And Noah Had Four Sons...

This Shabbath we read the Torah portion on Noah and the Flood.

This is also the Torah portion where after the flood, Noah gets plum drunk and naked. Ham, Noah's son sees his father naked and according to Chazal defiled him. Noah, upon discovering the misdeed, utters a curse.

Yes, the curse.

The 'curse of Ham' where everyone but everyone hands over to Black people b/c Ham is considered Black.

For years, I took this view as truth without ever digging deeper. I am really embarrassed to admit that. And really, what are Black folks supposed to do with that? "oh, yes, I am cursed. Ok,so what's for lunch today?"

Even if we brush it off, this lingering thought remains in the back of our minds. "I am cursed. I am black. I am not white."

But, readers, open up the Chumash again with me and see Noah's words, "and he said, cursed is Canaan; a slave of slaves shall he be to his brothers." (Bereshit 9:25)

Why curse Canaan instead of Ham? Briefly, I'll mention that some say that cursing Ham would implicate Noah's own wrongdoing. So he remained silent on that point. Secondly, it's said that he could foresee that this particular negative trait in Ham was magnified in Ham's son Canaan.

The curse is on Canaan. It says nothing of the curse being on Cush, Miztrayim, or Put, the other sons of Ham. (But it doesn't excuse Ham!)

In fact, the following story is regarding Nimrod, a mighty hunter before G-d and son of Cush. Bereshit 10:10 states " The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh in the land of Shinar."

Nimrod's kingdom.

Kingdom, folks.

Not slavery.

But there are those that want to propagate the idea that all Blacks are cursed. It can be in mainstream media. It could even be in your local synagogue, history class, or the 'fake friend to the Blacks.' They are all pollutants that encourage us to believe what 'they' want us to believe and to lull us into a stupor of low self-esteem, passivity, and illness. Illness of body and soul.

It's easy to recognize the poison after awhile. In the meantime, I am here to tell you that we are not slaves! (unless we choose to be one 'cuz it really takes a lot LESS brain power) The African/Black race have made/are making contributions to humanity, through the arts, music, literature and sciences like other people. And we are going to work, paying bills, reading books, going to school, etc. Are there things that need improvement? Most certainly. Like in most people.

I'll share something else. In Midrash Pirke de Rabbi Eliezer, it writes that Shem, Noah's son was dark.

I doubt you'll read that in mainstream media...

But let us not get trumped over color issues. It is because haters use this color card that we are often on the defensive and hence, become too focused on color. The fact is: there are other issues. The color card is merely a means of distraction.

Distraction from the true purpose of life.

Yo, what IS the purpose of life??!!!

Ah, but this is for another blog post....

G-d bless!!

Noah's Ark...and Ours.

The work 'ark' is translated as 'teiva' in our holy Torah.

The Baal Shem Tov teaches us that the 'teivah' also means WORD.

So when Hashem/G-d says, "bo el hateiva'-"come with Me into the ‘teivah’ it's like he says ” enter with Me into the words of ‘our’ prayers.

Although considered righteous, Noah is criticized for not really helping his fellow men in his generation to repent. Hashem says over and over again that He is going to destroy the world.

I always remember the words of one of my teachers, Rabbi Edward Hoffman, that tzaddikim show us where the dead ends are, so we don't make the same mistakes.

Noah was a tzaddik, and he 'allows' his story to be told so that we can learn from it.

It is our responsibility to use our 'teivot'/words pray for each other and the entire world. Certainly we will pray for our own needs, and even that should be done in truth.

If something hurts, tell Hashem, "it hurts!"

He wants us to be real.

He also wants our gratitude and acts of loving kindness. We can thank G-d for the big things and also for the 'little' things. And learning from Noah's story, let us remember to not just gape at others we deem as wayward, etc. Instead, we can raise our teivot/our words and sincerely pray for the world.

There's LOTS to pray for...

G-d bless!

African Influence in Art

Hat tip to Africa Unchained



G-d bless!!

