- Actual excerpted conversation with names censored for privacy. Just a reminder that we don't want to further shell shock and impoverish the transitioning North Koreans:
this...child's ignorance makes me sick.What the Ron Paulite said is that Africa is naturally selected for doom and failure, thus we shouldn't help them in any way, shape, or form. Some could argue the same for North Korea and Pyongyang. But just because all the nations except Israel (including the US, the Kushite nations, and the Koreas) will indeed be made an end to (cf. Jeremiah 30:11) does not excuse an abandonment of tikun ha'olam. Yet in no way should religious and political proselytizing, including Torah el hagoyim v'Mamlahkah Adonai, be done but b'Adonai yachid. As I said, "We should've let the Africans choose their culture" and not made proselytization a condition or an incentive for helping them. The same is with the North Koreans.The best that we can do is say:“Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which [the Hebrews'] fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD! And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which [their] fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land [they would] dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
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Showing posts with label tikun_ha'olam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tikun_ha'olam. Show all posts
Monday, December 19, 2011
So How Do We Help the North Koreans? By Learning From Experience With China and Africa...
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Reform Judaism and Babylon: Why Moving the Capital to Baghdad Would Not Impossible For the URJ (UHAC)
"Here's the big problem that I see: To rebuild Babylon into the economic world center, as described in the bible, it will take much money and time. Money will not be a problem when the Arab nations consolidate, but economic empires (cities) are not physically built overnight (e.g. Hong Kong). And until this is completed along with the temple for the world's religious center (see: Zech. 5:5-11; note: "in the land of Shinar" = Babylon = Iraq), then the prophecies can not be fulfilled. This is of concern, because it appears that this "problem" area will take some time to complete, thereby possibly moving the future, yet unfulfilled prophetic events well into the next century (and millennium). The only consolation is the proposition that with the "New World Order" (NWO), all nations cooperating together as with Babel (Gen. 11:1-9), this could then speed up the progress of rebuilding Babylon. After the flood mankind built Babel with one united purpose. God confused the language (with many languages) and further inhibited this "world order" by also separating the continents in Peleg's time (Gen. 10:25; 1 Chron. 1:19). Since then the world, with it's technology, has now overcome these two major obstacles placed by God. Thus, the way is clear for the NWO and the building of the great city Babylon (Rev. 18:9-21). Nevertheless, as I've said, considering these realities, it could still take some time to built such a great city that's the world's economic and religious center according to the biblical prophecies."
This was written before Saddam Hussein was caught and executed in Tikrit. "Nevertheless, as I've said, considering these realities, it could still take some time to built such a great city that's the world's economic and religious center according to the biblical prophecies." Enter the Union of Reform Judaism (formerly the Union of Hebrew American Congregations), who had no problem moving the capital of Israel to Berlin, the "Yerushalayim Chadash":
"Berlin and Jerusalem have an interesting relationship. Ever since the 19th Century, when there was widespread sentiment that "Berlin is the New Jerusalem", the cities been, in a sense, antipodal. We all know about the prescient words of the Meshekh Chokhma, and we know about the fortunes of the two cities since then."
This was written before Saddam Hussein was caught and executed in Tikrit. "Nevertheless, as I've said, considering these realities, it could still take some time to built such a great city that's the world's economic and religious center according to the biblical prophecies." Enter the Union of Reform Judaism (formerly the Union of Hebrew American Congregations), who had no problem moving the capital of Israel to Berlin, the "Yerushalayim Chadash":
"Berlin and Jerusalem have an interesting relationship. Ever since the 19th Century, when there was widespread sentiment that "Berlin is the New Jerusalem", the cities been, in a sense, antipodal. We all know about the prescient words of the Meshekh Chokhma, and we know about the fortunes of the two cities since then."
The Union of Reform Judaism, since they don't take Tanakh or Zionism seriously (and I already blogged about the URJ's belief in Tanakh as "not divinely-authored") would more than be willing to declare Bavel as Ha'Yerushalayim Chadasha. Even one (so to speak) flip little bird stated, "And yet I do not believe that the Torah was dictated by God to Moses on Mount Sinai." Another commented, "Shavuot is not even understood by most Reform Jews, and since most don't believe that the Torah was given at Sinai as the word of God, how is this relevant to us? The same can be said of Sukkot--who wants to live in a shack for eight days?"
If even Shav'uot is not taken seriously, why would Yerushalayim l'Yerushalayim be? Besides, Reform Judaism believes in a Yom Meshichi (Messianic Age) rather than a Mashiach. So, in order to use tikun ha'olam to bring about HaYom Meshichi, the URJ would be willing to do as they did as UHAC-- expect that they would substitute Bavel for Berlin.
