Rural Rabbi

I want to teach Martial Arts in a progresive and evolving manner but feel constrained by my base art which is TKD. What would be the perception of TKD if it was taught in a self-defense manner like Krav Maga and the forms were removed as they are completely useless and undesirable for the most part? Should I just not call the art Tae Kwon Do anymore? Olympic sport oriented TKD is killing the art in my opinion and the name "TKD" should serve as a banner under which artists evolve the style. What are your thoughts?

I have been posting these articles on here because I think they are very important and demonstrate a clear halachic (legal) understanding of Jewish identity. Some get pissed at these articles because they defy the orthodox norm but they are very in depth and with Jewish intermarriage hovering around 50% and 90% of Jews being non-observant a subsequent forced change to Judaism is taking place which hasnt been seen since Roman times after the Jewish expulsion in 70 CE. Its time to have this discussion. Consider this article: http://jeffjudaism.blogspot.com/2013/09/jewish-ide...

Orthodox Judaism determines Jewish identity via descent from a Jewish mother but excludes those born from a Jewish father. This article looks at the basis for this ruling and seems to completely turn it on it head. I'd ike to get some Jewish opinions on this.

http://jeffjudaism.blogspot.com/2013/09/jewish-ide...

Thanks.

Orthodox Judaism determines Jewish identity via descent from a Jewish mother but excludes those born from a Jewish father. This article looks at the basis for this ruling and seems to completely turn it on it head. I'd ike to get some Jewish opinions on this.

http://jeffjudaism.blogspot.com/2013/09/jewish-ide...

Thanks.

This is a confusing issue with people who arent even involved in the discussion nor familiar with the inner context presenting their own ideas. I found the following article helpful and would like to get other peoples opinions on what it says- particularly Jewish opinions.

http://jeffjudaism.blogspot.com/2013/09/jewish-ide...

Please no racist comments.

There are many versions of the Bible and most simply attempt to modernize the language or simplify it rather than present an entirely new translation of the text, which is absolutely possible. Apparently according to the Rabbi's in an article on Jerusalem post there are around 900 valid interpretations of just the first verse of Genesis alone. I was reading the following translation of Genesis 1 and it is pretty awesome:

http://jeffjudaism.blogspot.com/2013/07/genesis-11...

There are many versions of the Bible and most simply attempt to modernize the language or simplify it rather than present an entirely new translation of the text, which is absolutely possible. Apparently according to the Rabbi's in an article on Jerusalem post there are around 900 valid interpretations of just the first verse of Genesis alone. I was reading the following translation of Genesis 1 and it is pretty awesome:

http://jeffjudaism.blogspot.com/2013/07/genesis-11...

There are many versions of the Bible and most simply attempt to modernize the language or simplify it rather than present an entirely new translation of the text, which is absolutely possible. Apparently according to the Rabbi's in an article on Jerusalem post there are around 900 valid interpretations of just the first verse of Genesis alone. I was reading the following translation of Genesis 1 and it is pretty awesome:

http://jeffjudaism.blogspot.com/2013/07/genesis-11...

It seems that Isaac Newtons whose views are the foundation of modern science was devoted to the Kabbalah and devised his ideas about nature and existence from the ideas he learned from the Kabbalah. There is an article about this here:

http://jeffjudaism.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-newton...

If this is the case then why isnt this taught? There seems to be a hidden history and we are taught only what some other group or people want us to know.

It seems that Isaac Newtons whose views are the foundation of modern science was devoted to the Kabbalah and devised his ideas about nature and existence from the ideas he learned from the Kabbalah. There is an article about this here:

http://jeffjudaism.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-newton...

If this is the case then why isnt this taught? There seems to be a hidden history and we are taught only what some other group or people want us to know.

I would like to call to every ones attention here the following article:

http://jeffjudaism.blogspot.com/2013/06/atheism-bl...

It is a challenge to BOTH theists and atheists... I would like to hear intellectual opinions about this in the attitude of peace and civility. Thanks!

I would like to call every ones attention to the following article:

http://jeffjudaism.blogspot.com/2013/06/atheism-bl...

It is a challenge to BOTH theists and atheists. I would like to see some intellectual comments on this in the attitude of respect and peace. Thanks!

I was reading this article about how Hebrew corrsponds to our DNA and reveals our nature:

http://jeffjudaism.blogspot.com/2013/06/dna-hebrew...

Are there any opinions on this subject matter?

I was reading this article about how Hebrew corrsponds to our DNA and reveals our nature:

http://jeffjudaism.blogspot.com/2013/06/dna-hebrew...

Are there any opinions on this subject matter?

I was reading this article from a Kabbalists perspective and it explains that angels are psychological archetypes:

http://jeffjudaism.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-nature...

What is your take on this and how does it align with your own personal philosophy?

This article about angels from a Kabbalistic perspective is very thought provoking, philosophically oriented and psychological. Its basically saying that angels are not literal being but psychological archetypes. I would like to know how this touches on your own individual views.

http://jeffjudaism.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-nature...

There has been a lot of information circulating around the risks of hookah smoking. Here is an article that presents an alternative perspective: http://jeffjudaism.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-hookah...

What do you all think?

There has been a lot of information circulating around the risks of hookah smoking. Here is an article that presents an alternative perspective: http://jeffjudaism.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-hookah...

What do you all think?

I was reading the following article:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-233...

Apparently the finding of a mammoth carcass with well preserved blood and tissue may be able to be used to reanimate this defunct species. The idea of bringing back other species was also presented. My thoughts about this is that as long as the species doesnt violate the current eco-system then I dont see the re-introduction of any species as unethical. In fact, in many cases I see the re-introduction of certain extinct species as the only ethical thing to do. Many species are only extinct because of over hunting by humans. As the more highly evolved species it would seem we have a responsibility to maintain accountability for our actions. What we destroy we should rebuild. The Mammoths may fall into this category. Our ancestors did hunt them but it is unclear as to whether humanity had a significant role to play in their extinction. What are your thoughts concerning this?

I know that physics which includes mathematical formula for varying calculations is used in cosmology and there are other processes that help explain the theories. In times past Geometry was a significant contributor to cosmology (i.e. platonic solids, etc) and I am curious as to whether Geomentry is still used by anyone to understand cosmology. Further, would geometry be utilized within the context of macro-physics or could it be used on the quantum level?