Archive for February 25th, 2010

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From Skinhead to Haredi Jew: A Tale of Personal Transformation

In the previous posts, we touched upon the dynamics of the shadow archetype that hides the inner person that exists inside us. The key to a optimum psychological state of health requires that we get understand the hidden depths of our souls and psyches. Here is a remarkable story about coming to terms with one’s shadow, compliments of NY Times and the Failedmessiah-two excellent websites.

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From Skinhead to Orthodox Jew

Adam Lach for The New York Times

Pawel in the Warsaw ...

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Categories: Anti-Semitism, Bible, Contrarian wisdom, Conversion, Current Events, ethics, good and evil, Heart-Centered Judaism, Holocaust Related Issues, Interfaith Dialogue, Israel, Jewish and Jungian ideas, Jewish Folklore, Jewish History, Jewish symbolism, Stories for the Searching Heart, Theology and Philosophy

When Haredim go drag

Whenever I celebrated Purim in Me’ah Sharim, the Haredi epicenter of Jerusalem, I always marveled at the costumes the Haaredim used to wear. Every year, the Haredim participate in cross-dressing. Haredim in drag. What a sight to behold. Haredim and Hasidim literally let their hair down.

Any good Christian bible reader knows that cross-dressing is forbidden in the Torah. Men are forbidden to dress as women, since the proscription reads, “neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment, neither may a ...

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Categories: American Jewish Issues, Bible, biblical history, biblical theology, Contrarian wisdom, Current Events, Halacha, Hassidic Theology, Heart-Centered Judaism, Holidays, Humor, Israel, Jewish and Jungian ideas, Jewish History, Jewish sexual ethics, Jewish symbolism, Judaism and Feminism, Responsa Literature, The Future of Judaism, Theology and Philosophy

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The Hasidic origin of “Simcha Monica” formerly known as, “Santa Monica”

Some time ago, I had a friendly discussion with Rabbi Yisrael Goldberg, a young Chabadnik who lives in Israel. In the course of our talk, he mentioned that in California, the late Rabbi Avraymo Levitanski (a former teacher of mine) had recently died. Avraymo was a great man; he was a brilliant scholar as well and an exceptional human being. He was definitely one of the finest Chabadniks I have ever known. On a light note, Yisrael told me how Avraymo ...

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Categories: ethics, Hassidic Theology, Holidays, Humor, Interfaith Dialogue, Jewish History, Stories for the Searching Heart, The Future of Judaism, Word Focus

Crossing the Rubicon-We have passed over 100,000 hits!

Another milestone has occurred this week. We have crossed the 100,000 mark for the first time! Thanks for your support. By all means, I encourage you to participate in some of the discussions. Nobody has all the answers, and we have much to learn from one another.

Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel

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