Wednesday 26 March 2014

Family Influences

I was reflecting the other day about the influences on my life, after reflection I thought of the following :

  • My late  mother, for teaching me Torah and a love of Sephardic culture and the world of Jewry all told 
  • My late father, for teaching and encouraging me in my secular studies, alongside religious ones .For instilling in me a sense of understanding about my host country Great Britain
  • My late paternal uncle, for teaching me that one can respect and appreciate different faiths, without being untrue to your own
  • My late first wife, who as she was  from a Chabad-Lubavitch background, helped me realise that not all mysticism is wrong or not worth studying, who gave me a joy & companionship, that I'd never  thought would ever be possible and a love of humanity that endured until she died.
  • My twin brother Sholmo, who has always stood by me in a fight
  • My sister Esther, whose knowledge of the Torah is complimented by her compassion toward others
  • My sister Ruth,whose patience and ability to listen without judgement has keep me going 
  • My brother Samuel, who provides much needed levity and brings me to earth with a crash
  • My sister Rachel, whose sharp tonge and fierece loyality will be appreciated by a future husband
  • My sister Hannah, who for her kindness during my darkest hours of depression and loneliness, I might not be here today.
  • My children, who remind me of the miracle of life, the miracle of love, that family can be an exhausting proposition, but a deeply rewarding one.
  • My second wife, who filled a void in my heart that I never thought would ever be filled again. Who provides nothing other than, love, attention and beauty in my life. Who helped me understand that rationalism and mystical belief can be reconciled and that even as she was an atheist before her conversion to Judaism. she was not far oft from The Almighty.
And last, but never least, Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh,- The One Who Was, The One Who Is-without whom I would not be here and the above be possible. As a Jew I have wrestled with Hashem, as did Jacob, all of my life. But he has been with me, even if I not with him, bring this lost sheep of Israel back to his fold, as he has done with my brother Samuel and sister Hannah.

Halleluyah, Ha-Kadosh Barukh Hu, Halleluyah


34 comments:

  1. Thanks David, care care bro!!

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  2. Samuel Kavanagh27 March 2014 at 23:35

    Hey Dude,

    We're all here to help each other out. You've helped me on plenty of occasions !

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  3. Dave,

    I do believe that this is the closest we'll get to see you gushing! (:

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  4. Hi David,

    A moving post. I don't think I've ever seen you so emotional, except for Grandfather's funeral? (:

    Hugs!

    Lou

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  5. A heartfelt post supporting traditional Jewish values.

    G-d bless, from Jews in America.

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  6. Atheist Shrugged28 March 2014 at 19:47

    The next war will start not in Sevastopol but Jerusalem

    There are now only a few days left before a humiliated US Secretary, John Kerry, will be forced to publicly announce that months of hard negotiation, to bring about a peace settlement between the Palestinians and Israel, have once again deliberately ended in failure by the announcement of the Israeli government of thousands more illegal homes to be built in the West Bank, plus the daily killing of civilians in Gaza, Lebanon and Jordan by the IDF.

    This strategy by the Netanyahu government was prepared months ago in order to scupper any talk of peace whilst limiting humiliation to the White House.

    There was never any intention by nuclear Israel to allow a Palestinian state on the West Bank with its capital In East Jerusalem.

    The Israeli government has for years used the device of ambiguity not only to colonise the Occupied Territories but also to develop a nuclear arsenal estimated to be the most powerful in the world after the US and Russia.

    There is no European state either within the EU, or outside, that has a nuclear offensive capability to match that of Israel, a state of just 8 million people.
    However, one fact is indisputable: Netanyahu speaks and acts ONLY for his minority right-wing constituencies in Israel and America NOT for the worldwide Jewish diaspora where he is variously considered either a rabble rouser or a dangerous demagogue. It is indeed a tragedy that such a self-serving politician and his cohort in the US Congress can cause such global instability as he continues his dangerous colonisation in violation of the Geneva Conventions and in contempt of worldwide condemnation.

    Meanwhile, the EU parliament has, as yet, still not abrogated the EU-Israel Association Agreement that effectively pays for Israeli aggression and land expropriation.

