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All will be revealed, my friend
In anticipation of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ forthcoming I’m With You album, being released 8.30.11, I am listening to their discography from beginning to end. While Don’t Forget Me was playing I got stuck on the lyric, “all will be revealed, my friend” at the end of the song. It got me thinking about what and why something will be revealed. This is a hard topic to express, but I’m really going to try. Hang with me and post any questions in the comments.
This weekend’s rapture
Unlike my earlier days when I was new to faith, I’m usually a pretty calm guy. I’m comfortable enough in my own skin and beliefs so that there’s plenty of room for other peoples’ opinions without me even batting an eye. That said, this rapture thing has gotten me all worked up in a tizzy. The first and foremost reason it bothers me is I know who started this whole thing. And I hate that it has gained so much attention that even my favorite radio station was talking about it the other morning. Then there’s a flowchart circulating to help you figure out if you’ll need to pick up a white robe today. Finally, this is not even sound practice from an eschatological standpoint—and I’m Jewish, so this is saying a lot about Christian theology. Read the rest of this entry
2010 in retrospect and 2011 prospecting
There was a movie produced in 1984 called 2010: The Year We Make Contact. While we haven’t had business lunches with aliens this year (which I don’t consider to be entirely bad considering the bad rap they have), we have had some spectacular astronomical discoveries. We discovered a “potentially habitable planet of similar size to Earth in orbit around a nearby star” in Gliese 581. Another important discovery, whether you are a proponent of the eternally cyclical or eternally expanding model of the universe, is that we have discovered evidence that there may be multiple universes. I’m starting to think that Men in Black was written by scientists with inside information who were trying to let the masses know what’s going on.
Both of these discoveries are amazing. Things that were merely figments of science fiction only a few years ago are becoming science. I’m left breathless when I think about it too much. The problem now is we have no way of going to see and experience these things first hand. Maybe 2011 will be the year we make contact and we can stop pussy-footing around our solar system and get out to the deep waters.
On a very light note related to science, if you’re into science fiction and a little bit of suspense, you should watch Sunshine. The story is a little far-fetched, and there’s a pretty big plot hole that leaves you wondering, but overall the it is very entertaining and there are some great special effects. This turned out to be a great segue for…
Movies of 2010
This was a great year for some enjoyable films, but none of them come to mind off the top of my head… wait… … there was an alien movie I had high expectations for but it turned out to be quite bad. It’s called Skyline and the best thing about it was leaving.
Defendor was a fantastic movie. I was expecting a silly Woody Harrelson film, but got so much more. It’s a very enjoyable movie with an unexpected presence of sweetness, honesty, and truth. Have a box of kleenex handy for this one. It came out 2009, but it was released in the US February 2010 on video. This was a Canadian movie that did not get the publicity it deserved here.
I enjoyed The Crazies, a remake of a ‘70s b-film by the same title. How to Train a Dragon was a great movie I saw with my older boys. We all enjoyed it. My wife and I had some good laughs with Hot Tub Time Machine. Date Night was a bit of a let down on our date night, but Kick-Ass totally made up for it. Get Him to the Greek was funnier than I expected, and the remake of The Karate Kid was enjoyed by my kids and my wife and I who remember the original. RED I saw twice, once courtesy of AMD, and the second time with my aunt while she was visiting—a very enjoyable flick, but not for those who dislike violence. And finally Shrek Forever After was a great wrap-up to an amazingly funny series of films.
I’d like to see Tron: Legacy and I hope it’s better than the original which moved about as fast as cold molasses, but the effects were good. It was ahead of its time. While Yogi Bear doesn’t interest me I did enjoy this alternate ending:
While this final movie does not pertain to 2010, I am anxiously looking forward to The Tree of Life. It looks like a brilliant piece of work.
Music
It’s no surprise to me that my favorites have stayed the same. If you know me even moderately well you probably already know that my favorite band is the Red Hot Chili Peppers. There’s an almost spiritual connection with their music—something in my soul connects with what they say in their beats, rhythms, and lyrics. There’s a new album coming out soon and I can’t wait for it.
This year I took a liking to John Mayer’s music. I didn’t like him too much at first, but his work has grown on me. His songs have meaning and depth that ask questions and deal with being a man. It’s good stuff.
