Ask the Rabbi
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever islovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8 NASB
Excellence – I came across the following discussion on the internet:
“Question: Hi. In my searches recently, I found some insight into ancient Greek child rearing and I am totally convinced there is a Jewish equivalent.
The term is arête (virtue or excellence). It was one of the main outlooks of life in Greek aristocracy and therefore a part of the paidiea (child rearing/instruction/discipline). My question: Is arête explicitly taught or implied in the Torah?
Answer: Hi. The Jewish concept of striving for excellence is inherently different than the Greek “arête“.
You see the Greek arête is the concept that every class has its own icon of perfection and we should all strive to be that perfect individual (in strength/beauty/intellect etc).
In Judaism, however, we do not stress trying to be the pinnacle of strength/beauty/intellect etc. Reason being that these are G-d given gifts and it is not always within our capabilities to be the strongest, prettiest, smartest individual within our group.
Rather, Judaism stresses utilizing those G-d given gifts to the limit of your POTENTIAL. A person may not be that intelligent but if he utilizes his intelligence to the utmost limit of his capabilities – he is deemed to have reached perfection. Whereas the individual with far superior intelligence, who has authored many scholarly works, but has not reached his full potential and did not push himself to the limit of his capability, he is deemed a less perfect person than the other fellow who did indeed utilize his capabilities to its fullest.
Although both of our cultures condone perfection, the not-so-subtle difference between our cultures are telling.
Rabbi Tzvi Frank”
The above question and response from Rabbi Frank clearly shows us that a word in English may sound like something we think we know, but further investigation is needed in order to understand how Hebraic thinking differs from our usual Greek views. Doesn’t this rabbi’s comment remind you of Rabbi Sha’ul’s exhortation about the body? Not everyone is an eye. Not everyone is a foot. But everyone is called to use the gifts God gives to their fullest. The Greek way is comparative and competitive. Everyone should be a prophet. Everyone an evangelist. And the standards are set by the best among us all. The Hebrew way asks that you become all the God has in mind for you, not all that others think you should achieve. The Hebrew way requires cooperation and collaboration. You might ask yourself which view characterizes your life, even your life in the Kingdom.
Topical Index: excellence, arête, Rabbi Frank, Philippians 4:8
Time and again, the “Hebrew way” turns out to be a relief, a move to sanity. As was said before, this “is not too hard for you to do. ”
Shalom
“the pinnacle of strength/beauty/intellect”
Did you know that March is Women’s Herstory (well, it’s called history at present) Month? Enjoy this lovely song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3j8L6wKpQA
It’s a good thing vengeance was not assigned to me this time. 🙂
Shabbat Shalom!
“Judaism stresses utilizing those G-d given gifts to the limit of your POTENTIAL.”
“March is Women’s Herstory”
Hi Jeanette,
Speaking of excellence, POTENTIAL, and perfection
There was a time when I strove to perfect my game of tennis
But long before I became an old man I knew
I would never be as “perfect” as Chris Evert
In any way or form
Hi Mikie!
Tennis reminds me of the movie/book Clockwork Orange. Do you know it? I just discovered this about it:
The book has three parts, each with seven chapters. Burgess has stated that the total of 21 chapters was an intentional nod to the age of 21 being recognised as a milestone in human maturation. The 21st chapter was omitted from the editions published in the United States prior to 1986.[4] In the introduction to the updated American text (these newer editions include the missing 21st chapter), Burgess explains that when he first brought the book to an American publisher, he was told that U.S. audiences would never go for the final chapter, in which Alex sees the error of his ways, decides he has lost all energy for and thrill from violence and resolves to turn his life around (a slow-ripening but classic moment of metanoia—the moment at which one’s protagonist realises that everything he thought he knew was wrong).
At the American publisher’s insistence, Burgess allowed their editors to cut the redeeming final chapter from the U.S. version, so that the tale would end on a darker note, with Alex succumbing to his violent, reckless nature—an ending which the publisher insisted would be ‘more realistic’ and appealing to a U.S. audience. The film adaptation, directed by Stanley Kubrick, is based on the American edition of the book (which Burgess considered to be “badly flawed”). Kubrick called Chapter 21 “an extra chapter” and claimed[5] that he had not read the original version until he had virtually finished the screenplay, and that he had never given serious consideration to using it. In Kubrick’s opinion, the final chapter was unconvincing and inconsistent with the book.
