You did well to drop the words "of Israel" in the quote. All the oldest manuscripts of the Mishnah (Kaufmann, Cambridge, Parma A and Maimonides's autograph) lack it. It seems to be a later addition to make it less universal and more particularist.
Mikhal, you asked a sharp and powerful question here: "A lot of people talk about the cycle of violence. I’m not sure we talk about the cycle of squander enough, though. Each person lost is a whole world. How can we be so wasteful?" I agree. So much waste of life. It's hard not to feel a sense of despair for our collective future when things get so bad.
How can we go on? As I listened to the following podcast, "Artists for Joy," I found solace in the story of how Leonard Berstein answered that specific question. It's especially geared toward musicians, so I thought you might appreciate it:
Regarding the puzzle of why human beings cannot stop making enemies and wars, it's such a huge one that I would recommend tuning into this amazing and mind-blowing podcast on "Enemies: From War to Wisdom":
Louisa, you are such a kind friend. Thank you so much for sharing this. Listening to how others have faced these problems is both heartening (there is wisdom to be found) and disheartening (there has been violence for so long).
The kids are the main thing that's keeping me going now. They truly are little bundles of joy and I hug them as much as I can.
Yes, Mikhal, connecting with others who also struggle with our common problems can feel both devastating and nourishing to our soul. And that's just being in touch with what it means to be human.
The love you share with your kids is truly a wonderful gift, as much as they are priceless gifts to you and your wife.
Sending you love and hugs too. Take good care of yourself!
Thank you, hon. This does give me hope. A little bit, anyway. It also affirms what I'm thinking all the time — "No one was born wanting to do things like this." So how the hell have we ended up here? I don't know. I feel like I don't know anything at all.
You did well to drop the words "of Israel" in the quote. All the oldest manuscripts of the Mishnah (Kaufmann, Cambridge, Parma A and Maimonides's autograph) lack it. It seems to be a later addition to make it less universal and more particularist.
Ah, thank you for that affirmation! I just *knew* it didn't vibe with how I believe Jewish thought wants to see the world.
Mikhal, you asked a sharp and powerful question here: "A lot of people talk about the cycle of violence. I’m not sure we talk about the cycle of squander enough, though. Each person lost is a whole world. How can we be so wasteful?" I agree. So much waste of life. It's hard not to feel a sense of despair for our collective future when things get so bad.
How can we go on? As I listened to the following podcast, "Artists for Joy," I found solace in the story of how Leonard Berstein answered that specific question. It's especially geared toward musicians, so I thought you might appreciate it:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0psUnCeOsvhLYWpCPINQy0?si=hfUCnl7BTYaRovjoqwqdTw
Regarding the puzzle of why human beings cannot stop making enemies and wars, it's such a huge one that I would recommend tuning into this amazing and mind-blowing podcast on "Enemies: From War to Wisdom":
https://open.spotify.com/show/6VZN6stOn6QtNpoJcILqs7?si=28e32ee69bda4f5c
I hope that amid the chaos and despair, you'll find snippets of joy and comfort in being present with your kiddos.
Peace xo
P.S. I found the original remarks of Berstein on this page, which included his response to violence (the assassination of JFK):
"This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before."
https://leonardbernstein.com/about/humanitarian/an-artists-response-to-violence
Louisa, you are such a kind friend. Thank you so much for sharing this. Listening to how others have faced these problems is both heartening (there is wisdom to be found) and disheartening (there has been violence for so long).
The kids are the main thing that's keeping me going now. They truly are little bundles of joy and I hug them as much as I can.
Sending you lots of love <3
Yes, Mikhal, connecting with others who also struggle with our common problems can feel both devastating and nourishing to our soul. And that's just being in touch with what it means to be human.
The love you share with your kids is truly a wonderful gift, as much as they are priceless gifts to you and your wife.
Sending you love and hugs too. Take good care of yourself!
💜💜💜💜
Thank you, hon. This does give me hope. A little bit, anyway. It also affirms what I'm thinking all the time — "No one was born wanting to do things like this." So how the hell have we ended up here? I don't know. I feel like I don't know anything at all.