Shakespeare Series: Much Ado About Nothing

Many classify "Much Ado About Nothing" as Shakespeare's romantic comedy. The play begins when native of Messina, Leonato, invites Prince Don Pedro and his mission to stay a month in celebration of their heroic work. Upon receiving the invitation, Count Claudio falls for Leonato's daughter, Hero. Instantly, Hero and Claudio love each other. On the contrary, the head of the household's niece, Beatrice, finds herself in the repulsive presence of Claudio's comrade, Benedict. This duo uses their equally matched wits against one another. Beatrice and Benedict repetitively entertain the whole company with their public arguments. Don Pedro speculates the possibility of Beatrice and Benedict falling in love, and he hatches a scheme with Claudio to trick them into performing this action. The prince and count find Benedict eavesdropping on them from afar, and they pretend not to notice. Claudio and Don Pedro trick Benedict into thinking Beatrice adores him, and Margret and Ursula, Beatrice's waiting ladies, do the same to her. Later, Hero and Claudio agree to wed each other. The prince's less fortunate brother, Don John, utilizes their marriage as a way to carry out his own evil plan. Don John hires Borachio to frame Hero for cheating on her fiancé. The rest of the play includes Benedict and Beatrice denying their consensual love and the hilarious watchmen lead by their incompetent master, Dogberry.

Unlike my last endeavor with a Shakespeare comedy ("Taming of the Shrew"), "Much Ado" frequently made me laugh out loud. I often feel Shakespearean comedies start off with a very clever part and exposition, and they conclude in a witty way that provides closure to the audience. On the contrary, I find the middle of these comedies lacking luster, for the characters either repeat their punchlines. In this play, the middle of the play contains a number of funny moments. Throughout the third act, Dogberry and his watchmen make humor out of the play. As Don John dramatically ruins Claudio and Hero's wedding day, the watch comes to investigate. Akin to many members of Shakespeare's working class, the watchmen's uneducated nature causes a hilarious sequence in the core of this play. Of all the comedies, the text of "Much Ado" surpasses that of "Comedy of Errors" and "Midsummer". This play's themes touch a reader on a deeper level, yet they entertain as much as Shakespeare's other lighter works. Speaking from experience, I greatly enjoyed acting in this play. In performance, the play emits this aura forces the audience to smile, relax, and enjoy watching Beatrice and Benedict bicker over the most trivial matters.

I highly recommend "Much Ado About Nothing" for anyone at least slightly interested in Shakespeare. I find the plot easier to comprehend than some of Shakespeare's other comedies. "Midsummer" requires a higher level of understanding the characters as Puck begins to mismatch their love interests for one another, and even experienced Shakespeare readers confuse the twin protagonists in "Comedy of Errors". Even though this play reads very well, I recommend seeing the play in performance as a supplement to the text. Some of these lines stand humorous on their own, yet the expressions and inflections actors bring to each part further increases the magnificence of this play. To fully experience the goodness of "Much Ado", one must imagine a stage and the scene on it while reading. For those who like Shakespeare and a decent laugh, "Much Ado About Nothing" appeases both cravings.

My Dear Friends

My Dear Friends,
I write this today to chastise all of you. Humans, as a species, make social interaction an incredibly unreasonable trouble. We label one another as “awkward”, “weird”, and “creepy”, yet we fail to recognize how these adjectives affect those around us. I know these terms hurt greatly, leading to great doubt in myself. Martin Luther King Jr. prayed for a society in which people judged people not only by the color of their skin but the content of their character. On the contrary, I desire to live in an age where society accepts all characters; strange, unique, and indifferent. I write today not to seek pity, but I want to share my observations. I hope these thoughts change how we deal with social situations, freeing ourselves of negative judgment and letting people reveal their entire persona.
At the beginning of time, nobody played social “games” with each other. We developed ways to conceal our emotions, and we established a system of social conventions and restrictions. One day, humans decided to humiliate those who fart in public. All over the world farting embarrasses people, yet everybody performs this bodily function. Stop criticizing others for their infrequent mistakes. Once somebody farts in public, they immediately conceal their embarrassment. Our peers teach us to suppress emotions in order to prevent a comeuppance. Humans love to hear applause and admiration. Naturally, we adapt to fit into this narrow, likeable spectrum. Some individuals rise above such pressures, but many cede into what others’ idea of a friend. This week especially, people continually laughed and complained about my idiosyncrasies, and I questioned why they refused to let me live as I want to live. People blend like chameleons, constantly scarifying their special qualities to blend in a crowd. I attempt to exist as the person I see in my mirror, but everyone around me tears this individual to shreds. I stand among many others who suffer this same reoccurrence. Even the most confident men and women in the world doubt themselves due to this so-called “peanut gallery”. Last week, I discussed accepting the exterior beauty of every individual. Though impossible to request we like every individual we meet, I plead that we tolerate those we dislike and respect every quality of those we deem our friends.
To a realist, my wish seems but an impossible dream. However, skeptics criticized Gandhi’s movement for India and Obama’s chance at the presidency. A few quick principles propel this dream into a very firm future. Our lives consist of four types of friendships; strong ones, desired ones, undesired ones, and undiscovered ones. To strengthen strong, desired, and undiscovered bonds, we must seek out individuals who accept our entire being. A particular friend is a temporary friend. Once we find an accepting person, we necessitate honesty and trust. Without these important virtues, a friendship remains bound to crumble. Trust takes time to build between individuals, but friendships immediately needs honestly. People too often regress from sharing their feelings, ultimately resulting in the weakening in the friendship. While one must sustain their accepting nature, raise concerns about a problem within the relationship. Wednesday, I made a comment that truly hurt a friend’s feelings. Apparently, my sarcasm came across too weak. I wish the friend immediately told me the joke went too far. Instead, I found out an hour later, for the friend merely laugh along with the others in the situation. Finally, loyalty stands among the most important qualities one deserves in a friend. Like a puppy, a friend needs to nurture their counterpart. Puppies require daily attention and communication. To some, a loyal friend jumps in front of a car just as it hits us. However, daily acts of love and kindness make the same difference. By celebrating each other’s birthdays and carefully listening to one another, we build indestructible bonds. Loyalty stands as the difference between a friend and an acquaintance. Therefore, I hope you learned how I think about you, my dear friends.
Yours truly,
Adam

Why Have Beauty?