The Romance of Attraction

G-d bless!!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Fascinating article I read on Dr. Mercola's website re: breast cancer awareness month.

Here are some highlights:

1. why is prevention associated with 'early detection?'

"If women succumb to the idea of prevention as doing nothing but waiting for the detection of the disease, many will find a similarly deranged logic re-emerge later when the self-fulfilling prophecy of prevention-through-doing-nothing is fulfilled and "treatment" is now required. "

Interesting play on psychology...

2. Who profits?

"Zeneca Group plc., a pharmaceutical subsidiary of Imperial Chemical Industries and manufacturer of the blockbuster breast cancer drugs Arimidex and Tamoxifen, founded the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in 1985 in order to promote the widespread adoption of x-ray mammography (and the sale of their products)."

How about we start a Cabbage Awareness Month...I'd love to see more folks buying and eating cabbage with it's G-d infused healing properties.

The following month will be a Tumeric Awareness Month...

"Billions of dollars are raised and funneled towards drug research, when the lowly turmeric plant, the humble cabbage and the unassuming bowl of miso soup may offer far more promise in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer than all the toximolecular drugs on the market put together"

Personally, the only 'pink' ribbons I'd like to see is the purple strips of cabbage on my plate.

G-d bless!

check it out:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/10/21/seeing-red-over-pink-the-dark-side-of-breast-cancer-awareness-month.aspx?e_cid=20111021_DNL_art_1

Halloween Zombie

Top 10 signs that you are a zombie:

http://www.naturalnews.com/033916_top_ten_signs_zombie.html

ie. If you only read the front of food packages -- and not the back -- you might be a zombie.

G-d bless!!

ps: I don't know about the Ron Paul one.

Imani Uzuri

G-d bless!!

End of Money?

Tom Greco's book, End of Money and the Future of Civilization is coming out and revealing the 'secrets' of today's economy.

Follow the link below and hear him talk about:

how the political money system finances lavishly destructive activities of war

how the substance of modern money is credit

how the public has been made responsible for writing off bad debts

how our founding fathers in America never intended the government to have direct taxing power, but how that has been IGNORED

how the central banks enable inflation and monopolization of credit and create CLASS CONFLICT

how sociopaths seem to be the ones at the top of the hierarchy

how we need to shift power to the local communities

how we need to exercise the power that is already ours

how we can 'spin' our own money through the fibers of trust and cooperation

and how we can tell our 'would-be-masters' we do not need their money

this is very powerful.

G-d bless and G-d protect!

Check it out:
http://permaculture-media-download.blogspot.com/2011/10/end-of-money-and-future-of-civilization.html

My Plastic Free Life

I found a new and cool website called My Plastic Free Life.

I'm so psyched.

That is definitely a goal of mine...to reduce/remove the amount of plastic and there fore chemicals and parabens in my life.

This particular link has women contributing tips on ways to reduce plastic stuffage in our lives.

ah, women's wisdom....

G-d bless!

check it out:
http://myplasticfreelife.com/2011/09/what-is-your-favorite-plastic-free-tip/#comments

Sukkot is Here!

Chag Sameach!

After the intensity of Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur, we turn

the corner and enter the holiday of Sukkot, Festival of the Tabernacles.

Now we rejoice and feast.

We usher into the protective shelter of G-d, the Almighty.

Into His heavenly Clouds of Glory.

G-d bless!!!

India Charms Africa...

Just like bees buzz around a nectar full flower, so are countries buzzing around Africa, with her bountiful natural resources.

China had a head start, but unfortunately has been accused of resource plundering, poor labor practices, and supporting governments with a much less than desired human rights policy. Thus, resulting in resentment in Africa for the Chinese presence.

Enter India.

Hoping to appear as having Africa's best interest at heart, India has employed a 'charm offensive' policy so that both countries can benefit from the relationship. Examples include a Pan-African e-Network-"described as the biggest project for long-distance education and tele-medicine ever undertaken in Africa."
Among other perks, they are also promising 22,000 scholarship for African students.

I could care less whether India truly cares for Africa or not. But I do care that they are coming with the correct respect and mutually beneficial projects where Africa will also benefit.

