On Abortion

*Daily Quote May 31, 2020
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations...
— Jeremiah 1:5

This is not a call to believe abortion is murder. Israel is Hashem's people chosen to teach the world. Jews have Torah. Other nations do not. Because Christians do not have Torah. They can not study and learn Torah properly. Even Paul of the New Testament knew this (Romans 3:2). Consider this:

*Daily Quote: November 4, 2019
Two things preceded G-d's creation of the world: Torah and Israel. Still, I do not know which preceded which. But when Torah states, "Speak to the children of Israel", "Command the children of Israel" -- I know that Israel preceded all
— Midrash Tana d'Vei Eliyahu Rabbah 14

Torah was offered to the nations of the world, and only Israel wanted it (Mek. Yitro, Pes. R. K. 103b, 186a, 200a), which is G-d's prophecy that Israel is the teachers/prophets of the world, as the verse tells us "I appointed you a prophet to the nations". G-d preordained that He would have a chosen people, and it was so.

Life begins at first breath: Genesis 2:7

Abortion can be a very positive thing (Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything). It has the power to uplift societies from violence and poverty. Women have the ability to know how to make this choice for good. Accidents happen and in this age we have the power not to make things worse for civilization just because hormones can get in the way of the possession of the G-dly spirit because sex is something that arises from the spirit of beasts that we also have (Tanya). It is difficult to rule over our inner beast because it doesn't want to listen to reason. Mercy is called for in this instance. Don't stick it to a woman because she made a bad choice. Men don't possess the ability to make this decision, whether or not to let a fetus to make it to full term. A body is a body, and a life is a life. Inside the womb a fetus grows from the mother, it may not be her body yet, I don't know, but that doesn't matter because a body is only a body. However, a life is a life. Torah is clear on that matter: that a fetus does not have the breath of life and thus is not alive in as the idea is given in biblical terms.

*Quotes are from chabad.org daily study "Today In Judaism"

Elie Wiesel: Unconditional Love for God and His Creation

It is in my faith that love for Hashem should be unconditional.  Therefore, I look up to Elie Wiesel; the man in the picture.  His love for Hashem was also unconditional. 

I am not a Jew (or a Christian), but I loved Hashem first (see * for explanation below), when I was at my worst, and in return He gave me a wonderful life beyond my wildest dreams as a child**. 

At my lowest, in college, I was an atheist addicted to the opiates gliadorphin and casomorphin.  I probably also had severe sleep apnea, because after college I was given a sleep study, and I slept for 45min having 54 apneas in that 45min.  Just imagine getting 1hr of sleep a day on opium for years on end.  I had also been hospitalized for psychosis, and treated with psychotropic drugs.  I worked at a golf course, where one of my fellows dictated, "Craig is the tiredest human being on earth."  While I was suffering greatly, the idea of G-d was maddening.  Then, Hashem spoke to me, an unlocatable voice out of creation that said, "I am punishing you."  I had faith, and boldly (I had nothing to lose that I know of.) retorted back to Hashem, "Why are you punishing me?"  Hashem responded, "I get everyone sooner or later. (Deuteronomy 31:20 chabad.org - ...Then, they will turn to other deities and serve them, provoking Me and violating My covenant.)" So I believed, not because I assumed or demanded He would shower me with gifts, yet I testify divine reward and punishment are real things.  As an atheist, I received divine punishment.  As a believer in Hashem, I was eventually rewarded.  

It is now absolutely a joy to be alive, and I trust that no matter what, I love Hashem in the way that I love my wife, Meghan, and I believe with trust comes blessing. However, with Hashem, like my pet turtle; I don’t love her because she is smart, or because she does anything. She is a turtle, a reptile, and would eat me alive without knowledge of doing right or wrong if I let her. I love G-d in the way that I love creation, big animals, small animals, plants and beyond. There is nothing about creation that I think is appropriate to hate or judge Hashem for.

The answer to problems is love, not love that says if I do this then Gd will give me such and such, but to accept all of His creation, and to observe His commandments, regardless, as Elie Wiesel put on tefillin, as did many others, during the Holocaust. I think sometimes Hashem tests us to see if we actually do love Him unconditionally with a love dependent on nothing.  That may be the reason behind the Holocaust, I don’t know, but I do know the answer is always to love Hashem with a love similar to the love of David and Jonathan, a love dependent on absolutely nothing at all.
Torah that comes to mind (from chabad.org):

***Ethics of the Fathers 5:16. Any love that is dependent on something--when the thing ceases, the love also ceases. But a love that is not dependent on anything never ceases. What is [an example of] a love that is dependent on something? The love of Amnon for Tamar. And one that is not dependent on anything? The love of David and Jonathan.

****Ethics of the Fathers 1:3. Antignos of Socho received the tradition from Shimon the Righteous. He would say: Do not be as slaves, who serve their master for the sake of reward. Rather, be as slaves who serve their master not for the sake of reward. And the fear of Heaven should be upon you.

