tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653992368546779574.post3571535184597320923..comments2024-01-30T02:37:28.387-06:00Comments on Notes from a Jewish Thoreau: Oy vey! I'm being cyber-bullied by IDIOTS!Yonassan Gershomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07918610823274529036noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653992368546779574.post-25517840401590868252016-06-21T15:01:18.046-05:002016-06-21T15:01:18.046-05:00Regarding whether past-life regressions are permit...Regarding whether past-life regressions are permitted, that would depend on which rabbi/rav you ask. Generally speaking halachach is very lenient for things connected to healing. I know for a fact that there are orthodox/hasidic rabbis who refer people to my books, so obviously they are not forbidding it. I do not know of any classical text discussing regression therapy as such, since older texts only hint at these things and such therapy is relatively new.<br /><br />As I explain in "Jewish Tales of Reincarnation," there were Rebbes who had the ability to read past lives and used it. One of the reasons I did this book was to collect a lot of classical references and midrashim into one place. It is still in print and can be found online if you have not already read it.<br /><br />If it is just a matter of curiousity, however, it might not be a good idea to be regressed. I believe that we remember what we need to know in this life, and the rest is not necessary to know. Also, Some Chabad rabbis believe that instead of accessing your own lives, you are tuning into the group soul of the Jewish people. This could be overwhelming. Read more at http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/257259/jewish/Haunted-by-Souls-of-the-Past.htm<br /><br />If you do decide on a regression, be sure the therapist you choose is open to Judaism and not just using stereotypes. Some of the old esoteric traditions (and even some New Age ones) have negative ideas about "Jewish karma." You might want to read the intro to my upcoming new edition of "Beyond the Ashes" which discusses this issue: https://app.box.com/shared/stp3kfd3o7<br /><br />Regarding references to reincarnation in sforim this article on Aish<br />h give a pretty good overview (after first discussing Resurrection & moschiach, so keep reading) http://www.aish.com/jl/l/a/48943926.html<br /><br />I myself am no longer doing this work, not since 2000, so am not in the loop anymore to make referrals.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Yonassan Gershomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07918610823274529036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653992368546779574.post-45349223403478983662016-06-19T19:01:12.065-05:002016-06-19T19:01:12.065-05:00Hi Rabbi Gershom,
Hope all is well. I am a profes...Hi Rabbi Gershom,<br /><br />Hope all is well. I am a professor in the Sciences on the East Coast who's a baal teshuva and recently married. I'm writing anonymously because I want to protect my web presence. I've read your book "Reincarnation and Judaism: The Journey of the Soul" and I've also read a lot of the "metapsychology" literature you mention: Brian Weiss, Michael Newton, etc. As for Jungian type, I'm an NF secondary NT blue-green aura soul searcher. That may explain why I love this stuff. I imagine I also have slight Aspbergers as well which I've worked very hard on. I applaud you for being so brave in your works.<br /><br />I have been searching for a couple of years to seek answers to the following questions and I hope you can help:<br /><br />1) Is doing a past-life regression hypnosis halachically mutar? If you know any discussions of this at all, please provide references to sforim if possible.<br />2) Is doing so a risky thing? Are we supposed to know about previous lives? On the one hand, if hashem revealed such therapy, he probably wants us to put it to good use. On the other hand, there is all sorts of things that are assur e.g. witchcraft, etc. The therapeutic benefits seem quite wonderful and I'm weirdly drawn to this and it haunts me.<br /><br />I have asked many, but they do not seem to know what I'm talking about! This is not a common sheila.<br /><br />I'm not asking you to poskin, don't worry. I'm just asking if you have information.<br /><br />Regards,Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653992368546779574.post-26564046835800674542015-08-26T18:12:57.948-05:002015-08-26T18:12:57.948-05:00UPDATE: rabbigershom.com is mine again. the bull...UPDATE: rabbigershom.com is mine again. the bullies did not renew it and I got it back today. For now it is just<br />parked. Not sure what i will do with it. But at least the offensive bogus site is gone. We won against the bullies. Thsnk you to everyone who supported me.Yonassan Gershomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07918610823274529036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653992368546779574.post-34485588377595637982015-04-29T19:30:33.722-05:002015-04-29T19:30:33.722-05:00Kirsten:
