#The foundation of Man

[mytardisisparked]

The reason Psych is the Important Show of All Time is because it said "friendship is the MOST important thing." Like, yes, the romances were good but the show spends even more time emphasizing and developing the friendships and that's why it rocks. Lassiter and Juliet love and support each other unconditionally without even the slightest whiff of romance and it is SO. REFRESHING. When Juliet almost dies, Lassie sacrifices his favorite gun to save her without any hesitation. He's the one there to hold her while she cries. She's his confidant. She leaves everything she knows behind so he can chase his dream of being chief without reprocussion. That's a deep, wholesome kind of platonic love. They also never had Shawn be jealous of how close Jules and Lassie are - instead, in the final episode, we see Shawn thanking Lassie for loving and supporting Juliet. We simply don't do that jealousy crap here. Lassie and Jules are best friends and that's an excellent thing. And then there's Shawn and Gus. Those characters are narratively and physically inseperable. The show makes it VERY clear that, without the other, neither one is complete. They balance each other and exacerbate each other's hijinks at the same time. They're closer than close and everyone around them just accepts it. It's just the way those two dumb boys are and no one is going to try to get between that. And then, of course, SO many friendships develop over the course of the show. Lassie and Shawn form a begrudging friendship eventually. Juliet and Karen end up bonding more than I think either expected. Friendship is the beating heart of this series and it's presented in a way that is unique and fun and I just don't see a lot of other shows that do it like Psych did.

[americanmysticom]

though all things emanate from G-d through His attributes of love and awe, these attributes can find themselves in a state of exile

Daily Study

Daily Tanya

Iggeret HaKodesh, beginning of Epistle 25

This letter comments on a discourse (in Tzavaat Harivash, sec. 120 in the Kehot edition) in which the Baal Shem Tov explains that though all things emanate from G-d through His attributes of love and awe, these attributes can find themselves in a state of exile.

The Baal Shem Tov goes on to say that in the same way, a worshipper who finds that his endeavors to concentrate are being disturbed by someone speaking should consider: “Why did G-d bring me here, where this talker is disturbing my prayers? After all, everything is Providential.”

Indeed it is, explains the Baal Shem Tov: this man’s talk is a spark of the radiance of the Shechinah that has descended and now “abides” in his mouth in order that the worshipper should exert himself so strenuously that he will be able to ignore the disturbance. (The verb used in the above-quoted version of the teaching is “abides”; as the Alter Rebbe will soon explain, the proper term is “vested”.)

Especially so, the text there goes on to say, if the person speaking is a heathen or a child, then the realization that the Shechinah has (as it were) contracted itself to such a degree should surely bring the worshipper to ever-increasing fervor.

It would seem that the opponents of Chasidism seized upon this statement of the Baal Shem Tov: they could not understand how one could possibly say that the Shechinah “abided” (or even was “vested”) within a heathen.

The Alter Rebbe explains this in the present letter, beginning with the teaching of the Sages that “whoever is in a rage resembles an idolater.” A Jew, he explains, must know that everything comes from G-d. When someone strikes him or angers him with words, he should remind himself that at that very moment, a glimmer of the Divine Presence—which provides life to all creatures and to this individual as well—has vested itself within that person.

The Alter Rebbe goes on to prove this from King David’s response when Shimi ben Geira cursed him. King David said: “For G-d told him, ‘Curse!’” Although we do not find it explicitly stated that G-d told Shimi to curse David, still, since G-d’s spirit animated Shimi at the moment that he cursed David, thus providing him with the strength to do so, David considered this as if “G-d told him to curse.” Indeed, as the Alter Rebbe goes on to explain, a glimmer or radiance of the Shechinah vests itself even in kelipot.

Throughout this discussion, the Alter Rebbe does not actually quote the Baal Shem Tov’s teaching nor the above objection to it. The reason for the latter omission may perhaps be understood in light of the fact that the Alter Rebbe was prepared for mesirut nefesh, literally risking his life, not to be sundered from any teaching or even the slightest gesture of the Baal Shem Tov, even if it would only appear to be so in the eyes of the beholder.1

It is thus reasonable to assume that here, as well, the Alter Rebbe chose not to even mention an objection raised against a teaching of the Baal Shem Tov; he merely clarifies the concepts involved, and the objection falls away as a matter of course.

“To comprehend the words of understanding,” i.e., the words of Torah,2

stated in the book called Tzavaat Rivash3 (“The Testament of R. Yisrael Baal Shem Tov”),

though in fact it is not at all4 his will or testament, and he did not ordain anything before his passing;

they (i.e., the teachings in this book) are merely gleanings of his pure sayings

The adjective (“pure”) recalls the phrase in the morning blessings, טְהוֹרָה הִיא, that describes the pristine purity of a soul before it descends from the World of Atzilut; likewise, the verse, (“as pure as the very heavens”5).

that were gathered as “compilations after compilations,”6

and [the compilers] did not know how to phrase his teachings exactly.