To enter a country and rape its resources, spread disease, and preach their religion is inhumane, economically idiotic, and EVIL.

Let us hope that India will come thru with their side of the bargain, and that Africa will have good sense to discern it.

G-d bless!!

Check it out:
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/BUSINESS/08/25/india.charm.africa.china/index.html

Azamra...Africa!! Sierra Leone

A group of 12 women traveled 6,000 miles to western India to study at the Barefoot College in Tilonia, Rajasthan, "how to make light from the sun."

These women want to bring solar powered electricity into their country, and the Sierra Leone government is investing $820,000 to this project. Already a Barefoot College in Poka Line village was just established to teach solar engineering. It is the first in Africa, and will enroll 50 students.

Go, Sierra Leone!!!

G-d bless!

Check it out:
http://ecobites.com/eco-news-articles/alternative-energy/3512-barefoot-way

Making Herbal Tinctures

G-d bless!

Awkward Black Girl

G-d bless!

Links!

Yay! I finally know how to make links on my blog.
I didn't realize how technologically challenged I was.

Thanks Miriam http://blackfirewhitefire.blogspot.com/

you see!! woohoo!

G-d bless!

Sh'ma Israel!!!

G-d bless!

Chamomile

Chamomile, oh, chamomile! How I love, thee!!

G-d so endowed you with soothing properties that promote better sleep;

Your beautiful strength eases symptoms of IBS and menstrual cramps;

And let me not forget your antibacterial strength and boost to the immune system...

Ah, yet another of G-d's wonders that go from growing in the wild and into my tea cup!

G-d bless!!

Check it out:
http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/8-health-benefits-of-chamomile-tea.html

Your local health food store

Closeness with G-d

A must read!http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
http://blackfirewhitefire.blogspot.com/2011/10/deveikut-with-hashem-closeness-with-g-d.html?spref=fb

Quotable Quotes...

"Too much emphasis is placed on the exotic. Most of the medicine we need is native, flourishes in our yards and lots...grows at our very feet..and many of the wonders of this world are always within sight."

-Jesse Wolf Hardin
Plant Healer

G-d bless!!

Check it out:
http://planthealermagazine.com/?ap_id=greeenmansean

India versus Monsanto

I saw this article, and it made me soooo happy!!!

People are standing up against Monsanto-the biotech company responsible for making genetically modified organisms/(food).

For the first time ever, a country is suing Monsanto.

India is accusing Monsanto of biopiracy-of stealing indigenous plants, specifically the brinjal. Brinjal is very popular Indian staple. India believes that Monsanto is stealing the plants in order to make genetically modified versions and selling them w/o giving any compensation to India.

It could take years, but the Indian government feels it's important to send the message out as a deterrent.

I hope other countries learn from this example.

This is truly exciting news. Monsanto has to understand that they cannot create frankenstein seeds and 'foods' and destroy our farms and essentially our lives.

Go India! Get'em good!

G-d bless!!

Check it out:
http://www.france24.com/en/20110921-india-monsanto-gmo-brinjal-bio-piracy-biopiracy-steal-seeds-terminator-cotton-onion-melon-debt-suicide

http://www.naturalnews.com/033714_biopiracy_Monsanto.html

USDA Organic

"What does certified organic or "USDA Organic" mean? This means these products are certified 95-100% organic. Certified organic means the farmer or producer has undergone a regular inspection of its farm, facilities, ingredients, and practices by an independent Third Party certifier, accredited by the USDA National Organic Program (NOP)"

So if you're looking for spoonful of synthetic pesticides, animal drugs, sewage sludge, GMOs, irradiation, or chemical fertilizers, this is not the place to look!

That said, have I personally taken a tour of USDA facility? No. Have you? No.
Read up on the dark side of USDA: http://www.naturalnews.com/031783_USDA_nature.html

Making things from scratch and keeping things simple is always THE BEST way to go. Yes, it may take a bit longer and it may even require growing our own produce. But we have to know how to work around healthy eating. Healthy eating is living!!!

