An Organization that gives practical advice to help protect kids, that has child safety resources, advice, and more is available at
Protecting Kids Over Summer & School Year
Reply
Author Archives: admin
L’Chaim : Book on Guarding Your Health
BASED ON THE latest findings, Torah wisdom, and true stories, Dr. Shmuel Shields gives clear, user-friendly guidelines to be healthier, stronger, and more energized—and fulfill the mitzvah to “guard your health.” Meal plans, recipes, and practical takeaway tips make weight loss and healthy lifestyle changes a possible, achievable goal.
Get the facts on fats—and why we can’t live without them.
Find out why weight loss is all about portion and proportion.
Learn how to stay on track even on Shabbos and yom tov (have your kugel and eat it too!)
Boost your immunity and say good-bye to frequent colds and flu.
Get the scoop on carbs—the bad and the good.
Improve concentration by feeding your brain.
Learn ways to cope with stress.
Increase your energy and endurance levels.
And more!
Why Do You Feel Good When You Recycle?
There are two receptacles in the kitchen. One for tossing away and one for recycling. Throw in one – no fun. Throw in the other – you feel like you accomplish something.
why?
As mentioned in other posts – the person is composed of the body and soul. Your essence is your soul. When you please it you feel good. What pleases the soul? Doing the Mitzvot. Mitzvot are commandments from the Torah.
One of the Commandments is “Bal Tashchit.” – Do Not Waste. It includes refraining from unnecessary destruction and wasteful consumption (Maimonides – Kings 6:8,10).
When you recycle you accomplish this Mitzvah. Thus you feel good.
Here is someone who started a recycling program in Israel.
Green is Good.
Interview on “The Attainable Pursuit of Happiness, Purpose and Spirituality through Judaism.”
Tonight – Thursday, Jun 20 , 2013 – at 10:00 PM on Blog talk radio show they will interview the President of Ohr Binyamin, Matatia Chetrit
Science and Torah : The Discovery Seminar in Brooklyn
One of the Most Popular Jewish Seminars – Attended by over 100,000 people – that explains the wonders and truths of Torah, like the Torah codes and Scientific facts found in the Torah – is the Discovery Seminar by Aish Hatorah.
One will be held in Brooklyn on June 23, 2013
click below for the link:
The Plant Experiment: Speaking Nicely Makes Them Grow Better
We tried the following experiment:
Take three seeds. Plant them, each in a different container. Speak nicely to one of them. Say nothing to the next. Speak harshly to Third.
Results of The Plant Experiment:
HARSH WORDS:
Plant Hardly Grows – Stayed In Ground. Grew Roots Downward
NO WORDS:
Plant Starts To Bud. Minimally Coming Out Of Ground
NICE WORDS/ POSITIVE / PLEASANT SPEECH:
Plant Buds. Comes Out Of Ground. Grows 2 Cm.
Grows 2 Cm Higher Than Others.
Speak Pleasantly To Plants To Make Them Grow
CONCLUSIONS:
If Plants Grow By Listening To Positive Speech – Even More So Should Humans.
Positive Speech Is Necessary For The Proper Development Of All Of Hash-M’s Creatures.
Kal Vachomer / A Fortiori – If We Need To Speak Nicely To Plants, Even More So Should We Speak Nicely TO And ABOUT Our Family, Friends & Brothers & Others.
Love Your Fellow : One of the Greatest of G-d’s Gifts – the Ability to Give to Others
It’s better to give than to receive.
Giving makes you a greater person, for you emulate Hash-m – the ultimate source of giving.
The Foundation of the Torah – Loving Your Fellow
The Mitzvah of Bestowing kindness comes from the Verse “And you shall love your fellow as yourself” (Vayikra / Leviticus 19:18) – One of the great principles of the Torah of which the entire Torah is based.”
A Story on Kindness
Once a gentile wanted to convert to Judaism. He said to Shammai teach me the entire Torah while I stand on one foot (meaning in one moment). Shammai, thinking he was mocking him, sent him away. Then he went to Hillel, asking the same question. Hillel answered “The entire Torah is ‘whatever is hateful to you don’t do to others.’ The rest is elucidation on that. Go and learn.”
Rabbi Akiva said “You shall love your Fellow as Yourself is a major foundation of the Torah.”