In this week's Torah portion, God directs Moses in the building of the Tabernacle. This Ark of the Covenant protects the Ten Commandments. The structure acts like a portable synagogue. In other words, the Tabernacle serves as a holy suitcase. God very specifically describes how to design the Tabernacle. According to God's directions, gold covers the entire ark. Almost every inch of the Tabernacle shines with this regal color. Other features include cherub decorations, silver posts, and curtains of fine purple, blue, and crimson yarn. Most significantly, a curtain of these linens covers the commandments presented to Moses at Sinai. God proclaims this curtain separates the Holy and the Holy of Hollies.

Throughout the portion, God meticulously discusses the appearance of the Tabernacle, yet God abstains from expounding upon the significance or meaning of this holiest ark. It appears that the Tabernacle's physicality ranks higher than its meaning. By swapping the Tabernacle's gold for copper, does one deteriorate the meaning of the Ten Commandments? Perhaps, God intends to separate the Holy from the ordinary just as the Ark's most important curtain distinguishes the Holy and the Holy of Hollies. From a practical point of view, gold withstands corrosion better than any other metal, taking into account the Arab Peninsula's harsh conditions. While gold serves a purpose, it remains peculiar that God only physically describes the Tabernacle. What emotions does God intend for the Tabernacle to wring from the soul? Most holy places similarly look noble and luxurious. In theory, God recognizes and listens to all kind human beings, so praying in shack barely differentiates from worshipping at the finest synagogue in all the world. Although standards vary from culture to culture, humans all over the world praise beauty in buildings and people alike.

Whether we enjoy admitting it or not, we all occasionally judge based on appearance. In a theoretical world where every human looks and dresses in the same matter, personality remains as the only basis of our judgements. Of course, our world suffuses with diversity. A world without beauty seems to lack substance, for this elegance causes the most happiness on Earth. From a sunset over the Rocky Mountains or a bride on her wedding, our culture upholds beauty as a staple of society. It stands incorrect to denounce beauty, for it makes the world smile. The injustice of beauty exists in comparison. Throughout the Torah and the world, God creates beautiful people and sights. God never calls part of creation ugly. The Torah even describes one of its most repulsive characters, Esau, as skillful and hairy. The sin of beauty lies in its opposites. Teasing an ugly person insults both God and the victim, for all humans persists to appear beautiful in the eyes of God. Therefore, beauty should remain a celebrated aspect of society, as long as we celebrate all humans as somehow beautiful.

Westerners uphold musculature, light weight, nice skin and hair, facial symmetry, among other qualities as their guidelines of attraction. To a certain degree, all qualities of beauty become achievable through effort and determination. If one wants to lose weights, exercise and proper, non-extreme dieting lead them to beauty. However, confidence supersedes any product from the 13 million dollar cosmetic and 58 billion dollar weight loss industries in the United States. Unfortunately, the majority of romantic encounter end in ultimate rejection. Continual failures causes doubt in beauty, but by reassuring oneself, we launch ourselves on a much quicker rate of recovery. In our culture, beauty requires effort, but even the "ugliest" person in our society's eyes can shine like the gold of the Tabernacle.

Tu B'Shvat Check-In

Last Tu B'Shvat I discussed how I ecologically impact the world. I developed goals to achieve by Tu B'Shvat in 2012. Since the lovely holiday just passed, it seems important to weigh how much I set out to do against what I actually accomplished. Tu B'Shvat honors the environment, especially the trees. While the ground remains far too cold at this time of year to plant any crops in the United States, Israel's spring begins with Tu B'Shvat. On this day, Israelis all over the country begin the farming season by planting trees and sowing their fields. American Jews often celebrate by sending money to the Jewish National Fund's tree planting initiative, eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, or enthusiastically reading Dr. Seuss' The Lorax. My family and I successfully executed many of the endeavors we set out to achieve in 2011. in

In order to protect the environment, my family and I revolutionized how we lived over the past year. In comparison to how I planned to revive our recycling efforts, my sister worked wonders to make this initiative really surpass my expectations. Initially, I imagined my family to begin recycling paper in mass quantities. Instead, we rarely throw anything into the trash. Most weeks we filled our recycling bins to the brim. The regular trash occasionally lacked so little substance, we simply skipped bringing it to the end of the driveway for the garbage truck. Although this family still wastefully discards a few items, such as paper towels, this small idealistic dream of mine developed into a working reality.

Now that we recycled much of our paper, plastic, and metal waste, I noticied the trash consisted of mostly food and paper towels. My camp composted all of its food waste during the summer, and I presumed it was possible to do at home. The process to install a composter was not easy. My parents understandably doubted the rewards of owning a bucket full of rotting food and placing it in their yard. I promised that when it came to composting, I would take all responsibility. They skeptically agreed. We bought one small composter for daily scraps, and then I emptied that bin into a much larger tumbler. To their surprise, my parents found composting much easier and less smelly than they expected. This spring, I hope to use the compost to plant a new garden in my yard. I wonder how a garden with regular soil compares to that of one with compost. While composting remained a fairly easy process, I struggled to empty the compost when the weather was poor. Luckily, I started during this snowless winter, but I recognize this as an obstacle in future years. Instead of heaps of food wasting going to a landfill, the compost helps recycle a substance many find non-reuseable. I advise anybody who reads this to compost, for it is an easy, very effective method to save the world.

Over the course of the next year, I wish to further improve how I impact the environment. Most of all, I intend to greatly reduce how much water I use on a daily basis. As Jew, I find it especially important to conserve water. Israel's climate lacks sufficient precipitation for the Jewish homeland's population. All of the country's fresh water comes from one reservoir, the Kineret, and that body is currently drying faster than ever. Israel aside, the much of the remainder of the world needs more water than available to them. Even the United States' water supply seems vulnerable in accordance to the United Nations. The UN subsequently states that 1 in 6 people (about 17% of all humans on Earth) can not access safe fresh water. I plan to limit myself to one daily shower that never exceeds ten minutes in length. Additionally, I seek to research and implement as many water conserving methods as possible. By taking a part in my school's environmental club, I also aspire to achieve change in school as well as in my town and the surrounding areas. The world needs more water, and I intend to do my part in helping the Israelis and anyone else whose thirst inhibits their ability to live a happy, fulfilling existence.