The Baal Shem Tov used to speak in Yiddish, and the teachings in Tzavaat Harivash are recorded in Hebrew.

The connotation, however, of the teachings is absolutely true.

The Alter Rebbe now begins to explain the statement in Tzavaat Harivash, sec. 120.

And this [will be understood] by first considering the teaching of our Sages, of blessed memory: “Whoever is in a rage resembles an idolater.”7

The reason [for this] is clear to “those who know understanding,”8

because at the time of his anger, faith in G-d and in His individual Divine Providence has left him,

for were he to believe that what happened to him was G-d’s doing, he would not be angry at all.

True, it is a person possessed of free choice that is cursing him, or striking him, or causing damage to his property,

and [therefore] guilty according to the laws of man and the laws of heaven for his evil choice.

The perpetrator for his part cannot plead innocence on the grounds that he is merely an instrument in the hands of Divine Providence.

Nevertheless, as regards the person harmed, this [incident] was already decreed in heaven,

and “G-d has many agents”9 through whom He can act,

Hence, even if the offending party had chosen otherwise, the incident would have befallen the victim in any case.

This discussion recalls the teaching of the Mechilta cited by Rashi on the verse, “and G-d caused it to happen to him.”10 For to such a case, the Mechilta applies the verse, “From evildoers, there emerges evil.”11 This means that though it was decreed from above that someone should sustain an injury, G-d brings it about that a particular person should inflict it.

That context, however, speaks of an unwitting injury. In the case of a potentially willful offender, if instead of choosing freely to act in an evil manner he chose to do otherwise, the event would still have occurred, for “G-d has many agents,” as quoted above.

At any rate, it is thus clear that the victim has no cause to be angry with the offender, for the true cause of the offense was not him, but a heavenly decree.

The Alter Rebbe now takes this one step further: Not only does the heavenly decree give the offender an undefined potential to do harm, but moreover, the particular thought to do it and the power to do it, all come about from G-d. (At the same time, since man has freedom of choice, he can of course choose to reject such a thought and refrain from doing such a deed.)

Anger thus remains unjustifiable. For the offended party is not angry that the other party made an evil choice; what angers him is the damage done to him. His anger thus results from his lack of belief that the true cause for his mishap is not a particular individual’s evil choice but a heavenly decree.

And not only this, that a heavenly decree gave permission in principle and made it possible that he suffer injury,

but even at that very moment at which [the offender] strikes or curses him,

there is vested in him (in the offender) a force from G-d and the breath of His mouth, which animates and sustains him,

as it is written: “For G-d told him, ‘Curse!’”12

Now, where did He say so to Shimi? Where do we find it written that G-d told him to curse David?

Only, this thought that occurred in Shimi’s heart and mind to curse David descended from G-d, Who was thus responsible for such a thought entering Shimi’s mind,

and “the breath of His mouth, which animates all the hosts [of heaven],”13

animated the spirit of Shimi at the time he spoke those words to David,

for if the breath of G-d’s mouth had departed from the spirit of Shimi for a single moment, he could not have spoken at all.

https://www.chabad.org/dailystudy/tanya.asp?tdate=10/20/2022&auto=audio#lt=primary&auto=audio&author=13568&index=1

-

[The perspective of G-d’s Instruction within this world, is the perspective of G-d’s Will, and man’s free choice

- therefore judgement

[The Truth].

A turning of the prism - different from are the interests of perceiving the road and winds of change

[The way],

or and, Essential nature [that which is not touched in any way by change, nor soiled at all by the least mote of soot

[The Life].

Building out further are

[The Garment] or ‘Yoke’,

and

[The Thread].

The Long Shorter Way: Discourses on Chasidic Thought Kindle Edition https://www.amazon.com/Long-Shorter-Way-Discourses-Chasidic-ebook/dp/B00JVWXBN6

footnote; while the Tanya is a teaching within a closed system maintaining the purity of original inception.

it provides an utmost valuable record of pure thought stream inclusive of the Oneness of G-d’s nature

not to be conflated with distortions of perception predicated on personal egotistical assumptions,

which in Truth are overly biased

toward the soot,

or ‘husk’

which is the necessary byproduct (transient protection) of for

the ‘seed’.

So the interpretation in a nutshell;

is that the whole process is intended for expansive growth and rebirth

through experiential realization of the seed

and

not the husk.]

