RIGHTEOUS LIVING AFTER A MIKVAH

Complete purity: newly washed clothes, natural waters splashed on my body, clean very short hair no straggles not one hair out of place. Purity of rain water on body and clothing and all over the ground washing dirt away, washing away tumah. Never a minute of work on a Shabbat never to carry never to use electronics darkened electric lights no fire lighted, cooking was done yesterday. All Shabbats celebrated none ignored holiness coming through everywhere not a moment of distrust not a minute of work on a Day of Rest. Tumah all washed away, words surrounding my ears only heard if they are words of purity, gossip quenched not heard not reaching the ears. Jewish Dietary Laws followed to a Tee. Never pork near my tongue not touching it not even looking at it. Pork does not exist. Clean hands clean everything clean heart--soul washed clean hyssop sprinkled and blessings chanted. A Thanksgiving where I am truly thankful for purity to its utmost nth of a degree completely totally holy.

HOW TO BE AN ANGEL

Feeling as carefree and joyous as an angel, one of the angels that are ascending and then descending on Jacob's Ladder. How is it to feel like an angel? What does one need to do to drop Earthly cares and everyday problems to take on a daily attitude of an angel? What is an angel anyway? If I have never seen an angel, can I still feel like one?

Detached from body aches and pains, leaving all stiffness behind, not conscious of one's skin whether it is dry or moist, out of the body, out of the world of "things" where things do not matter, not mattering how many or how much or what things you have, because when you are feeling like an angel all that matters is that you are able to transfer your gifts of lovingkindness onto another to make their day.

As an angel, you are a messenger from G-d, you have words to deliver, you go up Jacob's Ladder to hear the words of G-d, and then you descend down the ladder to share G-d's message with whom whoever He intended it to go.

Do you feel you have a message? A purpose to share lovingkindness with someone on Earth? Someone in your family, maybe? Is your message just "I love you."

As an angel you have a mission to share this love and deliver G-d's message to its recipient. Feeling as good as an angel today? Be like one. Do as angels do. Mimic them. Use them as mentors. Be an angel and change someone's life today with your message from G-d. Deliver lovingkindness from the Heavens down to Earth.

If an angel can do it, you can do it too. It's simple: Just say "I love you."


 

MIRACLES AND DISAPPOINTMENTS

God is in love with me! He is my father, my husband and my son, all in one, one being Echad, the one God that is all we really need, a oneness that becomes all people and all of one's environment loving you all at once, giving you a blast of love and trust, because God will never let you down. If you pray to God and He does not deliver you with the answer to your prayers, does not provide you with all the wishes you desire, this is because He is not a magician, magically causing the appearance of something out of nothing. God is everything, God is all, God is everything you see and feel and everything you do not see and do not feel. God is in control and will give you what God wants to give you, what you have and what you want is not in your control, it is your lot and being grateful for your lot is showing love to God, for what He has already given you, as this is what you have. God is not Santa Claus nor is He the mailman bringing you material items as gifts. God is everything, He is what you have and what you do not have. He is what you think and what you can think in the future, He is the flow of your thoughts and He is why we perform deeds of lovingkindness to others, He is our impetus, our audience, our motivation. God exists therefore we exist. We cannot exist without God. But God can exist without us. Hence we are humble and our "I" is not important, we are dust in the wind. If God does not answer our prayers, accept it. If we pray for our loved ones to continue to live, but what happens is they die, see it as what happens that we cannot control, all control is in the natural way of things as God provides it, life and then death. Everything that has life will someday have death. God reincarnates all who die into having another life. We can pray for life, but all will die and then have life again. So our prayers are answered for those to continue to have life. Do not blame God when someone dies against our wishes, we must wish for a continuance of life as our deceased enter The World To Come and become the soul of someone else's living being, a soul that lives again and again. If we cannot understand this, know that God cannot be understood by the common man, God is unperceivable, so complicated that we can never understand Him. Why someone dies after we pray for his/her life, to overcome death. Be real. Everyone who lives will die. God will not cause someone to live forever. You cannot understand this? Accept it and accept your lack of understanding. Live with it. Live with the knowledge that you are not God. And humble yourself and pray to the Sovereign who IS God. But be real in your prayers, accept your lot and be glad for all good things that come your way. Pray in thanks for every good thing. And make this your daily way.

THE MIRACLE OF THE MORNING SHAKARIT PRAYERS

Miracle. Walking slowly in stroll fashion next to Evergreen bushes dropping red berries for its nesting birds to eat. All these bushes come alive with a well trained verbal concert of chirping as each bird eats a red berry for breakfast.

Miracle. Hearing a Cantor sing in Hebrew every morning, davening strongly to his rhythm, bowing forth as we sway forward and backward, kissing the brick of the Wailing Wall, studying Torah, knowing what's happening. In Modim, we are appreciating it all and singing again even louder. "Oseh Shalom." [Make peace.]

Miracle. Smelling whiffs of strawberries, coconuts, and watermelon through the nostrils, laying out comfortably on a deserted island with these aromas all around, tickling the senses. Breathing in fresh air, breathing out foul air. As the coconuts fall off a tree and spatter its milk all around, to eat its meat, to be nourished.

Miracle. To praise G-d seven times per day: "Baruch Atah Adonai," repeated seven times. Seven is a complete number, there are seven days in a week, this number seven completes a week. Shabbat is the seventh day of the week. When we can have seven, we can have complete peace. We can "oseh shalom."

Miracle. I give myself up to prayer, listening and singing Halleluyah! Repeating Halleluyah and feeling YAH in the depths of my gut on a full stomach after a full nutritious breakfast. G-d's blessings are there for the picking, as one picks those handsome coconuts.

Miracle. Remembering the delicious scent of the etrog fruit on Sukkot, we rise and then daven the Amidah but leaning only on one leg. We are forever humble and our shyness gives G-d a chance to speak. We hear Him this way. As the palm leaves rustle in the wind, we can hear G-d whispering.

In awe, eagerly, in our Shakarit prayers, we tell Him we love Him and we thank Him.

A SUN, A MOON, A RAINBOW, A STAR, A FIRE

Rainbows and yellows, brightness of a morning sun rising from the ends of the earth as a red ball turning speedily into white light, reflecting itself upon a water's surface, a lake that becomes the color of the sun, and turns bluish as the color of the sky.

