Advocating For Israel?

.

 October 2023 mraked a turning point for me and how I relate to Israel and the middle east.  In fact I think it goes for many Jews and non Jews alike. Many of us felt that the Israeli -Palestinian conflict was one of mutual blame to both sides . I condemned the settlers as well as Hamas.  A conflict requires two sides. Israel might do a land grab o make it really tough for Palestinians to move around Gaza or Israel. This of course would raise frustration, hence the rise of terror. I felt that in some instances the Palestinians were right to resist . The suicide bombing and other attacks against civilians were not act of resistance but pure terror aimed at murdering as many Jews as possible. My view has shifted after the brutal attacks of 10/7 and how the hostages were treated to viewing the Palestinians as the main cause of the conflict.

This authoress would staunchly disagree with me, which is not a bad thing. In fact it might be a good thing. I you ever want to find the solution to a problem you need multiple points of view.  She is more entitled o her opinion than I am of mine as she has livd though it all first person. She was raised in Brooklyn, New York in the chassidic neighborhood.  Brought up a nice religious girl she attended Chinuch where in her teacher named Tomer ran a class on Israel and Zionism. According to her he parroted the company line saying that the state of Israel was all good and the arabs were bad and how it was justified for the Jews or Zionists were entitled to the whole land. they needed it as a safe haven for Jews.  

My upbringing was different. Raised in the permissive climes of So Cal. I was raised eating cheeseburgers, bacon and shrimp dinners. My only Jewish education was Hebrew School thre times a wek which did not leave me with a good impression. I did not fully become Jewish until 10 years after my Bar mitzvah. It was there that I was introduced to Israeli education or should  say propoganda. Tagar programs and other programs funded by Israel in the Jewish agency often had the feeling that they were trying to make you g impressionable Jews into mouth pieces for Israel. For some it worked and others it did not.

Israel's possession of the land is justified on some major arguments. The first argument states that jews are inherently good and can do no wrong. Whenever Jews hear about a crime o the news sometimes the reaction is . No way could a Jew do something lke that. Of course we are astonished when a jew does commit a crime. Sometimes we are guilty of helping cover it up or lookin the other way. The other argument is that Palestinians are ba people who are out to destroy the jewish people. Of course there is good an bad in everyone. After witnessing October 7 and the joyous reaction of every Gazan I begin to wonder. Anytime Israel is criticized it is chalked up to antisemitism. Let us be frank. Sometimes criticism is justified and other times not. Jews have been one of the most persecuted if not the most in all of history. Cetain levels of mistrust and paranoia can be expected from a group that has gone though so much.

the premise of Zionism is the Jews must live in the historical land of Israel and must have the majority. This is based on our fear of persecution and while it may not be balanced tht is what persecution does to you. This could lead to racism and trying to dehumanze the other.  The argument goes that it was a land without a people and the Jews were a people without a land. Perfect marriage, save fo the fact tha people were livin there. When Jews first started settling the land it belonged to the Ottoman empire.  Neither Zionist nor Palestinian owned it . The province of Palestine was Ottoman territory.

Like many Jews Elana has had a journey unpacking her religious upbringing and realizing the pain her people have caused others by settling the land and dispossessing Palestinians. In fat her view like many on the Israeli left view it not as a conflict but rather Palestinians resisting a brutl occupation. She has children in the IDF. She is proud of there service and dedication to the people of Israel as the army instills many positive values. At the same time she decries the way the IDF is forced to treat Palestinians in an inhumane fashion. She also decries the way the government wantonly uses teh soldiers for political ends without safeguarding there welfare.

While I do not share this author's view at the moment. I still feel it is an important work. It is a book that talks back to the culture that the author was raised in. Yes it is important to question your culture an analyze where it is right or wrong. Israel has a lot of work to do, as do other countries. Women need more empowerment, there is racism in Israel and it is not against just Arabs but also against other Jews.  The right wong and the left wing are at each others throats.  The country s divided and Netanyahu miht be the biggest dividing factor.

Elana's unpacking has caused her to reach out to other organizations where in Palestinians and Israelis try to help eah other and share there pain. It teaches how to dialogue and hold space for the other one ho is on a different side. Such wok is important. After all this conflict is said and done we will be returning to the negotiating table and we will be talking and empathizing with the other. Then this work will be of much more importance.