Responsibility for Responsibility

Mishpatim, the name of this week's Torah portion, appropriately means laws. Like the Ten Commandments to the Constitution, Mishpatim resembles the Bill of Rights. Although the portion lacks the listing of the Israelite people's right as a nation, the declarations displayed in this portion directly amend the Ten Commandments. Some of these rules include how to handle a slave, male and female, and their offspring. Later, the portion discusses how to act in situations where one suffers wrongdoing. Rather than promote retribution, the Torah famously reasons to take an eye for an eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, and bruise for bruise. After that, the portion presents a series of restrictions, like the spreading of false rumors, observation of the Sabbath, and boiling a kid in their mother's milk. God deems these laws a mandate over the entire nation of Israel, for God will aid the Israelites into an age of prosperity by observing these commandments. In accepting these commandments, God and Israel establish a covenant which stills motivates us to uphold God's proclamations in the Torah.

Many deem the Torah's laws too absolute, like the taking of another's eye results in the taking of one's own eye. Of course, an eye for an eye makes the world go blind, as the most popular cliché tells us. However, the law deserves some justification. While an eye for an eye results in a sightless world, the commandments teaches Israel to think before they act. Being impulsive results in the worst of punishments. Before defying our values, we need to ponder how the action may effect ourselves. Do I really want to punch somebody in a fight when they can reply with a justified punch of the same vigor? It is important to note that the law avoids reasoning a life for a life. The death penalty directly contradicts the Ten Commandments, exclaiming thou shalt not murder. The commandment merely states that one who commits a transgression against another should expect to pay that to experience the same misfortune, excluding death. While the law contradicts many other Jewish practices of receiving forgiveness through atonement, the law allows one to pause before acting.

An Analysis of the Song of the Sea

Once the Israelites cross over the Sea of Reeds, they erupt in song, embodying their joy of freedom. Before this celebration, the Israelites only know themselves as slaves in Egypt. Now, they begin to return to the age of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Liberation stuns this generation, for they feel God returns to them with this act. Due to his lack of answering their numerous pleas, the people doubt God in Egypt. Suddenly, God redeems the Jewish people, humiliating Pharaoh and all of Egypt in the process. The punishers become the rightfully punished, and the Jewish people rejoice at the loyalty of their God. In a final display of mightiness, God seemingly traps the Israelites in the wilderness. God commands Moses to hold out his arm, and the sea splits in this most recognized scene in the Bible. Pharaoh army chases after the Israelite people until the very conclusion of their escape. With a pillar of cloud, God inhibits Pharaoh ability to catch Moses' caravan. When God removes the pillar, Pharaoh rushes onto the path between the halves of sea, but God closes the waterway. The power of the few Israelites defeated Egypt, the most powerful empire at this point in the ancient world. Only God performs miracles with such vigor, people of all nations.

The Jewish people enter a new stage in their journey with God at the Sea of Reeds. In the Song of the Sea, the Israelites ask who is like Adonai, fearing the might that strikes Egypt down with ease. These newly free people proclaim God crushes Egypt with only Adonai's right hand. Being freed from Egypt forces the Jews to comply to follow God's commandments. Some Jews fathom God is loving, and therefore God's miracles need to be performed. Others cower in the presence of God, worrying that failing to comply with God's will decreases their chance of survival. Throughout the desert, the Israelites continually complain to God and doubt their privilege to be free. Then, God solves their problem, and they begin to praise God again. One needs to find balance between these opposing views.

Should we fear or love God? Fear of God depicts God as an oppressor, but God is rather a healer, a lover, and a redeemer. However, God like a parent deserves respect. Loving as God appears, God also omnipotently controls every force in the universe. Either way the commandments in the Torah are meant to help humanity. Most of these laws include helping one another, reflecting the image of God. While following every commandment to some degree lessens one's doubt in betraying God, God praises all who perform gemiulut hasidim, acts of love and kindness. On Yom Kippur, it is said that God weighs all Jew's sins against their good deeds. Depending on the way the scale balances and the forgiveness one offers, God grants them pardon or scolds their narrow-minded actions. Loving God prompts one to perform these acts in the spirit of God, but fearing God pushes one to do this. Performing the miracles of God helps sustain Moses with purpose. Balancing the fear and love of God becomes difficult, but it provides the same reward as the leader of the Jewish people felt at the Sea of Reeds. Inspiring a mass collaborative of human beings brightens the sun's rays and increases the joy of human life. By helping one another in the spirit of God, we truly help ourselves.

Pharaoh, Grab A Piece of Humble Pie

In order to persuade Pharaoh, God sends ten plagues to promote the Israelites' liberation. At first, Pharaoh's courtiers imitate the plagues. Like God with the Nile, they use powder to turn water into blood. As the plagues continue, the magicians find it harder to duplicate God's wonders. By the final three plagues' arrivals, all of Egypt is stunned by God, yet Pharaoh continually grants the Jews freedom and restricts it just as quickly. In Egypt, Pharaoh arrogantly rise above all his subjects. God continually hardens his heart to humiliate Pharaoh, for Pharaoh believes he is higher than God. Pharaoh thinks the Egyptian gods and their kingdoms exceeds the greatness of anything else in the universe. God sends locusts to destroy the fields that feed the vast population of Egypt. Then, God casts darkness over Egypt, showing the darkness of Pharaoh's heart. Finally, God sends the worst of wonders. In an ultimate attempt to free Israel, God releases the Angel of Death. The angel passes over any Israelite house, for they are distinguished by the lamb's blood on their doorposts. The Torah proclaims a horrid cry shrieked throughout Egypt. Every family from the Pharaoh's to the slaves' suffers during the tenth plague. This horror angers Pharaoh, but he releases the Israelites. In a hurry, the Israelites run to the sea of reeds, waiting to escape Egypt.