    The EU needs to act to stop all bilateral trade with the Israeli state until such time as it conforms to international law and also exposes its undeclared nuclear arsenal to IAEA inspection.
    _____________________________

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  7. This still doesn't exclude the racist zionist bigotry here...

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  8. Antipodean Jewess29 March 2014 at 08:23

    @ Atheist

    How can there be peace when one half of the Palestinians is dedicated to destroying Israel? Israel gave Gaza back to them and they promptly turned into a fire base to launch rockets into Israel.

    Then there is this from the Palestinians
    Two Palestinian Authority officials recently asserted that Islamic law forbids Jews from praying at the Western Wall of the Temple Mount, both adding that the wall was an integral part of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

    “Allah decreed that the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque is Islamic and belongs to Muslims alone,” Tayseer Al-Tamimi, former Chief Justice of PA Religious Court said on February 17, according to a translation provided by political NGO Palestinian Media Watch.

    “It is part of the religious belief of a billion and a half Muslims, and the Jews have no right to it… Or the right to pray in any part of it. The Al-Aqsa Mosque includes all its courtyards… and specifically, its western wall.”

    Last month, Palestinian Authority Minister of Religious Affairs Mahmoud Al-Habbash stated that he believes non-Muslims should be barred from praying at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which, according to him, includes the Western Wall as well.

    An example of that well known tolerance from Islam.

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  9. Antipodean Jewess29 March 2014 at 08:24

    London's Willy,

    Zionism isn't racism you walnut!

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  10. Antipodean Jewess29 March 2014 at 08:24

    Great Post David Kav, family is the centre of Judaism and always will be.

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  11. "My late first wife, who as she was from a Chabad-Lubavitch"

    I though you were Sephardi-Middle Eastern Jews??!? Chabad is mystical Azkenzy isn't it?

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  12. Atheist Shrugged29 March 2014 at 11:59

    Antipodean Jewess,

    What we should be doing with the rest of the western world, is heaping huge sanctions on Israel for it continuing to break International laws.

    Some of those laws being.

    1.Illegally building settlements on occupied Palestinian territory which is a breach of the Geneva convention.

    2.Illegally taking resources from an occupied territory. Another breach of the Geneva convention.

    3. Settling Israelis on occupied Palestinian land. Breach of the Geneva convention.

    4. Israel is an apartheid racist state, as is Zionism.

    Israel is a rogue state and should be treated like one.

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  13. I surely can't be the only woman on here is a stable, happy long term monogamous relationship, with a child, who isn't married. I rather take exception to some of the comments that imply that unless we marry we are less committed, to each other and our child. Somehow less of a family for our reluctance to involve a church and state in our relationship that niether of us particularly respects. Our love is a very precious and very private thing to us. We have nothing to prove so why go to the bother and expense for a legal doccument that isn't neccessary anyway ?

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  14. Um, Lisa,

    What's that got to go with the discussion at hand?

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  15. Judaism is a male dominated faith, fully of sexism. You should leave it if you are a Jew, luv, as it is sexist, homophobic and racist

    I cannot believe the rationalization here. Judaism as practiced by orthodox jews is prejudicial based on gender and on sexual orientation. I am so completely sick of rationalizing orthodox jews pretending that sexism or homophobia based on your religion is anything other than sexism and homophobia. If I went to a restaurant and was told women could only sit in one section and couldn’t sit closer even if they wanted to JUST because they were women, or white people could only sit in one section, not closer, JUST because they are white, it would be shut down as violating basic civil rights.

    But because it’s a synagoggue, it’s okay? Why is it that men can step in and perform ALL of women’s obligations if women aren’t available but women can NEVER step in and fulfill men’s obligations in reverse? A man can light the shabbat candles if a woman is not available but a woman can never count toward a miyan if a man isn’t available?

    How can anyone in the modern world possibly rationalize this kind of blatant violation of basic human rights for one more minute? Every establishment in Britain that violates basic human rights and promotes segregation and inotolerance of different sexual orientations should be shut down.

