My Jewish friend, Boris, told me he is often asked to lead Birkat Hamazon. He is a direct descendant of Aaron, the brother of Moses. Since the Jewish population accounts for only .2% of the world population, and members of the Cohanim are estimated to be about 5% of the Jewish population, it is extremely rare to meet someone like my friend, Boris.
DNA tests confirm that 98% of Jewish men who self-identify as Cohanim carry the Cohanim Modal Haplotype (CMN). This Y-chromosome traces back 3,000 years all the way to Aaron. I find this fascinating.
If you made it this far in today's story, maybe you're asking, "What is Birkat Hamazon?" The simple answer is "Grace after meals." Moses knew that when people have full bellies it's really easy to get complacent. It's easy to forget about God. The Cohanim were asked to be in charge of the prayers because they were part of the only tribe that was able to avoid temptation when Moses was on the mountain receiving the 10 Commandments. The tribe of Levi where the Cohanim come from is the only tribe that did not receive land. They have a higher calling – to help their people never forget God's grace, especially in good times.
The world seems to be upside down. We need more people like my friend, Boris, who are willing to pray for a healthy planet, loving parents and family, and a sufficient livelihood. My prayer is that God hears the prayers of the Jewish people and that one day they will be free from religious persecution. Have a great day.
1 comment:
Hey Mikie!
Yes, there are far too many anti-Semites in the world; there are an awful lot of people who hate others just because they look, talk, or think differently from themselves. Here's some insights provided AI Copilot...
WAYNE:
how many countries in the world are jews not allowed entry?
COPILOT:
There are several countries where Israeli nationals, including Israeli Arabs, are refused entry. These countries do not recognize the State of Israel; therefore Israeli passport holders are denied entry. Here is a list of some of these countries:
Algeria
Bangladesh
Brunei
Iran
Kuwait
Lebanon
Libya
Pakistan
Syria
Yemen
Also, it’s important to note that these restrictions are based on nationality, not religion. There might be Jewish individuals living in these countries or Jewish individuals from other nationalities who can enter these countries. It’s also worth noting that some countries that don’t recognize the State of Israel don’t deny entry of Israeli citizens (e.g. Indonesia or Somalia).
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WAYNE:
Are there some countries that don't allow entry of atheists?
COPILOT:
Yes, there are countries where atheism is not accepted and can lead to legal consequences. In some countries, atheism or apostasy (the abandonment or renunciation of a religious belief) is punishable by law, and in extreme cases, it can even lead to the death penalty.
Here are some of the countries where atheism or apostasy is punishable by death:
Afghanistan
Iran
Malaysia
Maldives
Mauritania
Nigeria
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Somalia
Sudan
United Arab Emirates
Yemen
It’s also worth noting that globally, there is a prevalence of mistrust in moral perceptions of atheists, even in secular countries. This can lead to discrimination and persecution, even if atheism is not officially punishable by law.
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WAYNE
do any of the countries that don't allow Jews into them also could apply a death penalty to them?
COPILOT
While it’s true that there are countries that do not allow entry to Israeli nationals, it’s important to clarify that these restrictions are based on nationality, not religion. Therefore, being Jewish is not a reason for being denied entry or facing the death penalty in these countries.
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WAYNE
whet percentage of Jew haters or Nazi's support Donald Trump for President?
COPILOT
It’s important to note that it’s challenging to accurately measure the political affiliations of individuals who hold prejudiced views, such as anti-Semitism or neo-Nazism. However, there have been reports of individuals with such views expressing support for Donald Trump.
For instance, during the storming of the US Capitol in January 2021, avowed white supremacists and Holocaust deniers, who were among the Trump supporters, were identified. Some of these individuals were part of far-right extremist groups.
However, these instances do not necessarily represent the views of all Trump supporters, and it’s crucial to avoid generalizations about any political group.
As for specific percentages, there isn’t clear data available that quantifies the exact proportion of anti-Semitic or neo-Nazi individuals among Trump supporters. It’s a complex issue that involves many variables and is subject to change over time.
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