Moon is disappearing as the lightness overcomes the skies, disappearing into a wisp of a cloud, to again rise tonight as a reflection of the sun on its surface. Imagining men on the moon, dancing into craters, bouncing about and defying gravity. Laughter everyone, on farther planets, in one's mind, a hearty heart, a burst of rejoicing at all things, because of yellows and rainbows, because of reincarnation that gives birth to the dead. Halleluyah!

Speaking loudly in a brightened tone, clapping cymbals or just your hands, chanting Hebrew, watching rainbows get bigger and yellows get brighter, seeing goodness in all things, changing evil into goodness, cheering as one's eyes perceive the beautiful and the ugly descends out of sight.

Seeing a star fly into one's view, sparking like a flame, a hot fire, a sunbeam. Stimulation in all things. Halleluyah! A sun, a moon, a rainbow, a star, a fire--all ours to enjoy everyday! Every night!

Feel these miracles deeply inside your body and soul, enjoy them!

THE MIRACLE OF A PROTECTIVE FOG

The miracle of being an armadillo protected by a thick garment of armor, a turtle always safe, not reacting to punches, not getting mowed over or struck down. Keeping peace everywhere with all people, having a moist fog surrounding my body like a cloud from Heaven to confuse my enemies, they cannot see me to strike out against me, disguised, hidden, popping in and out but in safety.

Having an army of friends all around me to hear my grievances, to laugh with me, to cry with me, to give me support and no adversity, when adversity strikes--it is struck down with their help.

Music is always in the air, whether I can hear it or not, I step to the beat of Hebrew chanting and it envelops me in shalom.

Autumn warmth and color surround me, there are no better days ahead, all days are better days, and today is a better day. Everyday can be a good day, and a smile covers my face as I rejoice in today, this moment as being a great moment, all moments being moments of shalom.

Shalom is truly a miracle!

CONSUMED IN YOUR OWN ZEAL

What is zeal? How is this condition spawned and what does it do, how does it affect people? King David's Psalms tells us that when a person is attacked by another or challenged, or oppressed, or hurt in some way by an enemy, he becomes "consumed in his own zeal." So what is zeal? How does this feel to be consumed in it. How can this be expressed?

Zeal is the flick of your foot or the tapping of your fingers that are so strongly inspired by G-d, the opening of one's eyes, opened very widely and blinked down hard, as passion or zeal consumes them making all sights visions of an awesome content. Blinking one's eyes to music, feeling all the sounds as they vibrate wildly through your body, shaking your leg in restlessness, and tapping your foot as if it is possessed by a spirit--energy at its highest level--increasing consciousness.

Having zeal. Zeal is the stretching of a muscle, the great feeling of having a body that is like an army tank, or like a knight in shining armor. Having the protection of G-d in your zeal, as He wraps Himself all around you protecting you like as if you are behind a Wailing Wall, a fortress becomes your everywhere, yours as it is all around you in "Hashkivenu" Adonai.

Zeal, it is like a starburst, a gentle breath that starts to blow like a hurricane and can knock you over if you cannot accept it. A tsunami hits you in all your activities, a great sudden toss of G-d's miracles that start to happen everywhere, in all places!

In this zeal, you can see G-d, you can feel G-d, sometimes you can even hear G-d. Can G-d speak to you? Can you hear Him? You can if you are in "zeal."

"Zeal"--a condition to find comfort within, a time to cherish, for it is a miracle.

WARM SPRINGTIME TEMPERATURES DURING AUTUMN

Frolicking happy-go-lucky like as I kick up dried fallen leaves on the sidewalks, crunching them like nut and chocolate bars beneath my feet. We are having autumn, this is something the calendar has taught me, but how about these warm springtime-like outdoor temperatures!? We are having springtime in the Fall!

Watching the lake waves rolling in, during November, waters looking deceptively warm, but how could  this be?? It is autumn! A weak wind blows off the lake, too weak to splash in angry waves, the waters are placid and having autumn at the beach but without a cool breeze confuses my brain.

November, it should be a time of blistery winds, and cool crisp, cold air, but what we are having is sunshine and sprinkles of warm rain, but how could this be? Autumn colors are here, the leaves have changed colors despite the global warming.

The bugs are prevalent, watching ladybugs land on my arms, their black spots on orange bodies, then opening their wings and buzzing off. Visited by insect friends, who are not in hibernation because the temperatures are too warm. Food prices will skyrocket because bugs eat the plants, harvest digested by bugs, small quantities of food remain but at high prices because of the food's scarcity.

Warm temperatures in autumn, a miracle yes! We can go outside in our parks and push our babies in their swings, but here is a warning: do not get overly gleeful because snowstorms will be approaching!!!

The seasons will change, but we never know what they will change into. Who knows? Only G-d knows! Purim during Hanukkah? Yes, it is a miracle, G-d sends us miracles and what we do with them depends on our wits and our wily ways, survival and thrive-al is the name of the game. 

THE MIRACLE OF A KOSHER TUNA SANDWICH

The miracle of a tasty kosher tuna sandwich! How great it is to get a completely kosher sandwich that includes this fish, plus lettuce, tomato, cheese, onion, on wheat bread with mayonnaise and mustard!

The tuna fish has had its ups and downs. They say it is poisoned with mercury and that too much mercury causes dementia. So, being careful in the quantity of consumption is a warning here, all good things in moderation!

Tuna, chopped up with a sharp knife, delicately, finely, carrots added, stirred round and round with white creamy mayo, a tinge of a spice of onion to spark up the taste buds, to enrich the mouth with good kosher fish, having scales and fins. Deep sea diving to find a tuna fish, stabbing it and swinging it over one's shoulder and carrying it home for dinner. The tuna fish found my bait, took a bite and now I will take a bite of it.

Thank you Mr. Tuna for finding my bait, now I will digest you and do it following Jewish dietary laws.

THE MIRACLE OF A FAMILY WHO ARE FAMILY FRIENDS

Having a family as your friends. Someone to call on the phone who will answer, someone to visit, someone to write, someone to mail a letter, someone who will always have a bloodline tie to you.