The Art of Synchromysticism

 

What is sycchromysticism? A new term is somewhat related to synchronicity.  Basically, it is drawing of connections in modern culture and finding connections between the collective unconscious and the occult. Basically, synchronicity is a acausal coincidence in which an inner thought becomes a reality.  An example might be if you are thinking of a friend and then they call. That could be synchronicity, or it could be precognition. A more solid example of a synch mystic sync is a friend calling you and informing you that your aunt died and left you the estate. In the basement was an occult library.  The object of this book is to find synchronicities. That is not always easy. Sometimes what you hear is noise and sometimes you are merely trying to fool yourself. It often comes in waves and is connected to astrology. Sometimes you can pick it out using systems of divination. In the end you realize that everything is interconnected. What we call the mind is not located in the brain but in fact is non-local and outside the mind.

Carl Jung made synchronicity a well-known term. He worked extensively with the I-Ching.  While working with this divination he noticed that more coincidences were occurring. This was beyond random chance and from this he deduced that another force was at work making things happen. Many of Jungs patients experienced lots of synchronicity and precognition. What astrologer experienced is not based on planets having powers but rather it was based on synchronicity. Jungs theory caught the interest of Wolfgang Pauli, he defined it like Einstein’s “Spooky Action at a distance” this was a quantum entanglement where subatomic particles behaved differently when observed and formed nonlocal connection that defied old models of Newtonian physics. The two would end up collaborating with each other and learning from one another.  This would inspire Aurthur Koestler to write the book “Roots of Coincidence” this would later inspire British Rock Singer, Sting.  The concept of Synchronicity does play a role in the Law of Attraction among other New Age movements.

Rituals can influence reality. Some believe like Richard Hoagland who believe that space programs were nothing but Freemason rituals.  The thinking is reflected in a book called “Cydonia, The Secret Chronicle of Mars” This would later inspire Gora Adachi to coin the term Sychromysticism.  Lately though blogs and other philosophers who were doing Synchromysticism have been quiet.

Humans being communicate via symbols. Words are symbols, signs are symbols. Symbols are how we communicate with each other and the universe. Language tends to deal with specific areas. When we communicate with others we tend to use words and body language. Body language is a misunderstood form of communication.

Syn has three kingdoms. They are personals, the Factuals and the Temporals.   The personal sync is when an internal thought or dream is somehow reflected in the real or external world. Factual syncs are when external, even separated by time have eerie similarities. Termporal syncs are when two events are the same in a significant matter.   It’s a very exciting concept to explore. Lots of info for a little book.

A Fae Murder Mystery: Modern Fairy Tales

 Valiant

By Holly Black

Dead fairies are popping up everywhere. There are exiles from both the Seelie Court and the Unseelie court and at times there are dual alliances and sometimes they just shift. The Fae are everywhere. Most people do not have the sight to see them and if the fairies find out heaven help as they may kill you or just take your eye. They are very whimsical and moody. Things are even worse as the fairies are dealing and using something called Nevemore. If a human uses it then they too might have fae abilities and they will catch a mighty buzz.. Fairies are not above using human couriers. They think humans are like rats. Using humans makes teh investigation of who is doing these murders even more complicated. Like let us blame the chemist.

The story starts off in the human realm. A girl named Val seems to be trying to adjust. After being harassed on the school LaCrosse team Vlal fights back and get's kicked off the team. As she is about to go to a hcokey game with her boyfriend Tom. He is a bit late and Val get's worried. Checking in the wrong area she finds out here boyfriend is fooling around with her mother. Val runs away after the game and ends up meeting Lolli and Dave. Lolli tells Val about the fairies but Val remain unconvinced.  After hanging out in the sewers with Dave's older brother Luis, her and Lolli go exploring. They end up violating the turf of a Troll. As a punishment Val now has to deliver Nevermore to fairy clients. AS the relationship grows she learns sword fighting from th Troll and ends up trying Nevermore herself.

This plunges her into the world of the fae. Learnin to glamour and control her appearances she manipulates her humans quite easily.  Along the way she battle a wicked fairy and exposes the truth in a murder investigation. Fast and entertaining read. Be great if they made it into a movie.

