text:
Note: I am a Jew, and I am also gay. I'm trying to do the best I can with two seemingly conflicting identities within one person. These are some of my thoughts.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The Baby and the Bathwater
As some examples, there are people who think just because they throw out Shomer Negiah, they should begin having sex. THere are a lot of levels between the two, and a lot more problems Halachically with having sex then there is just touching a member of the opposite gender. A less intense example, but equally as important, would be the commandment of Tzitzit- many people feel the need to wear the wool ones, and since those are too heavy- they'd rather wear nothing at all than just get a lighter fabric. And the ultimate example- a person who struggles with his sexuality, and feels he can't reconcile it with his religion may simply just throw out the religion.
Personally, my sexuality and religion don't fit together. But I know that I cannot throw out the baby just because I need to drain the bathwater. I know that I should start wearing Tzitzit again because the commandment isn't for a wool pair, it's just for a simple four cornered garment. And everyone should make sure that their struggle with a commandment or two or all 613, isn't over a stringency that has been misconstrued to be the entity of the commandment, and perhaps focus on going back to the basics.
20 comments:
- AnonymousJune 6, 2010 at 1:10 PM
excellent points...
i liked the tzitzit example.
You dont wear tzitzis too? i thought you were frum? You can't keep saying that you are frum, and continue bashing everything which is frum. Yet i respect your honesty on such matters.ReplyDelete
- FrumGayJune 6, 2010 at 6:34 PM
haha, mcgreevey i can always count on your support and judgement of what is frum and whats not frum. not sure who appointed you the Rabbi of such standards!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousJune 6, 2010 at 6:46 PM
today's blog writes such true words but it is most definitely more difficult in practice than in writing. it takes a lot of trust and faith in G-d and our religion, even to perform simple acts of command.ReplyDelete
Frum (Yiddish: פֿרום; [frum | frim]), from the German fromm, meaning "devout" or "pious", is a Yiddish word meaning committed to be observant of the 613 Mitzvot, or Jewish commandments, specifically of Orthodox Judaism.ReplyDelete
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frum
I didn't make it up, someone else obviously did.
I totally understand the conflict between your sexuality and the standard of religiosity that you want, but why tzitzis (or any other of the mitzvos) should also be involved I dont understand...
But hey, to each his own.
- AnonymousJune 7, 2010 at 10:55 AM
I'm confused - why don't you wear tzitzis? I know it is a mitzva d'rabanan to wear them (the mitzva d'oraisa is if you have a 4 cornered beged you put tzitzis on it and the rabanan said we should be mikayim this by donning a four cornered beged) but it is universally accepted in the "frum" world that one wears tiztzis. Why don't you?ReplyDelete
- AnonymousJune 7, 2010 at 4:15 PM
tzitzis are only an obligation if one is wearing a 4 cornered garment. yes, it is accepted in the frum world to first don a 4-cornered garment in order to wear tzitzis but one is under no halachic obligation to do so.ReplyDelete
so "anonymous" you dont have to get too confused...
- AnonymousJune 7, 2010 at 10:39 PM
excellent post. thank you.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousJune 8, 2010 at 9:49 AM
Anon of 1:15 pm:ReplyDelete
That is where you are incorrect. The rabanan put on us a halachic obligation to wear tzitzis. We believe in torah shel ba'al peh - so we are obligated to wear tzitzis.
So I reiterate my question - why does frumgay believe he is not under an obligation to wear tzitzis?
- FrumGayJune 8, 2010 at 1:29 PM
anon 6:49-ReplyDelete
Under no circumstances to I believe I am not obligated to wear tzitzit. I struggled since Ive always worn tekhelet, and theyre expensive, and I wear the wool ones, and they are hot, and they add an extra layer under my clothing, so I stopped wearing them altogether, when really I shouldve just gotten cheaper ones/mesh ones/stopped wearing tekhelet, all those were options. So I tell myself not to just stop wearing them b/c i took on more strict laws, but to figure out how to wear them.
- simchas beis hatoaivaJune 8, 2010 at 11:51 PM
frum gay is it possible that keeping all those chumrahs "burned" you out? (no pun intended)ReplyDelete
Thats why i hate shanah bet syndrome of taking on chumrah after chumrah.
- FrumGayJune 9, 2010 at 1:07 AM
its a possibility, but i don't put any one 'concept' at fault. some chumrahs i've had since birth, and i need to prioritize those as well.ReplyDelete
"There are people who think just because they throw out Shomer Negiah, they should begin having sex.":ReplyDelete
I am such a person. Whenever I touch a person of the opposite sex, or the same sex for that matter, I think to myself "how awesome to have sex with him/her". My attitude it very simple, a hole is a hole, be it with a guy or girl, same good stuff, so I get turned on by touching almost any person.
FrumGay: What do the chumras u have had till now have anything to do with living ur life as a gay Jew? Why must you begin to prioritize them now? If anything they enhance ur image of not throwing out all you have had just because ur out now...ReplyDelete
Spinoza: that is exactly why u should be locked up somewhere...
"that is exactly why u should be locked up somewhere...":ReplyDelete
You are a totalitarian piece of garbage. You would be willing to ensalve innocent people who do no harm to others only because they are different from you.
Again, the two are not related. I think the way different communities prioritize various aspects of religion is a problem, and far more important values fall to the wayside because of focus on minor details. So, there are certain things I have prioritized over other, more important, laws and that is what I am attempting to work on in my own life.
Spinoza: Not exactly sure what you mean by "enslave innocent people" please explain youreslf.ReplyDelete
But based on your atitude of "a hole is a hole, be it with a guy or girl, same good stuff, so I get turned on by touching almost any person."
I am very confused as to why anyone - in their right mind - would want to be around you...EVER!
Governer, very simple. If you put me into an iron cage, that is what to "lock me somewhere" means, it implies you are enslaving me. If I captured a person and put him into a cage, that is slavery. You have admitted to wish to commit slavery. And that is exactly why you are a totalitarian piece of garbage.ReplyDelete
However, if you said that that I am a crazy mad person. Which is true. I admit it. I am crazy. And am a strange. With strange fantasies. And you want me to stay away from you, but you stay away from me, then that is fine. But you never said that. It bothers you that crazy people like me exist. So you want to enslave people like us. Which is again why you are a totalitarian piece of garbage.
Spinoza: when society places crazy individuals behind bars, is that slavery?ReplyDelete
^^ For the record, I'm also bisexual, and I don't get turned on just because I've touched someone. :/ReplyDelete