Many thanks to Yehoshua B. Gordon and Rebbe who continue to live,

in Gan Eden.

Addendum;

and for those who appear to be experiencing difficulties - it will just be taking a little bit longer. :)

[wolfythewitch]

What is it with sexy men and their complicated relationship with death

[saturncodedstarlette]

[theshitpostcalligrapher]

fun fact when i was a kid/teen i thought I was gonna go into comic/manga illustration and i realized i still have my weeb sketchbook... from 2013.

wanna take a look?

[uncanny-tranny]

Something that amuses me between knitters and crocheters is this... almost humble nature each craft has about the other. I couldn't imagine how one would knit, and I know some of the basics - and yet, I have met so many knitters who say crochet is impossible, and yet I find it to be so simple. There's just something charming about when one recognizes just how much skill, effort, patience, and care go into a craft, and to be humbled by just how incredible human ingenuity and creativity are

[cock-holliday]

It’s not at all surprising that cisfeminists try to push people out of conversations about reproductive care but it’s bizarre as fuck for trans people to do it. Like, I do not know how to express to you that this topic affects like 99% of trans (and adjacent) people.

Obviously (apparently not obvious to many of you) trans and not-cis or not-dyadic people who have or had (at least some of) the organs that allow you to carry a pregnancy are affected by it. It’s YOUR parts. Everyone who can get pregnant is affected. Everyone who could have an abortion is affected. Everyone who has to worry about birth control for THEIR specific own protection is affected. Everyone who has to get a pap smear is affected. It’s regulation about THAT healthcare, about THOSE parts, about accessing care for YOUR body.

Likewise, the ability and responsibility to bear children is placed on ALL women. Every woman who cannot, will not, or won’t become pregnant has their womanhood challenged. It doesn’t matter if it’s a physical impossibility (infertility AND choice to remove ability AND never having the ability to begin with) or a personal choice despite the ability—if you identify with womanhood, a large piece of the narrative is equating that role with baby-carrier. Which exists both in larger misogynistic society and as a point of pride among cisfeminists.

It’s a feminist issue for how we need to destroy the way society forces a role, it’s a feminist issue on the grounds of bodily autonomy. So just about everyone, regardless of AGAB, is affected in some way.

It does no good to forget (accidentally or intentionally) the trans people whose bodies are being policed in medicine, nor pretend those whose bodies are being policed by societal role are “being brought up for no reason.”

Of all the genders; trans man, trans woman, cis woman, and identities adjacent and between—none escape this scrutiny and it is a topic that affects all of us.

The only role that it affects less is ‘cis man,’ and even then only so far. Either cis man is an identity that one may not hold permanently in which case the previously cis man is brought into the above categories, OR it’s a role that should be brought into the conversation more because of personal responsibility to the above groups. If we are to actually shift sole responsibility for pregnancy from the one who can get pregnant to also encompass those who can get people pregnant (expanding birth control responsibility, financial and parental responsibility, etc) we have to recognize that no body or identity is absent from this conversation, even if one identity is a silent presence over it all.

[froggoexists]

My favorite slightly corrupt charity/polycule <3

[kalienrue]

"So... what's your type?"

Me:

[eeternalferret]

possibly the most attractive he's ever looked....don't know what that says about me

[astronomodome]

cartoon train whistle wolf howl awooga awooga sound effect

[undemolitioned-lovers]

i feel like foundations of decay is the song equivalent of lying on your back with your eyes closed in the middle of a forest at dusk while the cool rain hits you through a clearing in the trees with a sharp intensity that comforts you despite the mild pain of it all, and as the rain is soaking through your clothes, and you're growing cold, and as you feel the dirt sticking to you, you open your eyes and look up at the sky, and feel truly alive again, yet somehow not quite human at the same time

[rcbertleckie]

AUSTIN BUTLER as GALE 'BUCK' CLEVEN MASTERS OF THE AIR · part seven

[saturncodedstarlette]

[In life you have two paths who you want to become]

Type A Y/N : I like to do illustrations ☺️💕

Type B Y/N : I like to dissect people, did you know I’m utterly insane ☺️💕

[theminecraftbee]

Skizz and Tango go back to the island, in the end. BigB follows along behind quietly. Something is slicking the path between them, and it’s like blood, Skizz thinks, and it’s like mistrust, Skizz thinks, and it’s like wondering what’s about to happen, Skizz thinks, but mostly it’s like—

“They burned down our heart, Tops.”

There are smoldering ashes on the ground. If anything’s a symbol.

“Yeah, they sure did,” Tango says.

None of them say anything else.

[glowl0]

get locked out idiot