Monday, December 5, 2011
A Magen David Christmas Tree Topper? And More Antimissionarism From Some...
I saw this in a Facebook and "Liked" it almost right away. I'm not sure that Mom will buy it, but we'll see what happens. Meanwhile, I had to tell one of the Antimissionaries, "[A]s a Messiani[c] Jew, I suggest that you instead go to an Antimissionary website where your Scrooge-like and very Un-Jewish behavior would be welcome. If you don't want to be reminded that Christmas was to celebrate a Jewish man who many Jews like myself believe to be the Messiah, and who even many Non-Messianic Jews consider a prophet, that's your schtick. Just please don't try to proselytize against celebrating Christmas in a Jewish way here."
Her excuse to the page administrators before I came in:
"than why is it called a christmas tree, it's not just any tree. we decorate it and put presents under it . i am a interfaith person and we have a tree and a mehorah so the children no the meaning of both holidays.tthat toppersays nothing about hannukkah. the candels must be light. enough said."
Too bad that some Scroogesque people have to try to ruin both the secular Christmas and the Messianic Jewish and gentile Chag Mashiach.
Her excuse to the page administrators before I came in:
"than why is it called a christmas tree, it's not just any tree. we decorate it and put presents under it . i am a interfaith person and we have a tree and a mehorah so the children no the meaning of both holidays.tthat toppersays nothing about hannukkah. the candels must be light. enough said."
Too bad that some Scroogesque people have to try to ruin both the secular Christmas and the Messianic Jewish and gentile Chag Mashiach.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Don't Let Legalistic Grinches Steal Christ-Mass, Chag Mashiach
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free,[a] and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." (Galtians 5:1, NKJV) If anyone gives you drek about Christmas (Chag Mashiach), Easter (Chag HaT'khiyah Mashiach), etc.; tell them to go do their homework and learn the actual origins, not the origins of what they were alternatives to.
Matters like this have "occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you." (Galatians 2:4-5)
Matters like this have "occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you." (Galatians 2:4-5)
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
When Legalism Sprouts Up The Most
I notice that Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter are the times when legalism sprouts up the most; all because of what each originally historically coincided with and were in fact meant to be alternatives to-- the Celtic Pagan Fall Harvest, the believed-to-be Sukkot celebration of the Puritans gone wrong and long left un-recelebrated, the Greco-Roman Winter Solstice, and the likewise Spring Solstice.
The Early Church created Christmas as 'Am Yisra'el created Hanukah, both to counter the Winter Solstice. The Early Church also created Halloween and Easter to counter the Celtic Pagan Fall Harvest and Greco-Roman Pagan Spring Solstice.
Thanksgiving is another discussion.
Don't let P'rushim and other legalists streal your freedom to observe alternative-to-paganism, Christ-centered mo'edim v'chagim.
The Early Church created Christmas as 'Am Yisra'el created Hanukah, both to counter the Winter Solstice. The Early Church also created Halloween and Easter to counter the Celtic Pagan Fall Harvest and Greco-Roman Pagan Spring Solstice.
Thanksgiving is another discussion.
Don't let P'rushim and other legalists streal your freedom to observe alternative-to-paganism, Christ-centered mo'edim v'chagim.
Are Christmas and Hanukkah Pagan? The Answer Is, Based On History and Other Factors...
Christmas and Hanukkah are both not pagan, and were actually created as alternatives to (respectively) the Winter Solstice and a Greek Pagan holiday. Google "Is Hanukkah pagan?", by the way. I once did after someone asserted that it may be or is. I was shocked.
Anyway, Christmas was originally "Christ-mass" or Chag Mashiach, created as an alternative by the Early Church to the pagan Winter Solstice and coinciding pagan holidays. Similarly, Hanukkah-- thought by some to be a late celebration of Sukkot-- was created to replace the celebration of the desecration of the Temple and a dedication to a pagan god. Some Hellinized and other Jews would only go so far in terms of Hellenization and toleration thereof, and would certainly not accept the Temple being destroyed.
Therefore, we have two Winter mo'edim v'chagim which are alternatives to Greco-Roman Pagan holidays.
Anyway, Christmas was originally "Christ-mass" or Chag Mashiach, created as an alternative by the Early Church to the pagan Winter Solstice and coinciding pagan holidays. Similarly, Hanukkah-- thought by some to be a late celebration of Sukkot-- was created to replace the celebration of the desecration of the Temple and a dedication to a pagan god. Some Hellinized and other Jews would only go so far in terms of Hellenization and toleration thereof, and would certainly not accept the Temple being destroyed.