This is different from Jesus teaching in his "Sermon on the Mount."  It is different because I believe one should seek Hashem first, not the kingdom, and expect nothing in return.

Matthew 6:33 in the Authorized King James Version of the Bible: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

* "Malachi 1:3 And I hated Esau, and I made his mountains desolate and his heritage into [a habitat for] the jackals of the desert. " - chabad.org

** Rambam - Edut - Chapter 13:2
Converts are not considered as relatives. Even two twin brothers who convert may testify on each others behalf. For a convert is considered as a newborn child.

***This is a comparison of my version of ideal love for Hashem.  It is the way David loved Jonathan, and also the way Elie Wiesel loved Hashem.

****This is another comparison of my ideal version of love for G-d.  Serve the L-rd demanding absolutely nothing in return in the way that a good employee shouldn't serve their boss/manager for the sake of rewards, such as money.

A Dream: Jews and non-Jews Studying Together in Peace

There is so much Torah to study without ever converting.  The way I see it is that I don’t have to be a Jew to study or contribute.  Why not opt in to observe mitzvos, even mitzvos I am not required observe as a son of Noah?  My personal feeling is that if deeds are healthy for Jews, then they are probably healthy for me.  I have studied Chumash, Daily Halachah, Psalms, and Tanya, with plans for others at chabad.org for several years now.  I have no need to convert to be blessed by Jews.  I hope that this generation will find ways to make peace with other nations of the world - count me in for that one!  Jews studying side by side with non-Jews in study halls has the potential to heal hate.

Is Evolution in the Bible? Yes, it is!

This is where the biblical Garden of Eden story meets science. Specifically, it occurs when G-d punishes the serpent making it crawl on its belly, meaning that G-d caused the transition some of legged reptiles into snakes, which was an effective evolutionary event. As evolution continues, newer species of snakes may continue in the trending evolutionary pattern observed as vestigial anatomy shrinkage followed by elimination of vestigial pelvic girdles.

Bible: Fall of Man Image

I suggest that dinosaurs, notably those in the shape of brachiosaurus with its incredibly long neck and tail are the origin of modern snakes.

Brachiosaurus

Brachiosaurus, for example, was incredibly large (its size is not very important [for example whales are usually considered to have evolved from dogs]) and had an operable pelvic girdle, used for walking (as opposed to slithering.) Notice the serpent's shape, and compare it to that of this brachiosaurus image. The story unfolds.

Python Skeleton w/Vestigial Limbs Compared to Human's

Old world snakes such as pythons still have the vestige of a pelvic girdle, which is comparable to their distant ancestors, the dinosaurs, suggesting that the ancestors of snakes evolved from 4 legged reptiles. There is apparently no value to these vestigial skeletal parts. Hence, in newer species of snake - as opposed to old world snakes such a pythons - the extra bones that make up a pelvic girdle exist no longer because there is no advantage selecting them.

Since the Bible allowed snakes to evolve, I believe that this discussion could happen to any species.  
(Disclaimer: The apple was not the forbidden fruit.)

Galations 3:10 – Paul of Tarsus’ Great Lie

Galations 3:10 is one of the greatest lies in the whole New Testament - read what it says

"For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” - This is a great and terrible a lie.

Rather than a curse, obedience to the Law of Gd brings blessing to those that love Him.  The Law of Gd is as the very food, which nourishes our bodies, and our planet.  The Law is to make us and our world sanctified, which means pure and holy.

Persons that honestly attempt to follow Gd's commands, which He has dictated to us through His Torah, all 613 Laws (available at www.jewfaq.org), and that we know of because He gave them to  Moses, let's us know that even if we fall short while trying to follow Hashem's commands he pours his mercy and love on us bringing us blessing and not some stupid curse as Paul tells us.

You see; The Law of Moses is a Law of Compassion, and it is not without wonderful mercies or justice.

Gd sees our hearts.  If our hearts beg and plead for His love, His LAW, His people, and His creation, over the years YHWH must bring blessing through divine providence.  The Law of Moses is as the space shuttle that will take us to ever increasing new heights previously thought unimaginable.

Don’t sell yourself short by Christian fundamentalism.  I, myself, am not a Christian or a Jew.  Please, don’t listen to Paul of Tarsus and give G-d a chance!!!  In Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy, God promises to do well by us if we occupy ourselves with Torah, making it one with our soul.

In defense of the Torah: Rebellious Sons, and Their Punishment. Part 1

~ “Put to death the rebellious son.” - Moses

Maimonides counted the command relative to this as 106 (Leviticus 19:26, Deuteronomy 21:20).

The definition of a rebellious son is who is, “Stubborn, gluttonous, and an alcoholic.”  In modern times, drunkard should be inclusive of a son who is a drug abuser.  To put to death a rebellious son is an obligation, meaning it is a good deed or mitzvah, yet this is something that courts of justice would have to support in order for it to be legal in the USA.  It is a command specifically for Jews and not gentiles.  However, I support gentiles adhering to this particular verse.  I am a Judaizer, which of course is forbidden according to Christians, but hopefully Christians will change for the better.