Someone who knows you and has known you for many years, often since babyhood, longer than any outside friend has known you.

Family as friends in good times and bad. Someone who will lend you money and not charge you interest. Someone who shares other members of the family as their close contacts too and family who are friends with them too.

Someone who will celebrate your birthday year after year and be at a family funeral. Someone who knows how you tick. Someone to who you do not have to prove yourself. Someone who is as stable as a rock. A family who is friendly, a family who cares, a family who never leaves. A family of family friends.

WHAT MAKES A DAY A GREAT DAY

A mother's voice, calling like a coo, wrapping a nurturing warming arm around my body, singing a song into my ear, whispering wishes of wonderment, calling like the sea, flipping around me like a blanket, over my shoulders like a tallit, cool refreshing water in my mouth flowing deeply, satisfying all thirsting, sweetly humming, cradling on her lap in a rocking chair.

Reassuring, diplomatic truthfulness, believed in, not slandered, gossip hushed, swaying back and forth in dance and song, rock music beating my heart according to its bass, hushing my crying, understanding, binah, chesed, lovingkindness, nourishment, a kiss on the mouth.

Being fed, my portion appropriated according to my needs, filling my desires, a beat that swings my knees, a sound like no other, the soothing sound of my mother and my father's protection and flattery, an electric current that charges all my batteries, a taste in my mouth of deliciousness, a pair of lips smeared with tasty lip gloss, vitamins in the morning, cake instead of bread.

How was your day? Great! Can you prove it?

THE MIRACLE OF NO MIRACLES

Dealing with life as a predictable occurrence and not always to seek a display of fireworks. Looking for a miracle in everything and having miracles happen constantly is just not a natural occurrence. If one sees each daily occurrence as a norm and not a miracle, one is in a world of realness and not in a world of extremeness, and this contrast to be without miracles will lead us to appreciate real miracles that much more when they happen and when we do not expect them or look for them.

Miracles can and do exist. It can be a miracle to see life as having times when there are no miracles; to see life as a series of expected happenings, as results of normal situations, a+b=c.

Everyday presents itself with happenings and those happenings are not always miracles. We can turn lemons into lemonade or simply leave lemons as they are, to not attempt to change our environment but instead to live with it, to live besides it, to accept our lot in life and not to pretend it is what it isn't. To just be and to exist in truthfulness and honesty and to accept what is and appreciate that some of life is not a miracle--thanking G-d for life's sameness, mundaneness, and steady regularity.

This way we can appreciate a miracle when it happens and this will really be a true and exciting thrill.

STRONG LIKE BULL ON A SUNDAY

Sunday morning strength, feeling muscles rippling, breathing deeply, legs calves flexing, standing during the Amidah, moving my ankles in kedosh, kedosh, kedosh, tightening my tefillin around my left arm like a horse's bridle, steam engines gushing and spraying, Hebrew chanting peaceful and enunciated with a wide mouth, every letter said, every vowel, every consonant, sounding rhythmical as music.

Strength on a Sunday after resting on a Saturday, Sunday a business day, a day of movement after a day of stillness. A quiet day, a day to produce, a day to work, a day to write, a day to study Torah--Abraham and Sarah and Isaac and Lot and his daughters escaped, survived the drowning and then the fire and brimstone destruction of the cities of evil. G-d saved them, the cities went under. We kiss our tzitzit and rejoice in Psalms 66-68 this week. A week of singing, of happiness, our enemies are wiped off the face of the Earth, and our families survive--thank G-d for this.

Flexing strong legs, tapping feet to Jewish davening, fed and watered, B vitamins digesting, full night's sleep, a bright moon but a dark bedroom, fullness, satisfaction, connected synapses of cyberspace, Torah portion for this week under our belt, fully in the milieu, ready for everything, prepared for anything. Feeling all the energy of the sun as it shines warmly and peacefully on my soaking skin, lotion softening, heart of compassion, studying, teaching, performing mitzvoth.  

THE LUCKY SHABBAT BRIDE

Prayers answered, tides changed, winds blew the other way, rain did not whet, cold did not freeze, heat did not scorch.

Ran with the cowboys, wishes came true, no worries or complaints, nothing taking me down.

Wicked persecuted, hate disappeared, winning the battle, brutal wars no more.

Sunlight from window, water cooling throat, scented lotions smelling as flowers, kindness within--solidly, firmly, securely.

 Small stones not heavy as rocks.

Music blaring, becoming delightful, songs keep comin'.

Feathers in my cap, no holes in my shoes that cannot be filled.

Sandy beaches exciting and as calming as couches.

Lake Michigan water waves as friends, wildlife listening as I dance, softness in pillows when I want to sleep.

Dreams not nightmares, nighttime blankets warmer, food tastier, breathing easier.

Shabbat Shalom's bride will be mine.

THE MIRACLE OF EATING KOSHER FOODS

It is a miracle to be eating kosher foods. To get 3 kosher meals per day, and have each meat meal 4 hours apart from a dairy meal. It is a miracle to eat all kosher snacks in between meals. It is miracle to know that the cow that made our hamburger was not killed in a manner that caused it pain. That the slaughtering process was humane and the process is being inspected by Rabbis regularly.

It is a miracle to know that a blessing was said at the cow's time of death, so that the cow's soul could be elevated in our bodies at the time we eat it and digest it.

It is a miracle to know that there was no pork at all anywhere in the facility of the slaughtering house. It is a miracle to be able to trust this, to feel like it is all bona fide. To know that there will not be a speck of impurity in what you are about to eat, that there is no temptation to resist, that it is all true and good.

It is a miracle to find a hechsher, a marked symbol of kosher food, on a package. It is a miracle to know what is kosher and what is not, whether it is marked with a hechsher or not.

It is a miracle to eat an egg that is not a fertile embryo. Where hens and roosters do not come in contact, a pure henhouse with only hens living together--no spot of blood in the yolk. A pure and kosher egg.

It is a miracle to count on this, to have it available. It needs to become more available, more widespread, having more grocery stores participate in the stocking of kosher foods and kosher meats. It is a miracle when a grocer can say he sells kosher foods. He will truly be rewarded unlike his competitor who does not stock them. G-d sees all, and rewards the righteous, we can believe this.