Therefore, we have two Winter mo'edim v'chagim which are alternatives to Greco-Roman Pagan holidays.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
David Mamet vs. The Anonymous Reform Jew: Who's Right?
David Mamet asserts:
"Any conflict may be stilled by surrender. Reform Judaism, for reasons good or bad, but which, I am sure, seemed good to its various practitioners at the time of implementation, abandoned Yiddish, Hebrew, the Talmud, kashrut, ritual, the Eastern European Jews and currently toys with condemnation of its co-religionaries in Israel. In order to defend what?
"After all the compromises have been made, and the conflict persists, and the will of the people has been broken by a lazy reversion to “the truth must lie somewhere in between,” what remains but the destruction of the Jews?"
The anonymous Reform Jew responds:
"David Mamet’s recent, meandering tirade demands a response, even if cogency permits only a partial rejoinder. So, I will limit myself to where he begins and I where I “live,” with the Reform Movement.
"He accuses Reform Judaism of categorically surrendering “Hebrew, the Talmud, kashrut, ritual, the Eastern European Jews, and currently toys with condemnation of its co-religionaries in Israel.” Thence, Mr. Mamet connects the Reform Movement to anti-Israel sentiment located on a spectrum that spans naïveté and, implicitly, self-hatred.
"In the end, his condemnation avoids facts and invokes, in their stead, inapposite truisms. If “Napoleon taught us the logical end of purely defensive warfare is surrender,” Mamet has yet to demonstrate that Reform Judaism does indeed surrender. He omits the evidence, because it contradicts his argument."
Who's right? The answer is: David Mamet. The anonymous Reform Jew concedes:
"In ritual and halakhic terms, Mr. Mamet offers nothing more than an anachronistic caricature, and in so doing, debases the Jewish communal conversation. Hebrew is a staple in Reform services, as is the millennial tradition of mutual aid. In theory, we are more flexible on matters of halakha than other non-Orthodox movements, but it’s not clear to me that our practice differs all that much. Shabbat services in Reform synagogues are lively affairs. Torah study for adults and religious schools for children flourish, and Reform Jews’ connectedness to Judaism—traditional and progressive—thickens day by day.
"As for our condemnation of fellow Jews in Israel: It is true that we will condemn someone for gratuitous violence, as we did in response to the recent arson attack on an Israeli mosque. And it is true that we will argue with fellow Jews for much less. But Mr. Mamet chooses to overlook the crucial fact that we argue with our coreligionists and, I trust, they requite le-shem shamayim, for the sake of heaven. We struggle with God Himself for the same purpose, namely, to work out the relationship between the sanctity of our Covenant, on the one hand, and the messy frailty of our worldly experience, on the other. Reform Judaism will not apologize for willingly, zealously engaging in that struggle, including both its traditional and modern aspects.
"For the sake of that argument, allow me to concede that it is true that in the nineteenth century, the Reform Movement did begin to take major steps in distancing itself from traditional forms of Judaism. It is also true that a large part of the American Reform Movement was non- or anti-Zionist leading up to 1948. For that very reason, Stephen S. Wise created a Reform alternative, known as the Jewish Institute of Religion, an avowedly Zionist academy. Following Israeli independence, the Hebrew Union College merged with the Jewish Institute of Religion, embracing its Zionism."
In conclusion, David Mamet pegged Reform Judaism well. David Mamet well concludes:
"We are enjoined, “Justice, justice shall you pursue.”
"The question, “What is justice,” is the eternal question of the Jew. The answer, “It is what my group tells me,” is not the Jewish answer."
Reform Judaism goes with URJ, CCAR, and other helping-to-serve-self thinking instead of with Tanakh. Tanakh gives three options-- all 613 mitzvot, Yeshua, or a whole host of tsuris. And Reform Judaism, being Non Messianic, does not have the option to skip any of the 613 mitzvot -- including supporting Yisra'el.
"Any conflict may be stilled by surrender. Reform Judaism, for reasons good or bad, but which, I am sure, seemed good to its various practitioners at the time of implementation, abandoned Yiddish, Hebrew, the Talmud, kashrut, ritual, the Eastern European Jews and currently toys with condemnation of its co-religionaries in Israel. In order to defend what?
"After all the compromises have been made, and the conflict persists, and the will of the people has been broken by a lazy reversion to “the truth must lie somewhere in between,” what remains but the destruction of the Jews?"
The anonymous Reform Jew responds:
"David Mamet’s recent, meandering tirade demands a response, even if cogency permits only a partial rejoinder. So, I will limit myself to where he begins and I where I “live,” with the Reform Movement.
