Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 22 Aug 2010

*** Check out news, political opinion, political humor and funny cartoons, recipes, science news, poetry, funny posts, photography, spiritual thoughts and great quotes.





From Denny: I tell ya, this summer heat index of 116 degrees Fahrenheit, along with the WikiLeaks nutjob child who thinks he's stalking me on this blog, you know it's a full moon out tonight. This poor kid has scrambled eggs for brains, taking a second and third run at me.

Guess it's time to go ahead and do another WikiLeaks post to explain to him and his silly little friends living in some gaming fantasy world in their heads that real life is not a computer game. It's much more serious because the people who are stalking them are out for a lot more than winning their props as a gamer.

As far as posts go I did manage to find some interesting health and science news and had some fun with some photo posts too. Take a look.



The Social Poets:


BP Screws Over Gulf Residents With New Claims Restrictions - BP continues to play the shell game of moving the pea with misdirection and sleight of hand, with the definition of "legitimate claims" an elusive target to hit for residents.

Economy, Afghan War, America, World Politics Cartoons - 21 Aug 2010 - This week's political opinion delivered through the national cartoonists.

Obama Family Photos and New Michelle Obama Portrait Unveiled - Enjoy the new First Lady portrait and a few other well done photographs of the First Family.

Scumbag WikiLeaks Founder Assange Charged With Rape in Sweden - Sweden charges WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, with rape and molestation.

Poetess Defies, Shocks Saudi Arabia - A brave woman in the Middle East dares to criticize her religion and her culture - through a live TV national poetry competition, the Arab world version of American Idol.

Funny Back to School Quotes and Cartoons - Cheeky Quote Day 18 Aug 2010 - Get a grin at some great cartoons and funny quotes about parents' favorite time of the year: when the kids go back to school.

Funny Video: Truth Is Bush Tax Cuts Are 30 Percent Of Our Deficit

Roundup of Late Night Funnies - 16 Aug 2010 - Check out this week's funny late night jokes and latest cartoons lampooning politics to American culture, with a funny side dish of funny video clips thrown in to keep you grinning.

Funny Video: Newt Gingrich Mocked by Colbert For Lack of Morals - Check out Colbert as he mocks the amoral Gingrich trying to make a political comeback for President.




The Healing Waters:


Lonely people: Under More Pressure Have Higher Blood Pressure - Be aware of how loneliness can impact your daily health.

How Can You Predict The Strength of Your Relationship? - Check out the latest study and new test devised to help you predict the strength of your relationship.





The Soul Calendar:


Check Out NASA Images of Devastating Pakistan Floods - These aerial view flood images of the entire country of Pakistan are mind-boggling in their scope of how the monsoon flooding is affecting the lives of millions.

New Tomb Uncovered in Egypt With Colorful Art - The fun side of archaeology is what you find in pristine condition after thousands of years.





Dennys Funny Quotes:

Funny Odd Hunh?! Cartoons - 21 Aug 2010 - Check out this week's grinners to soothe your work week stress.

25 Ridiculously Funny Celebrity Duck Face Photos - Laugh at celebrities posing for the camera, mocking sexy.





Dennys Food and Recipes:


4 Casseroles 4 School Night Dinners: Chicken, Tex Mex, Tamale, Shepherds Pie - Check out some family favorites, easy and quick to cook - and nutritious.

Muffin Monday: 5 Yummy Breakfast Muffins - Skip the coffee shop muffin, make your own, save some money and save a whole lot of calories too.





Beautiful Illustrated Quotations:

7 Quotes: Defining Joy in Our Lives - 7 quotes to consider about how we live our joy.





Visual Insights:


Raucous Tea Party Republicans Cartoons - 21 Aug 2010 - Check out what the cartoonists are lampooning about the Tea Party and the Republican idea of politics this time!

Dennys Photo Gallery: Beautiful Yummy Artichokes and 11 Recipes

Arts: Whimsical Fiber Artist Ed Bing Lee - This fiber artist has a sense of the whimsy while he explores new ways to use simple knotting techniques to develop his art.




*** Coffee cup from Brazil photo by Quoquo at flickr


*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 15 Aug 2010

*** Check out news, political opinion - serious and funny cartoons, recipes, science news, health news, poetry, funny posts, photography, spiritual thoughts and great quotes.