After a few plagues, Pharaoh begins to succumb to Moses' demands, yet God continually changes Pharaoh's mind. When one's arrogance rises to the level of Pharaoh's, utter humiliation is the only solution. Humility is the recognition of one's own faults, realizing that one lacks the abilities of another person or God. As God destroys the foundation of Pharaoh's empire, the stubborn man learns humility. Due to his sins in Egypt and the wilderness, Moses learn humility by not going to the Promised Land. Many think modesty lessens the quality of a human's character, but this virtue contrarily enhances the human state. Without it, humans puts themselves on a pedestal. This arrogant thinking leads to the feeling of being superior to others. Following suit, the arrogance forces one to place him or herself above God, an impossible feat. The ability to seek help when needed is a key aspect of every great leader. President Obama fails to complete every governmental task alone, for every person excels in some realms and fails in others. Unfortunately, one must always keep their humility in check. While sheepishness improves a human's character, an abundance of humility is disastrous for one's self esteem. Life is an ongoing struggle between confidence and humility.

It is hypocritical of me to discuss humility, for I lack much of it in my own life. This conflict between arrogance and modesty is one I encounter daily. Last year, I lacked confidence. I was too humble, scolding myself on every exacting detail. Now, I exude confidence wherever I go, but sometimes it comes without restraint. Confidence is a blessing of success, but it also intimidates others. Self-pride leads to arrogance, and arrogance forces divine intervention, as seen in the parashat. God frowns upon the arrogant. To escape this inevitable fate, I must discover this balance. Music helps me uncover these internal faults. I find playing the drums difficult, for the number of things to keep in mind is unruly. While the basic percussionist only worries about playing rhythms correctly, one must remember dynamics, tempo, stick height, accents, and a number of other musical foes to truly produce music. Even when I play the drums well, I know some aspect of music lacked in my performance. The only way to improvement is through practicing and seeking help from experts. Keep humility in mind this week. Why do we criticize prior to complimenting when we observe others? As we go through this week, we should be especially aware of each other's strengths and weaknesses. The balance between humility and arrogance is a tough median to find, but only together can we avoid a horrible cry throughout the land of Egypt.
-Being aware of others strengths and weakness

Were the Occupy Wall Street Protests Successful?

Last week, I discussed the relationship between the Book of Exodus and Occupy Wall Street. In both instances, oppressed people's frustration resulted in civil protest. Moses and Aaron requested Pharaoh's liberation of the Jewish people in the name of God. On Wall Street, the 99% demanded the reformation of the plutocracy that was once their democracy. People across the United States called on the government to isolate themselves from corporations, for these activists felt politicians voted with companies in mind rather than people. While God sent ten plagues to change Pharaoh's mind, no deity helped these occupiers. Instead of hail and frogs, these protesters endured cold nights and pepper spray. Some say the message of the occupiers came across as unclear, but it seems that was just their intention. By camping out in the epicenter of capitalism, these men and women tried to express their feelings to the world. It is difficult to equate the Arab Spring to Occupy Wall Street, for the politicians in Washington were not the root of their problem. This fall's protesters criticized the Americans values as represented across our society. They questioned the power of a bank to force somebody into the cold, the say an oil company deserves in environmentalism, and the reasoning that grants the Kardashians more tax cuts than a struggling state employee. Police forces banned the encampment at most of these sites, but these troubled Americans, like Aaron, God, and Moses, refused to quit. As the intensity of these protests stagnates, it is important to ask what affect, if any at all, these protests truly forced upon the rest of society.

Were the Occupy Wall Street protests successful? By the end of November, the protest sites degenerated into homeless shelters. The message that came across to the American public was disorganized. While we comprehended these people were the 99%, what did they want? Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream, as celebrated this week, was clear. Moses presented a lucid argument to Pharaoh. The Occupy Movement is historically analogous to the revolutions that occurred in 1848 France. The protests at both times were sudden but overwhelmingly failed to change society. When the United Kingdom and Germany shifted the European balance of power, the French grew angry. They demanded revolution similar to 1789, but the Radicals closed their ears to liberals. The change flopped, but the anger remained. In terms of pushing legislation, Occupy Wall Street failed.

Were all those nights in Zuccotti Park a waste? Politicians poorly answered the demands of the protesters, but they heard the people's voice. Few protesters end unrecognized because they embody the people's frustration. While a clear message might help the occupiers progress, their opaqueness showed how many problems the American people battle. The protests inspired celebrities like Warren Buffet to call for action in Washington. Unlike 1848, Occupy Wall Street laid stepping stones that can lead to change. The French fight caused more anarchy than reformation. Throughout history, republics failed to represent their citizens. Now, the American people are taking initiative. Instead of waiting for Congress to wave their magic wand, the people want solutions as fast as they want their internet speed. The protests earned my support. The United States is a plutocracy, a country run by the rich for the rich. By camping in Manhattan, the people shoved this fact in front of the public. As with the Israelites in Egypt, sometimes protests need to bring physical change. Others fight to raise awareness. In the 1960's, the anti-war movement pushed congressional leaders to strategize the evacuation of Vietnam. It showed the frustration of the nation's citizens. Like those fighters who did not see results until 1971, I recommend the Occupy Wall Street Movement to continue their call for change. By prolonging their campaign, whether it be with tents, signs, Facebook, or any combination of the three, I will deem the Occupy Wall Street Movement a success.

Occupy the Goshen?

After the passing of Joseph, the Jews remain in Egypt. The Israelites proliferate, which causes Pharaoh to fear them joining forces with others rebels in an uprising. By this point, the new Pharaoh no longer remembers how Joseph saved Egypt. To ease his apprehension, Pharaoh enslaves the Israelites. He demands the execution of an entire generation of Israelite boys. While the Egyptians carry out this order, one baby survives. Jochebed, the mother of Moses, sends her son down the Nile River in a basket. The princess allegedly encounters Moses, and she raises him as her own son. As Moses observes his subjects as prince of Egypt, he stumbles upon an Egyptian mercilessly beating an Israelite. Enraged, Moses murders the overseer, hoping nobody sees this ordeal. Unfortunately, Moses' sin spreads throughout Egypt. Moses escapes to Midian where he works as a shepherd. One day, Moses takes his flock into the mountains. He notices a bush engulfed in flames but hardly burning. Through this bush, God talks to Moses. God commands Moses to return to Egypt and liberate the Jewish people. Moses attempts to convince God he is not worthy of such a task, but God refuses to listen. At first, Moses retorts he is unworthy of such a divine task. He also fears the Israelites' and Pharaoh's inability to believe God sent him. Finally, Moses complains how he speaks poorly, but in all these cases God's fidelity will be with him. Aaron and Moses meet in the desert, and they begin their ordeal with Pharaoh. Instead of freeing the Israelites, Pharaoh makes the workload heavier. Here, the story of exodus breaks. Unfortunately, the Israelites are no more excited of their possible liberation than the straw they must gather which was once supplied by Pharaoh.