"He accuses Reform Judaism of categorically surrendering “Hebrew, the Talmud, kashrut, ritual, the Eastern European Jews, and currently toys with condemnation of its co-religionaries in Israel.” Thence, Mr. Mamet connects the Reform Movement to anti-Israel sentiment located on a spectrum that spans naïveté and, implicitly, self-hatred.
"In the end, his condemnation avoids facts and invokes, in their stead, inapposite truisms. If “Napoleon taught us the logical end of purely defensive warfare is surrender,” Mamet has yet to demonstrate that Reform Judaism does indeed surrender. He omits the evidence, because it contradicts his argument."
Who's right? The answer is: David Mamet. The anonymous Reform Jew concedes:
"In ritual and halakhic terms, Mr. Mamet offers nothing more than an anachronistic caricature, and in so doing, debases the Jewish communal conversation. Hebrew is a staple in Reform services, as is the millennial tradition of mutual aid. In theory, we are more flexible on matters of halakha than other non-Orthodox movements, but it’s not clear to me that our practice differs all that much. Shabbat services in Reform synagogues are lively affairs. Torah study for adults and religious schools for children flourish, and Reform Jews’ connectedness to Judaism—traditional and progressive—thickens day by day.
"As for our condemnation of fellow Jews in Israel: It is true that we will condemn someone for gratuitous violence, as we did in response to the recent arson attack on an Israeli mosque. And it is true that we will argue with fellow Jews for much less. But Mr. Mamet chooses to overlook the crucial fact that we argue with our coreligionists and, I trust, they requite le-shem shamayim, for the sake of heaven. We struggle with God Himself for the same purpose, namely, to work out the relationship between the sanctity of our Covenant, on the one hand, and the messy frailty of our worldly experience, on the other. Reform Judaism will not apologize for willingly, zealously engaging in that struggle, including both its traditional and modern aspects.
"For the sake of that argument, allow me to concede that it is true that in the nineteenth century, the Reform Movement did begin to take major steps in distancing itself from traditional forms of Judaism. It is also true that a large part of the American Reform Movement was non- or anti-Zionist leading up to 1948. For that very reason, Stephen S. Wise created a Reform alternative, known as the Jewish Institute of Religion, an avowedly Zionist academy. Following Israeli independence, the Hebrew Union College merged with the Jewish Institute of Religion, embracing its Zionism."
In conclusion, David Mamet pegged Reform Judaism well. David Mamet well concludes:
"We are enjoined, “Justice, justice shall you pursue.”
"The question, “What is justice,” is the eternal question of the Jew. The answer, “It is what my group tells me,” is not the Jewish answer."
Reform Judaism goes with URJ, CCAR, and other helping-to-serve-self thinking instead of with Tanakh. Tanakh gives three options-- all 613 mitzvot, Yeshua, or a whole host of tsuris. And Reform Judaism, being Non Messianic, does not have the option to skip any of the 613 mitzvot -- including supporting Yisra'el.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
When Reform Judaism Puts Messianic Judaism to Shame, As Yeshuat Yisrael Messianic Congregation Could Exemplify
Amein, Yeshuat Yisrael: "Live a Godly lifestyle where the MESSIAH IS CENTER and the Torah is principle. The Torah is totally holy, but we are under no obligation to keep it. We are free to keep the biblical (still biblical) precepts of scripture. The key is individual freedom, not corporate legislative legalism. Messianic believers must hold firm that the Brit Chadasha is a very Jewish book and... the most Jewish thing that anyone could do is to follow the Jewish Messiah Yeshua. God offers a free gift that can not be obtained at the local rabbinic synagogue."
And isn't that Non-Messianic Reform Jews get that "We are free to keep the biblical (still biblical) precepts of scripture..." while many Messianic Jews do not sad? "The key is individual freedom, not corporate legislative legalism." The key is indeed what will bring more sanctity, as Reform Judaism echoes Romans 14 on. "As for practice, it strongly recommends individual study of the traditional practices; however, the adherent is free to follow only those practices that increase the sanctity of their relationship to G-d."
As for Romans 14, read it for yourself. Go right to Bible Gateway or Bible Study tools. I'm not doing the work for you.
And isn't that Non-Messianic Reform Jews get that "We are free to keep the biblical (still biblical) precepts of scripture..." while many Messianic Jews do not sad? "The key is individual freedom, not corporate legislative legalism." The key is indeed what will bring more sanctity, as Reform Judaism echoes Romans 14 on. "As for practice, it strongly recommends individual study of the traditional practices; however, the adherent is free to follow only those practices that increase the sanctity of their relationship to G-d."
