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Showing posts with the label Build

Rise

In 1969 just before Mies van der Rohe's death. the famous architect was asked what he would most like to build but never could.  Van der Rohe, who was born in 1886 answered, a Cathedral.  - Hans Kuns We should aspire to do things, create things, and spread ideas, that ennoble the idea of God and elevate humankind.
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Build or Destroy

Shortly after World War II, Dr. Chaim Weizmann, who became the first President of Israel, visited the concentration camps of Eastern Europe.   He saw emaciated bodies, squalid living quarters, even scratch marks on the walls which helped inmates count the number of days spent in that hell upon earth.   Moved and angered by what they witnessed, some of the people who accompanied Dr. Weizmann turned to him and said: “Dr. Weizmann, what are we going to do about this?   How shall we Jews get our revenge on these beasts who perpetrated such crimes?” Dr. Weizmann answered: “The Jews do not seek revenge. The Jews build.”  - Rabbi Louis Tuchman
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Of Altars and Iron

"Iron abridges life, While the altar prolongs it. Iron causes destruction, And it causes misery and suffering and sadness. But the altar? The holy altar leads to reconciliation between the Almighty Lord God and man.”   -Michael J. Katz Anything can be used to tear down or build up.  Anything.
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Build!

"You're too pure.  Every time I have an urge for you I sublimate it by planting a tree in Israel."  - Woody Allen While humorous Allen points to a truth: We celebrate and mourn by building, planting, and renewing the world.  Make it so.  Plant a tree in Israel today!
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Practical Advice

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel once taught, a  chasid wass planning to build a house, but instead of consulting an architect, he turned to his rebbe for advice.  The saintly rebbe assured the chasid that he'll find everything he needs to know about building a house in Masechet Midot, a tractate of behavior. The chasid went home & followed the advice of the Rebbe.   But, alas, the house he built soon fell apart.  The Chasid, very upset, ran back to his rebbe & with tears in his eyes asked him how could this happen.  After a couple of minutes, the rebbe replied:  "Come to think of it, תוספות פרעגט טאקע די זעלבע קשיא ״ - Tosafot asks the same question."  - Rabbi  Charles Kraus    Sometimes there is a wide gulf of difference between that which is practical and that which is  theoretical .
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