choices
November 2008 
Essay on Free Will & Making Decisions
yaffie
At every given moment we have an opportunity to make choices. Some have already been made for us, and some we have made from our own desires and previous choices. For instance, the Jewish people awake from sleep in the morning, and the first thing that is done upon opening our eyes, is to say Modeh Ani, the traditional Jewish prayer of giving thanks for our souls being returned to us each morning, as death is a certain percentage of sleep... and then we wash our hands, brush our teeth, go into the shower, etc. There are no challenges about whether or not we need to bathe, brush our teeth, etc. we know and we do. It has already become second nature. Therefore, it is really not a choice. The time of choosing has already come and gone, finished, now it is the way we do things. We have beaten the inclination to be lazy (it is called the yetzer hara in hebrew) the opposite of good and right, of that issue into submission, or perhaps that was never an issue, or perhaps there was a different one. But whether by the grooming habits learned from our parents as children or by decisions we made in later years on our own and of our own volition, habits and behaviors, customs -- were created. And since most of us do that every morning; we call that a derech-- a way (that we do things.) That is the natural way we go about beginning our morning, and these are our habits. It has become automatic--rote, if you will. Chances are that we have learned and adapted this way long ago and it is part of our very essence and lifestyle. And now we have become in a sense - a slave to those values, habits, and behaviors that we have adapted and accepted as appropriate behaviors and standards.
However, when we come to a time and place with a new set of challenges and circumstances, we are presented with a test. Now we must weigh this according to both the desires of our heart and our will and then a decision must be made with regard to that test or challenge. So, we are put into a position to weigh the benefits and deficits of that opportunity, thought or action and to choose accordingly by exercising our free will or choice. The particular issue at that moment is called the bechira point, and this opportunity to make a choice, to exercise free will is called bechira. This is one of the ways in which we have been likened to our Creator, just as God has free will, so do we! We too, like God, have the ability to choose and to co - create. It is the time to choose one way over another. Once we have already made a decision to choose one way -- then that choice that we have just made, opens a world of brand new possibilities that brings with it more choices to make for the fulfillment and completion of itself. And, in doing so, it takes us to another spiritual level, either an elevation or a fall.
For instance, lets say one makes a choice to study medicine. Once we opt to take the first course in anatomy, the whole curriculum is then open to us, it is a whole new world, and presents the opportunity to learn everything there is to know about medicine and healing, about the human body, how it works, how to fix it, it introduces us to new friends, relationships, positions, etc. It opens up a whole new world!~
Most likely we will want to go all the way to complete the courses for the doctorate and will not rest until we have fulfilled those requirements necessary. Of course, we have the choice to stop at any given moment if we are deterred or distracted and decide to go in another direction....and if so, that door will then close and its entire world will be closed to us and all opportunity to fulfill those requirements to completion at that time will be lost. But until that time, we have become a slave to our studies and to all of the values and facets that lifestyle has to offer. Meanwhile we have created a derech, a way of behaving or of doing. It is then we no longer have this bechira, because once we have decided to study, there is no longer any decision to be made. The choice has already been made and now it has becomes a lifestyle of practiced behaviors, with all of its opportunities, demands, potential, and ramifications. Now as we go forward in that way, of endless study and learning, we have become a slave to that which we have chosen which is not bad. Hopefully it was a good choice and the decision was based on pure motives and desires based in purity from a heart of honesty and integrity.
But what if you have not chosen wisely and for one reason or another, your choice undermines your nature and your potential, your abilities? Perhaps you chose a path because someone influenced you to do that. Or perhaps it was your own ego that deceived you. Perhaps it was the desire for money or prestige that influenced you to make that decision. And now you are stressed out, unhappy, irritable, and depressed. You are confused. Your soul is not at rest. You wonder. Why am I so dissatisfied, restless? Perhaps you do not realize that the choice you made to study medicine was made from an outer influence or your own desires were not honest. Now you don't know where to turn to find the solution to your problem.