 Enjoy your miracles as you eat your kosher foods. Serve them to your friends. And be joyous in knowing your spiritual state will be elevated, and that you are enjoying a heaven on Earth.

THE MIRACLE OF MORNING COFFEE

Moving my tongue around the inside of my mouth, tasting the last drops of a delicious deeply strongly brewed cup of hot morning coffee. A cup of coffee like no other, fuel for my fires, complete satisfaction from the darkness of the coffee bean lightened up with a swish of non-dairy creamer, stirred around, and covered inside a Styrofoam cup with a plastic lid.

Every dear morning I drink this brew, not a witch's brew, but an athlete winner's energy drink, some caffeine but not too much. Stirring it around and around and watching the creamer dissolve in the blackness turning it to a light brown, like the skin of a South American native. Aaaahhh... coffee, not to have to do without you, you my dearest are my warmth in the morning, my buzz before I start my work, my inhalation, my every wish, my good feeling.

Coffee, I will call you my closest friend, as you are always there for me. The after-taste has completely encompassed me in rejoicing. I had what I needed and I can have it again. Every morning you are there for me, and everyday I love you, not taking you for granted. Thank you, Mr. Coffee, I will drink you again and again.

HANDS CLAPPING AND DRUMS BEATING--SONGS SINGING

It is a miracle to be in the middle of merry-making, to be an observer and participant in a world of dancing and clapping. Microphones everywhere and everyone gets to sing in them. Hearing singing loudly, everyone knowing the right words to the songs, everyone getting a chance to belt out a melody.

Electronic speakers tuned loudly, vibrating and making noise, but noise that is pleasing to the ears. Everyone united in song, songs we have all heard before, hand clapping, foot stepping, sweet soprano voices complemented by bass and tenor voices--everyone singing, no one exempt.

Everyone is heard and everyone gets a chance to express  him/herself. Music that everyone likes, tunes that are considered popular and are well-known, heard before many times and are all inclusive.

No one has to be silent, everyone can sing it out, needing no one's approval, not being judged, no one is valued as better than anyone else, everyone is accepted and no one is left out. Singing is for all--connection with beautiful sounds-a glorious world where everyone in it is family. Clap your hands and ring out the tambourines, pound on the drums and get well deserved attention. Music is for all.

THE MIRACLE OF A SEPHIROT BALANCE

Communing with the greatest G-d in the 2,000 universes that are all around us, far from us, in the midst of us. Touching pearly white desk table tops, gazing at bright yellow barrier walls. Lightness in my body coming from all over: lamps and windows, soft white light, yellow light, light with a blue tinge: warmth, nurturing.

When we have a need, our needs can be overcome and we then become sated. In a state of unrest, soon to be sated again. Searching and trying to find, searching ending and finding taking place, never short, always fulfilled as happiness is within, not caused by an external environment. Happy with one's lot.

Going nowhere, not needing to get anywhere, not needing to be in a different place, not making a change, not traveling, not suffering upheavals, settled. Always moving in a Hebrew chant, a Cantor's voice resounding indefinitely, always singing. Dancing as I step--shomer shomer goy echad. Knowing the Hebrew words, memorization. The holy Cantor is singing to me, his voice calms like lake water, excites like lava from a volcano, balances like a scale bouncing from side to side, coming clear to me with an answer to every question.

Sephirot completed. All points in action. Feeling their significance, going with their flow. Numbers increasing as wealth becomes inconsequential, needing less, so having more. A little bit goes a long way. Not allowing another to be a judge, always being one's own leader, never floating on the sea without a paddle, bravely diving into deep waters and swallowing salt. Not a dead sea.

Another day, another dollar, another time to rejoice and be thankful for everything that comes  along. Justice will be had, goodness will abound. Following your own heart, your own mind, and slowly but surely being one with the music. Improving a little bit everyday, in areas where you not others want to see improvement. Everyday improve a little bit more, so perfection will be near in sight, and as a reward you will enjoy a reaping of a healthy harvest as an autumn gift from The Almighty and eat and drink to content.

DAVENING DEEPLY ON A SUNDAY MORNING

It is a miracle to soar into the Heavens each morning because I daven with a Cantor to the prayers/blessings in the Jewish Conservative Siddur: Sim Shalom. Gadol which means great. Kadosh, kadosh, kadosh, which means holy, holy, holy. Having the Cantor's voice penetrate my very being, soothing me, forcing out all impurities and any evil. The Hebrew chant vibrates my bones, as I cry "Hashkivenu, Adonai!"--and the Cantor leads me in my chant: strongly, fully, consistently. Sweetly we sing together, and our "incantations" purify my mind, soul, and my heart. The steady rhythmical beat of the chanting keeps me steady on my feet, but humble too, as I lean on only one leg during the Amidah--keeping in tune with the universe as a member of the world, being devoted to its improvement.

This davening is miraculous! All it takes is daily meditation and prayer to keep a  person on track with involvement in goodness through praising the Divine. I thank the Cantor with his miraculously beautiful voice for taking me by the hand and guiding me through the holiness of this world--the great integrity of his voice being a sign from G-d--as my voice chimes in with his and we become one as our voices combine and intertwine, becoming one with G-d, with the one and only one G-d: HASHEM.

THE JOY OF LISTENING TO THE RADIO

Sounds of rock n' roll streaming out of a speaker into headphones into my pulsating ears, eardrums beating back and forth, rockin', taking dancing steps, high kicks Russian-style, liking it all, lovin' it all, making music with my radio, a connection with others who are also listening too.

A radio to keep me company, tied around my arm, trippin', dippin', tickling me and causing stimulating sensations. A sound of melody, a sound of beating drums, percussion, bass and treble adjustments.

A tuner to change the stations, a memory to lock in the stations of your preference, loud screaming voices that yell out words to get attention, steppin' out, steppin' in, a great gratifying experience.

Disc jockeys sweetly talking into my ear, a familiar voice, a word meant to make my day more joyous, a star who loves to excite his/her audience, a lot of highs, a thrill just a radio station away.

Deep breathing and a rush, heart palpitations and tapping feet and fingers, a time to get involved, a time to listen and to be entertained, a time to have fun. My radio: my friend.