This is an odd place to leave your conta...Kirsten:<br /><br />This is an odd place to leave your contact about reincarnation, but if you see this OK, so be it. I'm really not doing anything with that anymore, I retired from it 15 years ago and have moved on to other things in my life. However, if you live in the USA or Canada and want a phone consultation with me, you can schedule one through <a href="http://rooster613.com" rel="nofollow">The Happy Rooster Store </a> on ebay. There is a charge now (I have bills like everyone else) but there is also the option of a sliding scale.Yonassan Gershomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07918610823274529036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653992368546779574.post-41686856071474785242014-11-30T10:27:16.218-06:002014-11-30T10:27:16.218-06:00John P:
I'm glad you enjoyed my blog. I do no...John P:<br />I'm glad you enjoyed my blog. I do not know what info you were searching for, but since you provided a link to another escort service (yes, I followed the link and yes, I read German), I hope you are not planning to steal somebody's identity to advertise it. That would be very bad IDEA!Yonassan Gershomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07918610823274529036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653992368546779574.post-85735348975728654682014-11-28T07:51:38.147-06:002014-11-28T07:51:38.147-06:00Thanks for a very interesting blog. What else may ...Thanks for a very interesting blog. What else may I get that kind of info written in such a perfect approach? I’ve a undertaking that I am simply now operating on, and I have been at the look out for such info.<br /><a href="http://www.austriafun-escort.at" rel="nofollow">www.austriafun-escort.at</a><br />johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12082316803460663093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653992368546779574.post-18611531441320567792014-04-11T19:05:14.878-05:002014-04-11T19:05:14.878-05:00Thank you, Pastor Jack. That link was to an excer...Thank you, Pastor Jack. That link was to an excerpt from my book, "Jewish Themes in Star Trek, appended to an article I did for Patheos. I still have the HTML for all the Star Trek pages on my old site, and eventually I'll re-post them somewhere legitimate.Yonassan Gershomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07918610823274529036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653992368546779574.post-36395212820898758612014-04-11T10:36:03.419-05:002014-04-11T10:36:03.419-05:00FYI: The old dot com link is still out there on P...FYI: The old dot com link is still out there on Patheos at http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/The-Jewish-Origin-of-the-Vulcan-Salute?offset=1&max=1 [accessed 11 APR 2014]. I added a couple of comments as a heads up about the London escort service, and to redirect them to your current blog site. Hopefully the web admin person will straighten this out. Pastor Jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08903772661237511780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653992368546779574.post-52393041267292414632014-02-28T21:27:46.231-06:002014-02-28T21:27:46.231-06:00So glad I've rediscovered you, and reading a l...So glad I've rediscovered you, and reading a little further on your style, thoughts and personality quirkiness, I'm more endeared. What a refreshing honesty you exhibit. Maybe the point of having Aspi is to remind us how shrouded we 'normals' are in double speak and plain dishonesty. You speak for the 'elephant in the room' that none seems to want to address.<br /><br />blessings and peace to you both<br />hedy<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653992368546779574.post-90740206338039829312014-02-27T15:52:39.403-06:002014-02-27T15:52:39.403-06:00David -- so glad to hear from you again -- althoug...David -- so glad to hear from you again -- although I wish it were for better reasons. Your identity theft case was certainly worse than mine. So far, mine has not cost me anything but a lot of annoyance and frustration. But this sort of thing has become more and more common lately -- and disturbing.<br /><br />I think that not being believed is worse than the actual offense sometimes. But I think that the more of us who come out and tell our stories, the more it becomes obvious that the problem is real.<br /><br />Take care, my friend -- and thank you for sharing your story here. <br />Yonassan Gershomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07918610823274529036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653992368546779574.post-44959755931480415472014-02-26T20:48:29.410-06:002014-02-26T20:48:29.410-06:00It's very strange....reading this comes almost...It's very strange....reading this comes almost as a relief (though I'm very sorry you are going through this). My computer and/or Facebook account was hacked, I believe in October of 2012 and used to send e-mails, Facebook messages, and other offensive material--in some cases to people I knew, in others to strangers.<br /><br />Through most of the period I thought of what was happening merely as some sort of quirk of the Internet/Facebook. I found out otherwise when I was arrested in May after whoever it was used my account to post material that was regarded as threatening on someone's Facebook page (long story). I was not convicted of anything but am out a lot of money and had one h*ll of a year--just hoping it is behind me.