text:
Deborah Koons Garcia's "The Future of Food," a documentary offering a look at changes taking place within the food system dominated by corporations, will get a U.S. theatrical release through Cinema Libre Studio. In the words of an announcement, the film explores "the disturbing truth behind the unlabeled, patented, genetically engineered foods that have quietly filled grocery store shelves for the past decade." Cinema Libre will open the film next month in cooperation with grassroots outreach outfit Good Company Communications, kicking off the U.S. release at New York City's Film Forum on September 14th. A DVD release is also planned.
"After watching this film, I couldn't eat without reading the label," said Adam Chapnick, Head of Distribution at Cinema Libre Studio in a statement. "The haunting message of this film will appeal to anyone who eats – no matter their political views, social standing or education levels."
The movie marks the follow up to "All About Babies," "Poco Loco," and "Grateful Dawg" by the wife of the late Jerry Garcia from the Grafetul Dead. She made the movie through her company Lily Films, shooting the doc throughout North America. The film was an award winner of the best doc prize at the deadCENTER Film Festival and an audience prizewinner at the Ann Arbor and Ashland Independent Film Festivals.
"'The Future of Food' has inspired food and farming communities all over the world," says Producer/Director Garcia in a statement. "We are very pleased that mainstream audiences across America will have the opportunity to see the film and educate themselves about what is happening to agriculture today. With Cinema Libre Studio and Good Company Communications as partners, we hope to empower audiences to join the healthy food revolution."
Grassroots screenings have already been held at private homes, farms, and community centers since the movie was finished last year. Good Company, which is working on the grassroots elements is known for their work on "The Corporation."
Cinema Libre Studio's release track record includes the Robert Greenwald films "Uncovered: The War on Iraq" and "Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism," as well as the recent "McLibel."
[ For more information, please visit http://www.thefutureoffood.com ]
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Here is what you'll need! Unicorn Cheesecake
Servings: 8-12 INGREDIENTS
20 graham crackers
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
⅓ cup sugar Filling
48 ounces cream cheese
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
2 cups warm milk
2 tablespoons gelatin
Pink food coloring
Purple food coloring
Blue food coloring Unicorn Horns
Pink sprinkles
Blue sprinkles
9 mini waffle cones 2 cups white chocolate, melted Garnish
Swirl lollipop PREPARATION
1. Add the graham crackers to a sealed plastic bag, and use a rolling pie to crush until the graham crackers resemble a fine crumb. Transfer the graham crackers to a bowl, and add the butter and sugar. Mix until thoroughly combined.
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3. Use a handheld mixer to combine the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract.
4. Microwave the milk for two minutes, and mix with the gelatin. Add the gelatin and milk to the cream cheese mixture. 5. Separate the batter into three separate bowls. Add a drop of food coloring to each bowl, and stir to combine. 6. Layer the blue batter into the graham cracker crust and refrigerate for 30 minutes, or until firm. Repeat with the purple batter, and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Repeat with the pink batter, and refrigerate for 60 minutes.
7. Dip each waffle cone into the white chocolate, top with sprinkles, and chill until firm.
Top the cheesecake with the sprinkles, unicorn horns, gumballs, and the lollipop. 8. Enjoy! Appearance Inspiration: https://www.instagram.com/p/BT54zuyB_kC/?taken-by=katherine_sabbath&hl=en Recipe Inspiration: https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeedtasty/videos/1890540204531953/ Check us out on Facebook! – facebook.com/buzzfeedtasty Credits: https://www.buzzfeed.com/bfmp/videos/17822 MUSIC
Licensed via Audio Network