From Denny: These are all the posts I managed to get out this week while suffering through all this crazy summer heat and humidity. This summer Louisiana didn't have the usual whiners' bragging rights about the summer heat. The rest of America got to "share" - and a lot of the world too! :)

One bit of good news: Prez Obama is thinking of lifting the oil moratorium here on the Gulf coast. Uh, yeah, put 300,000 people back to work would be helpful for this economy - not to mention the rest of America would appreciate not having their fuel prices skyrocket this winter from a low supply.

Earth to White House: It sure would be great if you would lift this moratorium immediately - and gift it to Congressman Charlie Melancon to announce it. Lifting the moratorium would help Melancon win in November against Whore House Vitter, a complete embarrassment as a senator from Louisiana. Louisiana is all a twitter and excited about getting back to work - so make it happen, Mr. Prez, and it would be much appreciated.

And to my StumbleUpon friends: Now isn't one silly email a whole lot less annoying than a bunch of "shares"? :)


The Social Poets:


Obama Blasted for Saying Religious Tolerance OK in America - Republicans try to turn the Constitution into an issue for the November elections - now they are against religious freedom for anyone not Christian.

America and World Politics Cartoons - 14 Aug 2010 - Check out the latest opinions on the economy, the November elections, the building of a mosque on Ground Zero in New York City and education in America now that budget cuts have arrived.

Obama Sends Thousands More Jobs Out of America: Mexico - Prez Obama tricked by GM to send thousands of jobs out of America and to Mexico.

Doctor Says Kids Suffer More From Gulf Oil Spill - Check out the long term impact this BP oil spill has on America's children in the Gulf region.

How Male Journalists Fight: Whiz All Over Each Other - American male journalists in the Democratic Party and the White House fuss and fight each other while the public is frustrated about the economy.

Earth to White House: Why You Are Getting Criticized - The White House is complaining it is not appreciated enough for what it has done. Here's why fellow Democrats are angry with the President.

Funny Video: Colbert Reveals Master Plan to Ruin Gay Marriage

Funny Video: Jon Stewart Comments on Gay Marriage - Californigaytion

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 8 Aug 2010 - Check out news, political opinion - serious and funny cartoons, recipes, science news, poetry, funny posts, photography, spiritual thoughts and great quotes.





The Soul Calendar:


BP Oil Spill and Global Warming Cartoons - 14 Aug 2010 - The BP oil spill continues in the news as they try to squirm out of paying for the error of their arrogant ways.

Check Out Spectacular August Perseid Meteor Showers - Look up in the middle of the night to see as many as 100 shooting stars above your head for a spectacular show brought to you by the Universe!





Beautiful Illustrated Quotations:


How Is Your Aim In Life? - How high - or how limited - are your goals in Life?

Friendship Quote: When Friends First Meet and Connect - How friendships begin and can last a life time.





The Healing Waters:


Want Others To Think You Sexy? Wear Red - How the color of red figures into our sexual preferences.

How Funny: Your Belly Button Key to Athletic Success - Check out your body type to know which sport is easier for you to excel.






Dennys Funny Quotes:


Hunh?! Cartoons - 14 Aug 2010 - Check out this week's great cartoonists and how funny everyday life can be.

Palin Memory Fails, Writes on Her Hand: Again - Strange Sarah Palin does it again and again: writes on her hand like it's an 8th grade math test for answers to cheat the test.

Weird News: Oregon Authorities Shut Down Girls Lemonade Stand - Local Oregon government looked like jerks shutting down the all American lemonade stand because the little girl didn't own a food handler's license that only adults can purchase.

Weird News: Woman Smashes McDonalds For Not Having Her Order - Check out this weird news of the day - what happens when McDonald's doesn't have what an enraged customer wants on the breakfast menu.

Funny News: 100 Year Old Scotch Whiskey Thaws Out to Drink - Strange but true: check out this funny news of the day.






Dennys People Watching:


Meet New Baby Elephant at Vienna Zoo: Big Ears - The naming process is in full swing for this one week old baby elephant born to a Vienna, Austria zoo. Vote online for your choice.






Dennys Food and Recipes:


Chef Recipe: Seared Grouper with Crawfish, Bacon Risotto, Softshell Crab - Louisiana chefs celebrate fabulous new recipes in local food and wine competition.

Easy Slow Cooker Recipe: Macaroni Chili Cheese Casserole - For back to school busy try this simple recipe for a slow cooker the whole family is sure to enjoy.

