Entering into privacy with a woman. Most rapes are between people who know each other. It starts with … WINK WINK …..

                                                              Article on Linkedin. 

 Knowledge is Power - G-dly Knowledge is SUPER POWER.

If a poor person were to tell you, “nothing better than being religious & spiritual and passing up on all the hedonism, fun and cruises”, you would be right to think, this guy don’t know what he’s talkin about.

Rabbi Chaim Ben Atar (1696 – 1743) known as “the Holy light of life” says the following. When the Israelites were worshiping the golden calf and Moses broke the two tablets, G-d granted Moses the remnants of the stone, which was a very expensive sapphire. As a result, Moses became the wealthiest person of his time. Moses had all the money in the world, and could purchase his way to do anything he desired.

Therefore there is much more believability to his statement. “(All of you, look at my wealth) I am presenting you today, the ways of the Torah (that I can attest to) are a blessing and a way to (a good and fulfilled) life, and the opposite, is (your choice to) a way of curse….”

King David said something similar when he said, “the Teachings (Torah) of your mouth, are better than, thousands of gold and silver, and King Solomon said regarding materialism, “Vanity of vanities it is all vain…”.

The following are the exact words from Maimonides (the Rambam’s) magnum opus, 14 volumes Yad Hachazaka – “The Mighty Hand”, on the subject of, secluding oneself with the opposite gender.

Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (1138-1204) Talmudist, codifier of Jewish Law, physician, philosopher and communal leader, known in the Jewish world by the acronym "Rambam" and to the world at large as "Maimonides," is one of the most important figures in the history of Torah scholarship. Rabbi Moshe knew very well the world we live in, its tests and challenges, and writes in his book of laws, based on G-ds eternal words in the Torah, the following.

 ===========================

Thoughts of forbidden relations grow strong solely

                                                  in a heart which is empty of wisdom.

....It is forbidden to enter into privacy with any of the “forbidden” woman, even if she is elderly or a young girl, for this leads to forbidden relations. [The only] exceptions are a woman and her son, a father and his daughter, and a husband with his wife who is in the menstrual state.

…… Therefore it is proper for a person to subjugate his natural inclination with regard to this matter and train himself in extra holiness, pure thought and proper character traits so that he will be guarded against them.

He should be very careful with regard to entering into privacy with a woman, for this is a great cause [of transgression]. Our great Sages would tell their students: "Watch me because of my daughter," "Watch me because of my daughter-in-law," so that they would teach their students not to be embarrassed about such matters and distance themselves from entering into privacy with women.

Similarly, a person should distance himself from levity, intoxication, and flirtation, for they are great precipitators and steps [leading] to forbidden relations.

………A man should not live without a wife, for this practice leads to great impurity. And [our Sages gave] even greater [advice], saying: "A person should always turn himself and his thoughts to the words of the Torah and expand his knowledge in wisdom, for the thoughts of forbidden relations grow strong solely in a heart which is empty of wisdom." And in [Solomon's words of] wisdom [Proverbs 5:19], it is written: "It is a beloved hind, arousing favor. Her breasts will satisfy you at all times. You shall be obsessed with her love."

Issurei Biah - Chapter Twenty Two

==========================================

Whoever shares physical intimacy with one of the forbidden relationships, without actually becoming involved in sexual relations, or embraces and kisses [one of them] out of desire, and derives pleasure from the physical contact should be lashed according to Scriptural Law. [This is derived from Leviticus 18:30 which] states: "To refrain from performing any of these abominable practices," and [ibid: 6 which] states: "Do not draw close to reveal nakedness." Implied is that we are (EVEN) forbidden to draw close to acts that lead to revealing nakedness.

A person who engages in any of the above mentioned practices is considered likely to engage in forbidden sexual relations.

It is forbidden for a person to make motions with his hands or feet or wink with his eyes to one of the forbidden relationships   to share mirth with her or to act frivolously with her.  It is even forbidden to smell her perfume or gaze at her beauty. A person who performs any of these actions intentionally should be given stripes for rebellious conduct.

A person who looks at even a small finger of a woman with the intent of deriving pleasure is considered unacceptable………...

Issurei Biah - Chapter Twenty One

ABORTION & EUTHANASIA & the severity of taking a life.

                                                                  Article on Linkedin.

Knowledge is Power -- G-dly Knowledge is Super Power.

Unfortunately, and mostly out of ignorance, many people take the consideration and decision regarding abortions, when to pull “the plug”, euthanasia etc. too lightly. Many do not realize, the incredible severity attached to these very complicated and serious questions and decisions.

