Spiritual, Not Religious, Authentic Judaism : B.S. Decoded

(This is my rebellion post. I officially wrote my last MHK blog post a week ago. But I'm a contrary person, so I am rebelling by posting again. Enjoy.)

Human beings generally don't like being labeled or stereotyped. But sometimes, stereotypes contain some truth. It may be an exaggerated and demonized version of the truth, but it's truth nonetheless. For the purposes of this post, I'm talking about those who try to avoid open and clear labeling of their religious beliefs - those folks who are "spiritual", not "religious" or "authentic". Take, for example, born-again (or once-born) Evangelical Christians. 

Havdalah For Mamzer HaKodesh

Havdalah is the Jewish ritual performed at the end of Shabbat, the holiest and most auspicious day of the Jewish week. It is therefore fitting to call this the havdalah post of Mamzer HaKodesh. This blog is, unfortunately, now defunct. 

This blog has been a way for me to express the internal struggle of my spiritual journey, and I may still post periodically or return to regular blogging in the future. However, the blog Mamzer HaKodesh  has now served it's purpose. I continue to be fascinated by arcane Jewish ritual, odd bits of Judeo-Christian religious history, legend and other curious trivia. I am not, however, fascinated enough to cast aside other projects I am currently undertaking.  Thank you to everyone who took the time to read it. It was my pleasure to engage you.

Israeli, Ashkenazi-Led Protests against African Refugees

So you can get to the video link on The Real News by clicking here. I wish I could figure out how to simply add the video-link, but I don't know how so you'll have to check the link.

Thank God I'm mixed-heritage. Thank God/dess I am able to see, more and more, how important it is to treat everyone with respect and love. That doesn't mean it's easy. But at least I know it's what matters most.

Passover Insights : Slave Mentality and Blaming the Victim

We are in the final stretch of Passover week, and I've been thinking about the basic holiday themes - miracles, faith, and courage - especially courage.  As I understand it, courage is the willingness to do the right thing even when you are afraid to do it. I've felt for a long, long time that I am a person with little courage. Many people have told me they think of me as courageous, because I'm willing to admit and talk about things they might be too scared to. But the things they see as courageous aren't that difficult for me. I've always been bold.

Passover and Harriet Tubman, The Black Moses

Passover will arrive in just under 24 hours (where I live), and time is of the essence. There are many places you can go to find funky, alternative seders and traditions. I wish I had time to give a significant list of links. But since I don't, I'm going to focus on Moses. Specifically, the Black Moses. You know, the woman.

Green Esther

Just wanted to share a drawing I did last week inspired by the theme of Purim. The hair color was a happy coincidence.

8 Interesting Facts About Purim

This weekend, the Jewish calendar turns to the Purim festival. Purim is a trickster holiday in that it is a time of jokes, riddles, masks and merriment. While not everyone celebrates Purim or even knows about it, it is a fairly popular holiday. I myself celebrated Purim as a child in Hebrew School and knew that it related to the biblical book of Esther, but I was not aware of the rich symbolic and mystical traditions and legends surrounding it. I also did not have the opportunity to explore the biblical and scholarly texts with the feminist and renewalist perspective I do today. So to help you celebrate Purim, here are 8 interesting Purim facts for your pleasure!