Taking Care of Others Helps You Become a Greater Person
Taking care of another’s material need’s helps your spirituality. A Person cannot be a Judge in the Sanhedrin, unless he has had children, because a judge who never had children lacks the requisite degree of mercy that comes from the personal experience of child-raising, and therefore he may not judge certain matters properly – like those of life and death. (Talmud : Horayoth 4b)
Your intentions can increase the reward of the Mitzvah.
There was once a man, every day he would go to a needy family and drop a bottle of milk by the door.
– If he does it because he is getting paid (ie, he is a Milkman) – he gets a certain reward.
– If he delivers it because it is a kindness (commanded by Hash-m) – and by the way he also is getting paid (ie, he is a Milkman) – he has a much greater reward.
Two people, doing the exact same thing can receive different rewards based upon their intentions. When doing your own job the same applies. If you do it to make money that is one level of reward. If your intention is to help others because of the the Mitzvah of doing kindness and you also get paid for it, you get a higher reward.
It is important to know, why one gives.
Is it because you are commanded, it is your job, you are embarrassed not to give, you want to receive honor for it, your heart feels bad for the person or because the person needs it?
It is a higher level to give anonymously than to give publicly.
There are several levels of charity in Judaism according to the RAMBAM
Maimonides gradations of giving charity in descending order
1. A gift, a loan, a business partnership, a job rendering alms unnecessary.
2. Benevolence in which the giver and recipient are unknown to one another….similar to this is one who puts money in the communal charity box…
3. Benevolence in which the giver is unknown to the recipient (but the recipient is known to the giver)…
4. Benevolence in which the recipient is unknown to the giver (but the giver is known to the recipient)…
5. Giving before one is asked to give.
6. Giving after one is asked to give.
7. Giving less than appropriate, but graciously.
8. Giving grudgingly.
For an Audio on the Subject : By R. Akiva Tatz click Levels of the Spirit – The Real Giving or look up giving on their site or on Aish.com
Improving Your Family Relationships by Limiting TV Viewing
Imagine the good in the world created by taking one hour a day from watching TV to improve another person’s life – Especially if that person is your own child.
Sometimes we see things more objectively with a cold head.
Let’s investigate together objectively the value of Television.
Before taking a decision on something that affects the family, responsible parents evaluate the effect that that decision will have on the long-term future of the family.
There are many considerations to take into account (see below) but here we will focus mainly on Relationship between Family Members
Some Considerations:
1) Effect on Values
2) Effect on Well-being of Family
3) Effect on Productivity
4) Effect on Opportunity costs
5) Effect on Outlook in Life
6) Effect on Social Development
7) Effect on Relationship between family members
8) Effect on Character traits
9) Effect on Safety of Family
10) Effect on Education of Family
11) Effect on Convenience
12) Effect on Financial status of Family
13) Effect on Finances of Family
14) Effect on Mitzvah Observance & Torah Study
15) Effect on Perceived Status of Family
16) Effect on Creativity
17) Effect on Creative Output
18) Effect of Wholesomeness of Family
19) Effect on Entertainment of Family
20) Effect on Psychology
21) Effect on Happiness of Family
22) Effect of Relationship with Hash-m
23) Effect on Self-Esteem
24) Effect of Tranquility
25) Effect on Satisfaction in Life
26) Effect on Health
27) Effect on Continuity Of Family
Some considerations overlap, some have an affect on one another. For instance by allowing a person to be more creative, we are helping them build their self-esteem. Also, to be fair the decision should not be made in a vacuum – meaning the Value of watching TV can be compared to the value of doing kindness, learning Torah or being creative.
Families prioritize what they find most important. For some number 23 – Happiness of Family is most important. For Some number 22 – Relationship with Hash-m is most important. Based upon what is important to you, you will decide what is best for the child. (Putting the nagging of the children aside :))
We are all intelligent.
Intelligence is shown by thoughts and by action.
Let’s put things into perspective. Who are the most important people in your life? Most would say, “my immediate family. “
So does the TV improve those relationships or not?
To see things objectively we should ask people who have seen both sides of the coin. Life with and without TV.
Occasionally a town in the us drops TV for a week. They report better communication, more wholesome activities, less stress and better relationships.
Apparently, what they are saying is true.
Having a relationship with a person is much more fulfilling than having one with an image box. And even more fulfilling with family.
When a child talks with a parent and either is involved watching TV (or using the computer) undivided attention is not present. This is not respectful to the parent or the child.
It’s not just media is the message.
