Shalom Chaim
First a commentary for the week:
Ever since Obama became president, socialism became legitimate to many people because they agreed with the idea of helping the less fortunate especially in these tough times. And certainly, ideas to take from the rich, whether hard working or plain lucky, and to give to the poor and/or the lazy have gained either more sympathy or acceptance from non rich folk (as long as they aren't the ones harmed by these higher taxes).
Any decent person, rich or poor, will understand the need to help the less fortunate and unlucky. Certainly, some of the wealthier people out there have so much money and things and waste it away on stuff that we, ourselves, could never understand their uses. For example, one fellow might own three homes and two yachts, while another collect 4 Lamborguinis and own a home that has 15 bedrooms, but with only one person living in it 1/3rd of the year.
To each their own, right? They worked hard for it. Who are we to say how they should spend it? Gd willing, if I had all that money, I would prefer to use it to change the world for the better as well as live comfortably enough. But that's just me.
So is it fair for any super wealthy person to be FORCED to give his "hard earned" money to other people? How about if we force obese and overweight heathens, like Al Sharpton and company, to share the wealth of their food to feed those who are starving? At least the food will go to good use and help people with at least one basic need.
The point I want to make is that there is a reason why in Judaism we thank Gd for everything from the moment we wake up, right after we use the restroom, before we eat and AFTER we eat, and before we sleep as well as a million other things. It isn't just to thank Gd for what we have, but to remind us of what some other people might not have. And if Gd gives to one of us what is essential, shouldn't we volunteer to give what is essential to someone who might not have it? Maybe even help those who need a little help to also give to others in the future?
The heroic settlers in Yehuda, Shomron and the hilltops have sacrificed a lot of the basic needs we all have. They are protecting Israel and even the rest of the world. I think, these are the people to whom we should share some of our wealth.
And my questions for the week:
1. What holidays and mitzvot will we no longer have to follow once the Moshiach arrives?
2. How warm of a place is Qaddafi ysv?
3. I saw the Vegas debate and think Romney did the best job defending himself. Can you comment whether at this point we should or shouldn't support him since he will most likely do the best job of holding his ground against a biased moderator once he meets Obama in a future debate. The rest if the candidates disappointed me. Hermann Cain was so so and newt Gingrich was funny and snappy.
4. Tell us about a mission Rabbi Kahane gave you?
5. And a Dvar Torah of this week's Torah portion and Haftorah portion.
Toda,
Dr. Dan