THE BEAUTIFUL HEBREW SOUNDS OF SHABBAT SHALOM

Exchanging a greeting with a fellow Jew, a greeting of "Shabbat Shalom." Hearing the Hebrew sounds of the SH sound, like a whisper into my ear, a greeting of community, a mutual wish for one another to have peace, to feel the appearance of the Shekinah as two Jews come together to wish each other a Shabbat Shalom, a Sabbath of Peace, a wonderful Jewish Holy Day, Holiday, that comes once a week.

To be part of a whole, to feel a unity, to be near a Sanctuary, to have someone follow your lead, to have another fully accept you, to be in unison, to be in tune, to genuinely want someone else to have a day of good happenings, a day they can remember, a day when all creation stops, a day when all rest.

A day of sunshine or rain to conquer thirst, a day to lay down on a couch, a day to study Torah, a day to sing in tropes, a day to have joyousness, a day to rejoice, a day to praise HASHEM, a day of chanting, of connecting with other Jews: a day--of Shabbat Shalom.

THE RAINBOW IS THE SIGNATURE TO A COVENANT OF PEACE

A rainbow appears like a streak of lofty diffused misty molecules of floating colors all together in a designated order for us to see in the sky to remember the Covenant G-d made with us: that G-d would never destroy the world again with a flood or any other catastrophe that would put an end to human and animal and plant life. This is very reassuring. But then along came Albert Einstein who created the theory that would become the atom bomb.

This rainbow could also be a sign of our covenant with G-d to follow the 613 commandments, one of which forbids murder. But we do have the formula to this bomb and mass murder is only a toss away.

Coming back to this rainbow, the folklore about it tells us that there is a gift for us at the end of this rainbow and it is a pot of gold. If we follow the 613 commandments we will be rich, but not necessarily with gold as is the folklore, we will be rich in our ability to keep the peace and choose peace, to stay alive to see the next rainbow in the clouds.

The rainbow will remind us about G-d's miracles, and our abilities to continue to experience these miracles, as we continue to see rainbows that should strengthen our Covenant with G-d as G-d also strengthens His Covenant with us, that if we do not destroy the world, He will not either.

THE MIRACLE OF ENJOYING CONSTANT PEACE

It is a miracle to be unaffected by stress. It is a miracle to enjoy sitting and doing nothing, to have a TV blaring in the background but not having it disturb me or stiffen my muscles. It is a miracle to have a steady musical beat and song in my mind and heart and keeping rhythm to peacefulness as the song permeates my being. It is a miracle to not care when someone tries to rattle my cage. It is a miracle to have the peace of Shabbat encompass my daily routine on a busy manic Monday. It is a miracle to have a Monday that does not cause an upheaval in my week and try to trip me as I walk. It is a miracle to take everything in stride and have the general flow of other's actions flowing with mine, and when someone does not flow with me, my actions cause them to reverse their halt and turn around and then flow with my waters in obedience and without rebellion. It is nice to have a smoothly flowing river without rocks in my way. It is nice to feel the spray of cool water as it mists up in my face and moisturizes my breathing as I take steady short breaths, evenly, and relaxed. Things are going my way and I appreciate every good moment HASHEM offers to me. Thank You, G-d.

A SHAVUAH TOV

It is a miracle to be alive and to have a good rest on Shabbat, on Shabbat I lay in bed reading coffee table books and sipping good ice water like it was milk from a baby's bottle. I did nothing except read and read Bereshit in Genesis and did not participate in any electronics usage, did not carry anything and limited all correspondence to phone usage not computers and only phoned my dear mother so did not have any disturbance to my Shabbat meditation or praying.

Lit a Havdalah flame at sunset on Saturday and it shone brilliantly on my fingernail reflecting the warmth of the red hot fire and it was nurturing. Spread the scent of the lotion of Cherry Blossoms, a lotion my mother also uses, on my hands and sniffed it as my besomim spices. How beautiful it filled up my nostrils and reminded me of my mother's gorgeous kind hands.

The good rest I received rejuvenated me for the coming week, and now I can face another day, another 7 days, and do it with peace like a treasure in my pocket, as a memory of a restful Shabbat and now I will have a Shavua Tov [a good week].

THE MIRACLE OF HAVING A HOME

It is a miracle to have a home, to be in a home where there are 3 meals plus snacks everyday, where my bed is comfortable, where there are people who are amiable, with a roommate who cares, with entertainment every hour, with computer access and Internet and software usage. It is a miracle to be warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It is a miracle not to be hungry at all during the daytime. It is a miracle to get sleep at night. It is a miracle to read good books and to own them. It is a miracle to have library access in my neighborhood. It is a miracle to win prizes at a Bingo game. It is a miracle to watch The Wizard of OZ movie on my home television set in a large dining room filled with people like in a theater. It is a miracle to walk next door to go to a center to upload my poetry onto a blog. It is a miracle to walk 2 blocks east and be on a sandy beach shore of the Great Lake Michigan. It is a miracle to see children playing games in a nearby park. It is a miracle not to need a car to get anywhere, access to buses and trains just outside my front door that lead to everywhere. It is a miracle to live in the Heart of Chicagoland and be with native Chicagoans, a diversified people, but who are all like me. It is a miracle to be happy where I am, with whom I associate, and doing what I love to do. Life itself is a miracle and it is a miracle to have miracles in my life!

A MIRACLE TO BE ALIVE

It is a miracle to be alive, to smell, to touch, to feel with all my senses, all six of them--to be in a world of the living and also alert in the world where the dead comes alive again in our memories. To be in where we feel all things, the bad with the good. A miracle to be in a world where yellow abounds like sunlight, a color of yellow and white with the bluish skies. A miracle to be alive, to be feeling all things, to have emotions, to have an abundance of abundances, to have friendships, to have close family, to have all the things one needs to feel security and the prolonging of one's life, a life where all needs are met. The needs of the spiritual world with the material world, a world where we are free to be you and me. A world where all are accepted, a world where we are all in heaven together seated at the right hand side of the Father--Adonai.