This is what it meant in the verse, I place before you this day...(two choices,) ie, for life or for death)...and therefore... "choose ye life." The choices we make, whether they are good or bad ones, will control and dominate us as long as we live in their domain, and they have the capacity to empower us by making us a master or they have a power over us to enslave. That choice we have made will take us as far as we allow it, incorporating all of its energies and expectations, its fulfillment or lack of it, until we come to a new place where we will once again make another choice, and will reach a new point of bechira. At this point, we will leave behind that world that we have inhabited and enter into another realm. This new level we reach is spiritually higher, depending on our hearts desire to become more like our Creator, and brings with it choices with different circumstances and potential, opportunities again emerging for higher levels of growth with new chances to make new decisions that will either broaden or diminish us. When we make those choices that have their roots in good, that are from the side of GOD, we will always become greater. God will never, ever diminish us or make us less! I believe you understand the point now.
Hopefully, the decisions we make today with their infinite reservoir of opportunity for expansion and elevation will be met with a choice made from our desire to be closer to and more like, God. They will manifest and be expressed in those higher levels of growth in kedusha-holiness. New potential and infinite possibilities are ours today. Based on the choices that we make today we will reach higher levels than we have sought before and will be strengthened in our desires to fulfill the position that we have been given. That is--that we have been called Tzelem Elokim, (made in the image and likeness of God). We are created in the Image and likeness of God, with His nature, His attributes and His character. But to really be that Tzelem Elokim, to say that we are made in God's Image, is to rise to conquer our evil inclination, i.e., our yetzer hara, and to meet those new challenges for growth and expansion which come from the discipline necessary to develop that potential--which is far greater and far surpasses any delusions of grandeur that we have ever had or will ever dream.
To know that what our choices are today can bring us to higher and higher levels of greatness is the reason for our very existence. To live at this level is to become a conqueror, as is written about God, who is called, Hashem Tzivakot, the L-ord of Hosts or armies! A being that has become a master over his own evil inclination and of his own nature by choosing and working to overcome those influences that undermine potentials of greatness--and by being willing to make decisions that will manifest in greater heights of holiness, is to be more like God and to move closer toward God and Godliness. To beckon to our calling in life at this exalted spiritual level is to be fulfilled, to be whole and complete, and to reach our ultimate level of perfection.
© Yaffa Leibowitz 2006
Access: Public
Thank you so much for your insightful essay. It awakened a great deal within me at a time when I needed greater understanding in the area of decisionmaking. It was well-thought out and very inspiring. Keep up the beautiful writing!
Thank you lydia!!
Blessing to you, and good luck in all your immediate decision making and new choices!!
I like how you've spoken about being more like God. This is a great teaching, Jesus said, “be ye therefore perfect, as you Father which is in Heaven is perfect.”
In my view, it's about that endless pursuit of perfection, the more like God we are, the more we can relate to Him, and for me relationship is what it's all about.
However, I must point out that there is a difference between being like God, and the same as God.
The way I see it, God is evolving, and we are also evolving. God is the standard of perfection, He is the ultimate, evolution has no ceiling, it continues for ever, and so it goes…
Gosh Dan! We are not the same as God!! That isn't even possible, we are finite and flawed~God is perfect, and while we CAN strive and should strive for perfection and tikkun olam, fixing ourselves and the world, we struggle through needing. But we can certainly emulate Gods attributes, those ten powers that God uses to rule the world. Those ten characteristics, (middot, ) powers, we can emulate those. lovingkindness, discipline, harmony, beauty, royalty, union, speech, wisdom, knowledge, giving, foundation, kingship. These we can emulate and hence we are called, Tzelem Elokim, made in the likeness of God the Creator. This WE CAN DO!! This I will slowly start to address on my blog..The sefirot and their part in our lives..
Also, I meant to say this is the problem i have with the beleif of christianity that jesus is God!! How can that be??? No man can be God. How can a man who has practical needs, ie, showers, eating, drinking, elimination (to use the bathroom) baths, healings, purifications, to grow and develop, to fix himself and the world, to die…etc.etc. Although we CAN be holy, and I am sure that jesus was very holy and learned, disciplined; no man who is finite, flawed, imperfect, can be God, because he is human, imperfect, a creation of God, but MAN and never GOD….but he can be holy to the degree that he will reach his own highest potential, with discipline and love to perfect his own attiributes and character, and while he reaches forth to perfection is still not omnipotent, finite, or omniscient.. none is perfect, save God..