The following is text of the idea in question.  It is quoted from the 1917 JPS (Jewish Publication Society) Corrected Bible.  This Bible is free to download at www.sacred-texts.com

From Deuteronomy (JPS):

21:18 If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, that will not hearken to the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and though they chasten him, will not hearken unto them;

21:19 then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place;

21:20 and they shall say unto the elders of his city: 'This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he doth not hearken to our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.'

21:21 And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die; so shalt thou put away the evil from the midst of thee; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

New Jews, Babies, and The Making of a Universe: Creations made via expansion, contraction, and essence.

Via expansions and contractions experienced as push and pull with Jewish study material, a potential convert gains Jewishness although the memories, former essence, remain of the time prior to the ceremonial mikveh bath, where upon becoming new Jew the past is seen with a different lens of Jewish essence.  Differently, those that are born Jewish are already born of the Jewish mindset.  Thus, those born already Jewish experience a natural push and pull because they experienced cosmic vibrations that cause Jewishness in the womb.


This pattern of expansions and contractions that yield essence is a common theme in Judaism.  Another example might be that, via expansions and contractions, we are born from our mother, yet the parental DNA, likeness to our parents, remains as traceable essence.  A third example is that via expansions and contractions, tzimtzumim, Gd created the universe forever leaving His Hebrew essence, the Holy language, among all of His creation.

Life in a Post Capitalist World

If I remember correctly, in high school my teacher taught me how the invention of the assembly line was supposed to revolutionize the idea of capitalism. Things would be made much faster, and by everyone in the assembly line having a small but focused job, there would be extra time for stuff like fun. I don’t think many assembly line workers have free time in mind when they go to work these days.

First of all, assembly lines are usually no longer profitable in America, although we do farm them out oversees to people that we are allowed to pay whatever we want, and there always seems to be takers for these jobs. Let’s look at why? First of all, these workers lack skill sets, so when American Corporations defend the wages they pay overseas they play this card saying offering that we pay them so poorly essentially because we can get away with it. Fast forward to the modern era and now we are closing in on the idea that we don’t need anyone at all, and therefore there is no reason to pay someone anything, because everyone is replaceable.

And, now that I think of that, I don’t agree that people are replaceable just because we can get a machine or another person to do their job based upon a mere whim. A job can be found in Him merely though worship of Him. Yet, that day has yet to fully come, so don’t yet quit your day job. Most people probably like to think they are valuable, and they are, but the difference in today’s world is that their value is not going to be determined by their occupation. Those that accept that people are replaceable are probably going to be the first to say, something like, “Gee! Now that I have realized that I am useless, what can I do now?” For some that thought is pure bliss, for others that thought is a reason for suicide. Unfortunately, some people worship capitalism, as if it was a Gd, and the thought of life without capitalism brings nothing but the greatest sorrow of sorrows.

These are probably the people I least worry about: If you have the knowledge to know you can probably be outpaced by a machine, or someday in the near future, that that is right around the bend, you’ve probably taken some time to entertain yourself spiritually. Possibly, like me, you have gone on the quest to find the one true Gd, or something similar. These will be the types of escapades that will go on more often starting in about year 6,000 on the Orthodox Jewish calendar. This will be the 7th millennium, which in Judaism is known as the age of Moshiach. I like to explain this age as if it were Eden. If you paid it forward and did your good deeds, in the age of Moshiach, there will be no more work for you, although life will be better than just good.

In the Middle Ages and the Dark Ages times were much tougher. Now we have the time to explore the world at our leisure because really, few people need to work more than 40hr weeks, unless they want to. Just as the inventions from 1990 to 2000 where greater in number (and downright amusingness) than we have seen in the entirety of the rest of all other time periods, so too will technology cause us to all be obsolete if we allow ourselves to believe the lies about life in an atheist world.

As we head towards socialized healthcare in America, as well as for places that are more impoverished, such as in Africa through charities such as Heifer International, I think that it is safe to say that we are headed to a world that might be described as being like the Garden of Eden. In my mind, the rules of the universe will remain the same. Live by the golden rule and karma, and chances are that somehow you will come out on top.

If I had to refute the late Christopher Hitchens, then I would say, “Live a life of superstition because I can guarantee you that doing good deeds is the best way to choose no matter how superstitious it may seem.” Ozzy Osbourne was spot on in his song, “I don’t know,” in which he rather ironically claims, “Nobody ever told me, I found out for myself. You got to believe in foolish miracles.” Thus, it is such with reality; if we are able to make peace with our Creator, then indeed He will probably allow us a share of life in a peaceful world for our good deeds. Likewise, I should importantly say, good deeds are not always easy to do. I have spent a good deal of my lifetime trying to communicate over the net the blessings of doing what is moral, and upright. Learning to write didn’t happen in a day, a month, or even a year.

