It is a truism in everyday life that "seeing is believing". It is a deep reason for the creation of idols and icons, as people have done since time immemorial. But Judaism is completely opposed to it, as is its younger cousin, Islam. Everyone has heard of the Second Commandment: ื ืึนื-ืชึทืขึฒืฉึถืื ืึฐืึธ ืคึถืกึถื, ืึฐืึธื-ืชึฐึผืืึผื ึธื, … Continue reading #BlogElul 10 – See
Category: Personal Growth
#BlogElul 9 – Hear
I wrote a very long and complicated blog post last night, scheduled it to appear today, and then this morning I deleted it. That's how it goes sometimes in this business - you spend hours on something, and then you jettison it. It just doesn't have the voice that you want, it doesn't say what … Continue reading #BlogElul 9 – Hear
#BlogElul 8 – Believe
Hey, didn't I say just a few posts ago that Judaism is a religion of action, rather than belief? What gives now, Rabbi Sommer? The articles of the Jewish faith are usually expressed in the form given by Maimonides, a great twelfth-century rabbi who was hugely influential in creating the kind of Judaism we know … Continue reading #BlogElul 8 – Believe
I Saw the Lizard For Real – and a Newsletter Erratum
I went to a fabulous MoMonday event yesterday, organised by the lovely and accomplished Stephanie Staples. Sprawled across the stage, right in front of the speakers, was this giant stuffed lizard. I kid you not. You can read the newsletter I wrote about it here, but I wanted to make sure that you had the … Continue reading I Saw the Lizard For Real – and a Newsletter Erratum
#BlogElul 7 – Be
When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, whisper words of wisdom, let it be ... Now, of course, everyone is laughing at me, for quoting the great Rabbi McCartney. But don't forget what the Mishna says: Ben (the son of) Zoma said: Who is wise? He who learns from … Continue reading #BlogElul 7 – Be
#BlogElul 6 – Do
Oooh, a tricky one, Rabbi Sommer! Now we need to figure out the difference between "Act" and "Do"! I'm sure there is one ... here we go! So what does it mean to "do Jewish"? To many people, it has come down to the cultural trappings - the food of their grandparents, the tunes and … Continue reading #BlogElul 6 – Do
A Note to All My Readers
Yes, my blog is currently drowning in #BlogElul posts. This is going to carry on for a few weeks yet. So you are probably thinking, why would I still want to read this blog if I'm not interested in Judaism? The short answer is, it's not just about Judaism. For example, in the post titled … Continue reading A Note to All My Readers
#BlogElul 5 – Know
The psychologist Carl Jung, when asked whether he believed in G-d, famously responded "I don't believe, I know."ย While Jung later said that he regretted this unadorned answer for the misunderstandings to which it must inevitably lead, I really like it. And not in a woo-woo kind of mystical way, but in a very practical fashion. … Continue reading #BlogElul 5 – Know
10 Things A Newbie Learned About SEO
A new challenge on my Facebook Writers' Group! Write an article about learning SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and see how high you can get it to rank. So let's see what we can do with that ... Write for humans, not search engines. The algorithms are actually so good nowadays, that they are looking for … Continue reading 10 Things A Newbie Learned About SEO
Oops, looks like you fell out of the running.
So, July is over. July is the first month I was going to do the monthly challenge on 750words.com. I started out really well, and then something happened. I was on a 19-day streak in June, really pleased with myself. I was collecting badges like nobody's business, writing at least 750 words every day since … Continue reading Oops, looks like you fell out of the running.