Let me correct myself: we are holy; whatever is created by God has God within it, therefore, we are holy…however we can destroy that likeness, by our behaviors and need to constantly strive to grow in that holiness. you cannot go against God and God likeness and keep that designation of holiness if you do so, you will destroy the amount of kedusha, holiness within you. and the more sin, and the more we go against the grain of what is Godlike, the more we close off the free flow of the spirit of God within us..This is the problem with opening ourselves to many other experiences that might have a form of outer trapping that resembles spirituality but lacks the power and authenticity. You cannot have it both ways, there is no such thing as a little bit pregnant. You either are striving to be Godlike and therefore emulating Gods blueprint with a whole heart, or, you are dabbling and therefore uncommitted and deceiving only yourself, because we can con ourselves very well, yes?? And, we need the balance between the disicipline and the lovingkindess which manifests harmony, symmetry and beauty. everything else is full of baloney..
hahah. that was for free!
Gosh Dan! We are not the same as God!! That isn't even possible, we are finite and flawed~God is perfect,
***Yes exactly, that is why I wanted to point out that like and same are different, to illustrate that point that you have pointed out, to try…***
Tzelem Elokim, made in the likeness of God the Creator. This WE CAN DO!! This I will slowly start to address on my blog..The sefirot and their part in our lives..
***Sounds good, are you into Kabbalah? I haven't researched Kabbalah much myself, but I am well versed in mysticism, so I will be able to relate. Kabbalah is Judaisms mystical counterpart, each religion has a mystical counterpart, religion and mysticism are part of the Path (Dharma).***
Also, I meant to say this is the problem i have with the beleif of christianity that jesus is God!! How can that be???
**Well of course not, but you should recognize that not all who believe in Jesus believe he was/is God. I for example except him as the Son of God, but not as God HimSelf. Jesus prayed to God HimSelf, anyone who reads the Bible on their own will conclude that Jesus was the Son of God, not God.**
Although we CAN be holy, and I am sure that jesus was very holy and learned, disciplined; no man who is finite, flawed, imperfect, can be God, because he is human, imperfect, a creation of God, but MAN and never GOD….but he can be holy to the degree that he will reach his own highest potential, with discipline and love to perfect his own attiributes and character, and while he reaches forth to perfection is still not omnipotent, finite, or omniscient.. none is perfect, save God..
**That all sounds good, sister. I like to quote Jesus because in my view he achieved the pinnacle of human potential, but the main point is that I agree that a human cannot be God. The BIble itself says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son… That is proof enough that he wasn't God, because God sent him. It is quite clear, but you know how it is, people like to look for short-cuts, and for them Jesus is like a get out of hell free card, in my opinion of course.**
“Let me correct myself: we are holy; whatever is created by God has God within it, therefore, we are holy”
**That is a good point as well. As you may know the Bible starts out in Hebrew: “B'reisheet bara Elohim…” which means, 'in the beginning God created/brought forth. I prefer to say, 'brought forth' because it is indicative that God made us of HimSelf. The true meaning of 'create' is to make something new from what's already present, but religious fundamentalists have concluded that we aren't part of God. It's strange, but people have concluded that there is somewhere outside infinity. Where do they get that logic? We actually exist within certain areas within God, inside of Him, because we are finite, existing within infinity, nothing but God exists. We exist as parts of God. Meditation merges our individuality with God's universality. This is a mystical truth that has been known all along, but not by everyone, just those who have embraced the path of the mystic.**
Yes, i agree with you. To create is to make something from NOTHING. We are the created in that God was first. We are in God becasue God is finite and we are a spark of God Himself. The spark can expand however depending upon our connection to God and to oour efforts to move over, in a sense, and allow God to be bigger than us, ego.
