war torn middle east, there are millions in the United States, Canada and the western countries of the world in need of food, clothing, and shelter and in the United States in particular decent affordable heath care.
The way I see it having enough food to eat, clothing, shelter and health care are basic human rights.
I believe it is up to both those of faith and those who do not believe to do what we can to see the everyone in our society has access to them.
It is time for those of us who can to reach out to those in need and to call on our governments to do more to help the needy.
Please think about it.

Honourably

Honourably

The writer of Ecclesiastes said,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
   Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
I believe it. I also believe God will ask us something similar to what the Talmud states,
"When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?”  Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
                                                                                                               The Talmud
God wants to hear from our own mouths the truth as to how we feel we dealt with our fellow man. Jesus tells this parable,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  
“At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” 
                                            Luke 16:19-31.
Today I would ask you when you stand before God will you be able to say you “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
If you are a business owner do you pay your employees a good living wage and benefits? To you do you best to even help them from time to time. An example would be allowing a parent to take time off to care for a sick child or family member.
If you are a politician do you do what is right for the individual in your constituency. Do you help pass legislation that specifically benefits the poorest in your constituency rather than simply pass tax breaks.
As an individual do you respect others and do what you can to help the poor and less fortunate in your community?
When you stand before God what will he say to you?
Please think about it.

Kindness & Love

Kindness & Love
Anne Frank wrote,
“Give of yourself, give as much as you can?  And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!  If everyone were to do this and not be as mean with a kindly word, then there would be much more justice and love in the world.  Give and you shall receive, much more than you would have ever thought possible.  Give, give again and again, don’t lose courage, keep it up and go on giving!  No one has ever become poor from giving!”                                                                                                                                                Anne Frank
Anne Frank was a young Jewish girl who hid from the Nazis in the Netherlands during world war two. She was eventually captured by the Nazis and died in a concentration camp.
Anne knew what it was to be hated simple because of who she was. She also understood kindness and love. The kindness and love of those who at their risk of their own life, hid her from the Nazis.
Our world is becoming a very harsh place. I listen to the leading Republican candidates saying they’ll get rid of all the illegal immigrants in the country. I hear various U.S. states saying they will not take in Syrian refugees.
I see nightly it seems on the news of police killing black men and others. People demonstrating against the legitimate rights of other people simply because of their sexual orientation.
Through all of this I ask where is the love?
Albert Einstein wrote,
“Not until the creation and maintenance of decent conditions of life for all men are recognized and accepted as a common obligation of all men and all countries—not until then shall we, with a certain degree of justification, be able to speak of mankind as civilized.”
                                                                                                                     Albert Einstein.
As I see it our society is becoming more and more secular. As it does it is becoming a much harsher place to live. Love seems to be absent or at least lost in the cacophony of sounds that make up our society.
The apostle Paul wrote what to me is the best definition of love ever written. He wrote,

“Love is patient, love is kind.

 It does not envy, it does not boast,

 it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs.

 Love does not delight in evil

 but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects,

 always trusts, 

always hopes,

 always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                                                                             1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
Our society will not change until people, individuals, see the need to love. We as individuals can change the world around us if we just show love to our neighbour.
While people may disagree with who Jesus is there is one truth that I would say that all people can agree with. When asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
                                                           Matthew 22:36-40
  Martin Luther King jr. said,
“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.”
                                                                                            Martin Luther King, Jr.
Please think about it.

A time to love

A Time for Love,

Martin Luther King Jr. Said,
“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.”
                                                                                               Martin Luther King, Jr.
At this writing the terrorist attacks that claimed 130 lives in Paris happened about two weeks ago. Currently there is a massive manhunt in France, Belgium and elsewhere. For others connected to the bombings and other terrorist activities.
One thing that impressed me through all of this was the French President. When asked if he would stop Syrian refugees from entering France he said no. That it was the right thing to continue to accept them.
Here in Canada the government has announced that Canada will take in 25,000 refugees ten thousand before Christmas and the balance by the end of February.
Contrast this to the United States while the president wants to take the refugees in state after state seems to be saying they will not.
Republican presidential candidates are sowing fear by saying the States should not bring in refugees or at least limit them to “Christians”.
It’s shades of what happened during World War two when country after country refused entry to Jews suffering Nazi persecution.
Western countries and particularly the United States who calls themselves bastions of freedom should in love be welcoming these people.
Be you a Christian or not it is only the right thing to do, to help the helpless.
The Jews have a term called “Tzedakah” I a Christian thinks is appropriate for this situation,
The following is as good an explanation of Tzedakah. It comes from a Jewish website,
“Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for acts that we call charity in English: giving assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes. However the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word “charity suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and the powerful for the benefit of he poor and needy.
The word “tzedakah” is derived form the Hebrew root Tzadei-dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness. In Judaism giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act, it is simply and act of righteousness, performance of a duty giving the poor their due.
Certain kinds of tzedakah are considered more meritorious than others. The Talmud describes these different levels of tzedakah, and Rambam (Jewish scholar) organized them into a list. The levels of charity from the least meritorious to the most meritorious, are: 

Giving begrudgingly

Giving less than you should, bu giving cheerfully,

Giving after being asked

Giving before being asked

Giving when you do not know the recipient’s identity, but the recipient knows yours

Giving when you know and the recipient’s identity, but the recipient doesn’t know yours.

Giving when neither party knows the other’s identity.

Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant. 

In New York harbour stands the Statue of Liberty. On it are these words by Emma Lazarus,
“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
                         Emma Lazarus.
If ever there was a time for these words to be put into action it is now.
We, people of all faiths and beliefs need to be calling on our governments to reach out in love and welcome those in need.
Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 
                                                             Matthew 22:36-40
        It is time to reach out to our neighbours in distress around the world in love and offer them a safe place for them to live.
Please think about it.