You know that it is unpleasant when you are in a middle of a conversation with a friend and your friend starts talking on the phone with someone else. Talking to a couch potato or computer/phone/ipad/work addict isn’t pleasant either. You know they only have half of their attention on what you are saying. The other half of their attention is on the latest news. It also sends a message to the other person … “my work/TV/phone/computer is more important than what you are saying.” We wonder sometimes where the lack of attentiveness of children comes from – here’s a possible source.
Basics of Positive Relationships
Giving undivided attention to another is one of the basics of a positive relationships. Knowing the other’s interests, challenges, strengths and positive points is another. Once known, doing things related and discussing them will help in the relationship and the development of the child or other person.
Unfortunately some are more in touch with the lives of celebrities than those of family or friends.
Sometimes, a person is so involved in a show or a program, when someone disturbs them, they snap at them with angry words. Hold on! Remember, your children come first.
Less Stress for Children. Less Parenting Stress.
I used to watch TV. I don’t miss it. Really, not one bit.
Sometimes I ask a person why they watch TV. The basic answer I get is “I have to be informed.” But in today’s day and age TV is not necessary for news. There are fine periodicals like Mishpacha Magazine, or Hamodia or Yated Ne’eman that has “all the news that’s really fit to print.” 🙂
When one sees violence on TV it stresses a person and creates a negative and fearful image of the world. You can be informed without being stressed out. Imagine what it does to children. The latest crimes, the violent schemes of the world on the big screen. Good or not good for family? You decide.
Why do children have nightmares? The Talmud in tractate Berachot discusses dreams. It says that a person sometimes dreams of what they thought about during the day.
Less TV, less stress.
More Deep Relationships with Family
If the major interests of a family is their occupation with celebrities it detracts from their relationship with their children .. or at least makes it more shallow. When one takes an interest in children, their relationship improves markedly.
More Wholesome Activities
So what should one do instead of TV to build relationships?
Get involved with the Torah community together
Do Mitzvas or Kindness Together as a Family
Bikur holim – there are groups and organizations like Bikur Holim that go to hospitals to visit patients there, some that cook for families that Just had a baby.
Read a Kosher novel – that usually have a theme with a positive morale or are educational. Many are available online at Artscroll, Feldheim, etc. One that is an excellent is “The Voyage to Good Middos” Series By Rabbi Baruch Chait. Where kids learn to improve their character traits by hearing stories of Middos challenges. It can serve to develop a good conversation.
Play board games with family
Learn Torah with family members
Invite a Torah scholar to your house to give a lecture
Say the shema at bedtime for kids. We say Shema two times a day – the morning and at night. A child that sleeps with a shema and nice Jewish bedtime story will also have nice dreams.
Most Torah Observant Jews have No Tv. For the above reason, for the opportunity cost of watching TV and for the negative influence TV has on the kids and family.
To sell ads TV many times appeals to the lowest common denominator. The advertisers get what they want – ratings. It shows violence, disrespectful youth, immorality, and the improperly dressed. There used to be a saying “The street is the street and the home is the home.” TV has effectively brought the street into the home. Is it in the best interest of the child? You decide.
Help Your Children Be Themselves
As a parent our we were blessed with our particular children because we have the greatest possibility of helping them develop their greatest potential – in regards to Torah & Mitzvot. We want them to express their real self – their soul. Limiting TV has the effect of increasing the individuality of the person. He is not influenced to be like a celebrity. He is freer to express his own-self and individuality.
They can express themselves creatively. Instead of escaping or “killing time” they express themselves through productive activities. They blossom and become more themselves.
Can’t go cold turkey? Try to make limits. No TV during supper. No TV/Computer/Phone/Ipad between 7 and nine. No TV one day a week. Anyone has the right to turn off the TV at any time for any reason without receiving derision from other family members. This is family time. Little by little you will be able to kick the habit.
I don’t think anyone ever said when the kids we’re moving out or on their deathbed : “Too bad I should have watched more TV.” But many have said… “I wish I could have spent more time with my family.”
Turn off TV. Turn on life.
The Origin of Animal Protection: The Torah
Some think concern for animal protection is a modern concept. Really it dates back over 5,700 years when Adam, the first man, was given laws to abide by.
When Adam was created, he was an almost perfect being. He was clothed in light. Because of his greatness, it was forbidden for him to eat animals. (Adam was the first vegetarian in the world.) He was given 6 commandments to follow.