Nothing exists that isn't a spark of God. I meant to add that and forgot, lol..not a tree, not any life at all.
I do agree with you in the sense too, that Jesus was highly evolved spiriutally. But I cannot say if we was the most evolved, after all whatever we know of jesus is only from the NT and that was written 200 years later, so basically, it s hearsay. However when it comes to being Maschiach, well, there are the greats: Moses and King David too. I am not sure that Jesus didn't fall, however. This i do not know…because all haved sinned and come short of the glory of God, as it is written….however, that doesn't negate what he was in his humanity…..
Have you seen my essay on shavuot?? it starts on sunday nite i beleive. The holyday of the giving of the torah, take a look.
Stephanie, that is my hearts desire. To carry the light and pour it forth..
thank you. read some poetry..you will like it….
Daniel, no, it is the opposite, to create is to make something from NOTHING…EX NIHILO…..creation does not come from SOMETHING, as i understand it.
Yes, i agree with you. To create is to make something from NOTHING. We are the created in that God was first. We are in God becasue God is finite and we are a spark of God Himself. The spark can expand however depending upon our connection to God and to oour efforts to move over, in a sense, and allow God to be bigger than us, ego.
Nothing exists that isn't a spark of God. I meant to add that and forgot, lol..not a tree, not any life at all.
I do agree with you in the sense too, that Jesus was highly evolved spiriutally. But I cannot say if we was the most evolved, after all whatever we know of jesus is only from the NT and that was written 200 years later, so basically, it s hearsay.
Scholars have studied the authenticity of the NT, I can provide you with a link if you like. I think we both know that the real reason you doubt the NT is because you probably have a problem with accepting Jesus as the messiah, but that is another issue that isn't really all that important in my eyes, the important thing is that we correct mistakes in philophy. I'm unsure why you are willing to accept the authenticity of any of the Bible at all, how do you know any of it actually occured? And how do you know that what's there is accurate? But like I already said, it's a problem with Jesus' identity, not actual authenticity, there are even non biblical mentions of jesus, I would go so far as to say there is more reason to believe in Jesus than any of the “greats” as you call them. Jesus was able to heal all types of affirmities, bring back the dead and even resurect himself, as well as bearing the karma of his disciples. **
I am not sure that Jesus didn't fall, however. This i do not know…because all haved sinned and come short of the glory of God, as it is written….however, that doesn't negate what he was in his humanity…..
**Fall from what? As far as I know, he ascended to heaven, I see no reason to assume the worst. Why do you say all have sinned and fallen short, are you implying that a person cannot live a sinnless life? Sin is only to purposely do something wrong. A person isn't supposed to sin, that's the point, to live a good life, everyone makes mistakes, but not everyone sins. You don't have to be God to not sin, that is a misunderstanding. Why would people assume such a low view of humanity. And why would God create a situation in which no one can succeed? I actually find that dogma to be very negative, irritating actually. If we must sin then why ask forgiveness, we can't stop ourselves anyway? What a crule existence for fundamentalists, to live a life in which there is no hope of avoiding sin!
This mistake is unfortunate, but not quite as bad as the belief that a person goes to Hell after a single lifetime of sin. Where is the justice in that? Even humans are more just than that!! An eternity of suffering just for a single life of sinning? My God is just, and the punishment shouldn't exceed the crime, but once again, this single lifetime belief is just another misunderstanding of scripture.**
creating something from something is not creating, it is only changing. The verse, “and God created” …. refers to something unprecedented, something that never existed before, brand new…on the 1st day refers to having created out of nothing, – from a total vacuum…next referring to the creation of man, with intelligence, higher form of being than the animal kingdom…man was created in the image and likeness of God, with intelligence and free will, to make choices..
creating something from something is not creating, it is only changing. The verse, “and God created” …. refers to something unprecedented, something that never existed before, brand new…on the 1st day refers to having created out of nothing, – from a total vacuum…next referring to the creation of man, with intelligence, higher form of being than the animal kingdom…man was created in the image and likeness of God, with intelligence and free will, to make choices..