A Check list for Love

A check list for Love

“Love is patient,

 love is kind.

 It does not envy, 

it does not boast,

 it is not proud.  

It is not rude, 

it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs.

 Love does not delight in evil

 but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects,

 always trusts,

 always hopes, 

always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                                                                   1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8,13 to me is God’s checklist for love. Does the kind of love you have correspond to that list?
Do you put conditions on your love? Love with conditions is not love at all.
As I write this the Syrian refugee crisis is in full swing. The Paris terrorist attacks were just a week ago. And the President of France to his credit while politicians in the United States want to block refugees from entering the States, the President of France says France will continue to take them because quote, “it is the right thing to do”. France is showing the kind Love and compassion we all should be showing.
Christian and non-Christian alike I believe can understand the teachings of Jesus who said,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 
                                                                                                 Matthew 22:36-40.
Even people who do not believe in God can understand the need to show love to one’s fellow man.
Martin Luther King Jr. Said,
“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.”
                                                                                               Martin Luther King, Jr.
Many years ago while still in my teens I saw a movie called good by Mr. Chips the theme song of the move has stayed with me all my life its called In the morning of my life and it states,

In the Morning of My Life

In the morning of my life

I will look to the Sunrise

At a moment in my life 

When the world is new.

And the Question

I shall ask only God can answer.

Will I be brave and strong and true,

Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?

Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?

In the evening of my life

I will look to the sunset

At a moment in my life 

When my life is through.

And the question I shall ask only I can answer 

Was I brave and strong and true.

Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?

Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?

                                                                   From the Musical Good by Mr chips

At the end of your life will you be able to say you filled the world with love your whole life through. What will people say about you. What will God say.
Please think about it.

Do to others

Do to others

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” 
Matthew 7:12
A young Jewish girl Anne Frank hiding from the Nazis during world war two in the Netherlands wrote,
“Give of yourself, give as much as you can?  And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!  If everyone were to do this and not be as mean with a kindly word, then there would be much more justice and love in the world.  Give and you shall receive, much more than you would have ever thought possible.  Give, give again and again, don’t lose courage, keep it up and go on giving!  No one has ever become poor from giving!”                                                                                                                                                 Anne Frank.
What she wrote is true. If people in our society would learn to esteem others above themselves. To treat others as they would like to be treated then the world would be a better place.
Instead it seems like the world is becoming a more selfish place filled with hate.
I watched on the news a story about a young Palestinian teen who knifed an Israeli to death and was himself killed. The mother of the boy told reporters that he was a martyr for the Palestinian cause. The sad thing is she is not alone in believing that acts of violence are a justifiable way of getting what they want.
On a much larger scale terrorist are trying to use force of arms to get what they want.
My mother sat under the bombs of the Germans air force in England during world war two. She told me each bomb only made her and the people of Britain more determined to stand up to Hitler and the tyranny that was Naziism.
Attempting to get what you want through violence gets you nowhere.
Jesus set the example of how to conquer the world. Napoleon saying of Him,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
                                                                                                      Napoleon Bonaparte,
Jesus made things very clear when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 
                                                                                           Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  
    Matthew 5:43-46.
The apostle Paul made clear what true love is when he wrote,

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                                                                                        1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13
The apostle Paul also wrote,
“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”
                                                                                                                                    Romans 14:19 
This is the only way we can truly be free.
Please think about it.

Your Dealings

Your Dealings

The Talmud states,
When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?”  Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
                                                                                         The Talmud.
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” 
 Ecclesiastes12:13,14
I truly believe the above. Be we Christians or of other faiths dealing honourably and faithfully with your fellow man is simply the right thing to do.
We should not be showing favouritism to anyone. If we truly believe all men are created equal then we should treat all people the same.
Lately there has been a lot of screaming about a man in the states that bought the rights to an important drug and jacked the price up so high it makes it impossible for many people to buy it. This is not dealing honourably with one’s fellow man.
Many drug companies are attaching price tags to necessary drugs that are so high it potentially condemns people who could have lived or have a better life to death.
Governments are the same. In the United States they debate health care seemingly endlessly. Many in government refuse to grant universal health care to all their citizens.
While Canada’s health care system is infinitely better there are many necessary things that have to be paid for out of pocket. The government leaders saying its just too expensive to provide. And if they can’t afford it how do they expect the average citizen to afford it.
Again by not doing so they are condemning people to a lesser quality of life or potential death.
For the very poor and disabled in our society government programs and pensions don’t pay enough to put food on the table and keep a roof over the heads of people.
People go without meals in the richest countries of the world. While government leaders who are wealthy give themselves excellent pensions and benefits.
Shouldn’t everyone in a society where all are considered equal, have at the very least the same pensions and benefits our elected officials have?
The Talmud states this,
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?”  He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.”
                                                                                                              The Talmud
As a realist I know it’s hard to effect change. That brings true equality at least with respect to social programs to all, is it seems an impossible dream. Politicians do and say what they have to do to get into power. Then when in power they follow their own agenda.
I’d go as far as saying most politicians if not all lack any kind of faith in God. They definitely do not fear God. Still they will I believe one day have to answer to God.
The writer of Ecclesiastes stating.
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” 
 Ecclesiastes12:13,14 
If I am wrong those in power have no fear. However if I am right and I am certain I am they have a lot to fear.
Sadly however because those in power act not in the best interest of not only the poor, sick and needy, but in the best interest of all under them, many individuals will be hurt.
James the half brother of Christ wrote this,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” 
                                                                                                                 James 2:14-20.
I know James was writing to Christians but the truth is a universal one. Helping those in need to the best of ability is the humane thing to do. And those in power have a great deal of ability.
Please think about it.