text:
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text:
The Saturday Food Chain with Michael Olson- July 20th 2013- The Erosion of Civilization- Guest: Professor David Montgomery, author of Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations
Food Chain Radio Show Host Michael Olson #928• July 22, 2013 • Sat 9AM Pacific
Professor David Montgomery, author of Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations
Why is civilization losing its soil?
"A nation that destroys its soil destroys itself." Franklin D. Roosevelt
Soil is like money in the bank. We can spend our soil as we please, but only to the extent the soil we spend is replaced. If we spend all the soil without replacing it, we will bankrupt our civilization.
The elemental economy of soil is etched into the history of civilizations come and gone, from the Golden Triangle of Mesopotamia to the hillsides of classical Greece, from the terrapretta of the Amazon basin to the alluvial plain of the Nile Delta. Where soil is rich, civilization is florescent; where soil is spent, civilization is senescent.
In terms of arable soil, the United States is the richest land on earth. Thus, in a very short period of time, its people blossomed into one of the earth's wealthiest civilizations. But in fact, the U.S. is spending soil faster than it is being replaced. Though this loss is hard for you and I to see on a daily basis, it is being pointed to with concern by geomorphologist Professor David Montgomery, who leads us to ask…
Why is civilization losing its soil?


text: Want to win an iPad Air, courtesy of Ebuyer? Then you'd better hurry up and enter this week's Shooting Challenge competition. This time, the theme is all about ICM, intentional camera movements to add blur and shake to artistic effect in your shots. Maybe try knocking back a few Jäger bombs before pushing the shutter button, eh? [Shooting Challenge]


text:
Which opportunity to become a Smart Marina?
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More info here


text:
These resources examine how two important public health services involved in monitoring data and identifying trends can be delivered across jurisdictional boundaries.
The resources are part of the Center's CJS Resource Library, which contains best practices, lessons learned and tools that can help jurisdictions considering or adopting cross-jurisdictional sharing (CJS) arrangements. While most tools and resources in the library primarily focus on public health CJS, some address public sector CJS more broadly.
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The resource is an example document from an actual cross-jurisdictional sharing initiative.
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The Center is constantly adding tools and resources to this library. Check back often to find additional information.
Resources related to Surveillance and Data Sharing are below.