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February 13, 2012
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David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
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Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
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Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
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Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
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Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
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January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
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January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
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Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
July 18, 2003
/ 18 Tamuz, 5763
Sermon On The Light Rail
By
Phil Jacobs
http://www.jewishworldreview.com |
BALTIMORE
Sometimes to get a lesson on spirituality, all
you have to do is listen, and you'll find that
"message" we're all looking for. Or, sometimes
it will find you.
Monday, for example. I had finished a late
lunch with my daughter. She
dropped me off at about 2 at the light rail stop. There aren't many
people on the train at this time, because it's not
rush hour. It's a hot, sunny day, and the train's
air conditioning feels good. There are four other people in the train car.
I sat down, kippah and all, and started reading my Jewish Observer
magazine. It's a back issue, so I'm reading about counting the Omer and the religious festival of Shavuos. By the time I settle into the article, I hear a very loud voice.
A lady, several rows behind me, was talking about G-d. The lady she was
talking to was talking about G-d back to her. It was loud, it was full of
purpose and full of passion. There was no pretending you didn't hear what
they were talking about.
Now, I've been on the light rail many times. I've heard people holding
personal conversations on their cell phones with just a little too much
information than the rest of us need to hear. I've watched parents verbally
discipline their kids. And I even watched as a grandfather did nothing while
his two young grandsons stood in the middle of the aisle enjoying the
tumble they took when the train braked. I ended up warning the kids that
they could get hurt.
Be that as it may, the two women in the corner of the train were talking
G-d. It was a ferocious conversation. Here are some of their words:
"A person's mood during the day is determined by the mood he has when
he leaves his house. If he's in a good mood, he'll have a great day. If he's in
a bad mood, forget about his day."
And that was just for starters. "We can't be judging everyone. That's G-d's
job. He puts us on this Earth with love, and all that He wants in return is to
behave and help one another. We're in His image."
Before more discussions came from the women, a man seated about four
rows in front of me turned around, stretched out his arm and pointed his
finger at them while shaking his head in affirmation at the ladies. There was
only one other person on the train, who bolted out of the door when we
reached Woodberry, looking at me with an expression that said, "You're
on your own, kid."
There are now four of us in this car. And the man now yells to the women,
"People think of all kinds of ways not to go hear the word in church.
They'll blame their grandchild for something so they won't go." The women
shouted back: "Amen." The man shouts back, "Amen."
This is happening on a light rail train. I bury my head deeper in my
magazine, but I'm not reading a word. The woman with the loudest voice is
wearing what looks like a Wal-Mart smock. She's now giving a sermon
about Adam and Eve and the serpent. She talked about evil, she talked
about darkness.
The man in front of me said, "How can a man say he is a giver when he
keeps his fist clenched so tightly. You've got to give back to the people
from your riches. That's what G-d taught."
I was caught in a crossfire of amens and G-d-talk. When we reached
Mount Royal, the man in front of me got off. He said to the ladies, "Thank
you. You started this. Now let's live it." One of the women thanked him
back, calling him "my brother."
At my stop I had to pass the ladies to exit. I wanted to say something. But
I didn't know what it was. I heard the words coming from my mouth,
"Thank you, I agreed with just about everything you said. You made my
day."
One of the ladies answered, "G-d bless you. Thank you. Live a wonderful
day." The other woman said, "See you again."
I wonder if they'll be on the train when I go home.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in Washington and in the media consider "must reading." Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
JWR contributor Phil Jacobs is the editor of the Baltimore Jewish Times. Comment by clicking here.
© 2003, Baltimore Jewish Times
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