Mazal Tov! Wishing much health and simcha, osher v’osher. (Osher with an א, which means happiness, osher with an ע means wealth. So you should have both.
If you haven't read it yet, check out Batya Ungar-Sargon's "Second Class - How the Elites Betrayed America's Working Men and Women". It's about the working class and the American Dream.
Happy birthday and thank you for another thoughtful essay. This post, "Perplexed" and "Regrets" are all walking hand in hand through a field of wildflowers.
You mention, "I do think there is a lot of jealousy when it comes to wanting what someone else has. That is human nature and also why it is part of the Ten Commandments not to covet." In that sentence is (I think) a signpost, sort of like when Hashem states in Isaiah "...this is the way, walk in it...".
In an earlier section you mentioned the "American Dream". Now rather tinged with overtones of nightmare, perhaps. but true! This is driven in large part by the "Mad Men" who now serve up a 34/7 menu of "things". My childhood was in those 'simple' days. I remember when society and culture were not constantly obsessed with 'stuff'. Here's some quick data from my "Copilot friend":
1. Energy Consumption: The United States, with less than 5% of the world’s population, still
consumes about 16% of the world’s energy1.
2. Material Use: As of 2019, the per capita consumption of all materials in the U.S. was 23.75 metric
tons, which is 88% higher than the European average, (Trust me this is going someplace)
Yet no one is the happier for this wholesale striving for stuff.
Circling back to the Torah and the coveting part, which is largely unnoticed today. And, the most important part is the very first command in the list, in which Hashem is to be first before and above everything. That is the missing piece. When I was growing up, there was general consensus that there was such a thing as absolute truth and we were accountable to a Creator. And folks mostly acted like it. Could it be the "rhyming" of Mark Twain in these things is found in Israel's time during the Judges when "everyone did what was right in their own eyes"? Is today a couplet to those times in Israel?
My birthday wishes to you: You are important. You are a writer, and often one must live for a while to have perspective and something worthwhile to write about. Your 'writing stuff' is worthwhile. I'd sure like to sit and have interesting conversations with you in someone's secret garden.
Mazal Tov! Wishing much health and simcha, osher v’osher. (Osher with an א, which means happiness, osher with an ע means wealth. So you should have both.
Thank you!
Happy Birthday, wishing you all the best!
If you haven't read it yet, check out Batya Ungar-Sargon's "Second Class - How the Elites Betrayed America's Working Men and Women". It's about the working class and the American Dream.
Thank you.
Havent read her book but have seen her on numerous shows and podcasts discussing it. The discussion are always very interesting and she’s very smart.
Happy Birthday. Enjoy your special day.
Thank you.
Happy birthday!
L’chaim!
Thank you.
Happy birthday and thank you for another thoughtful essay. This post, "Perplexed" and "Regrets" are all walking hand in hand through a field of wildflowers.
You mention, "I do think there is a lot of jealousy when it comes to wanting what someone else has. That is human nature and also why it is part of the Ten Commandments not to covet." In that sentence is (I think) a signpost, sort of like when Hashem states in Isaiah "...this is the way, walk in it...".
In an earlier section you mentioned the "American Dream". Now rather tinged with overtones of nightmare, perhaps. but true! This is driven in large part by the "Mad Men" who now serve up a 34/7 menu of "things". My childhood was in those 'simple' days. I remember when society and culture were not constantly obsessed with 'stuff'. Here's some quick data from my "Copilot friend":
1. Energy Consumption: The United States, with less than 5% of the world’s population, still
consumes about 16% of the world’s energy1.
2. Material Use: As of 2019, the per capita consumption of all materials in the U.S. was 23.75 metric
tons, which is 88% higher than the European average, (Trust me this is going someplace)
Yet no one is the happier for this wholesale striving for stuff.
Circling back to the Torah and the coveting part, which is largely unnoticed today. And, the most important part is the very first command in the list, in which Hashem is to be first before and above everything. That is the missing piece. When I was growing up, there was general consensus that there was such a thing as absolute truth and we were accountable to a Creator. And folks mostly acted like it. Could it be the "rhyming" of Mark Twain in these things is found in Israel's time during the Judges when "everyone did what was right in their own eyes"? Is today a couplet to those times in Israel?
My birthday wishes to you: You are important. You are a writer, and often one must live for a while to have perspective and something worthwhile to write about. Your 'writing stuff' is worthwhile. I'd sure like to sit and have interesting conversations with you in someone's secret garden.