Nov 29, 2008 09:49
When I was a teenager I attended a Chabad Lubavitch school.
A sect of Jews who focus on the positive aspects of Judaism, the Kabbalah and life in general. They perform out reach to Jews around the world in the form "Chabad houses" community centers sometimes no bigger than a room which do things like provide kosher meat,sabbath meals, charity campaigns and much much more.
The leader of the sect Or Rebbe was seen as a pope like figure who was able to communicate on a high spiritual level and many people used to line the streets of crown heights in Brooklyn to receive a blessing from him.
Now I admit that Chabad have often had outlandish ideas ( like the rebbe is the messiah for instance) and I have had more than one clash with my former educators over the years. But anyone who has seen my friends list of facebook will also see that I consider alot of them my good friends. I find them immensely positive people I find them wonderfully warm people these are people who really enjoy religion and is rules something I always found restrictive I cannot count the amount of times I went to my friends family home and was fed and welcomed like family. I know for a fact that if I was to go to my friends’ home in Bondi right now I would be treated with respect and welcomed with much joy.
Now a chabad house was stormed in the terrorist attacks in Mumbai and its occupants killed, I am not sure on the exact amount at this stage but I know the Rabbi and His Wife are among the dead. I didn't know the rabbi and his wife but I know people who do (the community is pretty big everyone knows each other somehow) all over Face book I see the status " Baruch Dayan Emes" loosely translated as blessed are you the true judge" I remember being told that when someone dies this is said to show your faith and that God has a plan and a true judge of the world. Basically things are in God’s hands.
I find this so silly I remember at the time thinking “what a crock of shit" I have never been able to understand blind faith (I prayed for it many times over the years) anymore that I understand killing in god’s name.
What is true and right about murder of innocents, poverty, war, Global warming etc.?
I do however find it really beautiful, after losing one of their own they don't turn to anger and hate they mourn, sigh and Tell God they know what has doing. They tell themselves and each other that they will be ok. I respect that, I respect Chabad if for nothing else but their enthusiasm for life. So today I will join them in their grief and hope that there is a higher being with a plan because all I can see is sadness.