My take home message is to go study, be it books or baseballs, etc., with the aim of making yourself useful, and eventually, though you may crawl and cry, eventually things will work out for Gd. Take for instance the passage in Genesis that Joseph says, “You intended to harm me, but Gd intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” I guess that makes me a priest of sorts. So, when I go to write, I share what I know for the sake of helping people that I don’t know. In my darkest hour, You were there for me, Gd. You told me of your anger saying, “I am punishing you,” which was as music for my ears because I thought that not only wasn’t there a Gd, but also the Gd I had been told of was a wimp, so I dismissed my knowledge of a wimpy Gd. Gd you were there to accuse me, such that my soul repented out of love for your voice, and I realized that You, Gd, are a vengeful and wrathful Gd. He, Gd, reached out to me, so following that pattern, to imitate His just ways, I reach out to you, in the hope that Eden will be for all of us, from the greatest to the least, and none will be able to say, I am not important, because we can derive that Gd is reasonable because His creation is reasonable, and for His creation to be reasonable, each soul in it must have a share in the World to Come, as each soul has a share from the breath of Gd that came from Him in the creation week of Genesis Chapter 1.

A Spiritual Piggybank

Many people pray, and they find that their prayer gets them nowhere. This does not surprise me, nor does it negate my religion. I won’t say that prayer is important, but I will say that prayer is not a complete perspective. I suggest doing something in addition to prayer.

When we do something for someone else out of charity, while it might be something directly related to the thing you want, it may also be something almost completely unrelated. Showing an interest in others and their doings may be just what we need in order to unlock the gate to the pathway towards Eden. The places we visit on this journey may seem obscure or irregular, but journey onward to the places that Torah takes us on.

Consider this; your good deeds may not pay off immediately. Thus, I suggest thinking of your doings in this world, as is the idea of a spiritual piggy bank. It may take a lot of saving. What if you have a rare disease or a rare problem? With your hard spiritual work, you may have to save up enough spiritual capital to put a doctor through medical school, such that he can help you out of your illness.

G;d gives each of us a mission in this world. This mission becomes clearer as we study. When we study, it is the equivalent of fulfilling all the good deeds of the Torah. In my instance, in my spiritual piggy bank, I had some knowledge of science, but that needed to be unlocked. It was sealed up, until I took the time to study Torah. Once I studied Torah, someone else, my mom, just happened to come across a doctor that could cure me so that my science knowledge need not remain locked up. So, I reached out to G(d and he reached out to me in return, blazing a pathway for my mother to find a cure for me. And, I do admit that it wasn’t a perfect cure, as a still have some problems. However, instead of my problems being to my detriment, they have actually been a blessing for me. This is the way Hashem is able to work his magic in this world.

A spiritual piggybank may have some money in it. But, it must also have good deeds. This is why a Jewish king must not be wealthy. His wealth must come from his spiritual piggy bank that is not of this world in a radical type of way, similar to that of a priest, or a Levite. In Ecclesiastes, King Solomon relates a story about a person who is wealthy, but Gd has forbidden them from enjoying it. This is entirely relative to the idea of a spiritual piggybank, and a proof of it if you believe Tanach is the words of G-d. Money by itself is empty if one can’t enjoy it. This is also the idea of karma, in that there is something spiritual about this world that if we do good things to others, then good things will be done to us in return. Likewise, Leviticus 26 and other parts of Torah relate the blessings of living a righteous life, but that if we don’t do what G&d asks of us then good things happen.

So pay it forward~!~ We all have something to give and a reason for being, or G^d would not permit us to be. G*d is aware of everything in the universe, such that everything in reality is not without purpose. If your spiritual piggy bank seems empty, you may be wrong! Just keep doing good deeds and I believe that if you are able to actually toil in Torah, reading it, even if you are blind and have to learn brail, and observing the ways of the righteous, though things may get worse initially, eventually things will get better for you. Through doing good deeds we must have hope.

The Torah Is Against Incest, Not For It!

While the Torah does permit marriage of one’s first cousin, it does not indicate that this is the most ideal situation, as there are many incest taboos of which we can extrapolate incest is not best.  Marriage of closer cousins is also closer to being sinful when we look at the big picture the Torah presents us.  Thus, if anything we should be able to extrapolate that when marrying, the further the genetic link between partners, the better, although this is not the only consideration.  Jews are a clan, and likewise to maintain a sense of identity, Jews should marry someone who is familiar with Judaism, and at least have a partner that embraces Jewish endeavors.

The Holocaust Gives Strong Reason Why We Should Fear Gd

Many folks claim that because of the holocaust that they can not believe that Gd is loving.
The faithful say that he was hanging in the gallows along with his precious Jews.  However, the Bible does indicate that fear is an important part of one's relationship with Gd.

From www.jewfaq.org, it is said among the 613 commandments of the Torah that, "To fear Him reverently (Deut. 6:13; 10:20)," is an affirmative commandment for men, and it is counted as the 4th commandment according to Chafetz Chayim's Concise Book of Mitzvot and I'm guessing that it is listed 4th due to its importance to Jews, where faith is considered the first most important affirmative commandment required for Jewish men, but not forbidden to Jewish women.