Moses attempts to flee from the politics of Egypt. He recognizes the Egyptian treatment of Israelites is corrupt, yet Moses refuses to reform the system, even when he is in power. Many of us try to run away from the pressures of daily life in a similar way. Some of us handle stress better than others, yet we eventually all hide an issue until it supersedes that control and insists to burst. God finds Moses regardless of his location. Then, God commands Moses to rise to the occasion of saving the Israelites Most of our problems do not receive special attention from God, but they similarly haunt us. Like Moses, we try to make excuses to avoid our stresses, but the reality of the situation hardly seems to fade. Eventually, we all must confront our anxieties. While we cower with the thought of an upcoming test, one can only throughly study to truly relieve him or herself. Whether the test goes well or not, it arrives. Likewise, a relationship that should not last forever never does, but the breakup lingers until one of the members ends the failing romantic affair. The relief that follows the solution greatly outweighs the preceding tension. Problems should not dwell within oneself, but they should be methodically resolved, creating a better situation.

In their attempts to follow God's orders, Aaron and Moses light the spark to a revolution. While problems can be fled and solved on a personal level, we also must apply the lessons taught by Moses to society. The issues of the world are not stories made up by newscasters. When many people die in a battle, those people are real. Living in one of the world's most well-endowed nations blinds a number of Americans to the troubles of the modern world. We hear about an earthquake in Haiti and forget about it two years later, yet those Haitians remain impoverished. Journalists exposed large companies of child abuse, but we continue to buy clothes from these cruel corporations. When we are informed of a problem distasteful to us, we should set out to cure it. In 2011, a group of Americans decided to take to the streets and call this country and its corporations out for their corruption. Whether the occupy movement or any other protest is right or wrong in their message, they should be applauded for their exercise of their beliefs. PHaraoh and the NYPD tried to shut down their opposing movement, but like the burning burn, these rebels' passions never fatigued. God believed in keeping promises, so the Israelites absolutely needed to be freed from bondage. When the stresses of our personal or societal lives become too heavy a burden to bear, escape is not an option. Even in the mountains of Midian, God can find us.

Thanking God for Hardship

Joseph rescues his family and the Israelite nation in this week's Torah portion. Last weeks, Joseph correctly deciphers Pharaoh's dream about seven years of feast and seven years of famine, which allows Egypt to ration their food effectively. Unfortunately, Jacob and his sons are unaware of the incoming famine, and they suffer in the land of Canaan. Hearing about Egypt's success, they travel to plead for food. Jacob is incredibly frail, so he sends his sons to Pharaoh's servants. They harass the boys due to the lack of their father's presence. The sons struggle at first, but Joseph eventually erupts. He reveals himself to his brothers, glad to see them rather than angered by their mistake. Pharaoh and Joseph decide to allow the Israelites to dwell in Goshen, Egypt's most luxurious region. The nation of Israel moves to Goshen, and they are welcomed with open arms.

Upon their exiting of Canaan, Jacob sacrifices to God. At the altar, God reassures Jacob that traveling to Egypt is not a mistake. God says that there, Israel will grow into a vast and great nation. Furthermore, God promises to remain present with Israel throughout their departure and return from and to Canaan. On this covenant, Jacob abandons the land of Canaan with ease. Is God aware that a future Pharaoh forces Jacob's descendants into slavery? If so, does God then intend to make Israel a great nation by putting them through their ordeals in Egypt and the desert? Perhaps, God is all knowing. For God, there is no present, past, or future. Humans may choose their destiny, God can see where that destiny derives from and how we arrived to such a point. For instance, God feels that now is anytime in the history of the universe, for God is always present. Jacob chooses to go to Egypt, but this is out of necessity. He appeals to God before embarking on this journey. Therefore, God approves of the Jews fleeing to Egypt, their bondage, and their Exodus.

To what extent should we thank God for hardship? If God is all powerful and foreseer of all destinies, then God intends for humans to occasionally suffer. In Judaism, one must believe that God is good. Taking this logic, God only approves of righteous acts. While many Jews perish under Ramesses II, following Joseph into Goshen temporarily saves the Jews from starvation. Though it is cliché, how much of what does not kill us actually make us stronger? Biologically, something as threatening as a near-death case of malaria can much improve the immune system. However, do emotionally obstacles provide the same psychological impact? There are stories of Holocaust survivors who say their tragedy taught them how to enjoy life. For God, suffering fails to be important. As long as redemption comes, all pain remains dilatory. Remember that pain is always temporary. We should never let it irritate ourselves, for emotions are not constant. Motion is part of the term. Even a dying soul once loved. On a more spiritual level, the suffering of the Jews of Egypt is not malice on God's part. Every person works off one another, and we are all connected by the exchange of fortune. Jacob leaves Israel, allowing other groups to dominate the lands. The Jews become enslaved, but stronger than ever in the desert. Once they reach Jericho, they reclaim the Promised Land. The Romans force the Jews into exile, later creating the Palestinian conflict in Israel today. One day fate will shift in peace's favor. No life is ever so minuscule to not matter. We are all feeding off each other, collaborating to a better age. Only God knows what happens next.

Reflections on Home Away from Home

In this week’s Torah portion, Joseph’s brothers become enraged with jealousy. For their entire childhood, Jacob favors Joseph, lavishing him with gifts. Like his father, God sends messages to Joseph through his dreams. One night, Joseph dreams that his entire family bows down to him in respect. Joseph’s brothers formulate a plan that will put an end to his arrogance. They lead Joseph astray until they are far from their home. Originally, they leave Joseph in a ditch to suffer, but they decide that a better solution may be at hand. They could make a profit off their currently dying brother! When the sons of Israel attempt to reclaim their brother, they discover he is already being brought away by Midianites. These traders sell Joseph to Potiphar, a member of Pharaoh’s court. Potiphar’s wife frames Joseph for coming on to her, and he is apprehended. In prison, Joseph meets two high servants of Pharaoh. These men seemed distressed, so Joseph offers to ease their pain. The men say their dreams are their cause for worry. Putting his talent to work, Joseph interprets their dreams under one condition. The Pharaoh’s royal cupbearer dreams that Pharaoh will restore him from imprisonment, yet the chief baker imagines Pharaoh executing him. Once Joseph tells the cupbearer the meaning of his dream, he begs him to help release him from prison. Unfortunately, the cupbearer forgets about Joseph, even when both dreams become reality.