Cake Tuesday: Buttermilk Fudge Cake With Chocolate Gloss Icing - Make a stunning tasty chocolate cake to entertain your sweet tooth.

4 Easy Summer Dishes When Its Just Too Hot to Cook - Try some easy and quick summer recipes to beat the crazy heat - and avoiding cooking with any heat.






Visual Insights:


Tea Party, Republican, Gay Marriage Cartoons - 14 Aug 2010 - Check out the usual amusing rantings from the far-right-gone-over-the-edge-crazy.



*** Coffee photo by Quoquo @ flickr



*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 8 Aug 2010

*** Check out news, political opinion - serious and funny cartoons, recipes, science news, poetry, funny posts, photography, spiritual thoughts and great quotes.





From Denny: This week I was forced "off the grid" on two different days. Monday and to noon Tuesday my server was off line - which is rare - but when it happens on a Monday I always figure there was an obnoxious computer virus attack. Then again on Thursday we had some seriously severe thunderstorms in our area for the day, lots of intense lightning which we never used to see until this year. Even my outdoor cats made a run for inside the house with a "Make way, lady, we're running in full speed: incoming!"

Well, I made good use of the "snail time" and read some "snail books" - quite the treat when normally I'm fast paced and hard-charging. I might try this "off the grid" vacation a bit more often as it was enjoyable! Anyway, I wasn't able to publish all that I wanted to this week and will see what I can do to get caught up for you. Thanks for your continued support, much appreciated! :)


The Social Poets:


Cartoons: American Economy, Immigration, Iraq and Afghan Wars - 7 Aug 2010 - Check out what the cartoonists think this week about the smoke and mirrors going on in politics and the Afghan and Iraq Wars.

Vision of The Gardener Prophet poem - Libations Friday 6 Aug 2010 - 2012 begins early. Check out a poem of prophecy warning humanity.

What Is Prez Obama Really Thinking? Watch His Hands As He Talks - Our body language reveals much about our thoughts, telegraphing it to others if only we learn the language and how to read it.

Is The Oil Spill Really Gone in the Gulf, More Smoke And Mirrors From BP? - *** More bizarre reports from the BP and government corners trying to end the the politics about the Gulf oil spill, when all they did was stir up a hornet's nest of criticism and anger.

Speaker Pelosi Champions Unemployed, Orders House Back From Vacation - *** Speaker Pelosi relentlessly drives hard to pass two important bills: keep teachers in the classrooms and hire the unemployed out of work for two years.

Roundup of Late Night Funnies - 2 Aug 2010 - *** Check out jokes from the late night comedians about American society, funny videos from Colbert and Stewart and a few of the newest political cartoons.

Funny Video: Jon Stewart Mocks Media For Sorry WikiLeaks Reaction - *** Check out Jon Stewart as he rips to shreds, in fine mocking style, the not so stealthy WikiLeaks leaker.

Funny Video: Colberts Live Tony Hayward Cam Tracking His Slow Resignation - *** Check out Colbert's reaction to BP finally - OK, temporarily - plugging the Gulf oil leak. The best news yet is the slow motion firing of BP CEO Tony Hayward.

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 1 Aug 2010 - ** Check out news, political opinion - serious and funny cartoons, recipes, science and health news, poetry, funny posts, photography, spiritual thoughts and great quotes.






The Soul Calendar:

BP Oil Spill and WikiLeaks Spill Cartoons - 7 Aug 2010 - Check out what the cartoonists were lampooning this week, skewering BP for the Gulf oil spill and the WikiLeaks documents spill.

How Northern Lights Are Created By Sun Flares - Check out 3 video clips of the solar flares and magnetic filament in action as they create the Northern Lights on Earth.





Beautiful Illustrated Quotations:

2012: What Will Happen to Earth and Us? - What you can do to ensure your safety and survival as geologic time rapidly changes - and the resulting paradigm shift of humanity - is in the process of occurring.





Dennys Funny Quotes:


Hunh?! Just Plain Bizarre Funny Cartoons - 7 Aug 2010

Funny Video: BP Creates Rich Fish in Gulf Oil Spill - Mocking BP: An idiot public relations BP talking head points out the up side to the oil leak: the fish are rich!

Murphys 15 Laws About Sex - Yet another funny list joke making the rounds.

Funny Legal News Story: The Case of a Contraceptives Miss-taken Use - Laugh at this funny use for a contraceptive that exemplifies the kind of humorous cases found in our court systems every day sure to amuse us!