One more law was given to Noah. Thus he had 7 Commandments – Laws for all Humanity – the Noahide Laws. These universal laws were taught to Noah when he was to re-establish the world after the flood for world peace. (see The Noahide Laws Card)
The 7th commandment is “Ever Min HaChai” – the prohibition of eating a limb taken from a living animal. Meaning, one must assure an animal is no longer alive before taking parts to eat.
Adam did not receive this law initially – because he couldn’t eat animals anyway. When man was given the right to eat animals, this extra law was given.
The Jewish nation has 613 commandments / Mitzvot – one of them being “Tzaar Baalei Chaim” – Not causing pain to animals. We are enjoined not to cause pain even to small animals. (While some spew hatred against people through inciting pogroms or inflammatory words – we are teaching our children to be kind to animals. 🙂 ) Also, to be Kosher, all animals must be slaughtered in a way that causes no pain to the animal – called Schitah. (Thus electrocution, that causes pain to animals, is ruled out.)
Animal Protection Laws and laws of Kashrut (Kosher) helps give sensitivity to a person to not be cruel with animals or other creatures. Being Kosher – we only eat docile animals that have a positive effect on the soul.
Gazelles are the animals most loved by G-d . . . because a gazelle harms no one, and never disturbs the peace. – Midrash: Midrash Samuel 9 (For more quotes about animals – click here)
Hash-m’s mercy is upon all of his creatures (see Tehillim / Psalm 145 :9) – like we recite every day twice in the Ashre.
Once, on a windy day, the Baal Shem Tov told his talmidim / students to follow him outside. He said “we are going to follow this leaf.” After moving to and fro in the wind, the leaf landed on a small Caterpillar to protect it from the elements. He said “you see Hash-m has mercy for all of His creatures.”
Torah & Science
In the Zohar – Jewish Kabbalah & Mysitical Work – it says when G-d created the world – He looked into the Torah and created the world. The Torah is the Blueprint of Creation.
This means that it is not that first G-d created the world and then He said let us make laws. The Physical and Spiritual Laws were engraved into the Essence of the World.
Meaning: It is not that first G-d Created Parents and then He said we should respect them. First He said – it would be proper for their be a respect for two adults – (ie, the Laws of Respecting Parents) then he created Parents.
Infused in each one of us, therefore, is an innate knowledge of what is right and wrong.
Also, that since our souls are created using this plan, this is what will ultimately make us happy. (See the Gallup Poll Well-Being Survey – which interviewed over a million adults and found that Torah Observant Jews received the Highest Score in Happiness out of any other Group in America).
If this is so, it makes sense that the Torah knows exact facts of science.
Here are some examples:
The Length of a Synodic Month in the Talmud
Jewish months are calculated at 29.53059 days, following the cycle of the moon. This practice is based on the Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 25a), according to tradition dating back to Moses and codified by scientists such as Ptolemy.
Incredibly, it took the modern world many centuries to confirm this figure. Only after calculations using solar satellites, hairline telescopes, laser beams and super-computers, did NASA scientists determine that the length of the “synodic month,” i.e. the time between one new moon and the next, is 29.530588 days.
Videos about
Astrology & Judaism
Torah & Science – Part 2 – R. Mizrachi
In the Talmud (Berachot ) it discusses How many Stars in the Universe:
Each of the Zodiac constellations has 30 armies. Each army has 30 legions. Each legion has 30 divisions. Each division has 30 cohorts. Each cohort has 30 camps, and each camp has 365,000 myriads of stars.
Doing the math: 12 x 30 x 30 x 30 x 30 x30 x 365,000 x 10,000 = 1.06434 x 10^18
Scientists at NASA have come up with a similar number.
When in history did people discover the earth was a sphere?
Torah Shleimah (BeReishis 1:1 note 30) quotes the Rama in Toras HaOlah who says that Chazal (Yerushalmi Avodah Zarah 3:1, BaMidbar Rabbah 13, Zohar VaYikra 10, Zohar Chadash 15) knew the earth was round before the world at large (he gives the date that they knew as 5252, i.e. 1492). This was known 3,300 years ago by Torah.
Knowledge about all the Species of Fish in the world.
The Torah Says every Fish that has scales has fins – and are kosher. but every fish that has fins does not necessarily have scales. This was known over 3,300 years ago when the Torah was Given.
Some Books on the Subject
Torah & Science – By Yehuda Levi
The Coming Revolution
Genesis & the Big Bang – Gerald Schroeder
Rational Approaches to G-d’s Existence – Lawrence Keleman
Investigate it Yourself.