This isn’t just a matter of women’s freedom, or alleviating a person from pain. There are some very grave and severe repercussions connected with taking the life of another human being.

The following are laws that come directly out of the words of Mishneh Torah – Yad Hachazakah, the “strong and firm hand” of the Rambam – Maimonides (1138 – 1204), the greatest codifier of biblical law.  It is for the reason of this “outstretched hand” the Jewish people were liberated from Egypt, and brought to the Land of Israel.

================================

Our Sages forbade many matters because they involve a threat to life. Whenever a person transgresses these guidelines, saying: "I will risk my life, what does this matter to others," or "I am not careful about these things," he should be punished by stripes for rebelliousness.

They include: A person should not place his mouth over a conduit through which water flows and drink. Nor should he drink at night from rivers and lakes, lest he swallow a leech without seeing.

Rotzeach uShmirat Nefesh - Chapter Eleven

====================================

It is forbidden for a person to injure anyone, neither his own self nor another person. Not only a person who causes an injury, but anyone who strikes in strife an upright Jewish person, whether a minor or an adult, whether a man or a woman, violates a negative commandment, as Deuteronomy 25:3 states: "Do not continue... to flog him." One may conclude that if the Torah adjures us against adding to the blows due a sinner, surely this prohibition applies with regard to striking a righteous person.

It is even forbidden to raise up one's hand against a colleague. Whoever raises a hand against a colleague, even though he does not hit him, is considered to be a wicked person.

.........Although the ((unintentional) killer has gained atonement, he should never return to a position of authority that he previously held. Instead, he should be diminished in stature for his entire life, because of this great calamity that he caused.

Rotzeach uShmirat Nefesh - Chapter Seven

=================================

A person in his death throes is considered as a living person with regard to all matters. We do not tie his cheek, stuff his orifices, nor do we place a metal utensil or a utensil that cools on his navel so that his body will not bloat. We do not anoint it or wash it or place it on sand or on salt until the person dies.

One who touches him is considered as shedding blood. To what can the matter be compared? To a candle that is flickering, were a person to touch it, it will be extinguished. Similarly, anyone who closes a dying person's eyes as his soul expires is considered as shedding blood. Instead, they should wait some lest he have fainted. Similarly, we do not rend our clothes because of him, uncover our shoulders, recite eulogies, or bring a coffin or shrouds into the house until the person dies.

Avel - Chapter 4

====================================

The court is enjoined not to accept ransom from the murderer to save him from execution. Even if he gave all the money in the world, and even if the blood redeemer was willing to forgive him he should be executed.

The rationale is that the soul of the victim is not the property of the blood redeemer, but the property of the Holy One, blessed be He. And He commanded, Numbers 35:31: "Do not accept ransom for the soul of a murderer."

There is nothing, the Torah warned so strongly against as murder, as Ibid: 33 states: "Do not pollute the land in which you live, for blood will pollute the land."

When a murderer kills willfully, he should not be killed by witnesses or observers until he is brought to court and sentenced to death, as implied by Numbers 35:12 "A murderer should not be put to death until he stands before the congregation in judgment."

Rotzeach uShmirat Nefesh - Chapter One

=============================

 A corpse does not impart ritual impurity until the person actually dies. Even if one's veins have been cut, or he is in his death-throes, even if his two vital signs have been slit, he does not impart ritual impurity until his soul expires, as ibid.:13 states: "The soul of a man who dies...."

Tum'at Met - Chapter 1

Hear Oh Israel -- He is ONE. .......

                                                                    Article on Linkedin

Knowledge is Power -- G-dly Knowledge is SUPER Power.

In the year 1939, during the bloody Bolshevik revolution and the subsequent Communist oppression, The Russians decided to take a census of their people. On the survey there was a question whether the individual believed in G-d. Many believing Jews were afraid to answer in the positive, as this might adversely affect them.

Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Schneerson, (1878 – 1944) rabbi of the Ukrainian city of Yekatrinoslav (known today as Dnepropetrovsk) father of our Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, got up in the synagogue and presented a fiery speech. “Whoever responded, he doesn’t believe in G-d, is considered (in the eyes of G-d)  a denier in G-d”. As a result of this speech, many went to the offices of the census and requested to change their answer they had already submitted.

This speech costed Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Schneerson quite a bit. Subsequently banished to exile in a remote village in Kazakhstan, this ultimately led to his untimely death.

When he was asked by the officers of the NKVD, how he dared encourage people to answer in the positive, he responded cleverly and with sharp wit. “Isn’t this in the interest of the government, that people answer honestly?”

The Talmud asks the question. What is the most powerful verse in the entire Bible. Three possibilities are offered. One of them is the verse, “Hear oh Israel, the Lord our G-d the Lord is One.”