In many ways, Joseph is analogous to modern Judaism. His brothers banish Joseph from his homeland during his youth. Likewise, the ancient Romans forced the Jews into exile. The Jews spread into the diaspora, the land outside of Israel. For centuries, the Jews suffered persecution in Europe and elsewhere, much like Joseph’s imprisonment. Somehow, the traditions of the Jewish people never faltered, dreaming that morality will eventually be restored. In Joseph’s later life, Pharaoh releases him and makes Joseph the Pharaoh’s official dream interpreter. From the 1880’s to the 1920’s, Jews flocked to the Americas to be free of persecution. In this land of religious freedom, they were legally permitted to practice in peace. However, the Jews quickly realize freedom of religion and religious tolerance do not automatically coincide with one another. Joseph saves Egypt and his family from famine, but leaving God’s promised land left a gaping scar in the Jewish people through the time of Moses. Although Joseph seems to transform from an Israelite into an Egyptian throughout Genesis, assimilation is never truly possible. As a minority, American Jews know that their homes miss a certain religious flare. When American Jews read the sacred words written in Genesis, something seems empty. God promised Abraham a land for him and all his descendants, yet Jews are spread all over the world today.

The Lion King’s Pumbaa said home is where your rump rests. At its most basic level, the home is a place of rest and shelter. Does this mean a home away from home can range from a best friend’s house to a hotel room? The simple phrase is more than that though. A home away from home needs to be meaningful. Such a place must exude sacredness to make it a place where one is comfortable staying everyday. For instance, a camp must be welcoming or the kids would forever be homesick. A home away from home is built on memories that occurred in there. This area brings out the most confidence in us that we often keep hidden within the safe four walls of our house. Building off of Pumbaa’s philosophy, a home away from home is where we feel comfortable resting our rump.

Does Israel meet such qualifications for the Jewish people? There are certainly a multitude of memories the Jewish people share with this sacred land. The UN granted Israel the right to this most disputed area in the Middle East to allow the Jewish people to feel entirely comfortable from persecution, yet somehow this land is a haven for war and conflict. Can Israel be a place of such comfort when worries of suicide bombers come into mind every time we ride the bus? Knowing a few Israeli teens, I learned that they recognize the reality of their situation, but they do not let such fear constrict their daily routines. Many Jews are advocates for peace, yet military service is mandated in Israel. It is evident that the UN intended Israel is quite possibly a Jew’s imaginable home away from home, but the current Israel, a product of 60 years of conflict, is not even close to such a place of comfort and tranquility.

Joseph is an unfavorable character in the Torah, for he is responsible for breaking the chain of ancestors to live and die in Canaan. Many blame Joseph for causing the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict. Bare in mind, Joseph also saves the Jewish people from famine later in Genesis, and his brothers force his exile upon him. Living in the United States is a comfort for American Jews. As previously said, Israel is far too unstable to instantly drop the comfort of our Americanism. Perhaps Israel is our true home and the US is the home away from home. As we wait to feel ready to return home, we can only support Israel. Gandhi said to be the change in the world we want to see, so we should make Israel our home, not just a place on the map. By celebrating the Israeli culture or taking interest in the politics of the homeland, we can be American while keeping the covenant with God. Assimilation is probably the worst sin one could commit against God. We not only turn away from God, but we hide who are inside. Our address may be somewhere in Massachusetts, but there is always a welcoming door across the Atlantic Ocean. Joseph left the Promised Land and became an Egyptian, but we do not need to choose between Americana and Judaism.

My Thoughts on the United States of America

As an American citizen, I am guaranteed the right to say whatever I want about the country. Ironically using this right, I decided to take this chance to criticize the United States a bit. In most public schools, students begin their day by listening to the national anthem and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, but I decided to abstain from this practice as I entered high school. The decision was not well received from friends and family alike. The instant assumption was that I hate the United States, a very false sentiment. My grandparents found this appalling and wondered if I supported Al-Qaeda. I do not intend to send a message of hatred to my fellow Americans when I refuse to recite the pledge. The action is introspective, for I can not figure out how I quite feel about the United States of America and the pledge it encourages its schoolchildren to repeat daily. Like many other pledge critics, the statement "Under God" is most unappealing. While I believe in God, it directly contradicts how Americans assert their freedom of religion. Some people say this can not be changed because the pledge is old, but the US congress just reaffirmed that the motto of the country is "In God we trust". This further proves those who observe non-Abrahamic religions or no religion at all in this country are being deliberately ignored by the US government. I do not hate the United States, but I will accept that living here requires me to think of America as the world's superlative nation.

To appease those who are agitated by my unpatriotic attitude, we should begin to examine the positive attributes of American society. The foundations of the United States are not only incredible, but they created the infrastructure of modern democracy. Using the words of the Enlightenment philosophers, the founding fathers built a government for a country that essentially lets one be anyone they desire as long as they are not harming their fellow citizens. Pledge and motto aside, American freedom of religion and speech is incomparable anywhere else in the world. From a history of being a superpower, the United States is one of the world's most dominant and competitive nations. From such resonance in the world, the United States is probably the world's most assertive proponent toward a world of peace. The United Nations is headquartered in the United States, and the US Department of State is constantly making an effort to promote diplomacy in the world. For instance, presidents Clinton and Carter worked with great vigor to establish peace between Israel and its neighbors. The United States is a major trading power in the world, being what Penn Station is to commuting New Yorkers for all of the global economy. The United States is a hub of importing and exporting. Most of all, the Untied States grants its citizens the right to change what they feel is unjust in their society. If I want to protest the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, I maintain the right to assemble and attempt to change US policy. While there are things I should use this right to correct, I can not deny the United States fits the mold of potential greatness.

