The wife's very religious family left a week or so ago and they are happily back in Miami. Baruuch Hashem (tanks god). They left us something to remember them by - in our bathroom. It's called "The Garden Of Emuna - A practical guide to life" written by none other than Rabbi Shalom Arush. The flyleaf assures us "his books and recordings have given tens of thousands of people from around the globe spiritual strength and happier lives". Emuna, means belief. And if you believe this book, Hashem (god) has it all worked out for you. He has decided how healthy, wealthy and happy you will be, so we have that going for us, which is nice. Believe in him and all will work out. The book is chock full of pithy statements, that even the most naive and gullible must surely find cliched. Things like "the desire for quick money shows a lack of emuna" and "prayer, charity and tshuva are the only solution to financial difficulty" - and these are only from the page I randomly opened while on the toilet.
I discovered that Hashem is just not into gambling. So the question is asked, "Is it OK (good emuna) to buy a lottery ticket". Hmm, a serious dilemma. You see, while lottery winnings are permissible "because they're not the losses of another person", it seems the lottery is not 100% "congruent with the spirit of emuna". But there is a compromise (we are good at compromises us Jews). If a person needs to buy a lottery ticket, they must buy only one. For if Hashem wishes them to win the lottery, a single ticket is all that's needed. Buying multiple tickets shows a lack of emuna and a trust in statistics over belief in Hashem. I couldn't have made this up if I tried.
I wonder what it says about blogging. You can buy a copy here, I'd give you ours, but bwo is still reading it.
Wet varnish
1 hour ago
6 comments:
It's totally true. I get the whole lottery ticket thing. If it's meant to be its meant to be.
It's like my Parking Karma. There is always a parking spot if you believe there is. (Even on Eliyezer Yafe St.)
So basically, this is a sign. I have Emooona, and am rushing out to buy a lottery ticket first thing in the morning.
Bloody new age, higher power loving, crystal gazing, tarot reading, jewish, buddist, wiccan hippie.
better than a black wearing, cynical, miserable, bible reading, leftist grump!!!!
(oh, and stop being mean to my family.)
Good toilet reading - just don't run out of toilet paper!
The more I read or hear about religion - any religion - the more I think this is God's curse on humanity.
It clogs the brain but it is a fact it helps to earn money. There are no poor religious leaders, only followers.
Georg
Post a Comment