If the Torah at large is considered the “wisdom and understanding of all nations in the world”, if the Torah is the medium through which “You are connected to G-d your G-d (and therefore) you (people) live eternally”. This verse, Hear oh Israel….., must contain within itself, the deepest amount of G-dly wisdom and understanding,  and the strongest most powerful means through which a person can become connected with Almighty G-d!

The Torah tells us, when the Jewish people went out to war, there was a special priest who would make an announcement of encouragement to the soldiers. One of the pronouncements he made was. Any soldier who expresses the “Shema Yisroel…..”, “Hear oh Israel…..”, every morning and night, this alone, generates merit to be victorious at war.

We read in the Torah, there were 6 cities of refuge that would protect a murderer from anyone who was out to avenge the death of the killer. Our sages tell us; these six cities translate spiritually into the six words of the SHEMA ISRAEL ADONAI ELOIHAINU ADONAI ECHAD. “Hear oh Israel, the Lord our G-d the Lord is One.”

The Rabbis are telling us. When someone says (and believes) these six words with concentration, they serve as a spiritual place where an  individual will be protected from the dangerous dark  forces that are out there ready to pounce and suck in, whoever is weak enough to be dragged down the pit of darkness and gloom.

So what exactly is the Shema Yisroel all about?

Rabbi Shlomo (1738-1792), Chassidic Rebbe in the town of Karlin, Russia (near Pinsk), was  granted the power of seeing all the wanderings of souls in their various incarnations, was accustomed to teach……

“A Jew must regularly thank G-d for all His kindness and good, and should constantly say, everything is good, and so it will be. Like a little child who boasts in front of his father, that his father is good hearted and merciful. Would a father ever want to argue and make the point that this is not the case?”

The Shema Yisroel, is passionately and strongly encouraging us to understand deeply and truly appreciate, and this takes much effort and concentration and study, that there is nothing else but G-d everywhere. Not just any G-d, but one G-d, indivisible, who is exactly the same everywhere, in his infinite qualities.

The name “Lord” in Hebrew represents the force which is bigger and higher than nature. The words “our G-d” in Hebrew, refers to the dimension of G-d that is personal inside each creation, according to its limitations, deserving and eligible boundaries.

The power in this statement which must be repeated twice every day by all men,  is the realization, awareness and actually being, in an intellectual and spiritual place, where a person sees in everything the greatness and goodness of G-d.

Actually living and being in this frame of mind is the frequency for all the strength there is in this most powerful verse.

You are invited to our classes where you are offered the tools and understanding that will guide you to this most secure and G-dly place, ".....G-d our G-d, G-d is One."

MAIMONIDES; on Proper Ethics & Values. It feels (IS) spiritual and good inside to do what's right

                                                              Article on Linkedin

Knowledge is Power      G-dly Knowledge is Super Power.

 

Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, Talmudist, Halachist, codifier of Jewish Law, physician, philosopher and communal leader, known in the world by the acronym "Rambam" and to the world at large as "Maimonides," is one of the most important figures in the history of Torah scholarship. On his gravestone were inscribed the words, "From Moses to Moses, none arose as Moses."

 

Rabbi Moshe was born in Cordoba, Spain, on the 14th of Nissan (the eve of Passover) of the year 4895 (1135 C.E.) - and passed away in Egypt, 1204. His father Maimon, was a direct descendant of King David, and he was a judge in the city's rabbinical court.

 

The following are the exact words from the Rambam’s magnum opus, 14 volume Yad Hachazaka - “The Mighty Hand”, on the subject of ETHICS & VALUES.

 

You can scan the highlighted bold words to get an idea of the pointers, and then, for more detailed information, read that entire paragraph.

 

Whenever the prevailing assumption is that an article is stolen, one is forbidden to purchase it. Similarly, if the majority of a particular substance is stolen, one is forbidden to purchase it. Therefore, one should not purchase wool, milk or kids from shepherds. This applies within a settled community. In the desert, by contrast, one may purchase milk and cheese from them.

 

To state the general principle: Whenever a shepherd sells an article that would be noticed by the owner, it may be purchased from the shepherd. If the owner would not notice it, it is assumed to be stolen and may not be purchased from the shepherd.

 

Genevah - Chapter Six - Laws 1 & 2.

=========================

 

The following rule applies. When a person gave money to a colleague to purchase landed property or movable property, and the colleague, left the person’s money in his domain, and went and purchased the object for himself, with his own money. The purchase he performed is (Valid) concluded; (AND) he is, however, considered to be a man of deceit.