**You haven't understood my points, not at all actually. I have given you logic, science and the Bible. God is omnipresent and infinite, there is no vacume where there is any empty space, if there are areas where that is so, then God isn't omnipresent, God must be everwhere to be omnipresent.
Creation means to make something, and you can't make something without using something else. That is just how it is, that is how it's always been. It is completely illogical to believe that there are areas outside of infinity, and also illogical to think something can be made from nothing, this belief of yours is illogical and unscientific, and completely without any basis within scripture. **
Hi! Are you familiar with tzimtzum? the self constriction of God's Light. This involves one of the most important concepts of the kabbalah, as well as one which has been a source of confusion to many scholars. The ari describes it this way. “Before all things were created…the supernal Light was simple and it filled all existence. There were no empty space…When His simple Will decided to create all universes…he constricted the Light to the sides…leaving a vacated space..this space was perfectly round..In the center he drew the kav, a thread like line that did not reach the periphery.
After this constriction..there was a place in which all things could be created. He then drew a single straight thread from the infinite Light..a kav, which did not penetrate to the periphery and brought it into that vacated space…It was through that line that the Infinite Light was brought down below..”
In the literal sense the concept of tzimtzum is straightfoward. God first 'withdrew' his Light, forming a vacated space in which all creation would take place. In order for His creative power to be in that space. He drew into it a 'thread' a kav, of His light. It was throught this thrread that all creation took place. Now the kabbalists say that it is not to be taken literally, since it is impossible to apply any spatial concept to God. Rather, this is speaking in a conceptual sinse, since if God filled every perfection man would have no reason to exist. God therefore contstricted His infinite perfection, allowing a 'place ' for man's free will and accomplishment.. The tzimtzum took place in Gods LIGHT, not his essence. This all comes from the Zohar.
At the head of the King's authority
He carved out of the supernal luminescence
A lamp of Darkness.
And there emerged out of the Hidden of Hidden–
the Mystery of the Infinite–
an unformed line, imbedded in a ring…
measaured with a thread…
This is the reference of tzimtzum…Obviously if God were to dominate every space there would be no place for us or imperfection.
I
beautiful essay
Hi! Are you familiar with tzimtzum? the self constriction of God's Light. This involves one of the most important concepts of the kabbalah, as well as one which has been a source of confusion to many scholars. The ari describes it this way. “Before all things were created…the supernal Light was simple and it filled all existence. There were no empty space…When His simple Will decided to create all universes…he constricted the Light to the sides…leaving a vacated space..this space was perfectly round..In the center he drew the kav, a thread like line that did not reach the periphery.
**According to the Bible God is everlasting to everlasting, there is no empty space, space is only a creation of God's as well as time. Even if there were no space to speak of there would still be God, and there is nothing but God. He's like a continuous flow and we're part of that continuum. Even before creation itself it wouldn't be correct to say it was empty space, it was just God, He exists and is real, therefore it is not really empty space as far as that which is real is concerned. And what do you mean by “simple Will?” There is nothing simple about God's will. God's will was never simple, God didn't evolve, He has always been.**
After this constriction..there was a place in which all things could be created. He then drew a single straight thread from the infinite Light..a kav, which did not penetrate to the periphery and brought it into that vacated space…It was through that line that the Infinite Light was brought down below..”
**This teaching is incorrect, God is universal, there is no need for Him to withdraw to create something, He just alters HimSelf to make something more simple, He is omnipotent, and far from needing to withdraw to leave “empty” space.**
In the literal sense the concept of tzimtzum is straightfoward. God first 'withdrew' his Light, forming a vacated space in which all creation would take place. In order for His creative power to be in that space. He drew into it a 'thread' a kav, of His light. It was throught this thrread that all creation took place. Now the kabbalists say that it is not to be taken literally, since it is impossible to apply any spatial concept to God. Rather, this is speaking in a conceptual sinse, since if God filled every perfection man would have no reason to exist.