Revenge of the Maji

Children of Virtue and Vengeance

By Tomi Adeyemi 

 The children are virtue and vengeance. This is book 2 in the legacy of Arsha series. Arisha is much like a mythical version of Nigeria the people there practice in ancient religion and they have magic that’s an important backdrop. The people who had magic were called the Magine, and during a brutal war magic was suppressing the match I lost all their powers from that point on the magi were persecuted hunted, and killed Persecuted for once having magic. The adventure continues with Zane, Amari Enon and Zelly. It is important to note that Zelly is a Magine. Her brother Ian has a little bit of magic. Amari is a princess and her brother Eno is a prince set to be King and queen they side with Zelly and Eno in the last book we learned that Zelly did a ritual that liberated magic and gave the magic magic back so now that the match I have their magic back, thus begins a civil war in Arisha now the manager are not the only ones with magical powers as it turns out there’s another group of magic wheelers called the Titans with some of the royalty descent from and when the magi Attack the castle and try to take back the kingdom for more just rule the queen who survived the dead being killed has unbelievable power and defeats an army of Magine and what continues as a civil war between the magi and the Titans with both sides devastating each other along this way or conflicts Zane and Zelly have an on and off relationship they love each other. They hate each other. Ian wants to make it more just kingdom, but Zelly doubt him is also a thing to recollect all the old scrolls of Mexican learn the incantations to battle. These magical Titans are too powerful to be beaten, and the royalty has a new weapon called Majesty, which is a stone that can kill the imagine or hurt them like kryptonite to Superman so overall this is an excellent book. I really enjoyed reading and finished off in a couple of days. Tell me is an excellent author and look forward to reading more of her books.

Magic From the Hollow Hills

 The Witching Way of Hollow Hill 

by Robin Artisson

What follows is a tour de force into the realm of Traditional British Witchcraft. The book is  loaded with both theory and practical techniques. Of the theory, Traditional Craft is about making a connection with the  hother /underworld. Where is the other world located , why on a different dimension of course. In reality this world and the other world are not two different worlds but rather they are the same world and their separation is only an illusion.n In fact the illusion goes even further. We tend to think of our selves as separate from others and the world when in fact the world and ourselves are actually one. It is part of us and we are part of it. In  physical terms humans and the land are not separate but in fact connected. It is from the land that we get our sustenance and power from . In physical terms it is the land that provides our food, water and shelter. It is also from the land that the witch draws their power from. Drawing power up from the land is a technique that many pagans and witches use. This Drawing up of power works best if your feet are planted on the land. Open yourself to the land around you and clear your mind. Concentrate on the feel o everything, ie the breeze against your skin, the sounds in the atmosphere. Pay attention to the messages from your mind. this will give you the feling of something around you. Your mediation then goes to the ball of power in the earth. Focus on it Breath in deeply with your hands at your sides. As you breathe raise your hands above your head. The light will slowly rise up into your body. Slowly moving up to your chest. It stops around your shoulders.As you breathe out you will see and feel a sphere of light envelope and surround you. Keep breathing and getting power from the earth and nevergiszing your sphere. You should perceive our body as a body of clear light. Finally put your hands back by your sides and allow the energy to return to the earth.

Mortal awareness has it's limits yet immortal awareness realizes the oneness of everything. For us this it is the tests of all tests. It is to join the hidden ones who dwell within the land in the wholeness of awareness. To know the entirety of everything yet still have our fragmented mortal awareness. the universe is constantly growing and expanding according to fate. Chaos tears it apart returning it to it's primordial state. As chaos thrive the ancient titans thrive.  Fate is the force that moves through or decisions. In fact were are not making any decisions rather it is  fate making decsions though us. Our decsions are what make us and not the other way around . The process of how we make a decision  is a combination of factors going back many years ago that act upon the weave of web of our fate. Things that happened in the distant past cause us o make decisions of today. For true enlightenment  we must drop the illusion of free will and separate Ness. When we unite with fate our perception changes and we can be whatever it is we are.

Among the techniques discussed  are the four technique for attaining witch sight. They are the hissing of the serpent, Serpent of the land, Witch sight and the left way road. The first two witch sight and hissing o the serpent are meant to be used together. First you learn them one at a time. The technique and it's details are at times simple yet hard to put into words. It is something you can easily do by reading the book and following the instructions. As the reader can tell everythying is connected o the land.  Kingship is connected to the land. In order for the land to be fruiful and productive it requires a  sacrifice. At first i was the king that was sacrificed yearly.  It was a sacrifice to the dark mother in order to guarantee abundance. As time wore on a substitute was used but given the name of he king. Finaly one was alooweed to use a barly corn doll. These sacrifices contain energy and enough was accumulated to allow the use of substitutes this current day.  times constantly change and living sacrifices are very much illegal and frowned upon by modern day consiousness. The sacrifice becomes a guardian of the land or the place. The sacrifce also acts as a mediator between our world and the other world.