It is the atrocity of modern US politics that makes me disgraced to be a citizen of the United States of America. Although I was very young in 2003, I always remember thinking going to war in the Middle East was a bad idea. As a seven year old, I would ask my dad, "Why is the army in Iraq?". The new question I find myself asking is "Why are we not out of Iraq?" Other than being a tax on the US economy, the war is currently doing very little, for it is conclusive that the Iraqis are not hoarding weapons of mass destruction. If the United States need to fight any wars with foreign powers, I only hope that they are defensive unlike the situation in Iraq. After all, the governmental title of the military is the Department of Defense. While the United States is a leading constituent in the world of diplomacy, we are very violent. When I think of the Pledge of Allegiance, I think about how I would feel being drafted, a sign of uttermost loyalty to one's country. As such a feeling of fear comes with fighting for violent, unnecessary causes such as the war in Iraq, I doubt I would feel comfortable in performing mandated military service. I supported the troops because I know they are fighting to enable the exercise of the very freedom I am using to write this piece along with many other liberties. My disappointment in the United States Department of Defense stems from the reasoning of many wars the US fought in the 20th Century and the ones we are fighting now. In addition, my greatest shame in the country comes from watching the rise and fall of political campaigns every couple of years. In the age of the Internet, democracy is becoming a victim of its politicians transforming from intellectuals with practical ideas to "electable" celebrities. Both the Republican and Democratic Parties are guilty of producing candidates whose ideals are overshadowed by what suit tie they choose to wear or where they buy their groceries. The media is partly to blame, but all US citizens are equally responsible for supporting such ridiculousness. Politicians should be looking to the future of the country. It seems nominees from both parties are doing whatever they can to obtain office. Instead of making empty promises, the politicians of the United States should put their Ivy League law degrees to work. They should come up with ideas instead of diminishing their colleagues. Until practical democracy is fully restored in this nation, I can not pledge allegiance to it with a full hear and spirit.

As I said, not saying the pledge separates me from my peers. For anyone who thinks I am a terrorist against the United States or would prefer to live in Canada, I would like to say that is false. It is my wish that we could join together and fix this great country that is currently fractured. It will take elbow grease, but perhaps I will begin to say the Pledge of Allegiance again. My Pledge of Allegiance will be to the creation of a United States and world that is teeming with greatness.

Godception

As Jacob grows into a man, he begins to look for a suitable wife. Like Abraham and Isaac, he seeks a wife in Abraham's hometown of Haran. In Haran, Jacob meets Laban, and he becomes enamored for Rachel, Laban's daughter. When asking permission to marrying Rachel, Laban and Jacob strike a deal. Jacob agrees to work for Laban over the course of seven years in order to marry Rachel. After such time passes, Laban tricks Jacob. At the wedding, Jacob's bride wears a veil for the entire ceremony. Unknown to Jacob, it is Leah under the veil, rather than Rachel. Laban tricks Jacob fairly, but they strike another deal of seven years' labor for his new bride. After fourteen years, Jacob and Rachel marry, but they continue to reside with Laban for another six years. In that time, Leah, Rachel, and their two maidservants bear eleven of the twelve sons who become the tribes of Israel. The family barely escapes Laban's clutches after Jacob spent twenty years in Haran.

This Torah portion greatly involves dreams. On his way to Haran, Jacob rests somewhere along the path. When he goes to sleep, Jacob sees a ladder that reaches up to heaven. Angels are climbing up and down the ladder, which causes Jacob to deem the area a holy spot. God stands next to Jacob and confirms his covenant formerly promised to Abraham. God swears that protection Jacob on his search for a wife until he returns to his Promised Land of Canaan. God also promises to watch over Jacob on his expedition with a careful eye. Since he comes in contact with a man as tricky as Laban, it is quite fortunate that God reminds Jacob of this covenant through his dreams. In Jacob's other dream, God demands Jacob leave Laban in his twentieth year of residence. God notes that staying there would put Jacob in danger, and God is therefore maintaining the agreement from the last dream. In both dreams, God enters Jacob's dreams with a specific purpose. One could compare God to Leonardo DiCaprio's character in "Inception". In addition, the dream sequences foreshadow the talents of a future dream interpreter in Genesis, Joseph. God utilizes these dreams to carry out a message.

Dreams are funny. No psychologist can determine their purpose. Some dreams are about love or success, while others derive from the most horrifying, dark corners of our souls. Dreams bring the conscious and subconscious together, all while we are asleep. I do not memorably dream often, but when I do, I often enjoy it. Even nightmares are fulfilling in some way. After a really deep sleep, a remarkable dream makes me feel like the puzzle of my human soul is closer to being put together. Perhaps, God is trying to tell me something as I sleep. However, I can not remember a dream where God was involved. Do we need to open our minds to allow God to come to us? Jacob's dream nearly seems like a lucid dream because of his full intention to listen to God. Dreams are the basis of imagination, and almost anything can happen in them. Some can be as silly as a competition between two basketball teams comprised of zebras, or they can be as meaningful as a nightmare I once experienced. My sister and I were thrown into a concentration camp, and we came into direct contact with Adolf Hitler. Dreams force us to dig deeper within ourselves, whether we want to or not. It is necessary to listen to mental phenomenon that drives dreaming. For instance, my Holocaust nightmare further proved to me that my sister is the most important person in my life, and I will not allow anything or anybody to come between us. It may not always be God calling, but dreams are the manuscript of the soul.

A Case for Religion

A headline earlier this week read, "Aaron Rodgers: More Popular than Jesus Christ". It is evident that religion is not as great an influence on society as it once was. The scientific revolution led to increasing doubt in religious dogma. In addition, humanity is no longer an agricultural, rural society, where everybody is familiar with one another. People reside in swarming metropolises nowadays, and they exclaim that religion is holding them back. Why should a corporation take a day of rest when their thousands of employees work different shifts? On the contrary, religion is still very meaningful to many people. Deeply consider religion is not a universal solution to all people's problems, but keep in mind religion being illegitimate for one person is no reason to press anti-religious thought on others. Similarly, recognize religion is not the same for any individual, and it can be quite loose or very fundamental. Aaron Rodgers may be more popular than Jesus Christ, but this is no basis for one to conclude that religion is unnecessary for the modern world.