THE TORAH IS A TORAH MIRACLE



Burying my nose inside the Book of Life--THE TORAH--these days. No other reading is as good, wouldn't waste my time in any other book. The print rises from each page like a heavenly rain cloud and it then mists its goodness into my eyes as I remove my eyeglasses to see the pages better. Stories of incredible heavy meaningfulness, a good read. The names of the Prophets stand out as in 3D from each page, and their poetic sounds resonate like sea waves into my mind. I love to pronounce each vowel and consonant in Hebrew, the most beautiful language ever created. A language created to talk to God. Learning about children, brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers. Learning how the poor and needy like Job become rich and successful. These are stories that touch my heart, glad to hear of happy endings for people who go through torment to come out on top--to get peace. Love to learn about prophesies and the wisdom of the elders. Love to read about Prophets hearing God's voice and letting us know what He said. Love to learn about the meanings and secrets of the universe--no other reading is as good. The Book of Life is a book FOR life, it keeps me alive and reading words that offer protection and survival techniques, The Book that saves lives gives me a reason to live.

THE MIRACLE OF FINDING A BARGAIN

Shopkeepers near the beach, all have a lesson to teach,
You give a little, I give a little, and the consumer gets a deal.

He sells it to me for less, but the miracle is that a "thank you" he gets,
Indeed he is getting more, because my appreciation is at the core.

Sadly he says his business knew better weather,
But he gives me a smile, that tickles like a feather.
He sells, I buy, and I walk home with a new toy.

Bathing suits for sale, trinkets, and jewelry, new items of quality with no foolery.
He sells what he can, it is like an estate sale sold by one man.

I offer him a sale lower than what is marked,
He raises my price a little, but still a deal I buy smart.

Walked a mile for a deal, stopping in shops along the way,
Finally found my treasure, it has been a good day!

THE MIRACLE OF BIRTHING A CHILD

 

Children, miracles, little bodies, playing, laughing, tickling and blowing soap bubbles. Youngsters, infants, diapers, diaper rash, who will change the next diaper, him or me?

Money needed to feed an infant's mouth, milk bottles, Gerber's baby food, little silver spoons, night cap, cradle cap, Johnson's Baby Shampoo, Johnson's Talcum Baby Powder, who will get a job to pay for all this, him or me?

Education, school clothes, new gym shoes to fit a growing foot. Dress up clothes for going out, bathing suits, a pool in the backyard, a swing set to play on, who will build the treehouse, him or me?

Clothes must be laundered, fabric softeners, mild child detergents, no irritation to a baby's soft skin. Laundry machines and dryers, needing constant repair, highly priced costly electric bills, tumbling blankets and winter coats at a Laundromat. Needing more hangers to hang up clothes, closet space needs to be expanded, who will do the laundry, him or me? Who will do the shopping, him or me?

Children are miracles, thinking about having a baby? Do you want to be a parent or do you want to have a parent, are you ready, will you ever be ready? What makes a good parent, a person who has been taught to be a parent by their parents, or is this type of person just a person who grew up too fast without having a childhood of his/her own?

Yes, it is fun to watch a child play a game, to cause a child to laugh, to put a Bandaid on a scraped knee, but when it comes down to it, are you really qualified? Should an unqualified parent be a parent? Are you ready to give up everything unselfishly and give it to another so s/he can grow, or will your actions actually stunt another and cause harm instead of good. It is something to think about, all the glamour, the baseball caps and hair bows, the trips to the beach and the car rides to school, the new shoes, the teaching and learning. Is this a job for anyone? Is it the job of the child to care for the parent? Should a child help his parent or should a parent help his child?

Soap bubbles, yo yos, dolls and children's books. Halloween costumes, candy, bubble gum, and toy guns. Children are miracles, little people, miniatures, dollhouses and toy stoves. Teaching a child to be a parent, needing a treehouse and a swing set, a big backyard, s/he needs her own room. Bills to be paid, cars to be fixed, computers to be purchased.

Parenting is not a job for just anyone, it is a job for someone who wants the job. Abortions and birth control, preparation, forethought, prevention, teen education. It is about wanting the job not being forced to do a job you are not prepared to do or do not want to do.

Children are miracles, let's keep them as miracles not as potential societal problems as unwanted children, with unwilling and unprepared parents. Baby booms, parents without spouses, children without parents, orphans.

The best form of birth control is teaching your child how to say "No." Teen education: Learning 75 different ways to say "No" and to get results.

TIKKUN OLAM; THE HEALING, THE CHANGING OF THE WORLD

Heard the words in a song on the radio:
"We Spend Our Days Begging, Borrowing, and Stealing."
How can a song like this benefit society unless we think to ourselves that we must change this, change these behaviors, not fall prey to them--stop the negative behaviors and instead start doing what is righteous: "Spend Our Days Giving, Lending, and Crediting."

What can we do to change? Give a dollar to a beggar if what you have are 2 dollars. Keep 1 dollar for yourself and give 1 away. Find joy in watching a beggar eat: if you have enough food for 2 meals, feed the hungry a meal and keep a meal for yourself. You will not go hungry, you have enough food for 2, so give a little food away--if you keep it, it will spoil anyway, because a person can eat just so much without over-stuffing himself.

If you do not have enough even for 1 meal to feed yourself, then humble yourself to receive food from another who has 2 meals and wants to give one away, to give you his extra food. The way the world goes around is by giving and receiving. Living selfishly or living generously, this is not a choice--we must and should pay taxes--so that the poor man has a meal.

It is not just physical property that needs to be shared, something for everyone, it is the way one person treats another: watch what you say to another--instead of expressing inner anger or jealousy, instead of trying to destroy someone's ego to put your own up, say something favorable to someone to aid him in his view of how to see himself: give verbal encouragement to another human being, tell him that you believe in him. Sometimes all we need is for someone out there to believe in us, to believe "We Can Do It." To give someone a stroke, a word of kindness, instead of belittling someone or doubting him, or worse yet threatening someone to get from him what you want, something that you are not entitled to get from him in the first place.

It is a miracle in my life that someone said to me today "You are a very nice person, very well mannered, I hope you have a beautiful day!" This person gave of himself to say something nice to me today. And it was said early in the morning so it could carry  me through the day starting me out on the right foot. If someone says "I love you" or even just cares enough to say "Good morning," it can be the impetus to change someone's entire attitude toward the world; and if everyone's attitude changes, then the world will change. This is Tikkun Olam--the meaning of these  Hebrew words is: "The Healing, The Changing Of The World."