    I don’t care how many nice orthodox husbands help with the shopping. I don’t care how many mean secular husband’s don’t help with the kids. One example doesn’t change the institutional sexism and humiliation women feel in orthodox judaism.

    To any Jewish women here,Just tell your loving, supportive orthodox husband to take his underwear to a female rabbi to make sure the female rabbit deems it okay for him to have sex in his private home with his wife, and let’s see how much longer your ridiculous rules would continue. Honestly, from one woman to another, look in the mirror and take accountability for your actions. How horrible an example you are setting for the youth.

    Thank goodness the Christian faith I practice promotes me to teach my children about equality for ALL and thank god they will grow up to be moral human beings who don’t disguise their blatant immorality in the name of "G-D".

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  16. My Dear Brother,

    Greetings from Eretz Yisrael,Judea and Samaria! I do believe you are 'gushing'. Heh, you'll have to change the moniker of 'The Vulcan' if this goes on. You've always been a stalwart and a devout Jew. You've looked after me and helped more people than you now. Take care now.

    And, Atheist Shrugged, we've only had a 'count' of 5 rockets today. Reported in media? No. Terrorists are really nice cuddly chaps who are 'right' to slaughter Jews, aren't they?

    Ziva David, like your style and Moniker; Antipodean Jewess; well said!

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  17. As a Catholic I can see yet again that my faith is similar to Judaism, as in Catholicism the Family (one man, one woman in married unity) are the core foundation of society; Christ is our saviour, the Church our Rock.

    As the Blessed Pope John Paul II said, you are truly our elder brothers. And no I don't agree with the Spanish Inquisition and the vile way in which Christians have treated Jews in the past. I - and most Catholics- are ashamed and repentant of these crimes against the Jewish people. Do you forgive this or will you never forget?

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  18. Atheist Shrugged29 March 2014 at 18:54

    Sholmo,

    Utter zionist propaganda!! You refer to Palestine, not Israel; the west bank is NOT Judea and Samaria!

    Terry Knappe,

    Bollocks. The Catholic Church is a hate filled racket; they support the Zionist state, although they were correct in checking Jewish extremism in Spain & Europe, but they are AGAINST gay love and marriage. Disgraceful!

    What we need is a state which allows the religions to practice their faith (subject to oversight- i.e. ban indoctrination of the religious and child mutilation/ animal welfare slaughter). We don't need religions thinking they have any place in the public square!

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  19. @ Knappe,

    For the better part of a century now, the Catholic Church has been
    trying to establish a "dialogue" with the Muslim world while at the
    same time showing hostility towards Israel.

    The irony, of course, is that Eurabia, formerly known as Europe,
    which is predominantly Catholic, will soon be overtaken by Muslims,
    whereas the U.S., which still has a considerable righteous gentile
    (Protestant) component, is doing much better in terms of survival.

    In Catholic anti-Semitism I find a very disturbing component, common
    to Islam---ideologically motivated hatred towards Jews, and
    institutionalized brainwashing of young children. Whereas the
    Jewish position is, "Leave us alone, let us worship God on our land,"The Catholic (and Islamic) position is, "We will not rest so long asthere is a single non-Catholic (resp. non-Muslim) on this Earth.

    Very disturbing.

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  20. Dominique Vasilkovsky29 March 2014 at 19:43


    What do Catholic schools teach children specifically about Jews andJudaism? What do Catholic parents tell their children about Jews?

    I am inclined to believe that most Catholics hate Jews and the "Old
    Testament," that they believe that Judaism is a backward, primitive
    religion, that "the god of the Tanach" (as they call the
    Creator) is an evil, cruel deity that was replaced by their "better,"
    more enlightened Holy Trinity theory.

    Whether they support or oppose illegal immigration, most Catholics
    are united in their hatred towards Jews and Evangelicals. Why?
    Is it the Good Friday Prayer for the "perfidious Jews" to convert to
    "the truth"? Is it the view that the Catholic Church represents
    the "new people of God"?