**It isn't for men to know God's reasoning, His intellect is far above ours, our's is to just know what we are to do. God is universal, and universality allows it doesn't restrict. When you say God had to withdraw, that is like putting a limitation on Him. What God does is to alter part of His being so it can function on its own, as if it's seperate. However this is only functional seperation, there is no essential seperation as you are implying by speaking of empty space, if God is omnipresent there cannot be empty space.**
God therefore contstricted His infinite perfection, allowing a 'place ' for man's free will and accomplishment.. The tzimtzum took place in Gods LIGHT, not his essence. This all comes from the Zohar.
**Again, universality allows God to do whatever He wishes with His essence, there is no need to create empty spaces. Anything that is God's is part of His essence and Being, there is nothing else. Again, that is what being omnipresent means, He's everywhere, everything is part of Him. You can't break God's deepest apects down like He's being studied, He is beyond our ability to comprehend after a certain point.**
At the head of the King's authority
He carved out of the supernal luminescence
A lamp of Darkness.
And there emerged out of the Hidden of Hidden-
the Mystery of the Infinite-
an unformed line, imbedded in a ring…
measaured with a thread…
This is the reference of tzimtzum…Obviously if God were to dominate every space there would be no place for us or imperfection.
**There is enough space within infinity for all eventualities, why would God need extra space when He has infinity to work with?**
Skylar!! Thank you so much~! I am glad you found beauty in it. And I hope you will enjoy and be enriched by it as well as other work.
Blessings to you..
Now Dan!
You didn't understand. God didn't NEED extra space. There was no 'extra space' there was only 'different space.' God only had to move some LIGHT over to have a space that was devoid of much of his LIGHT> because God WANTED to create a place within the center that other universes and kingdoms could survive in. Survive without being dominated by THE LIGHT. So that man could think and grow, be independent! He didn't create more space. He simply moved the LIGHT over to create darkness and an imperfect space in the midst of HIS LIGHT, HIS infinity…Thank you for sharpening me.. We couldn't exist in a perfect space with all of our flaws and imperfections so HE made it possible for us to grow and develop, to 'fix' ourselves and the universe. Tikkun Olam..repair..Did you read my poem, Solitude? It is the first time now that I correlate these two understandings, and I wrote that before i 'knew' anything about God. Prophetic indeed.
The imperfect space, the vacuum which was dark now from where the light was moved was for our benefit. This is a function of Gods love. If God were only just, then how could we exist in our imperfection ? We couldn't. This is where free will comes from!!! He gave us this space to exist in so that we could choose and make choices from darkness and light, grow, have trials, etc. expand, make good decisions, learn from the dark and gravitate to the LIGHT because in a true sense, God is a gentleman, God does not exert HIS will over us or dominate us. The purpose of all of this FREE WILL! We have room to make plenty of choices, good and bad. Either we make good decisions that will add LIGHT and growth to us, even to move in darkness which will diminish and steal life and light from us… the kav is for US….that is the whole point of our being. We are here to make tikkun olam…to fix…ourselves and the world…I hope now I have brought forth some light on this issue.. that you understand what I understand in my limitation and imperfection…
Dan,
How can we but not sin if we are imperfect and not God? The torah says that “there is none without SIN, no, not one.' Because to sin means to miss the mark. We miss the bullseye often because we do not have the same power total power of God, we are Godlike when we manifest desires to express God, but we are not God and we don't always have that intention…there is a little thing called desire that comes into play and then their is ego. Because we are NOT God, we are human and do not have the same potential, we are a spark of God..
We do like the short cuts, as you say…haha…We are selfish often, we are not always striving for the highest good. How can you say otherwise?? Are you saying that you are God then?? That you dont' sin?? What is that philosophy and that logic?? That Moses wasn't as great as Jesus?? Jesus taught MOSES…it is written in the book of hebrews that jesus told the disciples, do not worry (about the new people being brought forth and how they live) because MOSES is being taught every SABBATH in the SYNAGOGUE…””
How can anyone in truth with any objectivity or honesty say that jesus started another religion, that jesus went away from judaism or that jesus was greater than moses…??? Jesus was all jew….and jesus taught judaism….jesus never taught anything else. jesus studied with the kabbalists and the rabbis and was a product of them.