A Wedding With The Shekinah

White and pink. Weddings. Baby blue and pink and whiteness of a pure cotton tallit katan under a white turtle-necked knit warm blouse, with a pure clean white Japanese-styled blouse over that. Jewish priestly garments, vestments, imported fabrics, silken scarves draped over blouses like a Tallit, over head like a Tallit, wearing a real Tallit with Tzitzit every morning with Tefillin. The 3-some of T's: Tallit, Tzitzit, Tefillin. 3 Happy Tav's on 4 Adar. It is the happiness of being able to financially afford to pay a half shekel for a stamp, a $.49 stamp to continue a life-long friendship with Her, with the Shekinah. This is all it takes, a half shekel. She is worth every penny and she requires no more, and I can give the Shekinah all my love! Halleluyah!!!!

Rewards For The Righteous

Miracles! Victims of glaucoma legally smoking marijuana as gifts from doctors, dining room tables set with the finest foods for the perpetually hungry, rainclouds drifting over one's head black as can be but we are not getting wet, sauntering to Shul every Shabbat only 2 blocks away and consuming large spiritual kiddushes. Snow falling temperatures dropping but not feeling cold just vitalized, water shut off from pipes but cup overflowing with ice water cooling my throat in the nick of time not thirsty. Closets filled to the brim with exotic imported fabric clothing garments fit for a Hebrew priestess, clothes not wearing out forever looking brand new, small white single bed warmed with a goose-down quilt eternally pure, warm sweaters of the finest scarlet wool without moths to eat them without mothballs needed. No bugs on the ground or ants crawling not any cockroaches just crickets calling in the night out of doors to lull one to sleep, no rodents or flies in the slaughterhouse of the temple pristine clean. The best books available, music turned on when desired and angels singing a beat energized now knowing which music when. Fur coats hanging undisturbed not stolen and brushed everyday like a horse, lotions of beautiful fragrances but skin not rough, shavers that stay sharp never getting dull. Lights that do not blind soft white in color and eyes soothed, computer access free never losing data, life without stress easy relaxing predictable also exciting. Rewards for the righteous!

Awaiting Rosh Hodesh Adar: The Coming Of The Sweetness of Spring

Slowly sky-floating in a plane onto a path tonight to Jerusalem to sightsee. Sitting way on top of the Wailing Wall dangling my feet down, kicking them in rhythm onto a huge beige stone brick that's flourishing with the growth of vines on the chipped mortar. Chanting: "...brei pri ha' gafen."

Wandering across the deserted desert into a crowded kibbutz, exhaustedly seated on a soft chair enjoying a Shabbat meal with temple friends, briskly breaking braided Challah comfort bread, smearing on the sap of date honey, sipping and gargling grape juice, singing simple poetic songs, and seeing a cooking campfire burning out back. Walking under 6-pointed stars of David, then squinting to see the new moon on Rosh Hodesh Adar. Smiling as we shuffle in sand in the new moonlight, moody with the miracle of happiness, awaiting the coming of Adar: The Sweetness of Spring.

Miracle! My Mother is 88!

Miracle! Silence, a lonely holiness, and comfort from the Almighty God, even in the middle of a circus tent; to walk and not to hear one's steps, a soft plushy red carpet everywhere, rolled out for royalty, as the poorest of the noblest walks on it onto a throne of dignity. Living in hatred of riches, earning money in a process that robs others of their money to fill your pockets, an ability to earn an honest living, even the poor have something to give, every shekel counts. If the poor pays a nickel to their Shul for the upkeep of the temple, that silver nickel counts as a greater sacrifice therefore as a greater mitzvoth. Respect the righteous man who has nothing, talk to him, for his words are greater than a man who tarries at business instead of Torah study.

Looking for lightness in a sky without a sun on a wintery day, knowing deep in my heart, that there is light even without the sun: there is the lightheartedness of my mother, as she skips through the tulips on her 88th birthday, enjoying every moment. This joy brings sunshine to my window, and keeps the light shining all year round.

One Wet Tear Drop From One God

The miracle of a good cry from a "Dearest Mother Letter From a Daughter," written to her from miles away, a journey across a desert, a land away from home, another time and place, not in Oz anymore.

A letter that pleads for understanding, binah, and chesed, lovingkindness, a letter that summons only one real tear on automatic pilot, stiffening the sinuses, a throat heavy with grief. Grief without anger. No way to come out of grief except with mitzvoth for a mother from a daughter, the true way to true happiness.

Anger purposely lays on the wayside so no one is to blame, not wanting to blame anyone: not wanting to see a dead body on a crucifix to cause sadness to cause a lonely "holiness," not blaming and then hating the Jews as a temper tantrum that would cause a revitalization of energy. Righteousness is being slow to anger, not blaming anyone, feeling sorry for oneself, receiving compassion, then hearing another's sad story, then doing mitzvoth for them and then feeling happiness. If there is any anger following my sadness to revitalize my energy it is at the murderers of the Holocaust and at the ISIS terrorists, the second generation of Nazis.

Old age coming naturally, the almighty One God bringing relief to a crowded heart with the holy aloneness after a good cry. Wondering when and where, I will see God's face again as He gently allows me to have one tear, and then comforts me as a She, a Shekinah, her shoulder to cry on, with a mother's understanding instead of having the sadness and then the hatred that comes with an angry religion that kills.

Shabbat coming tonight to increase happiness with the celebration of a holy day of rest, people praying for dead fathers and mothers, my mother is still alive to read my letters, letters of honesty: heartfelt and sincere. Letters to a loved one, letters in hoping God will keep her alive for another letter, another year, another good cry, another time to feel sadness, and aloneness, but without the anger or hate for another. This is true goodness, real righteousness. Hoping for another good cry that hurts no one.