We have many reasons to fear Gd.  However, for this generation, and hopefully for several more, the power of Gd to allow the destruction his own people should strike fear into the hearts of every man, woman, and student.  This fear is natural, and required.

The question is if those who say, "Never again," are stating it from a secular point of view (likely).  Really, we need for fear that is more than just awe.  We need to understand that we should fear Gd, especially if we choose sin because our deeds are always under the Gd’s magnifying glass.  It is much more important to have true fear because we know that something such as the Holocaust can happen.

If one fears Gd, if he is about to sin, he does not hide it, for he knows that Gd can see him wherever he goes.  And, thus it is such that sometimes folks sin, even those who fear that their very existence it dependent on Gd.  I, myself, know this for at times I have eaten pork.  However, when I have done this, I am quite fearful that Gd will punish me for it.  I can't explain why I have sometimes done it, other than doing so seems to have felt compatible with my animal instinct.  However, it is my hope that I never eat pork again.  And, yes, I realize I may fail at this, and there are other things I may fail at as well, such as masturbation.

Gd Promises Say Deeds Give Reason to Boast!

...Excellent delivery of the Christian ideal, which I deem as bogus.

As far as boasting is concerned:

The wording in Leviticus is that if we follow the 613 commandments of Torah, then we can expect to live an awesome life, where we are saved on earth, and not some sort of pipe dream salvation that Christians chase in the afterlife, all the while wallowing in the earthly mud like swine!

The creed of the Christian is that of helplessness to be a good person, but Jewish faith is much different.  Jewish faith a call much greater than maintaining, but also to repairing the world.  The translations in the Jewish Bible read different.  Humans aren’t here just to mess everything up.  We are here to rule over creation, to subdue it, and to improve the world, in the way that Gd teaches through observing the 613 commandments of Torah that will help you live a better life in this world.

Wake up to the fact that deeds cause salvation, and that boasting about the fact that deeds have led to salvation is a way to encourage others to enjoy the fruits of our saved lives on earth!

Observe the verse Psalms Chapter 23:(5), where David’s righteous faith leads him to boast about his salvation on earth!

Psalms Chapter 23:(5) Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 

(1917 JPS corrected)

I love the book of Deuteronomy.

Perhaps, no other Bible book makes it so clear that peril will fall to those who do not follow the Lord God’s commands.  The meaning of our state of existence is entirely described by Deuteronomy.  God is sovereign.  If we prosper, then He is the reason we prosper.  If we struggle, then He too is the reason why we struggle, yet usually most of us receive some grace, such that even if we do sin, the Lord God may overlook it.

I know for a fact that this very idea makes certain people such as atheists and Christians mad, but I hope that when Gd shows them their punishments they will see in their souls why they struggle.  Call this the evil of Gd if you will, but vengeance belongs to the Lord should one violate the commands he has given to us.

I think what most people are used to is the blessing of grace in their life.  Many people do not fear the Lord and the consequences for failing to keep all of his commands because they are used to a life of grace.  True, the Lord is gracious, but why take advantage of that?  Why do evil in any way if the Lord God sees all?  Also, the Bible talks of the evil of Gd with respect to King Saul.  Why invite the Lord to do evil in your life by failing to fear him?  This is the command to fear Him reverently (Deut. 6:13; 10:20).

The fact is that there are two kinds of believer, and these two kinds act differently based on how they perceive the nature of Gd.  Those that have no fear in one examination were more likely to cheat.  However, those that had fear did not cheat on a test, when given a chance.

There are 613 commandments in the Torah, and it is that if one doesn’t keep or attempt to keep all of them, then he or she is under a curse.  Christians are usually aware of some of these laws, but when it comes to the Ten Commandments, Christians that I know of say that the command to keep the Sabbath is no longer legitimate.  Let me tell you something: If you work out your back seven days a week, it will be sore, and possibly even crippling, and it is this way with so many other commandments that Christians seemingly do away with, declaring them null and void for whatever reason.  I try to separate myself from them.   

Deuteronomy makes it clear, you have to get your heart right with Gd and follow all His commands if you are to prosper.  If we worship the Lord, and I don't mean Jesus, Deuteronomy is 100% clear that there is paradise on earth for the obedient.  Why transgress the law and hope for grace, if you can be obedient and have goodness multiplied.

Look at me!  I am a creditor as I write this, and so is Blogspot!  I am under no obligation to write at all.  My payment is received via the spirit that the Lord grants to me because I am sharing freely what I know.

I have known of the blessing and the curse in my own lifetime.  When I was told by God that He was punishing me, I was elated for that.  I just simply couldn’t love a God that I didn’t fear and was told that I wasn’t required to fear, so I was an atheist.

Which way are you going to go? Most people I know believe that their Old Testament has been nullified, but that is as stupid as a person who believes that he can will God out of existence. It is not until fools stop blaming Satan for everything, and instead focus on doing good deeds and repent that we will see heaven on earth!