Funny Video: Colberts Sound Advice on How to Get a Job - Bad economy? No problem. Comic Stephen Colbert to the employment rescue to help you land that all important life-changing job.

Funny Video: Surfing Group Known as The Radical Rodents - Laugh at these funny talented rodents surfing the waves in Australia.




Dennys People Watching:

Ethics Investigations in Congress Cartoons - 7 Aug 2010 - Check out what the cartoonists had to say this week about political corruption and the Speaker's promise to drain The Swamp. Washington, D.C. sits on a literal swamp so it's natural to get a few rats running around the place.




Dennys Food and Recipes:

Chef Bergeron Appetizer: Zucchini Cakes With Unusual Garlic Dill Sour Cream Mayo Sauce - Check out a simple veggie recipe that can be an appetizer or served as an entree, your choice. And what an unusual outstanding yummy sauce.

Cake Tuesday: Italian Cream Cake - One of my favorite cakes to order a slice for dessert when we dine out - and also an easy cake to make at home!

Muffin Monday: Coconut Muffins - Check out this simple easy recipe and enjoy a sweet breakfast or afternoon snack.




Visual Insights:


Gay Marriage and Society Cartoons - 7 Aug 2010 - The more things change, the more they remain the same. As gays battle for their right to marry, soon they discover the same marital experiences as everyone else. Check out the cartoonists this week.

Funny Photos: How Your Brain Can Be Fooled - Funny photos that prove how easy it is to fool your brain into interpreting a photo to mean something other than is actually true.




*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor

Posts Roundup of Dennys Blogs - 25 July 2010

*** Check out news, political opinion - serious and funny cartoons, recipes, science and health news, poetry, funny posts, photography, spiritual thoughts and great quotes.






The Social Poets:


Cartoons: American and World Politics, Tea Party - 24 July 2010

Govt Justice Dept Wastes $100 Million on Partying With Taxpayer Money

Govt Sex Perverts: Pentagon, Govt Spooks Watching Child Porn - News Headlines 23 July 2010

Just How Angry Are Americans At Their Prez and Politicians?

Americans Sour on Economy, Obamas Better Plan to Manage Our Oceans - News Headlines 21 July 2010

Funny Economy Humor - Cheeky Quote Day 21 July 2010

Unemployed About To Get Relief, Brit PM Visit, Fox Lies About Govt Official - News Headlines 20 July 2010


Roundup of Late Night Funnies - 20 July 2010

Funny Video: Wanna Work in the Fields Like the Immigrants?

Funny Video: Colbert Talks Food For Thought - Canwich Setback

Funny Video: Colberts Automatic Weapons For The People


Obama Shouts At Republicans, What We Get Out Of Financial Reform - News Headlines 19 July 2010





Beautiful Illustrated Quotation:


So How Do You Measure Your Spiritual Progress?

How Psychic Are You? Fun Test and Spiritual Gifts






Dennys Funny Quotes:


Hunh?! Are You Crazy?! Cartoons - 24 July 2010

Recession Humor: Termination Letter to Employees

Funny GOP: From The Bush Years - Homeland Security Self-Exam

Funny Video: Economic Fun Fair by Mark Fiore





Dennys Food and Recipes:


Cake Tuesday: Lemon Honey Cake and Lemon Bread

Muffin Monday: Dennys Summer Fresh Muffins






The Healing Waters:


Why Are So Many People Addicted to Pain Meds? Numbers Up 400 Percent

Just How Fast Is Human Evolution?






The Soul Calendar:


BP Oil Spill Cartoons - 24 July 2010






Visual Insights:


Cartoons: American Economy - 24 July 2010



*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

The Social Poets
The Social Poets Fav Bloggers
The Soul Calendar
Visual Insights
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations
Poems From A Spiritual Heart
The Healing Waters
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes

Check Out 8 Funnies of The Week - 21 July 2010

*** Take a peek inside some funny posts for a laugh!






Funny Economy Humor - Cheeky Quote Day 21 July 2010

Roundup of Late Night Funnies - 20 July 2010

Funny Video: Wanna Work in the Fields Like the Immigrants?

