From chabad.org: The name of the Parshah, “V’Zot HaBerachah,” means “And this is the blessing,” and it is found in Deuteronomy 33:1. The Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret Torah readings are from Leviticus 22-23, Numbers 29, and Deuteronomy 14-16. These readings detail the laws of the moadim or “appointed times” on the Jewish calendar for festive…
This is a call for a public vote. I think this should be a vote amongst all humanity regardless of religion or state affiliation. I also think this should be regardless of history except of course as people might remember things in their own experience that might give them a good chance of making the…
From Chabad.org: Haazinu in a NutshellDeuteronomy 32:1–52The name of the Parshah, “Haazinu,” means “Listen” and it is found in Deuteronomy 32:1. The greater part of the Torah reading of Haazinu (“Listen In”) consists of a 70-line “song” delivered by Moses to the people of Israel on the last day of his earthly life. Calling heaven…
Listen. I think I need to talk to you. This was one of those moments in life where, when you look back years later, you either did it well or you didn’t. Perhaps the world really wasn’t this dramatic and obviously, the drama was more on his side than on hers. She was simply living…
I think the Japanese bring suffering to new levels. I try to walk the fine line between Zen perfectionism and masochistic obsessive compulsive problems. I don’t mean to generalize or objectify. This is not the point. I’m just saying that I love watching Japanese baseball but this is a new level of torture to have…
From Chabad.org: Nitzavim-Vayelech in a Nutshell Deut. 29:9–31:30The name of the Parshah, “Nitzavim,” means “Standing,” and it is found in Deuteronomy 29:9. The name of the Parshah, “Vayelech,” means “And [Moses] went,” and it is found in Deuteronomy 31:1. The Parshah of Nitzavim includes some of the most fundamental principles of the Jewish faith: The…
Trench warfare. How is it possible despite all the new technology that we still have trench warfare. The most miserable, the most dangerous, the most helpless war situation one could be in. A stagnant front, living in holes. And yet sometimes, the enemy was so close that you could hear each other speaking. Hey, Rooski!…
Theo du Plessis is a minimalist. We are surrounded by the stuff that we think is so valuable and important, but take it all away and what is left? The real you is left. Or at least the journey to the real you without all the stuff that you think defines you. In this video,…
Where is Kamala Harris right now and what is she doing? Kamala Harris in Michigan: Action needed on gun violence, economic hurdles Craig Mauger Jennifer Chambers The Detroit News Farmington Hills — Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris told a crowd in suburban Detroit Thursday that people are finding the American dream “far more elusive than it’s…
sadism /ˈseɪdɪz(ə)m/nounthe tendency to derive pleasure, especially sexual gratification, from inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation on others.“beneath the apparent loving concern she had glimpsed spite and sadism” From wiki: Sadist refers to: A person with sadistic personality disorder, an obsolete term for individuals who derive pleasure from the suffering of others Sadistic personality disorder was a proposed…
From Chabad.org: Ki Tavo in a NutshellDeuteronomy 26:1–29:8The name of the Parshah, “Ki Tavo,” means “when you come,”. Moses instructs the people of Israel: When you enter the land that G‑d is giving to you as your eternal heritage, and you settle it and cultivate it, bring the first-ripened fruits (bikkurim) of your orchard to…
Dictionary Definitions from Oxford Languages democracy /dɪˈmɒkrəsi/noun: a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives. “a system of parliamentary democracy”Similar: representative government, elective government, constitutional government, popular government, self-government, government by the people, autonomy, republic and commonwealthOpposite: tyranny, dictatorship, a state governed under…
Lately I’ve been asking this question of Google. It doesn’t seem to be much of a question anymore. I’ve been sitting on this one site because it is the most direct and I think they use a really complete spectrum of information sources. This is good old 538. The current line of thinking is that…
Hi. Good to see you. I’m glad you came. We don’t really bother with the press normally because it’s so completely unnecessary. We exist in the fabric of this community and this community has been a part of this cafe for 200 years. Can you imagine that? 200 years. The Utopian! is not only aware…
In its never-ending quest for the truth, the Utopian! has gone to the street to ask people the answer to this age old question. How do you know when it’s real? How do you know if that special person even exist or if it’s absolutely not the person you are sharing space here. I don’t…
I ran into some YouTube shorts from YouTuber Ayoub Hajji. It’s interesting to see how this man is making money. And he has almost 3 million subscribers. He makes money. I cannot say that I am an absolute master of this thing we call show business but I have heard the phrase that any good…
From Chabad.org: Ki Teitzei in a NutshellDeuteronomy 21:10–25:19The name of the Parshah, “Ki Teitzei,” means “when you go out,”. Seventy-four of the Torah’s 613 commandments (mitzvot) are in the Parshah of Ki Teitzei. These include the laws of the beautiful captive, the inheritance rights of the firstborn, the wayward and rebellious son, burial and dignity…
I was there. I’m sure I write about this every year. Every year I take a moment to think about it. In the end, it’s about getting moved from your life. It’s about having to make compromises. I was in New York serendipitously. I was into the big New Year’s. I didn’t have any particular…
Sometime this evening on the East Coast of the United States, we are going to get the first debate between two presidential hopefuls. I’m not really convinced of the genuine value of this ride. I do not particularly find either of the candidates to be particularly stimulating. I think there was a time when Kamala…
It is for a male and interesting thought to dwell on. Exactly how long do we need a mother? It might also be worth asking if the answer is no whether or not we need a mother from time to time? Or is it just that sometimes we need a mother and sometimes we don’t?…
According to Belarus.by: (BelTA) – The young generation of Belarusians will need to move along Belarus’ historical path in a world that is changing at breakneck speed, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the Q&A session titled “Open Microphone with the President” at Vitebsk State University on 2 September, BelTA has learned. “Today is a special day for your…