    My continuous interaction with many Catholics, most of whom are
    implacable Jew haters, on various web forums only confirms my belief
    that there is no future for Jews in the U.S., and strengthens my
    resolve to have decided to immigrate to Israel

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  21. Great post David,

    Thanks (:

    Sister Ruth x

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  22. Atheist,

    Judea and Samaria are a part of Eretz Yisrael, sorry to upset your anti-semitic world view, but this is a fact.

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  23. Sholmo,

    Fuck u u son of a mother f* and I'm Palastinian so back the f off u asshole!

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  24. Keeping Up with the Kavanaghs29 March 2014 at 20:03

    Respect to your SISTER Hannah! Gay, Jewish, out and Proud! Love the Kav family!

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  25. Bopel

    Please no swearing. We can at least be civilized? No? Didn't think so. Well the Torah says that Eretz Yisrael IS the Jewish homeland. Sorry to upset you there. Israel is as England was in 1940- alone, isolated, but wonderfully defiant against the Nazi hordes. THERE WILL BE NO RETREAT, NO SURRENDER AND NO CAPITULATION TO ISLAMIC TERROR REGIMES!

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  26. 29 March 2014 20:03

    Our sister has returned to the fold, as has our brother. G-d calls his people to him, even as they reject him. And he does restore the years the Locusts hath eaten...

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  27. Billy The Evangelist Preacher29 March 2014 at 21:19

    I agree with Terry Knappe,

    Jesus Christ was a Jew! Salvation comes via the Jewish nation as a testament to God's power and love! The Christian and the Jew worship the same Holy Father, we are brothers and sisters in the Lord!

    Christianity acknowledges the God of the Jews! Christianity itself cleaves to God because it knows that the Father can be reached only through Jesus Christ. Christians are all wholly agreed as to what Christ and his church mean to the world: no one can reach the Father save through him. No one can reach the Father! But the situation is quite different for one who does not have to reach the Father because he is already with him. And this is true of the people of Israel; our Jewish friends, brothers and sisters!

    Amen and Amen!

    A hymn of praise :

    1. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
    Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee
    Holy, holy, holy merciful and mighty!
    God in three Persons blessed Trinity

    2. Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee
    Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea
    Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee
    Who wert and art and evermore shalt be

    3. Holy, holy, holy! Tho the darkness hide thee
    Tho the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see
    Only thou art holy there is none beside thee
    Perfect in pow'r in love and purity

    4. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
    All thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea
    Holy, holy, holy merciful and mighty!
    God in three Persons blessed Trinity!

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  28. Shoom, thanks for that (:

    Esther,

    Yep. This is the closest I get to 'gushing'.. heh

    Ziva,

    Your contributions are as ever welcome. G-d bless!

    Terry,

    Thanks for that post, much appreciated.

    Al Calavicci,

    My first wife was a Russian Jew. Sephardic Judaism doesn't have too much a problem of rationalist schools and mystic schools, which blights 'Akenzy' Jewry

    London's Willy,

    'racist zionist bigotry'

    Which would be what???? .............

    Ruth,

    Look forward to seeing you tomorrow (:

    Atheist Shrugged,

    Numerous derisory and ridiculous posts from you as usual. Get a life my friend.

    Antipodean Jewess,

    Thanks for your various posts. A welcome contribution to our humble bog. Thanks (:

    Lisa,

    Please. Stop making yourself out to be a complete fool... Judaism is so male dominated, you are Jewish if your mother is Jewish.... That figures.

    Sholmo,

    Bro! Jolly good show!

    Over?

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  29. Hi David,

    Very kind and moving post from you (:

    Hugs to you !

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  30. David

    You didn't answer my question though. Do you hate Christians?

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  31. Antipodean Jewess30 March 2014 at 14:27

    Thanks,

    Great site btw!

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  32. Terry Knapp,

    You've changed the question from forgiving and forgetting to Jews hating non Jews. Is tat a freudian slip? David can answer for himself, but I'd say yes Jews have forgiven. The forgetting is harder to and there is a line of thought which says why should we?

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  33. Terry,

    A loaded question. I think Esther has this about right.

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