The concept of the dying resurrecting god is based on this concept. When the god dies so does vegetation. During the winter the god rejuvenates in the underworld.  When he is reborn so is vegetation. The book has rituals and techniques. It is a meaty read one that learned from and will use. Enjoy.

Origins of Sumerian Time

 

When Time Began

Zecharia Sitchin

Civilization beginin Sumeria. Zecharia Sitchin believes that aliens came from the planet of Nabiru, altered our genetic make up and then taught us the fundamentals of civilization. The main focus of the book is the measuring of time.  Where did humans find out about time, calendars and the planets when they primative beings?  Why is the number 7 so important to humans? How come we count things based on 6's and 12's.? Simple we got it from the annunaki.  Some of the Annunaki had six fingers which would explain why they counted by 6's and 12's.  the number 7 is important becauseflyin to earth from outside the solar system one would first encounter Pluto, Uranus, Neptune, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and then Earth.

There are two types of calendrical measurements, lunar and solar.  Different calendrical methods were used at different times. first it was lunar and then solar. Stonehenge appears to be both. Stonehenge which is located in England is comprised of very large stones which ar extremely  and not from around the area. Which begs the question how did the early brits get those stones over there.  Just no way. Stonehenge is meant to measure equinox's and solstices, how did primatives manage to figure that out?  to figure out this dilemna one must look further afield . One logical guess would be Egypt but in Egypt there are no round ciruclar structures composed of stone the way Stonehenge was. going further afield one ends up in Mesopotamia. It is here that one finds a structure similar to Stonehenge.  There are similair structures like Stonehenge in Armenia, in Caucasus, and South America. Why are these structures situated so far apart.  It seems they must have been built by the same people.

The Annunaki traveled far and wide in their search for tin, gold and other medals. They mined Africa for gold, England and South America for tin.  Humans were not advanced enough o build a boat o ship that could make it from the Middle East. Someone more advanced must have been behind it. The author believes that Thoth, the Egyptian god of writing and sciences was the one who was behind the designing of Stonehenge.The author tells his version of how the Annunaki travels from  Sumeria to Egypt. He recaps some of the civil wars they had and how they used nuclear weapons against each other. Overall interesting book with some real possiblilies

10/7 The Day Hamas invaded Israel

 10/7

By Lee Yaron

October 7, 2023 marks one of the bloodiest days in Jewish History. In the early morning hours of Simchat torah around 2,500 to 3000 terrorists surged into Israel via land , air and sea. The flood of terrorists inundated the Jewish state. Up to 60 communities were over run by hostile terrorists from Hamas and Gazan civilians. The army did not respond until at least 8 hours later. Defense of kibbutzim and communities in the Gaza envelope fell upon the civilian home front. They did a good job holding them off. In all 1,200 Israeli citizens including men, women and children were buthered in th worst possible way. There are still hostages.

How did this happen? Israel has one of the most powerful armies in the world. Civilians runing in fear for there llives recount wondering where the army was. Lot of this was the fault of Israel. For several years prior to the atttack spotters were noting Gazan  actions at the border fence but there reports to there superiors fell on deaf ear.  According to Lee Yaron the spotters were females and the army did not take the word of female too seriously. Plus they were unarmed which made it easier for the terrorists to over run the base and take the girls hostages.

There were other faults of Israel as well. A favorite of the Hamas is rocket attacks. Houses in the Gaza envelope should have rocket shelter but not everyone can afford them.  There were also shelter in the towns but they would not open when the emergency happened. The author , Lee Yaron, takes the story of 100 survivors  and tells their harrowing story of escape and resistance. Many of the stories are obviously about Jews.  These Jews came form a variety of different backgrounds.  She delves into their backgrounds often times revealing the antisemitism they fled only to be slaughtered in Israel.  Other stories are about Bedoins and Israeli arabs who were often shot and killed indiscriminantly alongside there Jewish nationalist and taken hostage as well. Their story is not of antisemitism but often discrimination and uneqal treatment at the hands of Jewish authority in Israel. Other stories involved thai workers or workers from Nepal. There jsut to earn money and learn agricultural skill they were swept up in a conflict they had nothing to do with.

Lee Yaron gives a good description of the conflict telling the reader in stages how everything unfolded. She lets the reader know that both sides play an equal role in the  conflict. Both Palerstinian and Israeli societies have their flaws that needs to be examined. A well written and well rounded book.