One of the biggest problems faced by mankind is less global warming and more "global weighting". The planet keeps getting heavier because people keep getting fatter. 10's of millions of people are overweight. Weight issues kill about 4.7 million people a year. So in a year and change it will kill more people than Covid did!! A TRUE pandemic!!
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The Jewish people are the GREATEST people EVER. Stubborn, stiff-necked and rebellious at times - but always G-d's chosen. Like Moshe Rabbeinu said:
דברים א':י"ב
אֵיכָ֥ה אֶשָּׂ֖א לְבַדִּ֑י טׇרְחֲכֶ֥ם וּמַֽשַּׂאֲכֶ֖ם וְרִֽיבְכֶֽם׃
How can I myself alone bear your load, and your burden, and your strife?
Rashi:
טרחכם – מלמד שהיו טרחנין. היה אחד מהם רואה את בעל דינו נוצח בדין, אומר: יש לי עדים להביא, יש לי ראיות להביא, מוספני עליכם דיינים.
ומשאכם – מלמד שהיו אפיקורוסין. הקדים משה לצאת – אמרו: מה ראה בן עמרם לצאת, שמא אינו שפוי בתוך ביתו. איחר לצאת – אמרו: מה ראה שלא לצאת, מה אתם סבורים, יושב ויועץ עליכם עצות, וחושב עליכם מחשבות.
וריבכם – מלמד שהיו רוגנים.
טרחכם YOUR CUMBRANCE – Moshe's use of this word regarding them teaches us that the Israelites were troublesome: if one of them perceived that his opponent in a law suit was about to be victor in the case he would say: I have witnesses to bring, further proof to adduce, I will add judges to you who are sitting (Sifrei Devarim 1:12) .
ומשאכם YOUR BURDEN – this teaches that they were Apikorsim: if Moshe went forth early from his tent they said, "Why does the son of Amram leave so early? Perhaps he is not at ease at home? Maybe some Shalom Bayis problems??" If he left late, they said, "What do you think? He is sitting and devising evil schemes against you, and is plotting against you" (Sifrei Devarim 1:12).
וריבכם AND YOUR STRIFE – this teaches that they were always contentious (Sifrei Devarim 1:12).
Funny - because in the PREVIOUS PASUK Moshe said:
דברים א':י"א
יְהֹוָ֞ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֲבֽוֹתֵכֶ֗ם יֹסֵ֧ף עֲלֵיכֶ֛ם כָּכֶ֖ם אֶ֣לֶף פְּעָמִ֑ים וִיבָרֵ֣ךְ אֶתְכֶ֔ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֥ר לָכֶֽם׃
May Hashem, the God of your fathers, make you a thousand times as many as you are, and bless you, as He has promised you!
Like people say about their children. I wouldn't sell him for a billion dollars - and I wouldn't buy another one like him for a nickel.... When a Jew is really annoyed with his fellow and wants to curse him, he will say "zol zein gezunt" - you should be healthy!!!
We are the BEST - but unfailingly imperfect.
Chazal say that we are עזין שבאומות. The brazen faced of the nations. It is that עזות that helped us achieve so much in gashmiyus and ruchniyus.
A little Jewish grandmother gets on the crowded bus and discovers that she doesn’t have the correct change for the fare.
The driver says, “I’m sorry ma’am but without the correct fare you can’t ride.”
She places her hand gently on her chest and says, “If you knew what I had, you’d be nicer to me.”
He lets her ride.
She tries to move down the crowded aisle, but people won’t make way for her.
She places her hand gently on her chest and says, “If you knew what I had, you’d be nicer to me.”
The crowd parts like the Yam Suf.
She reaches the back of the bus where there are no seats. No one gets up.
She places her hand gently on her chest and says, “If you knew what I had, you’d be nicer to me.”
Several people jump up and insist that she take their seat.
She settles into a good one by the window.
A woman leans over to her and says, “I know this is none of my business, but just what is it that you’ve got?”
The little Jewish grandmother grins and says, “Chutzpah.”
🤣
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One area where we can improve is our diet. The Jewish diet is filled with a] food and lots more than we need to eat in order to remain alive. Lots more. [Jewish wedding - shmorg where you can eat three plus meals worth, followed by a ... seudah] B] Often very unhealthy food. Cholent [but that must remain a staple*], kugel, endless white flour, sugar and oil, cakes, cookies, sodas etc. etc. Really bad for you - despite your bubby's best intentions.
So what is the solution?
Here goes: Figure out BEFORE you start eating how much NUTRITIOUS FOOD you need in order not to be too hungry for a little while. Decide to eat that much. [You can promise your yetzer hara that if you feel like you are going to starve to death, you will allow yourself more food at that time.] Make a bracha with kavana. Eat. Quick - MAKE A BRACHA ACHRONA [before you go for doubles]!!! Closure!! You're DONE. Do something else. Stop thinking about food. It is not going anywhere. Refrigerators don't have legs. It will be there when you need it later.
Benefits - Improved physical, emotional and spiritual health. 😊😊😊
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* פסק בעל המאור (המאור הקטן, שבת טז, ב בדפי הרי"ף): "ויש אומרים כי תקנת רבותינו היא לענג את השבת בחמין [צ'ולנט], וכל מי שאינו אוכל חמין צריך בדיקה אחריו אם הוא מין וכו'. והמזמין לבשל ולהטמין ולענג את השבת ולהשמין, הוא המאמין, וזוכה לקץ הימין" וע"ש עוד (עיין רמ"א או"ח רנז, ח. ובמ"ב ס"ק מט שמביא את דברי בעל המאור).
