Sabbath Messages | Sabbath Message: Aug. 1, 2004
Good Sabbath
August 1, 2004 "God did not create woman from man's head, that he should command her; nor from his feet, that she should be his slave; but from his side so that she should be nearest his heart." (adapted from Talmud)
I share with you feelings about my Frances, this Sabbath day, for her enormous assistance in healing my pain and broken bones, her constant dedication to the happiness of our children and grandchildren as they grow into maturity. Our eldest son and his good wife visited us for three precious days and it again showcased how exceptional a woman, Mother and friend she is.
Female is formed from male as male is formed from female, but the differences have always interested me greatly.
She looks in a mirror and sees every imperfection, while he looks at the same mirror and his dropping stomach turns into muscle, for vanity can be Aladdin's lamp. I mean no disrespect or belittlement of my fellow male, just a sharing of my observations; I have mentored many from both sexes.
God created the he to be a hunter and gatherer and for her to prepare the meal and flatter his ego .Vanity always pursues the mortal being, for somehow, we must feel better than good about ourselves, but that is a full-time job.
Bibles are written by the males of the world as each religion demotes the female to raise the male as mother, as conditioner of his soul and values, as companion to the father, for both are so vital to the bringing up of the next generation. The female is the small print of all religions.
God knew that the male would be the protector and the warrior, though often sorrowful about the bloodshed that would ensue. He often reflected on whether war could ever evolve into lasting peacefulness, but God did not create the Devil and evil was part of the reality as companion to goodness. The delicate balance was man's choice--not God's.
"The ideal man has a man's strength and the compassion of a woman." (Zohar)
One of my favorite pieces of wisdom: "Be careful not to make a woman weep as God keeps count of her tears" (Talmud)
Political elections make me feel that most of men's bad habits have been picked up by women and it makes me weep. "There is no room for God in man's eyes who is filled with himself."
Man is born, it seems, to compete with other men, and while sometimes satisfying, it can lead to terrible concentrations of time spent on building wealth and ego. Women are always in some phase of becoming: becoming desirable as a fair maiden, becoming educated and married or otherwise fulfilled, watching her man grow old and sometimes revert back to babyhood. Always there are disappointments and only the beauty of functioning family compensates for the pursuit of belongings and wealth.
Always threatened--during the most modern times--by cancer, she still must pursue desirability while she wards off the threat and the reality. To me they are of valor and my favorite proverb is
"A woman of valor who can find?
Her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband trusteth in her,
And he shall have no lack of gain.
She doeth him good, not evil
All the days of her life.
Grace is deceitful and beauty is vain,
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And the law of loving-kindness is on her tongue.
Her children rise up and call her blessed,
Her husband also, as he praises her,
But a woman that reveres the Lord, she shall be praised."
(Proverb 31)
I have been blessed in knowing and being fashioned by women of valor, my Mother Lillian and her Mother Rose, my Aunt Betty, my wife's Mother, Ceil and my superb Frances.
May you all reflect on your women of valor on this Sabbath day,
sandy