Funny Video: Colbert Talks Food For Thought - Canwich Setback

Funny Video: Colberts Automatic Weapons For The People

Recession Humor: Termination Letter to Employees

Funny GOP: From The Bush Years - Homeland Security Self-Exam

Funny Video: Economic Fun Fair by Mark Fiore


*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

The Social Poets
The Soul Calendar
Visual Insights
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations
Poems From A Spiritual Heart
The Healing Waters
Dennys Funny Quotes
Dennys Food and Recipes

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 18 July 2010

*** Check out news, political opinion - serious and funny cartoons, recipes, science and health news, poetry, funny posts, photography, spiritual thoughts and great quotes.






The Social Poets:


Dark Humor: BP Oil Spill Cartoons - 17 July 2010

America, World Politics, Sports Cartoons - 17 July 2010

Sweltering Summer Heat poem - Libations Friday 9 July 2010

BP Plays Games With Oil Spill, Democrats Face Huge Losses in November

Funny Texting Quotes - Cheeky Quote Day 14 July 2010

Why Obama Is Failing Miserably At Running America

Roundup of Late Night Funnies - 12 July 2010

Funny Video: Colbert Mocks Republican Men Hairstyles

Colbert: Rent a White Guy in China For Business Meeting Prestige

Funny Video: Colbert Rips Glenn Beck For His "Wildly Important" Work

Celebrity: Chelsea Clinton Wedding Day Details

Posts Roundup of Dennys Blogs - 11 July 2010




Beautiful Illustrated Quotations:


Kabbalah Quotes: How to Know You Are On The Right Path For You

Madonna Offends Traditional Jewish Kabbalists in Israel




The Healing Waters:


How To Exercise Effectively On A Hot Day: Drink A Slushie

How Bad Is High-Fructose Corn Syrup For Your Health?




The Soul Calendar:


Popular Funny X-ray Pin-Ups Calendar: Stripped to the Bone

Are These Fossils The Earliest Traces Of Complex Life?




Dennys Funny Quotes:


Hunh?! Cartoons - 17 July 2010

Funny GOP: Ridiculous Republicans Dictionary

Funny GOP: The 10 Commandments Republican Style

Funny LOL Work Jokes

Funny GOP: Limbaughs 18 Rules of Right Wing Talk Show Bombast

Funny GOP: Conservatives Prayer to Capitalism God




Dennys Food and Recipes:


How To Make Your Own Pimento Cheese Spread From Southern Living Magazine

Easy Healthy Dessert: Orange Gel n Fresh Fruit

Craving Ice: Is It A Sign of Anemia?

Cake Tuesday: 4 Cakes Celebrating America

Muffin Monday: Chocolate Chip Orange Muffins




Visual Insights:


Cartoons: America and Immigration - 17 July 2010

Funny Comic Betty White Gets Her Own Calendar

Photography and Poetry: Release Your Dreams and Spring into Life



*** Photo by heliosphan @ flickr


*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

The Social Poets
The Soul Calendar
Visual Insights
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations
Poems From A Spiritual Heart
The Healing Waters
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes

Madonna Offends Traditional Jewish Kabbalists in Israel

*** Check out Madonna creating a stir with religious in Israel.




Madonna performs in Madrid last year. (Susana Vera/Reuters)


From Denny: What's all the commotion of the Jewish Kabbalists in Israel complaining bitterly about Madonna? Ten years ago Madonna started studying Kabbalah. Since then her fame helped catapult an ancient philosophy of Jewish mysticism into the limelight, making it popular. It also revitalized an Israeli town by the name of Safed, a small mountaintop town that serves as the spiritual center for the Kabbalah mysticism movement.

Strict Hasidic and Kabbalist, Yaacov Kaszemacher, artist and photographer, has strong opinions as to the validity of Madonna as a true Kabbalist. "It is not respectful to what is really Kabbalah," he said, commenting upon Madonna’s interest into the mystical side of Judaism: Kabbalah.

There are those conservative traditionalists that sniff their noses and complain that Madonna is not a true Kabbalalist. Basically, these are the self-styled guardians you get in any religious mystical sect where the letter of the law takes dominance over the spirit of the law mentality.

Madonna is known as The Material Girl, a far cry from the image of a monkish ascetic languishing in the desert to fast in order to tame his fleshliness so he can hear God better. Madonna has always been all about the excess of the fleshly pursuits in life. So, it's understandable why they would be put off by her promoting their Jewish mysticism. In their minds, they just don't see her as their spokesperson or God's. Well, stranger things have happened. Just ask God and take a peek into the Old Testament Bible.