Finally, my interest in hip-hop/R&B has stepped up a notch. It’s a mix of Kanye West and Professor Elemental. Yeah, some of it’s a little silly, but so am I.
Goals for 2011
There’s a lot this year to think about. Bithia and I feel quite positive about the new year. There are a couple of things cooking on the side that may turn into additional revenue for us. And for a single-income home (Bithia stays home with kids) you can use all you can get.
On the more important front, I think I’m finally coming out of the last two years of being a caregiver. It’s been a long and difficult road, and as normal shifts again I’m wrestling with G~d, and trying to understand where I fit with the whole scheme of things. While the last 2 years have been personally challenging, the year before we experienced some life-altering events with a very close friend that forever changed the way we view the world.
In short, and to be plain, G~d’s sovereignty is the question. What is His role in the world? Does every event, good and bad, bear his impression, or is the world merely left on its own and we as Jews are responsible for following the instructions and showing the world a better way? I know there are no simple answers, but it’s something to try to come to grips with and try to learn what He expects of me. I guess I’m at a place of making Judaism my own this year and understanding how I should view the world as one. Maybe I can even pick up a couple of mitzvot this year too. I’ve certainly let enough of them go by the wayside…
And with that, let’s see how it goes and what we can do.
Godspeed, everyone.
The Dialogue
In the opening chapter of Vayeira:
And he said: ‘Oh, let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak yet but this once. Peradventure ten shall be found there.’ And He said: ‘I will not destroy it for the ten’s sake. And the LORD went His way, as soon as He had left off speaking to Abraham; and Abraham returned unto his place.
It got me thinking of this dialogue between Abraham & G~d. What is going on here? How is this happening? Did G~d heed Abraham’s request in the beginning of the parashah and waited for him while he tended to his guests? But what really interests me in this passage more than the recorded dialogue is, “as soon as He had left off speaking to Abraham”. I get the feeling that there is unrecorded discussion in this passage.
I know that men will just say goodbye after finishing the topic of discussion, and it’s nothing to think twice about. It’s we’re done talking about this subject and we have to go. No problem. Rashi favors the judge and defender argument, that once the case is done court is adjourned.
But friends will finish a discussion, maybe have some smalltalk, or tell a couple of jokes, or somehow drag out the visit because they enjoy the other’s company. This is what I think is alluded to in these few words. It’s not like Sodom and Gomorrah were going anywhere? What’s a few extra minutes to the Creator when it comes to delivering Divine wrath, when he can enjoy the presence of someone He just let in on his Divine plan?
After all, He did say (and I paraphrase), “Shouldn’t we tell Abraham since he’s so diligent in his faith to me? He did just rush to meet these visitors on the worst day of his circumcision. We should give him a little something.”
It is my layman’s opinion that after settling the legal matter of Sodom & Gomorrah’s fate that there was some lingering conversation. Maybe a thank you. Maybe just a few minutes of silence enjoying each other’s presence.
I like to think that there was a common familiarity between these two personalities that went beyond the legal commitments Rashi discussed. Maybe there was simply a few minutes of familiar conversation as they spoke about all that had transpired between them the last three days. Maybe G~d told Abraham that he’ll feel a lot better tomorrow morning.
This leads me to believe that perhaps G~d enjoyed Abraham’s company more than Abraham enjoyed His. Consider that Abraham asked G~d to wait while he took care of guests. It seems that G~d did heed Abraham’s request because He stayed a little extra and G~d gave a little extra attention to dust. G~d let a man in on His plans simply because He considered how faithful Abraham is and would be to Him. There’s certainly an affection that goes beyond legal obligations.
That’s something to think about.
“And the LORD went His way, as soon as He had left off speaking to Abraham; and Abraham returned unto his place.”
Abraham Joshua Heschel
I do not always have the vision and the strength to say a word in the presence of God. But when I am weak, it is the law that gives me strength; when my vision is dim, it is duty that gives me insight.
Abraham Joshua Heschel
Just to be is a blessing; just to live is holy.
Just to be is a blessing; just to live is holy.
Abraham Joshua Heschel
