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how are we doing as a nation? what do we need to improve on?
The state of the union is strong! So much Torah, So much chesed, however we need improvment bein adam lachaveiro, we also need to remember and help those falling in the sidelines.
feel free to discuss my opinion, but im not going to further explain or defend it:
in terms of our tachlis as The Jewish Nation, as a whole, (in spite of the wondrous Baal Teshuvah spirit, and a small kernel of Yidden) we are presently the worst we have ever been since Matan Torah
I have to say I agree, but, ouch!
hey,it makes sense. we are taught “Hadoros holchos u’mismatos”. so it would stand to reason that each generation is somewhat less than the one before.
The fact that it makes sense doesn’t make it okay.
“in terms of our tachlis as The Jewish Nation, as a whole, (in spite of the wondrous Baal Teshuvah spirit, and a small kernel of Yidden) we are presently the worst we have ever been since Matan Torah”
I prefer to think of it as the the yetzer hara is the doing his job BEST since matan Torah.
What do we need to improve upon? Until the tikkun hashalem there is room for improvement in every area. Since all areas of life (torah) are interconnected if one area is not yet perfect nothing is. As for how we’re doing as a nation, we’re doing just fine. Only more and more are leaving the nation daily, whether they look ‘frum’ on the outside or not. We need to try our best. We are not expected to do more than that. Hashem loves us and he knows our abilities and our limitations. Let us be the best we can be, and we’ll be ok. We’ll be outstanding. Mi k’amcha yisrael goy echad ba’aretz!
When IS the State of Union address??
musser zoger
“I prefer to think of it as the the yetzer hara is the doing his job BEST since matan Torah.”
How pat and convenient. That totally takes us and our responsibility out of the picture. We can improve in many areas and we have to and we have to stop waiting for our Rabbanim to do this and say that and the other. Just take a good hard stare in the mirror and decide enough is enough!
WIY- How pat and convenient. That totally takes us and our responsibility out of the picture. We can improve in many areas and we have to and we have to stop waiting for our Rabbanim to do this and say that and the other. Just take a good hard stare in the mirror and decide enough is enough!
I never said that each Yid shouldn’t take responsibility for his actions. But,I am not taking on myself to Poseach Pi L’satan mekatreg Klal Yisroel.
The Jewnion is at war on many fronts, wtih Esav, Amelek, with Yismael in ascendancy, with assimilation, with zeidim, and malshinim, with ruach hatuma, and with the yetzer public and private.
the greatest nechama is that G-d is still in control.
The Goq
This is so depressing. It mamsih gets worse every year. Hopefully this is the last year.
Let’s talk about the positive side. Here are some good things about the Jewnion in our own generation, in no particular order:
1- We have baalei teshuva coming back in numbers not seen since Ezra’s time. In fact, if you count absolute instead of relative, we may even have more baalei teshuva.
2- The Noachide movement. There has only ever been one other such movement in recorded history. That time they also thought it was a sign of mashiach. Yehi ratzon that this time it is.
3- Israel. Regardless of what you think of the medina, there is a larger percentage of the Jewish people in Eretz Yisrael today than there ever was since bayis rishon! In absolute numbers, thanks to population growth, there are more Jews today in Eretz Yisrael alone than there were at any other time in history including the height of Shlomo Hamelech’s reign.
4- Israel again. For the first time since the dissolution of the Sanhedrin, the acknowledged seat of Torah is in Eretz Yisrael.
5- The diaspora. Most of the large concentrations of Jews outside of Israel are in free countries. It is easy to come and go if necessary.
All in all, things are looking better, not worse.
Can I recommend something really simple that would make next years state of the union less depressing for those of us here who read this and implement it?
There is a website simchashachaim dot com that delivers short daily bursts of inspiration to your inbox. They usually take a minute or a less to read and they give you interesting things to ponder or to work on that will improve your life.
Let me give you an example of one that was sent to me.
“Where do we find an easy opportunity to be blessed?
Bless your fellow Jews and you’ll be blessed. What does that mean? When you see a man in the street who looks like a frum Jew, you don’t have to go over to him. As you pass across the street, say Hashem should give that man success in Parnassa (livelihood)! He should have nachas (pride) from his children! He should live long!
It cost you money? It doesn’t cost you a penny. And it’s such a good investment that you’re promised a bracha. It seems so wild, so insane, to lose that opportunity, to bless your fellow Jew. (Tape #93, Ten Easy Ways to Gain Real Wealth)”
These are the types of amazing emails they send and I can say that I feel I have grown from them. I would like to pass on a good thing to my fellow coffeeroomers.
Again the website is simchashachaim dot com
Bump
Last bump
thank you WIY. if everyone takes that on, it really would be a special state of the jewnion next year. i think that was a nice inspirational tip. it is easy and a great investment. thank you again.
Hi The Goq.
Still many great and amazing accomplishments going on, and still, l’toelis, many areas that need elevating.
WIY,
Simchas HaChaim is not a Jewish concept, the Jewish viewpoint is Adam LeAmal Yulad. Joie de vivre is a French concept.
I don’t think ???? ?? ?’ ????? is a French concept. Neither ??? ??? ?? ???? ?? ?’ ?????? ????? ????? ???.
Sure we’re born for a workout. But with ????.
Sure, there are many types of Simcha but our Simcha should come from Torah and Mitzvos, not from lifes pleasures. I’ll admit that I’m flawed in this respect but this is the position of a Rav who I greatly respect but will not publicly name (for my anonymity, not his).
Not having Simchas HaChaim is a chisaron in hakoras hatov to HKBH who gave us life.
Dash,
Don’t confuse terminology with concept. We express Simchas HaChaim every morning when we say Modeh Ani and Elokai Neshomo.
benign,
Don’t confuse feeling thankful and appreciative of H-m’s boundless gifts with being happy.
Golfer,
Are you normally thankful and appreciative of being sad? Happiness is a sense of a satisfaction with life the Universe and everything.
I don’t want to get into a semantic argument. What I mean (and everyone else as far as I know) by “simchas hachaim” IS being thankful and appreciative for just being alive.
Golfer is a Litvak.
Veltz,
So am I.
Veltz, it’s possible you are wrong.
But this is still better than the time a different poster accused me of being a guy.
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