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February 13, 2012
Binyamin Rose: Back to the Bunker: How a life-risking act by a Christian family during the Holocaust saved a family and built a thriving community a world away
Menachem Wecker: Business Schools Teach Real Estate Despite Troubled Housing Market
February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
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?
February 3, 2012
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
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
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
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
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
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
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
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
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
The Other ‘Evil Eye’
By
Yaffa Ganz
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Several months ago, the world began looking somewhat hazy. When I realized that no,it wasn't smog, I decided the time had come to remove a cataract which had made its home on my eye. The procedure left me walking around in world of psychedelic colors. Although I couldn't see very well for a few days, I could still hear, so I attended a religious lecture that sounded interesting. And what I heard set me thinking.
The religious lecture dealt with the topic of Judgment. Not the Divine kind, but the human variety. How we judge our fellow man. Thanks to the Chafetz Chaim, our generation is more aware of the evils of Lashon Harah — Evil Speech (i.e. gossip and related topics) even if we don't always manage to stay clear of the pitfalls. But, said our lecturer, Lashon Harah is only a manifestation of something even worse — an Ayin Hara — an Evil Eye.
Good Speech, said the rabbi, depends upon viewing the world with an Ayin Tova — a good and benevolent eye. If we see our fellow man/woman and judge him/her in an uncritical, well disposed and favorable manner — we surely will not speak badly of him.
The idea of an Evil Eye intrigued me. What did it mean? How did it work? I knew people were always making mention of the Evil Eye, but was it really dangerous? And if so, what could we do about it? A little Biblical research uncovered a virtual treasure trove of information on the Evil Eye in the Torah portion in which Balak is discussed.
This is where we find the story of Bil'am, the gentile prophet whose prophetic status was considered equal to that of Moses. But Bil'am was afflicted with a fatal flaw; he had an Evil Eye — an ayin harah!
The Torah describes him as having a "hollow-holed eye". This physical disability, however, was a reflection of a deeper, spiritual flaw. While not mitigating his great gifts, the Torah describes him as a one-eyed scoundrel and conniver. With his limited uni-lens vision, Bil'am did not see the world clearly. Instead of G-d's infinite love and goodness and blessing, he chose to see hatred, sorrow and fear. Instead of mercy, he saw the glow of power. With his narrow vision, he saw only greed instead of generosity. Therefore, instead of enriching the world by acting as a pipeline for G-d's Divine blessings, he attempted to thwart G-d's Will and to distribute curses. Such were the distortive powers of an ayin hara.
On the other hand (or eye….) our father Abraham symbolized an Ayin Tova — a Good Eye. He gazed upon the world with love and compassion. He looked for the Divine Image in everyone he encountered, including his less-than-perfect nephew Lot and King Avimelech of Gerar. Even the evil men of Sodom were not summarily dismissed. Abraham embraced all of mankind, firmly believing that every person was created in the Divine Image and each had within him the power to be good. Because of this compassion, because of the ayin tova which he displayed toward G-d's world and creatures, Abraham became a source of blessing for all of mankind. His were the first pair of "Jewish eyes" — an a yin tova versus Bil'am's ayin hara.
Now please note: Abraham was not in the least bit myopic. He simply saw reality as G-d wished it to be seen. Is the glass half empty or half full? Either answer may be correct, but one view sets the stage for pessimism, cynicism and sorrow, while the other readies us for optimism, love, hope and faith. A pithy expression in Yiddish sums it up: Think good and it will be good!
Rabbi Akiva was another one with good, Jewish eyes. "You shall love your neighbor as you love yourself," was his golden rule —- a klal gadol ba'Torah — a basic rule in the Torah. Hillel the Elder went even further. When asked to explain the entire Torah while a cynical would-be convert stood on one foot, he simply stated, "Don't do unto others that which is hateful to you. All the rest is commentary. Now go and learn."
But that sounded too simple. Maybe the convert understood, but I didn't. Is that really all the Torah? Important yes; but all ?? What about the other 612 commandments? Could the entire Torah really be condensed into one seemingly minute instruction? Suddenly as my psychedelic colors began to clear up and I regained two-eyed vision, I slowly began to see the light. A G-d of love and kindness and mercy, of goodness and blessing, could not be properly seen or approached through an Ayin Harah. For an Ayin Hara leads to harsh, critical judgment which leads to feelings of superiority, which leads to Evil Speech and to sin'as chinam — dissonance and baseless hatred.
An Ayin Tova, on the other hand, leads to judging people kindly (or not judging at all!). It prevents criticism and separatism. It prevents us from doing unto others that which we'd rather they didn't do unto us. It leads to ahavas chinam — "free", undemanding, unrequited love. It creates a world of shalom and unity and re'ut — friendship. This is what Torah is all about. Putting the pieces of our fractured selves and souls together and joining our fellow Jews in an attempt to unite with the ultimate Unity. So long as we are divided, we cannot become one with the One, Indivisible G-d. This then is the foundation stone of the entire Torah.
So my cataract proved to be a highly propitious push towards clearer vision. A new pair of glasses with a new prescription to fit my newly unclouded sight painted the world in Jewish colors. The rose-colored lenses focused on compassion, understanding and peace. On love and forgiveness. On menshlichkeit. As Hillel said, the rest is all commentary. All I have to do now is remember to keep those glasses squeaky clean.
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JWR contributor Yaffa Ganz is the award-winning author of more than forty titles, including "A Different Dimension".
ENJOY THIS COLUMN?
We recommend you pick up "A Different Dimension", the author's latest. From contemplating the complexities of candlesticks to pondering the power of computers -- with every imaginable topic in between -- this book is a delight for the mind and the soul; a fresh, original look at life.
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© 2009, Yaffa Ganz
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