As for Romans 14, read it for yourself. Go right to Bible Gateway or Bible Study tools. I'm not doing the work for you.
Moshe Looked To Torah Shel Brit Chadashah, and Legalistic "Messianic Judaism" Is Not Jewish
"Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘If a person sins unintentionally against any of the commandments of the LORD in anything which ought not to be done, and does any of them, if the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, then let him offer to the LORD for his sin which he has sinned a young bull without blemish as a sin offering..."
Those who insist on keeping all 613 mitzvot make the blood worthless ("For it is impossible for those who...fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.", as Hebrews 6 partly reads.). They like to play pick-and-choose mitzvot while under grace, since they cannot possibly go to the Temple and offer a korban l'kippur.
Besides, "the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.", as Hebrews 10 partly reads.
To advocate that keeping all 613 mitzvot while under grace is a mitzvah, is a sin. Legalism is sin, and "if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?"
Those who insist on keeping all 613 mitzvot make the blood worthless ("For it is impossible for those who...fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.", as Hebrews 6 partly reads.). They like to play pick-and-choose mitzvot while under grace, since they cannot possibly go to the Temple and offer a korban l'kippur.
Besides, "the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.", as Hebrews 10 partly reads.
To advocate that keeping all 613 mitzvot while under grace is a mitzvah, is a sin. Legalism is sin, and "if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?"
Friday, November 25, 2011
Every Time That I See "A Christmas Story" and Ralphie Beats Up Farcus...
I cry for Ralphie, especially when he's crying while looking his mother in the face and facing what happened. The year is 1940, and Ralphie is nine years of age at the time (meaning that he was born in 1931; almost a half-decade after my mom's mom, and a half-decade before my dad's parents). Ralphie is part of the infamous Silent Generation; in which abuse is either tolerated and even encouraged, or just plain not talked about. By the way, I'm quite sure that Joe Paterno has had the "Silent Generation" excuse used for him-- after all, he grew up in the "You don't talk about it" culture.
Having gone through abuse myself and hearing of a cousin's work in which she has to deal with horrendous cases of abuse, I can relate to Ralphie. That Farcus is just a plain old bully isn't the case, but Farcus' situation (obvious abuse-- perhaps neglect being the full, but still painful, extent) isn't an excuse for him to pick on and abuse Ralphie. Ralphie is an obvious target for Farcus because (from all outward appearances, such as to Farcus' eyes), Ralphie seems to come from an intact and good family (He doesn't. His dad isn't exactly Husband or Dad of the Year.).
As the saying goes, "Abuse begets abuse" and (as Dr. Sandy Wilson put the saying in other words) "Hurt people hurt people." The saying is based on-- besides common sense-- direct-from-the-Bible admonitions:
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
The desire to hurt others because of being hurt is a strong desire. Then the desire to hurt others affects that others are hurt. Then the hurting of others brings forth that more people want to hurt other people.
By the way, be thankful if you have been abused:
9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. 11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.
Those who have not known the richness of suffering do not know the richness of hope-- "Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation". Anybody who has been free of suffering will have no reason to hope for something better than suffering, for redemption, and for salvation.
Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas (And this Yehudit celebrates both Thanksgiving-- Yom L'Toda-- and Christmas-- Chag Mashiach.).
Having gone through abuse myself and hearing of a cousin's work in which she has to deal with horrendous cases of abuse, I can relate to Ralphie. That Farcus is just a plain old bully isn't the case, but Farcus' situation (obvious abuse-- perhaps neglect being the full, but still painful, extent) isn't an excuse for him to pick on and abuse Ralphie. Ralphie is an obvious target for Farcus because (from all outward appearances, such as to Farcus' eyes), Ralphie seems to come from an intact and good family (He doesn't. His dad isn't exactly Husband or Dad of the Year.).
As the saying goes, "Abuse begets abuse" and (as Dr. Sandy Wilson put the saying in other words) "Hurt people hurt people." The saying is based on-- besides common sense-- direct-from-the-Bible admonitions:
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
The desire to hurt others because of being hurt is a strong desire. Then the desire to hurt others affects that others are hurt. Then the hurting of others brings forth that more people want to hurt other people.
By the way, be thankful if you have been abused:
9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. 11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.
Those who have not known the richness of suffering do not know the richness of hope-- "Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation". Anybody who has been free of suffering will have no reason to hope for something better than suffering, for redemption, and for salvation.
Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas (And this Yehudit celebrates both Thanksgiving-- Yom L'Toda-- and Christmas-- Chag Mashiach.).
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