Sunday, November 4, 2012

Blog Blast for Peace 2012




We posted this last year as our entry in the Blog Blast for Peace, 
but it's such a powerful message, we thought it worth repeating.

***

For many years, the U.S. had a governmental affairs office in D.C. headed by a man named Moshe Shearer. This man, a rabbi, had a very interesting insight into the concept of peace.  One of the oldest practices in Judaism, he said, involves a prayer that concludes with a phrase known as Oseh Shalom.

Oseh Shalom is probably the most famous prayer for peace in the Hebrew language – and in my opinion one of the most beautiful, especially when you hear its melody. Translated, it goes something like this:
“May he who makes peace in the high places make peace for us…”

Interestingly, tradition requires that you begin by taking three steps back, then as you say the prayer, you bow to the left, to the right and to the front. Rabbi Sherer taught that the reason for this was to remind us that there is only one way to truly achieve peace among people.

Shalom
Stepping back represents stepping back from oneself, dropping personal agendas and willingly letting go of those strongly held personal viewpoints. This helps remove obstacles that stand in the way of objectivity.

And while pure objectivity may never be achieved, this practice helps you to better understand the viewpoint of your adversary.

Keeping an open mind and striving for objectivity are a critical first step, true, but if we truly want peace we need to be willing to bend.
A little bit of compromise, whether it’s the left, the right or the center, may just be the necessary component to achieving true peace.


May we all learn to step back and be willing to bend.

***
 If you've never heard it, click below:



Oseh Shalom Bimromav. Hu ya’aseh shalom aleinu. 
V'yal kol Israel, v'imru Amein.

 ***

36 comments:

  1. We wish peace to all. Have a super Sunday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  2. Excellent peace post!! We wish you all peace...today and every day!!

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  3. Peace in the mideast and the rest of the world.

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  4. We pawraying for peace for everyone. Have a great Sunday guy'z xx00xx

    Mollie and Alfie

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  5. Here's to Peace for all species, today and every single day!

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  6. Such a lovely post, dear friends. Oseh Shalom.

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  7. Such a lovely post. We always love reading your blog because we learn so much here. Keep up the good work, and may your life be filled with peace.

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  8. Thank you for sharing the song. It's beautiful! Peace to all our friends. :)

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  9. I join in with wishing for peace for all.. Hugs GJ xx

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  10. Thank you so much for sharing this~it's beautiful. Peace to all of you.

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  11. I love the quote you mention: "May he who makes peace in high places, make peace for us." But the video you enclosed is one of the most stirring I have ever watched - it shows the spirit that lives within human hearts and minds, and inspires. If humans can feel what these performers feel then, yes, we can certainly achieve the peaceful world we want.

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    1. We agree with you completely! May we all learn to take 3 steps back - and to bend.

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  12. Beautiful song - thanks for sharing. Peace be with you.

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  13. Wonderful post!!! We're purring for peace today too.


    The Florida Furkids

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  14. Peace to you and yours on this Blog Blast Day and in every day to come.

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  15. Brilliant! That's the Chief Rabbi in the UK, Jonathan Sacks at the beginning. Very moving video. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

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    1. Yes, we are huge fans of Rabbi Lord Sacks and the books he has written. "The Dignity of Difference" is quite a good read. He'll be coming to the USA to a yeshiva on the east coast as soon as his replacement is found, from what I hear. We're so sorry to steal him away. :-)

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    2. Oh, and "To Heal a Fractured World" - perfect for the Blog Blast for Peace. Must go read that one again...

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  16. We love your peace post!!! xxoo

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  17. This is a great post. We join you in wishing for peace throughout the world.

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  18. Oh Wow!
    Thanks yous for sharing on this most peaceful of days!
    Kisses
    Nellie

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  19. Purrs of peace to you today - that is an awesome post and well worth a repeat! Loved the song!

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  20. this was superb! I am embarrassed to say, I am Jewish and i had never heard of that quote. Thank you for sharing!

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  21. We're purring for a peaceful world.

    Truffle and Brulee

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  22. Great post and I love the song. Here's to stepping back and seeking peaceful compromise. Peace be with you, now and always.

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  23. That is a really really beautiful prayer and message!
    Purrs of peace to you my furriends!

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  24. Very interesting story. Peace for all.

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  25. Beautiful post and beautiful song. Dona Nobis Pacem.

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  26. Dear Ryker, Allie, and Family,

    Thank you for taking the time to stop by Suka's blog and write such kind words of sympathy after Suka's passing. It meant a lot to me. Knowing that others care and understand, and reading your thoughtful words, helps me in my grief.

    I am sorry that Suka did not know you as he would have loved to befriend such beautiful and smart cats.

    Peace,

    K (Suka's human)

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  27. Great message for peace,xx Speedy and mum

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  28. Great message for peace,xx Speedy and mum

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  29. I've never heard this version before. It's beautiful. Thanks for posting it.

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  30. Lovely video...you could see the choire really meant it!

    Sorry to arrive so late here, but here I am at last :-)

    I'll put a link to your peace post in the blog "Peace Bloggers Unite" later

    Namaste! Peace to you and yours.

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Coolio! A comment? For US?