Kabbalah Down to Earth - Lovingkindness meets Intellect

Intellect often comes from the interactions between the brain and Hashem. Differently, lovingkindness, such as “honor, and love” come primarily from the heart (spiritually).

Abraham showed us the prime example of lovingkindness, and see where he stands now: He is a sacred Father of 3 major religions, and over the history of creation, and even now Abraham is the most loved person ever to live on earth; not Ishmael, Moses, Solomon, Paul, Jesus, or Mohammed.

My vision of Abraham is that he was someone that if you wanted to talk intellectually, he would talk intellectually, but it is his lovingkindness that made him a successful Patriarch.

Ever met a domestic dog? Dogs can teach us a lot about selflessness. A dog's love comes straight from the dog's heart. A dog's loyalty is such that often it will risk its life to save its owner. This is best described as heart or lovingkindness, and not intellect. Intellect in its purest sense is too cold to have friends.

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.

Living for Change by Denying the Greatness of Murder of “Christ”

This following concept, which Jews teach, "Mesirut nefesh," is a major reason for criticism of the most fundamental belief of Christians hold, "That Jesus brought healing through his death; that one died so that many may live."

In Judaism, there is no concept of good human sacrifice, not just giving up things that are pleasing for the soul, but human sacrifice is outright murder.  During Jesus’ murder he was still propagating his insane delusions of grandeur all the while probably considering himself as a martyr.  We should be glad for having the possibility for the insanity plea in the modern judicial system.

During communion Christians teach that either the wine and bread that they drink actually becomes the body and blood of Jesus, or that it is purely symbolic, in either case the eating and drinking of blood is no victory at all, and is a heinous vile religion.

 “Mesirut nefesh -- Hebrew term for self sacrifice -- means both "giving of life" and "giving of will." Self sacrifice is not just the willingness to die for one's beliefs; it is the way in which one lives for them. It is the willingness to sacrifice one's "self" -- one's desires, one's preconceptions, one's most basic inclinations.” - The Lubavitcher Rebbe via Chabad.org

Jews and Christians will have to disagree on this one.  Jews say that the way to best change the world is to live in the world and effect change to it by repairing the world, a good deed, which is a far cry from a rape of power, as was done to Jesus.

Still today, many weep for Jesus and what he went through, which I don’t wish to deny that he died a horrible death; however, a world of weeping and guilt over the murder of one person is no way to exist in a peaceful world.

Seriously, Christians, how can you celebrate this image? a heinous image, where you worship this man, a lunatic, having no idea of right or wrong?  Look to the dove, and the clean world brought to Noah because Noah LIVED to effect change!!!  In Jesus there is death and nothing but death.

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.