Most people first think of deities and prophets when religion is brought up in conversation, but it is also a source of joy and celebration. Religion emphasizes core values, such as love, responsibility, family, and generosity. From birth to death, many religions recognize important life cycle events. While a wedding can be done in a courthouse or casino, some feel a full celebration with a religion aiding them in the process more memorable. Love is indescribable, but a religious leader can help a pair of fiancés define their relationship. The Jewish practice of a Bar Mitzvah is rewarding for many Jewish children, teaching them responsibility at the beginning of adolescence. Religion is like a source to fall back on when there are upcoming, major events. It is a well of beauty, significance, and understanding.

While religion is a divider among nations of the world, it brings groups together too. If every person in the world was ideologically identical, the world would be a monotonous place. Religion unifies people. After Friday night services, there is an Oneg Shabbat. Jews come to shmooze, but in many temples this ritual is more than polite chit-chat. All the Jews in the world share a common 5,000 year old history and culture, yet there is a wide spectrum of tradition. It is not religious differences that separates these groups, but people themselves. A friend and I were making a case for and against religion. She claimed religions start wars. If one takes the Spanish Inquisition, is religion to blame? Rather, King Ferdinand and the society he created in late 1400s Spain is what led to the Jews' expulsion and murder. Likewise, religious tolerance is a rewarding skill to practice, for it prepares people to handle other traits that are out of a person's control. By being separate, humans actually come closer together.

Although much happiness is found from religion, it is an outlet for comfort in the darkest of hours as well. Whether one is sick or dying, many turn to their faith for support. Since religion can not cure their friend's cancer or bring back a dead relative, skeptics discount this benefit. Instead, religion can be a hug after a loss. I know that I am on the committee in my synagogue to help the family of our congregant's members who are sick and dying. Representing the temple, I send get well and condolence cards to temple members. Additionally, rabbis, ministers, and the like are an open set of ears to pour one's feelings into a times become rough. When a person close to us falls ill, we feel helpless. Prayer is an aid for all, but offers a way to help in such a desperate time. A fellow congregant of mine once taught me prayer is not asking God to heal a broken arm. His prayer involved requesting that the person with the broken arm gain the strength to deal with this injury. Trying this, I realize it a way to gain hope. Subsequently, many religions teach to visit and help the sick. One can do this on their own, but through a place of worship it is organized and easier to go as a group. Religion can be a pathway to another family that supports one under any circumstance.

Many religions are ancient, and as some denounce, they are out of date. If this is so, these disbelievers should reform. While there are very conservative religious institutions, there are many that are open to change. I constantly question Judaism's philosophies. Religion is partly about preserving tradition, but there are many things that are, in fact, out of date. We should attempt to choose a religion that is applicable to us. Try to tie religion into a passion. Like to cook? Explore some holiday time recipes. Do not believe in a god? Find a particular religion that does not rely on theistic ethics. As I said before preaching religion, it is not for everyone. There are just some people who find it repulsive. Perhaps, football is more of a priority in Wisconsin right now. When it comes to finding jobs in this nation, a Packers victory may bring more smiles to faces than a Sunday church service. This is okay, but religion is not dying. There are still many positives assets to be explored. Religion makes us think. It makes us question our morality. How else are we supposed to develop a sense of right or wrong? Watching the Packers play?

Did Facebook, Among Other Entities, Kill Hospitality?

With the passing of Sarah, many excitements come to Isaac in this week's Torah portion. First of all, Abraham purchases a burial ground for him and his wife. Sarah unfortunately passes on, and Abraham is quite old and frail. Knowing he will not be on Earth much longer, Abraham assigns one of his servants to go back to his homeland. In this land, the servant must find Isaac a wife. The servant does not want to a pick a random woman to be the next matriarch of the Jewish people. He sets up a test for Isaac's future wife. Abraham's servant and his camels stop by a well outside the city. They rest there, for this servant wants to see which women will offer him and his camels water. If his plan is successful, he will ask to stay the night with this woman. He finds Rebekah, and his plan works. At Rebekah's household, Abraham's servant reveals the objective of his quest, asking Rebekah's parents permission to take her back to Isaac. When they agree to his terms, Rebekah returns to Canaan with him. Her and Isaac fall in love, and they wed at once. Abraham leaves Isaac his numerous possessions and the title of being head of the Jewish people.

In general, Abraham's servant is assessing Rebekah's generosity and hospitality. The water well is a common spot for many Biblical women to go, but only Rebekah offers this man and all his band of camels a drink after a long journey in the desert. This servant and his objectives are unknown to Rebekah, yet she continues to be as kind to this stranger as she would her kin. Later, Rebekah invites the servant to stay the night as he discusses his lack of a place to stay. Imagine for a walk and coming back with a houseguest. In the modern world, such random hospitality seems absurd. In Biblical times, being homeless, even for a night, was threat to one's survival. Nights were often cold, and the animals were wild at night. A multitude of things could kill one overnight, including a lack of food since lunchtime. Rebekah exhibits extraordinary kindness as she sets all doubts aside and allows this strange man into her life.

Is the principle of hospitality a thing of the past? In some ways, life is far more public than it ever was. Social networks, like Facebook, make a person's entire life known to anyone they accept. While one must accept someone on Facebook, there are many people that the accepter barely talks tom, but he or she shrugs and questions why not accept them. On the contrary, technology makes it easier for people to hide behind a screen to communicate. Even relationships are being started over Facebook chats and texts messages. In addition, there are many more charities today than there ever were. People want to do help the world by donating, but they are overwhelmed by the choosing who to award money. There was no single cause for the decline of hospitality and generosity. However, the decline is evident in how open people are to strangers. Thanksgiving is in less than a week, but there are few people outside one's general circle they would invite. Would they invite a homeless man or woman to share a meal with them? What if that man or woman was dirty versus clean? Does that make a difference? Even I could not say whether I would offer this invitation. In this situation, I would probably inform the homeless person about a local Thanksgiving meal in a public place. It allows him or her to enjoy the holiday, but it also relieves me of any discomfort I may feel. However, is it not true that person will still go to bed cold that night? Hospitably is not dead, but it is dying. I may never know if that homeless man or woman is on a quest to find someone's husband or wife.