1st Zerah: Who is Zerah? What are the Zerahites?

Ethics of our Fathers 6:3 He who learns from his companion one section, or one canon, or one verse, or one word, (or) even one letter, is bound to do him honour; for thus we find with David king of Israel, who learned not from Achithophel but two things only, that he called him his master, his guide, and his acquaintance,

The Bible mentions several Zerahs, or does it? Zerah’s name appears in many ancestries in not only the Torah, but the entire Tanach. The Tanach is the Jewish Bible. It does not include the New Testament. This essay is purely speculative.

Genesis 36:16 is the first appearance of the name Zerah. He is mentioned as the son of the Edomite, “Reuel.”

Genesis 36:13 And these are the sons of Reuel: Nahath, and Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These were the sons of Basemath Esau's wife.

That Esau took her as a wife indicates that Basemath was indeed an Abrahamite. The Torah says that Basemath was the daughter of Ishmael (Genesis 36:3). Ishmael was the firstborn of Abraham’s sons. Basemath was also the wife of Esau. That makes Zerah in the third generation. First there was Esau, the brother of Jacob. Next there was Reuel, the son of Esau. Last there was Zerah, the son of Reuel, but was this an adoption? Zerah is also the third generation from Jacob. Generation one was Jacob. Generation 2 was Judah. In generation 3 was Zerah (Generation 38:30). In fact, it is mentioned that Tamar bore Zerah (Genesis 38:27-30). However, if this is the same Zerah, his earmarks were that he had affiliations with both the Edomites and the Ishmaelites. What I suggest is that these two supposed Zerahs are the same person that became the clan of the Zerahites. In fact, though Tamar bore Zerah, he was first mothered by Basemath. But, Zerah carries the paternal Y chromosome of Judah conferring the scepter, but due to a conversion he was both an Edomite and a Judahite, and had associations with Ishmaelites. That is that he was mothered by two tribes. So far, I suggest all Zerahites are mothered by two tribes, both Ishmaelite and Judahite, and fathered by two tribes Edomite and Judahite.

It is thought that the marks of an Edomite in today’s society might be such as joining the military. In fact, my father showed military aptitude and served his nation as a Captain in the military elite Special Forces. However, he also possessed some of the earmarks of Jacob as well, as he became a public school teacher. The earmarks of Jacob would be study. Furthermore, I possess the Y chromosome of a Regent, indicating the association of the scepter with my family. Besides the Stewarts, the Hamilton’s are the second noblest clan in Scotland. I mention this because several ancestries of mine go back to Zeus. It is thought that Zeus is a fictional name for the Zerahites.

Additionally, Numbers 26:13 mentions a Zerah of the Israelite tribe of Simon. This is thought to be a third conversion of Zerah, and it is a lifetime journey for each Zerahite to undergo slavery and a wondering in the desert, converting to the tribe of Simon shortly after slavery. First a Zerahite is an Edomite, then he is also a Judahite, and then he is also a Simonite. How can this be? I reason that Abrahamites intermingle. In fact, I suggest that the nation of Abraham is in fact the inhabitants of the USA. What Zerahites end up doing is starting to master Torah, and that this is the way of life for them. This is not to say all Zerahites are righteous (Joshua 7:1). Yet, this is not a call for all people to intermingle. However, some intermingling is thought to be a part of the Torah.

There are yet other occurrences of Zerah of the Bible, but not in the Torah. The book of Ezra knows of a Zerahiah (7:1), whom had also converted to the tribe of Levi. It is not clear if Zerahiah and Zerah are both Zerahites, and this is a place where I need more research. This should be less of a surprise than it really is. Jacob declares Simonites and Levites are a pair (Genesis 49:5), so it would be natural for such a conversion to take place. Additionally, the book of Chronicles lets us know that the Zerahiah of Ezra was of the line of Aaron, and is thus a Cohenim, or a candidate for being the high priest (5:32). Evidence of this would be obeying the command of a Cohen gadol to only marry virgins. Lastly, yet another conversion is made to the Levite clan of Gershon (Chronicles 6:6). What else would you expect from a politician other than affiliations with the various divisions of the clans of Abraham?

2 Chronicles 14:8 lastly mentions “Zerah the Ethiopian.” Perhaps, this individual was a Zerahite, as we know Zeus had African descendents through the Royal House of Thebes through Io, such that Pharoah of the Book of Exodus was probably an African Zerahite, as the scepter of Judah is not reported to have been removed during the enslavement of the Israelites. Zerah the Ethiopian was probably a descendant of Pharoah, such that all the Israelites did not leave during the Exodus, but some of the tribe of Judah remained behind and ruled there. All the attacking Ethiopians where mentioned as having been slain, but this is not to say that all the African Zerahites were on this military campaign. This was during the kingship of Asa, which was after 1,000 BCE, but before CE. Therefore, it should be understood that the word Zerah occurs over the course of thousands of years. There was probably an original founding member. However, this person was probably not Zerah the Ethiopian. Rather, Zerah should be thought of as the Zerahites. And, as they are not mentioned as having died in the JPS Bible, Zerahites are probably still around today. It is thought that when in 167 BCE, when a statue of Zeus was placed in the Holy of Holies it mystically led to Zerahites also being considered Cohenim, and the changing of the name of Zerah to Zerahiah, as only the High Priest is permitted to enter this sacred place. This radical change of Zerah to Zerahiah.

