We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.
The Bible directs us to observe Passover and to remember that G-d delivered us from slavery to the freedoms of body, faith and observance. Passover begins tonight with the ceremonial Seder of symbolic foods, narration of the Exodus story, and prayers and songs. Oh, don't forget the feast!
Some may ask why has this biblical holiday survived intact for thousands of years? In large part, as many of our daily prayers say, to remember who we are and from whence we came, and to thank G-d for those and all our existence. And, it is a "big tent" holiday, which keeps Passover relevant to the present, both in welcoming the stranger into our tent and in welcoming Passover's many other meanings that are derived from Passover.
One of those meanings is the freedom from the slavery to our egos.
"We are slaves. Slaves to our own inhibitions, fears, habits, cynicism and prejudices. These self-appointed pharaohs are layers of ego that prevent us from expressing our true inner self, from reaching our spiritual potential. Our souls are incarcerated in selfishness, laziness and indifference.
"Pesach means "Passover." It is the season of liberation, when we pass over all these obstacles to inner freedom. On Pesach, we give our souls a chance to be expressed.
"Reread the Haggada [Exodus narrative]. Every time it says "Egypt" read "limitations." Replace the word "Pharaoh" with "Ego." And read it in the present tense."
Another meaning is the central importance of gratitude in guiding our lives. The fun song Dayeinu during the Seder means "It would have been enough." Gratitude is expressed for every facet of G-d's miraculous deliverance: for example, "Had G-d but split the sea, and not passed us through it on dry land -- it would have been enough." An attitude of gratitude in all facets of our lives enriches ourselves and those around us. Giving thanks even for the partial and incomplete, even for the disappointing parts of living, is crucial for living in peace and happiness in an uncertain world and sharing that blessing with others. The Matzoh, unleavened and tasteless cracker (unless flavored or topped with a good spread), that we eat instead of breads, is a reminder to be grateful for even that in our rush to exit Egypt and to share that feeling thousands of years later.
Exodus 13:8 says that we are to teach our children "It's because of this that G-d did for me when I went out from Egypt". In every generation we are obligated to see ourself as one who personally went out from Egypt, and freed of limitations and full of gratitude.
Here's another allied take, "Passover's Three Steps To Personal Freedom":
Read: https://www.learnreligions.com/jewish-spelling-of-god-2076772 The spelling as G-d is traditional Jewish way of respect
"The custom of substituting the word "God" with G-d in English is based on the traditional practice in Jewish law of giving God's Hebrew name a high degree of respect and reverence." I was raised and am an observant Jew.
interesting.
So respect in writing omits letters.
How about while speaking?
How about while singing?
How about in thought (the most private channel)?
Or is it only written form?
This guy is really stretching it. I'm Jewish, and I have never heard anything even remotely resembling this explanation before. Just goes to show, anybody with a bible can give a speech. Even a schmuck like this guy.
But do I respect the fact that he's talking about an important subject, even though he doesn't know his ass from a hole in ground. At least he's trying.
But the truth is that we are not slaves to our ego; in fact ego is the source of our personality, and all beauty. Everybody wants to craft a beautiful ego; but it's difficult because nobody is willing to discuss how that should be done. I would start by teaching transactional analysis in school. Then I would teach about the meaning of life itself: how to bring order to the contents of the mind. After that, the big five: Fun, Freedom, Survival, Power, and Belonging. Then, I would give each person a life-long course in Joy, so that each person looks forward to each new day.
Uhhh... the linked article is basically letting assimilated ignoramuses like you understand the literal meaning of these Hebrew words.
The Hebrew word for "Egypt" is "Mitzrayim" - which literally translates as "narrow straits" (in most Arabic dialects it's "Misr")
In other words - limitations.
(This is not just relevant to a modern attempt to find relevance in Passover, it is also historically true - abundantly documented in the relics of ancient Egypt, a rigidly stratified caste society.)
Pharaoh's words and actions in the Exodus story make him an obvious symbol of arrogance and egotism carried to a tragically self-destructive degree.... that is, obvious to those of us who actually read the Bible before shooting off our keyboards...
The word "Pesach" means "elision, omission, skipping over" and is used in modern Hebrew in the same sense.
The play on words in the video is obvious to all Hebrew speakers as well - mouth=Peh, discuss/meditate = Siach.
... but then again I never learned "transactional analysis" - whatever the bleep that is...
The point that I was trying to make is that religious explanations are a very poor substitute for an actual education. Transactional analysis is a study of the human ego; as child, adult, and parent.
It is my contention that Judaism intentionally refuses to teach real psychology, because it wants to treat the flock like obedient sheep.
#4.1.1
Ron B Liebermann
on
2019-04-21 11:56
(Reply)
What you refer to as "real psychology" has failed in its mumbo jumbo word salads for the past hundred years.. The traditional wisdoms developed over thousands of years of practice have succeeded for thousands of years. There is no "obedient sheep". there is tried and true ways of being and interacting that have passed the tests of time and thus survived, and have the flexibility and individual freedom to adapt to what works in time and place, while passing fancies and fantasies have disappeared. Your ignorance and hostility is telling of your rigidity and ignorance outside tiny fragments of pop psych, and certainly your ignorance of the thousands of years of derived and developed Judiasm. You may have been born of Jews but are not, far far from, an educated Jew or person.