It is obvious that there was another agenda of men who wrote about what jesus was and wasn't. That one verse is proof that he isn't God, wasn't teaching a different doctrine than judaism, isn't making himself greater than MOSES, and only God knows who and what HIS greats are, and their motives, that he was certainly a rabbi, a teacher learned by his great teachers, a propet and a healer. I don't know about him being messiah, because i dont' see messiah on earth and messiah will not be killed or die……and we haven't gotten there yet in our history as far as i see……but what i do see is that we are approaching the desperate need for the messiah to be revealed..
And it's quite ok with me if it will be jesus, just as its ok with me if it will be David or whoever it will be….. NO?
**Sister, good clarifications, I'm satisfied with that!**
Dan,
How can we but not sin if we are imperfect and not God? The torah says that “there is none without SIN, no, not one.' Because to sin means to miss the mark. We miss the bullseye often because we do not have the same power total power of God, we are Godlike when we manifest desires to express God, but we are not God and we don't always have that intention…there is a little thing called desire that comes into play and then their is ego. Because we are NOT God, we are human and do not have the same potential, we are a spark of God..
**I believe there is a difference between sinning, and to not be perfect. A sin is something intentional. Like if you run someone over with your car who just jumped out into the road, that to me is an accident, not a sin. No one is perfectly good, only God, but the ideal situation for a human is to no longer sin, and serve God. It's like when Jesus said, “Why callest thou me good, only my Father which is in Heaven is good.” It's because there is a certain amount of darkness within everyone, everyone is selfish to a certain extant, everyone must be selfish to a certain degree. God has no vulnerability, God is free to do nothing but care for others. If to be human is to sin, then that seems most unfair.**
We do like the short cuts, as you say…haha…We are selfish often, we are not always striving for the highest good. How can you say otherwise?? Are you saying that you are God then?? That you dont' sin?? What is that philosophy and that logic?? That Moses wasn't as great as Jesus?? Jesus taught MOSES…it is written in the book of hebrews that jesus told the disciples, do not worry (about the new people being brought forth and how they live) because MOSES is being taught every SABBATH in the SYNAGOGUE…””
**Well, I never claimed to not sin myself, I'm saying that it can be done, no one is forced to sin, it's a choice. It isn't a sin to not be God, it's a sin to do something wrong. Jesus teaching about Moses doesn't imply that Moses had the stature of Jesus. Going by scipture, Jesus was greater, I don't see how anyone can dispute that.**
How can anyone in truth with any objectivity or honesty say that jesus started another religion, that jesus went away from judaism or that jesus was greater than moses…???
**I never recall Jesus starting any new religion, I do recall him correcting people's understandings concerning the truth. When dealing with God's prophets all we have are the stories of their lives. Going by the stories that we have Jesus had done greater things than Moses. Did Moses resurect himself from death, could he raise anyone from the grave?**
It is obvious that there was another agenda of men who wrote about what jesus was and wasn't.
**There is no teaching of Trinity, or that Jesus was God in the NT, but there are people who missenterpret the text. The motive of those who wrote the NT was obviously to preserve the teachings of Jesus.**
Dan, people beleive what is easiest for them regardless of its relevance or truth, don't you find that true? Whoever want to beleive those things do….some people receive without using their own head to question. I went from catholicsm, to nothing for many years, till my 30's and then to christianity and then to messianic judaism when i understood something was very wrong while i was in ministry…having been through so many bible schools, and then coming to understand that no, no man can be God!!! God is not so small~~ and then to learn hebrew, to conservative, reform, not in that order, and to orthodoxy and conversion..
I have to go to work now, but will talk more later..
blessings..
Hi Yaffie, I enjoyed reading your essay on Free Will & Making Decisions. I found it very enlightening and backed by practical experience along with the simplicity to have others discover for themselves. I know that everything aligns around a decision, and its great to be reminded that there is logic and choice to paths. Some people are living out a dream their parents set up which can lead to not being on a purpose of their own choosing; while some children take on the path their parents help guide them into and for them it becomes like a life continuum of carrying on the family torch. Both have great lessons attached – just in the experience of living and surviving well or not.