If the legends of Zeus are true, then we should also expect a Zerahite to have relations with Asians as well. Zeus is recorded to have married Europa, an Asian. This was a source for Asiatic nobility. Though I believe most Ishmaelites are currently Muslim, I am currently unsure who the Asians are in the Torah. This is a topic for further research. Personally, I have had relationships with Asians most of my life, as well as some Africans, Jews and Ishmaelites.

Craig HamiltonFirst Kings 2:10 - And David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David

November 19, 2010 at 4:40 pm

Craig HamiltonNote that in 1 Kings 2:10 “Fathers” is plural, suggesting that an individual can have more than one father.

November 19, 2010 at 4:41 pm

Craig HamiltonThe word “Fathers” occurs 508 times in the JPS 1917 Translation.

November 19, 2010 at 4:41 pm

Craig Hamilton“Who is Zerah? What are the Zerahites?” (October 2010). - There is not necessarily a Zerahite Y chromosome. However, if there is one then it is almost certainly Haplogroup I1. Thus, part of the blog is incorrect, as it was made on the assumption that because Tamar reportedly “bore” Zerah unto Judah, that this meant Zerah had a copy of Judah’s Y chromosome.

October 2, 2011 at 7:39 pm

1st Torah Apologetics “Put to death a rebellious son.”

~ “Put to death the rebellious son.” - Moses

Deuteronomy 21:21, that a rebellious son should be stoned is a much maligned verse. Do not read “Child.” The verse says, “Son.” Maimonides counted the command relative to this as 106 (Leviticus 19:26, Deuteronomy 21:20). It is a negative commandment, meaning that both men and women Jews are obligated to it. Since, it is an obligation for a Jew to follow the laws of one’s country, the following is currently the correct rendering for USA citizens: “Not to eat or drink like a glutton or a drunkard (not to rebel against father or mother).” The following is text of the idea in question. It is quoted from a JPS (Jewish Publication Society) Bible and is€ free and in the public domain. It is available for free download at www.sacred-texts.com

From Deuteronmy (JPS):

21:18 If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, that will not hearken to the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and though they chasten him, will not hearken unto them;

21:19 then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place;

21:20 and they shall say unto the elders of his city: 'This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he doth not hearken to our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.'

21:21 And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die; so shalt thou put away the evil from the midst of thee; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

21:22 And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree;

21:23 his body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt surely bury him the same day; for he that is hanged is a reproach unto God; that thou defile not thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

Atheists often sight this to say that the Torah is cruel and immoral. Even the Talmud questions if this verse is indeed authentic. However, psychology does know of sociopaths, people born without a conscious that can never have one, and will do evil at every chance (evil rebellious children that only become evil adults). In Freudian terms, sociopaths just have an id and an ego, but no superego. That is, psychologists believe that the premise of some religions - that everyone knows right from wrong - is not true. This is an accepted psychological diagnosis, “Antisocial personality disorder,” for which there is no cure. It is not even a sociopath’s fault that he or she is a sociopath. A sociopath is completely incapable of doing a good deed. For example, a sociopath would be completely incapable of knowing G-d exists. I use this example because of its importance to Christians and Muslims, who believe faith is the most important or only way to heaven. Jews believe faith is only required for Jewish males, as in the Torah is written as a positive or masculine commandment (Exodus 20:2). The rendering of this command should be, “To know that G-d exists,” and Maimonides counted it as the first of the 613 commandments of the Torah. According to the Torah, faith is not required in order for one to be a righteous gentile. According to the Talmud, righteous gentiles have a place in the hereafter. Belief in the hereafter, the resurrection of the dead (Book of Daniel) is number 13 of Maimonides 13 Principles. And additionally, faith is not required of Jewish women. A sociopath would commit any of the following commands which the Torah (Mosaic books) says should be universal to humanity.

1. Prohibition of Idolatry: You shall not have any idols before God.

2. Prohibition of Murder: You shall not murder. (Genesis 9:6)

3. Prohibition of Theft: You shall not steal.

4. Prohibition of Sexual Promiscuity: You shall not commit any of a series of sexual prohibitions, which include adultery, incest, bestiality and male homosexual intercourse.