 

Mechirah - Chapter Seven - Law 10.

====================

 

When a person agrees to a transaction with a verbal commitment alone, it is appropriate for him to keep his word even though he did not take any money at all, did not make a mark on the article he desired to purchase, nor leave security. (And legally the transaction is not considered executed.)

 

If either the seller or the purchaser retracts, although they are not liable to receive the adjuration mi shepara, (a curse for backing out of a deal) they are considered to be faithless, and the spirit of the Sages does not derive satisfaction from them.

 

Similarly, if a person promised to give a colleague a gift and failed to do so, he is considered to be faithless.

 

When does the above apply? With regard to a small gift, because the recipient will depend on the promise that he was given. With regard to a large gift, by contrast, the giver is not considered to be faithless if he retracts, because the recipient does not believe that he will give him these articles until he transfers ownership through a formal kinyan. (Act of commitment)

 

Mechirah - Chapter Seven- Law 8 & 9.

=======================================

 

The punishment for the person who uses false measures is greater than the punishment for licentious sexual behavior, for this is a sin between a person and his colleague, and this is a sin between a person and God.

 

Whoever denies the mitzvah (commandment) of just measures is considered as if he denied the exodus from Egypt, which is the first of God's commandments.

 

Conversely, one who accepts the mitzvah of just measures is considered as if he acknowledges the exodus from Egypt, which brought about all of God's commandments.

 

Genevah - Chapter Seven - Law 12.

==================================

 

One may not bury weights in salt so that their weight will be reduced, nor may one heat while measuring a liquid.

 

This applies even if the measure is very small, for the Torah was concerned with even the slightest deviation from an honest measure, as implied by the mention of a mesurah in Leviticus 19:35. A mesurah is a very tiny measure, merely a thirty-third of a log.

 

Geneva - Chapter 8 - Law 7

"Protected" - From the vices of the evil inclination !!

                                                                 Article on LinkedIn.

Knowledge is Power --- G-dly Knowledge is SUPER Power.

All commandments in the Torah, have a corresponding spiritual reality, that is always available and accessible, to perform the exact function, that its physical counterpart was intended and designed to accommodate.

We read in the Torah, if a person murdered or killed someone, there were 6 cities of refuge that would protect this person until his case was heard before Judges and/or as long as the High Priest was alive. If anyone attacked the murderer/killer while he was in these cities he would be culpable for his deed.

These six special cities were protection, from G-d, from the bad guy.

When a person sins against G-d he/she is essentially murdering or killing a portion of his/her own G-dliness within, the soul, that was whole and complete before the negative act was done. 

The evil animalistic tendencies within, is permanently seeking materialistic persuasions to entrap the person away from proper and G-dly values. This takes place mainly during the six days of the week when we are commanded to “go into the world, and conquer it” – “six days a week you shall do all your work”.

The antidote to these potentially harmful SIX days, G-d gives us “the cure before the sickness” and presented us according to the Sefer Ha-Chinuch (“Book of Education”) with six constant commandments to stay strongly connected with G-d, our higher source of power, and protected from the bad energies out there seducing us into its trap.  The more a person places himself inside the observance and consciousness of these practices, the more he will be protected from the vices of the evil inclination.  

The Sefer ha-Chinuch ("Book of Education"), was published anonymously in 13th century Spain. It separately discusses each of the 613 commandments, both from a legal and a moral perspective, usually based on Maimonides' Mishneh Torah - and closes with a summary as to the commandment's applicability.

Though there is a debate about who is the true author, it is agreed, the Sefer ha-Chinuch (Book of Education”) was written by a father to his son as a gift, upon reaching the age of Bar Mitzvah.

And, here are the very special BIG SIX --  tools and techniques for protection against the evil & animalistic inclinations.

1,    To Know There is a God

I am G-d your God who brought you out of Egypt. (Exodus 20:2)

The first of the Six Constant Commandments - Mitzvos is also the first of the Ten Commandments; it is the mitzvah to recognize, G-d exists. We must acknowledge not only that He created the world, but that He continues to be involved in its day-to-day operations and our personal lives.

2,    Not to Believe in Any Other “gods”

Do not recognize any other “gods” in My presence. (Exodus 20:3)

Any place one could possibly go is in G-d’s presence; accordingly, there are no other powers! We must recognize that no being created by G-d can ever thwart His will.

3,    To Know That G-d is One

Listen, Israel, G-d is our G-d, G-d is One. (Deuteronomy 6:4)

Recognizing G-ds unity means knowing that He is unique, He has no partners, components or divisions, and that He exists outside of time and space.

