A Soulful Journey

“All love that depends on some material cause, with the passing away of that that cause, the love also passes away; but if it not be dependent upon such a cause, it will last forever.  Which love was the love that depended on a material cause?  Such was the love between Amnon and Tamar.  Which love was the love that depended on no such cause? Such was the love between David and Jonathan.’ – Avot 5:19 Lust what is the cause that pushed Amnon toward Tamar. The brotherly love between David and Jonathan was ironclad.  

A wealthy man strolled through his garden and spied a little bird and tangled in a mesh of wire. He freed the frightened creature and held her in his hand. Suddenly the bird began to plead, “Kind sir, please let me go. I will be of no value to you for I am not beautiful. I cannot sing and I am not edible. If you will set me free I will offer you three valuable pieces of advice." The amazed man agreed. The bird then spoke, “Do not worry over that which is gone. Desire not that which you cannot obtain. Believe not that which is incredible.” The rich man appreciated the bird’s advice and set her free. The wise little bird quickly flew to the highest branch of a nearby tree and laughed heartily.  “Why are you laughing?” the man asked.  “I am laughing at you,” the bird chirped, “for if you were not such a fool you could have been the wealthiest man in the world.” “How?” the man asked, bewildered. “Very simply,” the little bird replied, “for I carry a diamond the s...

A trapper must be tactful in his methods because many animals can sense the trap and avoid it. The instinct of self-protection is often so developed that some animals can never be caught. The monkey happens to be the most foolish creature and can be caught without difficulty.   The African trapper bores a hole in a coconut, scoops out the edible matter and fills the content with rice.   He then chains the coconut to the ground. When the monkey scents the cereal he digs his paw into the coconut then cannot withdraw his forefoot.   Here is a predicament, for he cannot carry the coconut away since is fastened to the ground.   If he had enough intelligence to open his paw and drop the rice, he could save himself easily.   But his entire being is centered on the rice, which he holds tightly until the trapper comes. Moral: Some men are no more intelligent than the monkey.   They keep their fists closed over their money and cannot permit themselv...

"Men go to be with Rita Hayworth and wake up and find it's only me." -Rita Hayworth It takes some people a lifetime to learn the difference between lust and love.

“We have war when at least one of the parties to a conflict wants something more than it wants peace.”   -Jeane Kirkpatrick

“Only one thing about money is unholy – the lust for it.”   ‘ ohev kesef lo yisva kesef ’   -Talmud, Makkot 10

In the thirteenth century a Spaniard, Raimon Lull, pursued a woman and attempted to woo her.  After many years, Lull finally succeeded in arranging a secret rendezvous. Silently she revealed a body wracked by cancer.  Raimon Lull’s life changed.  Turning from his life’s course, he became an eminent theologian. Change can happen. All that is required is an open heart.