Traditionalists in this town of Safed have not taken kindly to Madonna making Kabbalah fashionable. The reason for all the debate in this town, besides being the nerve center for Kabbalists, is that Madonna visited last September. Since then the town has transformed dramatically. Residents actively debate the changes. They also discuss Madonna's position of the most high profile celebrity Kabbalist.

The coordinator of Safed's Visitor Center, Laurie Rappeport, says that "Hollywood and Madonna have so strongly adopted Kabbalah mysticism they made it popular, practically turning it into their own religion. Madonna had a lot to do with the promotion."

Because of this flashy promotion and shallow popularity that local Kabbalists like Kaszemacher are unhappy. Of course, everyone who studies Kabbalah knows that Kabbalah is not a religion or an offshoot of Judaism. As Kaszemacher says, "it represents the deepest levels of understanding of Jewish religious texts, drawing out subtext and hidden meaning to achieve a deeper understanding of the Jewish faith."

To traditional study Kabbalists they are of the opinion a person should only study Kabbalah after they have spent decades studying the Torah and other top scholarly works. In their traditions, they do not believe a person is ready to delve into the deep mystical world of Kabbalah's ancient wisdom. You must prepare your mind not just with knowledge but with familiarity of spiritual principles and wisdom.

One angry resident Kabbalist, Moshe Yiar, a Kabbalah artist that plants verses of the Torah into his watercolor works, says Madonna "doesn’t know anything about Kabbalah. There are even big rabbis that don’t understand Kabbalah."

Yet it's the new found popularity in the West of ancient Jewish mysticism, the Kabbalah, that is the very reason for the renewal of this small town of Safed and its art scene. "I don’t think these artists would have developed here if the popularity weren’t there," Rappeport said.

How did this art scene develop in this town for such a tradition? Israel was founded in 1948. Israeli artists flocked here because the real estate was cheaper in the then empty Arab quarter. The local culture ended up developing around the art scene during the 1950's and the 1960's. Safed became the cool Bohemian capital of Israel at the time.

by the late 1970's the town of Safed went into creative decline as the older artists began to retire and die off. What really turned the place into a virtual ghost town was the government complicated matters for new people to purchase land and property there. Even as recent as ten years ago there were very few art galleries present. Now, with Madonna's and Hollywood's promotion, the Bohemian renewal has blossomed again with that hippie vibe. All this juxtaposed against the very ultra conservative backbone of the local traditionalists it is a thriving tourist destination.

Talk about cultural contrast: Yemenite Jews peddle organic pizza down the street from an old couple who peddle traditional Jewish souvenirs. Young hip Israeli version of hippies pass on the street the traditional uptight buttoned down Hasidic Jews. The streets are narrow and winding limestone alleys, crowded with cultural contradictions. The town of Safed is considered to be one of Israel's holiest cities.

Because of Maddona's interest in this town and Kabbalah, tourists and Kabbalah enthusiasts have come to visit from far and wide. As a result, new art galleries have opened outside the traditional artist quarter, closer to the tourists, and ended up boosting the economy.

Kabbalist art tends to be wide in scope. Artists often employ basic geometric constructions in order to convey mystical thoughts. In Hebrew, each letter of the alphabet is assigned a numerical value. The artists play with shapes conceptually in order to draw out the numbers - which actually equal letters - to spell words that carry mystical meaning.

Kabbalist artists use as their focal point the concept of finding balance in Life. To convey that sense of balance they often use divided shapes and contrast colors that are on opposite ends of the color wheel like black and white or red and green.

Not everyone believes Madonna has cheapened their mysticism of Kabbalah. An American painter from Michigan, Avraham Loewenthal, moved to Israel 15 years ago. He is now a prominent Kabbalist painter. He says most artists stress the complexity of Kabbalah while he reduces it down to the several simple themes at its core teachings.

When asked what his opinion was of Madonna and how her interest in his town had changed the atmosphere, he responded better than the traditionalists. This man truly understands the core teaching of the Kabbalah. "It’s so hard for a person to find out what their spiritual work in this world is. Within the Kabbalah, we only look inside ourselves because we can’t know what someone else’s spiritual work in this world is." And that is the colossal dividing difference of the letter of the law from the spirit of the law.




*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

The Social Poets
Dennys Global Politics
The Soul Calendar
Visual Insights
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations
Poems From A Spiritual Heart
The Healing Waters
Dennys Art Sanctuary
Romancing The Chocolate
Comfort Food From Louisiana
Unusual 2 Tasty
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Dennys Funny Quotes
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