The Seed to Succeed

One of the greatest ensalvement today is prison. When a person is given a long prison sentence, it is without question that person no longer has the ability to succeed on his own. That person returns to a life of crime because he became so depended on the system. This is self ensalvement and when it happens at a young age the greater degree of mental enslavement. That person almost become the walking dead in and once released out side of prison. Very few without of the help of society or family can not make it. How can that person succeed? In many cases it becomes hell on earth because that person didn't follow God's laws for whatever reason.

I read your article "The Seed to Succeed". Then I read the comments section and considered the commenters views. Then I read you again and then again. Lots to think about and great information there. In accepting charity from the wealthy should we, then, strive to become less poor (if possible in our society) so we don't have to accept the charity? Similar to giving me a meal everyday for the rest of my life, or teaching me how to afford to buy my own food and then I can give charity too. Are we a slave to the charity if we choose to accept it? I don't quite have that figured out yet. -------------------- When I was little, I had two school dresses. One to wear while the other was in the wash. (I think we were having hard tmes.) My Grandmother (mothers mom) wanted to make me a couple skirts, and my father was proud and said no. So my Grandmother said she found a bolt of fabric fallen off a truck and was making skirts for all the Grandaughters from that bolt of fabric. Dad didn't refuse that offer. Well!! I got a new skirt. Then Mom took me to Montgomery Wards and bought me a NEW blouse to go with it. That was 60 year ago. I'll never forget my feelings that day. I think Grandma made it up about finding a bolt of fabric. I don't think my cousins got new skirts. Just me. Grandma never had to offer again. My Dad took a job working for someone else and we were not in want again. I will never be prideful about accepting someones kindness. We can't know how far reaching that act of kindness can be. Thank you for helping me remember that day.

To Mr. Schwartz (2) Refusing a meal so as not to be a slave to charity is not the Jewish way. G-d wants the wealthy to help the poor, and once, when someone told a rabbi that someone had died because of hunger, the rabbi replied that he didn't die of hunger, but of pride (he was too proud to accept charity). Don't forget that the Hebrew word for charity is tzdaka, which comes from tzedek (justice). Because G-d's justice requires that the rich man help the poor one. I wish you all the best.

This was a great and meaningful divar torah. Great job.

It is quite enlighting to read this interpretation, because today, I believe, we are less and less free and simple. And, what is worst is that our children are becoming slaves without knowing or questioning. Today, children adopt lifestyles with strict boundaries that do not let them grow healthy. Just going to a school is enough to see the different ideologies that separate them from talking or integrating with others. In my opinion, this interpretation is very powerful not just to us as Adults, but for children too, who today are more tied to material things or ideologies.