Quote of the Day

"A mind once stretched by a new idea never returns to its original dimensions." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Do not do unto others...

...as you would not have done unto you.  The rest is just commentary.  Now, go study the commentary." -- Rabbi Hillel

Dangerous Liasions

Overall: Good

Not Amadeus.  But on the other hand, not Affair of the Necklace either.

Speech

Last night I gave a speech at my local Toastmasters club, and took home for the first time in what seems like forever, the Best Speaker ribbon.

The title of my speech was "What To Do When It's All Too Much".  I just gave a brief overview of some of the techniques I practice when it all gets to be too much and the walls are caving in on me.

The first technique I discussed was the Stop 3 Breath Technique.  At the moment when you feel you're really about to lose it, just stop.  Stop immediately what you're doing.  Close your eyes.  And take 3 deep breaths.  Then continue on with whatever it is that you were doing.

The 2nd thing I described was the 3 step process for when you realize you're facing adversity:

1. Do Something Therapeutic

It can be anything, a guided imagery, going to the beach, praying...

2. Read Something Inspirational or Spiritually Uplifting

3. EXERCISE

That's all there really was to it.  It's not a speech I practiced.  But that is because I didn't feel the need to do so.  And I got some very good feedback on it.  Look forward to posting it on my social media pages.

Theory

A rabbi of mine once had an interesting theory, of which I've elaborated upon over the past few years, as to why Jews, especially those from the East coast/New York area move away from Judaism.

I was having a conversation with my friend Shmuel, and I told him about how I had read The Vanishing American Jew written by Alan Dershowitz.  In it, Mr. Dershowitz talked about a woman he had encountered.  This woman was Jewish by birth, and had grown up in a very typical, conservative Jewish American home.  When she began dating as a teenager, she had no interest in dating any Jewish guys, and eventually married a Catholic man.  Neither her nor her children have any connection whatsoever to Judaism.  When asked why, she answered "To me, growing up, Judaism was nothing more than an old man saying no."

My rabbi, Shmuel recounted to me, said that the essence of Judaism is very soft and tender.  After the Holocaust, the survivors who came here set the tone for a hardened and embittered Judaism.  I believe it started happening even before the Holocaust, with the advent of all the pogroms in Russia and Eastern Europe starting at the turn of the last century.

Anyway, the theory is that many of today's Jews who came from this hardened and embittered Jewish environment are still looking for that soft, sweet core that they know in their hearts is there.  And they go looking for it in ashrams, Eastern religions, New Ageism, and (I believe) even in things like Reform and Reconstructionist Judaism --  which all on the surface, appear to have that soft, sweet, tender inner base.

Shabbat Shalom

Apple

Amazing how an apple can fill you up.  Well, that's what it's supposed to do.  It's got plenty of fiber in it, so it fills up your intestines with food, and makes you feel full.

Game 4 of the ALCS tonight in Detroit.  Red Sox bats have got to wake up against the number 4 starter for the Tigers.  I just don't think Sanchez, Schwertzer, and Verlander are going to get any easier to face as this series progresses.

Yesterday at the bar I was at, I drank Sam Adams' Oktoberfest beer.  That bar doesn't have light beers on tap.  So, I indulged.  And, I'll do so again this afternoon/evening.

Shabbat meals are all set.

Most Memorable Kosher Establishments I've Dined At So Far In My Life

Distrikt Bistro (Washington, D.C.)
La Gondola (Los Angeles)
Hoffy's (Antwerp)
Pat's (Los Angeles)
Boddha Thai (Los Angeles)
Melech Ha Falafel ve Shawarma (Jerusalem)
Nut House Pizza (Wheaton, MD)
Randall's (Houston)
Madras (Houston)
Mexikosher (Los Angeles)
Shanghai Diamond Garden (Los Angeles)