Interesting stuff!
1971 A Clockwork Orange (screenplay)
1968 2001:A Space Odyssey (screenplay)
Hmmm
Hi Jeanette,
Stanley Kubrick wrote the screenplays for both films and I saw them both with my first wife
In 1968 we were living in El Porto (Manhattan Beach) and in 1971, we were living in Del Mar
The entire time we were together I don’t think I ever selected one movie to go out and see
Sandy had an uncanny sense for movies, but I felt there was something weird about Kubrick
I did not really like either movie, but I was sort of in “awe” of both of them
The first movie we saw together was The Graduate with Dustin Hoffman about “plastics”
And the world that we were rejecting
The next movie we saw was Bonnie an Clyde before it had become a big hit
We were “swept away” with that movie with Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway
They were gangsters and we had a sort of rebellious streak in us
But we were very blessed and, without her
I would not have gone to college
1980 The Shining (screenplay)
Actually it was The Shining with Jack Nicholson which
Convinced me that Stanley Kubrick was really weird
But I love Jack (is back 🙂
“Judaism stresses utilizing those G-d given gifts to the limit of your POTENTIAL.”
“March is Women’s Herstory”
Hi Jeanette,
Speaking of excellence, POTENTIAL, and perfection
There was a time when I strove to perfect my game of tennis
But long before I became an old man I knew
I would never be as “perfect” as Chris Evert
In any way or form
~ whatsoever things that are excellent..~ (Philippians 4.8)
~ so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; ~ (Philippians 1.10)
This may end up being a big bowl of “stone soup” with every man contributing his own idea or opinion (danger, danger!) of “the things that are excellent,” but this also is an “excellent” example of Greek vs. Hebrew thought.
The Gentiles (non-Jews) would ask “what’s in this for me”- the (unregenerate) mind of “the Greek” erroneously “thinks”- “it’s all about me..” and from the time our childhood we all (all us Greek-thinkers) are very “fond” of the pronouns “I,me,my, and mine”. EGO is king and of course (must I remind you?) – the world revolves around me. Very (mistakenly) “man-centered.”
The Bible tells us that pride goes before a fall (Proverbs 16:18). Few stories demonstrate this truth as clearly as the story of Nebuchadnezzar. (http://www.jesusplusnothing.com/studies/online/Daniel4.htm)
This Babylonian king, may have been very “successful”- in the eyes of some, but was a very “self”-centered man. Look what “my” mind has conceived and “my” hand has done and all that “I” have accomplished and achieved and accumulated. My, my… this man had a serious “I” problem. The center of sin dear friends, is “self.” Ego-centric living is ecc-centric (off-center and out-of-balance) living.
Hear these words from God’s own Book.. (perhaps for the first time ever..)
~ He must increase, but “I” must decrease..~ He must become greater and greater, and “I” must become less and less. ~ It is necessary for Him to increase and for me to decrease ~ (John 3.30)
JOY! Jesus. Others. You. (you is dead last!)
and again.. this is the core to Christianity (not a religion, but a relationship!) This is the “nutshell” we have been seeking for so long..
~ NOT “I”-BUT Christ! ~
Not I, but Christ, be honored, loved, exalted;
Not I, but Christ, be seen be known, be heard;
Not I, but Christ, in every look and action,
Not I, but Christ, in every thought and word.
Not I, but Christ, to gently soothe in sorrow,
Not I, but Christ, to wipe the falling tear;
Not I, but Christ, to lift the weary burden,
Not I, but Christ, to hush away all fear.
Christ, only Christ! no idle words e’er falling,
Christ, only Christ; no needless bustling sound;
Christ, only Christ; no self important bearing;
Christ, only Christ; no trace of “I” be found.
Not I, but Christ, my every need supplying,
Not I, but Christ, my strength and health to be;
Not I, but Christ, for body, soul, and spirit,
Christ, only Christ, here and eternally.
(Frances E. (Fannie) Bolton, 1900)
Self-centered? or Savior-centered living? The choice is ours- all the day long. ~ He must increase- “I” must decrease..~ And pride? What is pride but “self-centered” anything.. Anything that starts with “self” is destined for defeat. Name them all.. (I’ll wait..) self-centeredness- or even “man-centeredness”- Friends, a man “wrapped up in himself makes a mighty small package..” ( I guarantee it).
~ Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall ~
(Proverbs 16.18)
Are these “my” words? Am “I” the Source of this instruction? NO. These words are (oh so true) words found in a Book written by God and for our sakes-for our own benefit and health and well-being (our shalom).
So what about pride? (the antithesis of humility)
from Proverbs 6:16-19:
~ There are six things the LORD hates.
(should we pay attention to this?) If God hates something- shouldn’t we also?)
There are seven things ·He cannot stand [ that are an abomination to His soul]:
Number One on God’s “hate list..”
a proud look [haughty eyes],
Yes, “pride” ranks at the top of the things God hates.
What else? It might be good for all of us to know (and to pay attention) to these things.
What else does God hate?
a lying tongue,
hands that ·kill [L spill the blood of] innocent people,
a ·mind [heart] that thinks up evil plans,
feet that are quick to ·do [ run to] evil,
a witness who lies,
and someone who starts ·arguments [conflicts; fights] among·families [brothers; Ps. 133].
~ (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.) ~ (Numbers 12.3)
Very interesting.
Moses was an “excellent” man and a great leader. But there is yet “Another” who was (and is) “meeker” still..
Listen to the great “I AM” as He proclaims to all the nations:
~ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I AM meek and lowly in heart and you shall find rest for your souls..~ (Matthew 11.29)
Humility.
There never was- nor will there ever be a Man so humble as our LORD Jesus (who is the) Christ.
From birth, during life and unto death- the “life-message” of our Savior is humility- the antithesis of pride.
~ He saved others- Himself He cannot save ~
Exactly. This Man (the God-Man) ~ humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross..~ (Philippians 2.8) Why?
~ What do the scriptures say? ~
~ because the children shared together in flesh and blood, He also shared in these things in the same form, so that by His death He would destroy (render “inop”) the one who had held the authority of death, who is Satan.. (hasatan-the accuser of the brethren) Hebrews 2.14
~ We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ (the Messiah) was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life ~ (Romans 6.4)
Whose life is it anyway? lol! – His!
~ it is He who has made us and NOT we ourselves! ~ We are His people and the sheep of His (the always Good Shepherd) pasture!
Friends,
~ He that spared not His own Son but delivered Him up for us all- how shall He not with Him- also freely give us all things? ~ (Romans 8.32)
(for) ~ He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification ~ (Romans 4:25)
~ But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our LORD Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world ~
(Galatians 6.14)
The cross, it standeth fast—
Hallelujah, hallelujah!
Defying every blast—
Hallelujah, hallelujah!
The winds of hell have blown,
The world its hate hath shown,
Yet it is not overthrown—
Hallelujah for the cross!
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
Hallelujah for the cross;
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
It shall never suffer loss!
It is the old cross still—
Hallelujah, hallelujah!
Its triumph let us tell—
Hallelujah, hallelujah!
The grace of God here shone
Thru Christ, the blessed Son,
Who did for sin atone—
Hallelujah for the cross!
’Twas here the debt was paid—
Hallelujah, hallelujah!
Our sins on Jesus laid—
Hallelujah, hallelujah!
So round the cross we sing
Of Christ, our offering,
Of Christ, our living King—
Hallelujah for the cross!
Help, who is observing Passover and when. There is a lot of confusion as to when Passover is observed. Evidently, the times and length may be different in the US then in Israel. I would like some imput on this. Thank you.
Hi Kate,
According to the Internet Passover begins on the evening of March 25 (Monday)
And ends on the evening of April 2 (Tuesday)
I don’t know much about the Jewish Passover
However it apparently includes April Fool’s Day
In 2013
Hi Kate! Been missing you!
Enjoyed this post very much! Reminds me of when my kids were little and taking swimming lessons at our local community center. Many parents were concerned when a child did not pass a class level on the first try and move on to the next; it seemed they thought it was a reflection on them, somehow.
I just wanted my kids to learn how to swim as well as they could, no matter how many times they had to retake a class at the same level. Too often parents have an investment in how their children perform, rather than enjoying them for who they are and stretching them to become what God intends for them to be.