5. Prohibition of Blasphemy: You shall not blaspheme God's name.

6. Dietary Law: Do not eat flesh taken from an animal while it is still alive. (Genesis 9:4)

7. Requirement to have just Laws: You shall set up an effective judiciary to enforce the preceding six laws fairly.

I will add that though several of these Noachide laws are in the 10 Commandments, Christians generally do not believe in the 10 Commandments, such as those of times and seasons regarding the Sabbath. Shabbat observance requires the following:

a. Not to travel on Shabbat outside the limits of one's place of residence (Ex. 16:29)

b. To sanctify Shabbat (Ex. 20:8)

c. Not to do work on Shabbat (Ex. 20:10).

d. To rest on Shabbat (Ex. 23:12; 34:21).

e. Not to inflict punishment on Shabbat (Ex. 35:3) (because some punishments were inflicted by fire) (negative).

Most Christians that believe that the Sabbath is Sunday fail to observe the Laws of Sabbath right from the start, merely by getting in their car and traveling from town to town to get to Church that day (Exodus 16:29). Muslims believe the Sabbath is on Friday. According to the Torah, Shabbat observance is only a requirement for Jews. Observance of Shabbat (Sabbath) and Kashrut (Kosher) are the most important definers of Jews, according to the Talmud, and Orthodox rabbis’ expect those righteous gentiles converting to Judaism to observe these laws first and foremost. In Orthodox Judaism, converts are also expected to be more sincere than their fellow Jews, although convert is a lower Talmudic caste than Israelite.

There is no diagnosis most psychologists believe is more despicable, as even psychologists usually don’t have compassion for sociopaths and this is the only diagnosis, which they commonly feel this way about. A psychologist would be more likely to say murder should be forgiven, than say that sociopath is not a waste of flesh. Psychologists generally respond with compassion for every other psychological disease.

The Torah requires three eye witnesses to put someone to death, a trial, and several other measures, such as a warning and an acceptance of a warning (intent), and that the person does it anyway after the warning, to prevent a miscarriage of justice. Assuming, Judaic law (a utopian ideal for me), I believe that if three psychiatrists (read “elders” Deuteronomy 21:20) diagnose a child as a sociopath, then that child, if a boy (defined as under the age of thirteen), should be put to death, as the world is better off without him.

I do not believe in capital punishment by pelting anyone with stones. Rather, I believe sociopaths should be put to death by lethal injection. The Talmud says that, “When one sins it is as if their heart turns to stone.” Thus, I believe death by lethal injection is humane and correct replacement to the old way of pelting criminals with stones, as lethal injection causes a person’s heart to turn to stone.

Earlier I mentioned Maimonides Thirteen Principles. I am not sure if they are in the Talmud, a part of the Jewish canon, but they are commentary on the Mishnah, of which rabbinical commentary often canon. As far as I know, only the complete Talmud Bavli (Babylonian Talmud) is available in English in the public domain, so I am unable to check this. Maimonaides commented on a later Talmud, as he lived in the middle ages. Each country that the Jews have been in has had its own Talmud. Another famous ancient Talmud is the Jerusalem Talmud. The Thirteen Articles of Jewish faith are:1. Belief in the existence of the Creator, be He Blessed, who isperfect in every manner of existence and is the Primary Causeof all that exists.2. The belief in G-d's absolute and unparalleled unity.3. The belief in G-d's noncorporeality, nor that He will beaffected by any physical occurrences, such as movement, orrest, or dwelling.4. The belief in G-d's eternity.5. The imperative to worship Him exclusively and no foreign falsegods.6. The belief that G-d communicates with man through prophecy.7. The belief that the prophecy of Moses our teacher haspriority.8. The belief in the divine origin of the Torah.9. The belief in the immutability of the Torah.10. The belief in divine omniscience and providence.11. The belief in divine reward and retribution.12. The belief in the arrival of the Messiah and the messianicera.13. The belief in the resurrection of the dead.

My comment on principle 13: The world is absurd. It is in fact so absurd that the Prophet Daniel’s resurrection of the dead will not occur (Book of Daniel – Jewish and Christian canon).

The laws of Moses with reference to G-d are:

1. To know that G-d exists (Ex. 20:2; Deut. 5:6) (CCA1). See What Do Jews Believe?.

2. Not to entertain the idea that there is any god but the Eternal (Ex. 20:3) (CCN8). See What Do Jews Believe?.

3. Not to blaspheme (Ex. 22:27; in Christian texts, Ex. 22:28), the penalty for which is death (Lev. 24:16) (negative).

4. To hallow G-d's name (Lev. 22:32) (CCA5). See The Name of G-d.

5. Not to profane G-d's name (Lev. 22:32) (CCN155). See The Name of G-d.

6. To know that G-d is One, a complete Unity (Deut. 6:4) (CCA2). See What Do Jews Believe?.

7. To love G-d (Deut. 6:5) (CCA3). See What Do Jews Believe?.

8. To fear Him reverently (Deut. 6:13; 10:20) (CCA4).

9. Not to put the word of G-d to the test (Deut. 6:16) (negative).

10. To imitate His good and upright ways (Deut. 28:9) (CCA6).

CCA = affirmative commandment

CCN = negative commandment

The number following the commandment is according to Maimonides, where the total number is 613, which is derivable by Kabala.

Comments, questions, rebuttals, etcetera are welcome. How do you feel about Deuteronomy 21:21?