Singing Halleluyah In The Shower Before Shabbat

The miracle of being a writer, an artist, a poet, like my great, great, great... grandfather King David of the Davidic Lineage of the Mashiach, without a care in the world, but with enough stress to tickle the creative funny bone created within a fairyland environment, thick stone walls circulated surrounding me to keep me safe and sound. Sound mind, sound heart, sound of music coming in chorus's singing all around me from temples to the right and to the left--east of me and west of me, north and south. Righteousness in gobs of Kosher foods, served by waiters and cooked by chefs, on the dining room table everyday on time, always... Companions are sorcerers, jokesters, prophets, shamans. Creativity coming in shofar blasts... the gift of a creative writer, writing as a savior for all of humanity, writing to entertain, to educate, to sing the Song of Songs, as "Halleluyah," to all people! 

Tikkun Olam As The #1 Method To Feel Spirituality

Miracle! Awoke this morning with a faith in God even though times are tough. Blessings automatically in pilot first thing in the morning "Modeh Ani" never will forget Him. Zohar guiding me, Torah showing me the way, sticking with my guns, as they despair and blame it all on the Jews. Hoping for a reprieve from the demons for loved ones, knowing their desperation must someday cease. Wars in families of coveting, jealousies, then theft, even murder. Follow 613 Commandments, not just 7!

How to become spiritual? At whose cost? Using sexual stimulation to get to God, or using a worship of the dead to get to God, or using Tikkun Olam and mitzvoth to get to God. Which method is valid, which method works, which method does not hurt another, which method is holy? Tikkun Olam, the changing of the world works for me. How to change the world, teaching the holy Word, accepting what we cannot change and changing what we can. Purification in foods, dishware, thoughts, actions, clothes, methods of getting to God. Sadness and mourning of those who cannot get there. Not going to worship dead, not going to "get turned on," not going to succumb to an unholy method to become holy. Not needing a mikvah, whiteness as pure as the outside snow, strength and security as strong as a tree, thirst satisfied even when there is no water, God is blocking all blows. Following 613 Commandments to keep afloat, even when they are not. Davening not meditation, Buddhism does not work for me. Eyes open, ears shut, shoulders relaxed, muscles and blood clean and holy, not going to let this change, ever.

Tu B' Shevat and Dancing With The Tree of Life!

 

Tonight! A miracle will occur! Waiting on miracles, gaining strength through relaxation to meet the spiritual increases, Tu B' Shevat will start tonight after sunset! A miracle of the blessings of the TREES.

Moses threw a piece of wood, a piece of a tree, into the river to sweeten the bitter waters; reading the Etz Hayyim everyday: The Tree of Life; sweetening my disposition with the fruits of Her labors; planting trees and printing books; book bindings secured with thick twine; climbing trees of the greatest of heights and the loftiest of leaves; not worshipping trees--Asherah is no more.

Trees come and go as I walk down the block in my residential neighborhood; everyone has a tree. My mother has a "Golden" tree. I have the rings in the stump of a tree chopped down: the rings of wisdom in an older tree around my middle finger, a wedding band married to The Tree of Life. Ringing chimes like wedding bells tied to tree branches, hearing the tinkling and dancing as the trees shade me from the too-bright sunlight.

Trees. I will be celebrating you all, each and every one of you: tonight and tomorrow. How I have always loved the trees!

 

The Miraculous Secrets To True Happiness

Miracle! Not dying before I can help someone! The struggle of a family of the Davidic Lineage, great families, living on, producing great thoughts, changing the world, others crying, looking for saviors, they want a Mashiach who must be from Davidic Lineage, they kill off Davids, names changing to "Dave." True Davids speaking about trips to Egypt, suffering with jet lag, helpers healing those who are suffering, they must take more trips to Egypt and then get out again. Living in an Egypt of its own. Israelites battling to keep history alive, bombs thrown on a country that keeps all the secrets of survival, books being burned, libraries laboring to pass books along, people reading secrets as God guides them to the information online. Billions of secrets online, who is the REAL Mashiach? Will you please stand up?! Let us know before they throw you into jail and destroy you?? Sifting through websites instead of flour dough to learn the answers, being blessed to know some answers before I was born: Love, Fear and Praise only One God so you do not break the Holy Covenant; Do not participate in pictography so that you can think; Revere both parents equally so you can believe in God; Love and respect others so you do not murder; Do not covet so you do not steal; Love your wife so you do not commit adultery. Is it that simple? There is more... Learn the secrets! And then may you live a long life! May you live until 120 and keep your loved ones alive too!

Monday Morning Advice Is a Miracle!

Miracle! I saved her life and she saved my life! Savior, "Healer" was her Hebrew name, mine is "Daughter of God," she gave me my name, a shortened version of the 72 letter name my Mother gave me, we have lost the 72 letter name of God, we knew it 5775 years ago, but now we use 72 shortened names instead, Beth. She whispered my name Beth which was soothing to my ears, as the "th" sound came into my hearing range like a butterfly wing brushing up softly onto my cheek as it passed me by closely in the breeze and tickled me! Hee hee! A butterfly in the Spring is like a vision of good times if one imagines this when there is 20 inches of snow all around you. Stepping in deep stuff, but imagining butterfly cocoons tucked into bushes that are hibernating and will suddenly come alive in the Springtime! Monarch butterflies are good, just as we of the Davidic Line are good. We have this in our genes, our blue jeans as we experience soft denim on a Sunday. Keep your chin up! Keep the 613 Commandments of God and wade through the sticky stuff so you can figure out what is good and what is not. She and Her are all over the "old" testament, we are Shekinah, and we are in power, never doubt the power of God or of a woman. Doubting Thomases are "scoffers" and that will only get you into the Land of the Phillistines without a slingshot or a pebble. Be smart: never discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual preference, disability, age ... That is my advice.

Blessings Are Miracles!

Blessings coming down all over me: like gold dust circulating amidst the oxygen molecules as I breathe shallowly without effort; like chocolate drops lickity split--snorting Rocky Road ice cream for free; as a blizzard snowstorm I do not have to shovel or wear a hat over; as The Torah that is always open; as The Zohar that I do not have to return to the library; like feathers in a pillow without the allergies; as a present to my mother that has been gift wrapped by another! Soft snowy days, vanilla manna wafers for breakfast/lunch/dinner that come served on a pure plate, a miracle of miracles! My mother is still alive to talk about my successes! And to encourage me in all I do. And to care for me when I catch a cold. Blessings coming in from a megaphone loud and clear, it has been a good life and I am grateful to God!