So, I'm all for USDA to a degree. What I really want is Chaya Organic; I want 'You' Organic. Y'know what I'm sayin'??

G-d bless!!!

Check it out:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/10/08/organic-monopoly-and-myth-of-natural-foods.aspx?e_cid=20111008_DNL_art_1

http://www.naturalnews.com/031783_USDA_nature.html

Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur is tomorrow night. The days leading up to has been full of prayers, teshuva, forgiving others, and I'd say some excitement. On the day itself, there is a sort of transcendent magic.

Everyone dons their white garments, and there we are, standing before G-d, angelic... without our leather shoes, naked in a sense.

Without eating or drinking, without our body or mind preoccupied.

Without our perfumes and lotions and without our masks and pretenses.

Without bathing and without hiding our defects.

Without marital relations, with Him alone.

Yom Kippur...it's the ultimate spiritual, physical, and emotional de-tox experience!!! We go back to our Beginning, back to our Source, back to Hashem, G-d the Almighty.

G-d bless!!!

Organic Sunblock

How to Make Organic Sunblock

I went to a class by naturalist Shoshana Harrari here in Israel, and she suggests only using coconut oil....
It's good to know these natural options are out there...

G-d bless!!!

Check it out:
http://www.greenprophet.com/2010/07/diy-organic-sunscreen/

EcoGeek on LightBulbs

Very informative for me. I did recently read an article that LEDs (light emitting diodes) are not safe either..
Yo, at the end of the day, I think we need to work around natural sunlight and/or use these technological newbies in a safe way.

G-d bless!!
check it out:
http://www.greenprophet.com/2011/09/led-light-pollution/

Namibian Ancestral Skulls

Between 1904 and 1908, German colonial forces stationed in Namibia took many archeological skulls from the African country back to Germany. Why? To prove through science the superiority of their white race over the blacks.

On September 30, 2011, a delegation from Namibia-over 60 leaders and some officials flew to Berlin, Germany to take back their ancestral artifacts.

With the immense evil and killings that occurred in Europe, a lot in Germany, men like Hitler (may his name be erased) showed nothing of superiority, but only proved the banality and cruelty of like racists.

Bless you, Namibia!

G-d bless!
check it out:
http://news.yahoo.com/photos/germany-returns-skulls-to-namibia-1317739082-slideshow/charite-hospital-returns-herero-skulls-20110930-091054-016.html

Get up, Stand Up!!!

Taking Down Monsanto and GMO Foods

I read an article today that got me so excited.

Groups, "Organic Consumers Association, Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap, Center for Food Safety, Mercola.com, Nature's Path, Natural News.com, LabelGMOs.org, Food Democracy Now, and the Institute for Responsible Technology, filed papers with the California Attorney General's office to place a Citizens Initiative on the Ballot in November, 2012 that would require mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods and food ingredients."

In Europe, it is law that foods must be labeled if they are genetically engineered, but in America no such law exists and therefore all sorts of food stuff and ingredients can be sold to the American consumer w/o their knowledge. Monsanto, the "biotech bully" are really heading the GMO production, and it's fantastic that people are gathering together to end their tyranny!

This is what we need!! Strength, courage, prayer, and action! Consumer power can really shift the tide to our benefit. And why not?? If we are going to pay money to buy food, it better be the real deal and not some rip-off!

Right now, the Citizens' Initiative is in need of volunteers, donations, and signatures to help forward the cause.

For more info and to get involved, check out:
http://www.organicconsumersfund.org/label/

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/10/03/cbi-taking-down-monsanto-gmo-products.aspx?e_cid=20111003_DNL_art_1

G-d bless!!!

Style House Files

New blog I fell across:

Style House Files is a fashion website from an African perspective. Fashion consultant, Omoyemi Akerele founded the site in March 2010 with the goals of discovering emerging designers, interviewing fashion personalities, and supporting consumer growth like 'BuyNigerian.'

G-d bless!!

Check it out:
http://www.stylehousefiles.com/