4,   To Love G-d

You shall love G-d your G-d with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your ability. (Deuteronomy 6:5)

Loving G-d should be the natural result of recognizing His existence; if we truly understand all that G-d does for us, how could we help but appreciate and love Him for it? We should also be prepared to give of our time, our resources and more for the sake of G-d.

5,    To Be in Awe of G-d

You must revere G-d your G-d; Him you shall serve. (Deuteronomy 10:20)

To revere G-d means to recognize that our actions have consequences. Knowing that there’s a G-d and a system of spiritual checks and balances helps keep us on the right path.

6,    Not to Be Led Astray by Our Desires

Don’t follow your heart or your eyes, after which one can go astray. (Numbers 15:39)

“Heart” refers to heretical thoughts, and “eyes” refers to physical temptations, both of which can distract a person from what’s really important in life. We must not be led astray by philosophies that are not compatible with Torah (our values) or by physical desires.

Rabbi Israel Meir Kagan (1838-1933, known as the Chafetz Chaim) discusses the applications of these commandments and comments: "At every time and moment that a person ponders these, he fulfills commandments, (he strengthens his eternal bonds with G-d the source of infinite strength) and there is no limit to the amount of reward given for the mitzvoth (commandments)..."

Choices & the FEAR of Heaven, G-d.

                                                                 Article on Linkedin.

Knowledge is Power -- G-dly Knowledge is SUPER Power.

And now, Israel, what does G-d want of you? Only that you be in (fear) awe of G-d your L-rd, so that you will follow all His paths and love Him... (Deut. 10:12)”

The two greatest motivators in a human being are fear and love. Fear before love.  Rabbi Aharon of Karlin said, “Fear without love is not complete. Love without fear is nothing.”

The great defender of Israel, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev after a long visit with his teacher the preacher of Mezritch returned home.  The father in law of Rabbi Levi Yitzchok, not very fond of the preacher, asked his son in law. “So what did you gain from your new teacher, the preacher of Mezritch.” Rabbi Levi Yitzchak answered. “I learned (how) to fear G-d.” Immediately the maid was called in and asked. “Do you fear G-d? “And the maid answered, “Sure.”

Turning to his son-in-law in a mocking tone he said, “So you spent all that time, for what a simple maid has? “ Rabbi Levi Yitzchok answered, “She says, she fears.”

King Solomon concludes his book of Ecclesiastes, “Ultimately, when all is known, fear G-d and observe his commandments, for this is the whole purpose of man…” When it comes down to it, King Solomon advises, to fear (and have awe and true respect for) G-d is the foundation, and final objective of human existence.

The preacher of Mezritch explains, a person must fear the sin itself and not merely the punishment it incurs. The situation is analogous to a father who warns his son not to walk around barefoot. The father warns that if the child steps on a thorn, he will have to be brought to a doctor to remove it and the operation will hurt him a lot. The son, because of his youth and limited intelligence, is not afraid of the thorn itself and the possibility that he might step on one; he is merely afraid of its removal. The father, however, truly wants him to avoid the thorn, and sees its removal as a positive remedy if he should so require it. So it is with our avoidance of transgression. Man wishes to avoid punishment, but G-d worries about the sin itself, and sees the punishment as a necessary atonement and correction.

Doing the right thing and staying away from what’s bad is “for our own good.” “The Bible was granted, to improve the world.” In the book of mysticism, the Zohar, it says, “G-d looked into the Bible (as a blueprint) and from it, He created the world.” Everything written in the Bible, the word of G-d, presented to mankind in front of millions of people, is a blueprint for all that is infinitely good, precisely organized and kind.

The things we are commanded to do, like resting once a week and be disciplined with our eating, and start the day with a prayer so we are focused on our purpose, and wash our hands when we come out of the restrooms, are all for our own benefit. Doing what’s wrong, is plain and simple to our own detriment. The punishments or sufferings that come as a result of bad choices is only to rectify the damage we made.

The Baal Shem tov, teacher of the preacher of Mezritch explains. The above verse in the Bible to fear G-d, is not the very simple and immature fear of punishment and fear of a G-d who is greater and stronger. This is something expected in anyone who contemplates the source for everything and our constant dependence on G-d.

The commandment to “fear G-d”, is, to be so aware of G-ds greatness and prominence that a person feels ashamed to do anything wrong, that would or could upset and/or offend Him, similar to the way a person would behave and act if a great and respected person was standing right there at his side.

In the Talmud, “Rabbah the son of Rav Huna says, whoever has the knowledge of Torah but lacks fear and awe of Heaven, can be compared to a guardian who holds the keys to the inner chambers but lacks the key to the outer doors.”