Thank you for the learning curve presented to me and the lesson. I enjoy sharing other paths of enlightenment and tools that work for the betterment of all. You are a beautiful soul. I take writing in as an artform on the screen or paper bound by covers or borders, but the heart and essence is the art I now share from you.
Dan, people beleive what is easiest for them regardless of its relevance or truth, don't you find that true? Whoever want to beleive those things do….some people receive without using their own head to question.
**We humans are very emotional, many times people choose things that feel good rather than things that are based upon sound logic. It's mysterious to me why someone chooses this or that religion. Why do some people enjoy Hebrew, and others like Arabic? The biggest problem that I see are beliefs that defy logic. If we are to adopt beliefs that are illogical we would only happen upon actual truth by dumb luck.**
I went from catholicsm, to nothing for many years, till my 30's and then to christianity and then to messianic judaism when i understood something was very wrong while i was in ministry…having been through so many bible schools, and then coming to understand that no, no man can be God!!! God is not so small~~ and then to learn hebrew, to conservative, reform, not in that order, and to orthodoxy and conversion..
**I went through a lot of searching myself, I'm familiar with various belief systems. At this point I don't much like any of the established religions because they are based so much upon interpretation, and people force themselves into following things that make life inconvinient. I think devotion to God is key, but I don't agree that the form this should take is all kinds of rites that seperate you from everyone else. There are parts of each religion that I know of that I dislike, all kinds of dogmatic things that don't even make sense. When I practiced Judaism I was told by my Rabbi that if I accepted prophet Muhammad or Jesus I would be cut-off from my people! Then a little later I found out about the re-discovery of the blue dye used to color some of the Tzit Tzit which is a Biblical commandement. My Rabbi at that time told me I couldn't purchase these because I had to wait for some group of old men to say so first. Even the wearing of the Yarmulke is just an opinion of a scholar. Don't get me started on the whole mixing meat and cheese problem!! And who cares if I decide to shave my face or not? And the list goes on… Life is hard enough without rules like that. **
**Christianity has the problem of thinking Jesus will absorbe all your sins, when in actuality he really only took the sins of his disciples. This is a pracice that is better known among traditions that know about enlightened beings, which is what Jesus was. An enlightened being. That is the meaning of his declaration, “I and the Father are one.” It bothers me to know that people even pray to Jesus, but the way I see it is that this is a missenterpretation of scripture rather than a deliberate act such as praying to some made-up god such as Ganesh.**
**I suppose people often times need the structure of an organized religion, it's important to be a follower in some way, rather than someone who just thinks they know better than everyone. Everyone who gets anywhere must be a follower, everyone must embrace the guidance of a teacher. Notice that John the Baptist had disciples, and he even sent them to Jesus because Jesus was the appointed messenger of the time. This is why Jesus said, “no man comes to the Father but by me.”
Jews seem to be unwilling to accept Jesus as the Messiah because he doesn't fulfill all of the criteria, but the important thing as I see it, is that a prophecy has no actual power, they are just some details to help recognize the messenger that is comming. If a man comes along and does things no human has ever done and informs you he has been sent by God and can defeat any Rabbi around then why not accept him? Jesus was obviously the one they were waiting for, but people dissagree because of some formalities. Another “Jesus” will come, God looks after us, but people are stubborn. Who knows what reasoning they will use to reject the next one?**
**The way I see it, what's important is that when you have the chance to meet a true master that you follow despite whatever scripture you consider infallible. I don't think it's at all important wether or not it's a sin to eat shellfish or whatever, the important thing is that you are trying to do what you believe God wants from you, what is most righteous, that is all any of us can really do. But there comes a time when you are blessed with the opportunity to go beyond fundamentalism and what books say and meet a master. That is when your missunderstandings will be cleared up. **
I have to go to work now, but will talk more later..
blessings..
**I look foward to your respo