<br /><br />Anyway, I thank you for coming forward with your story. There are those who do not believe mine, and frankly, it all does seem a bit far-out on first glance. The perception of anonymity does bring out the absolute worst in some people. The saddest thing is authorities like web-hosting services, Facebook, etc. seem to have no interest in enforcing their own Terms of Service or pursuing the bullies.Dave Moffattnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653992368546779574.post-25350758255826129892014-02-26T07:49:44.489-06:002014-02-26T07:49:44.489-06:00And FYI, Matthew -- isn't it a bit rude (not t...And FYI, Matthew -- isn't it a bit rude (not to mention judgemental) to pull the "get a job!" line on me? <br /><br />The content of this blog post should make it pretty clear why I have not been hired by the Jewish community lately. And I quit doing New Age speaking engagements when I got tired of people being disappointed that the author of the book they loved is a jabbering autistic nerd with poor eye contact -- and then berating me because my mannerisms are "not spiritual." Sorry, folks, but I can't play the mellow guru on a cushion who stares hypnotically into your eyes. <br /><br />When I got the Asperger's diagnosis a few years ago, everything fell into place -- but late for my career. I gave away most of my life in volunteer projects and underemployed jobs, so my SSA is a pittance. I was NEVER fired for not doing my job right, but WAS let go numerous times for "you just don't fit in around here." Who's fault is THAT?<br /><br />So nowadays I'm a recluse who lives on a farm with his wfe and animals, and communicates through writing and not personal appearances. Writing IS my job. That and taking care of my handicapped wife. Peace.Yonassan Gershomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07918610823274529036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653992368546779574.post-66909461954226984692014-02-25T13:57:32.753-06:002014-02-25T13:57:32.753-06:00Matthew, I am 66 years old, keyna hara ("no e...Matthew, I am 66 years old, keyna hara ("no evil eye.") My wife Caryl is 71 (also keyna hara.) In addition to SSA I also do freelance editing jobs. Regarding a regular 8-5 job, I'm too over-educated for anything around here in rural Minnesota, plus there are the personality quirks of having ADHD and Asperger's --read the articles under "autism" on this blog (scroll down the right sidebar to find the index.) I may be a genius but I am socially inept around the water cooler --and it seems that is more valued nowadays that actual skills.<br /><br />The "Jewish Thoreau" stuff reflects my current interest in nature, ecology, and "Live simply that others may simply live." Thoreau is one of my favorite authors, has been since high school --way back when students actually read the classics... Yonassan Gershomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07918610823274529036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653992368546779574.post-69245169964240260262014-02-19T23:49:22.454-06:002014-02-19T23:49:22.454-06:00Rabbi Yonassan-
Glad you are still around...Rabbi Yonassan-<br /> Glad you are still around. Wondered what happened to you. When I went to your site I had bookmarked it was gone and no indication as to where. As thatTv series "ROOTS" said, "KUNTA KINTE, I FOUND YOU!"<br /> Anyway, I don't always agree with you but I like checking in to see what's up.<br /> Aren't you a little young to be living just on SSA? Can't find a job? Does your wife support you? Do you even have a wife? If not why not? No indictment, I don't either! <br /> Loved your STAR TREK book.<br />Have you tried VPN Security encryption?<br /> I don't get the "JEWISH THOREAU" thingy but different strokes, etc.<br /> Well, i'll be checking in again.<br /><br /> LLAPMatthew Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07564546155986482730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653992368546779574.post-62390355691093994992014-02-16T16:18:29.203-06:002014-02-16T16:18:29.203-06:00Anonymous: I agree these people have maturity pro...Anonymous: I agree these people have maturity problems and even emotional problems. And some really need to get a life. But just the same, forgiveness is not amnesty. Bad behavior must be confronted or it just gets worse. Peace.Yonassan Gershomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07918610823274529036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653992368546779574.post-78728223327762335342014-02-02T09:18:30.424-06:002014-02-02T09:18:30.424-06:00I remember back in the day when we were taught as ...I remember back in the day when we were taught as children that 'sticks and stones could break your bones but names could never hurt you'....well most of us have evolved and no longer glibly say this<br />....some of us are still struggling with our emotional evolution and it sounds like this character you've mentioned falls into that category.<br /><br />Understanding someones emotional illness and accepting them does not mean denying their 'behavior'<br />This behavior needs to be noted and negated (for the record)...hopefully this can be done without too much upset on our part...the same way we would forgive a 2 yr old for dirtying his diapers<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653992368546779574.post-47900014195653841002014-01-22T11:12:15.765-06:002014-01-22T11:12:15.765-06:00So sorry this is happening to you - and you're...So sorry this is happening to you - and you're right; it's become impossible to have any sort of reasoned dialogue about Israel. Unqualified agreement with all of its policies has become the ultimate litmus test for Jewish identification.<br /><br />Also, one of the byproducts of the Internet has been the revelation of how ubiquitous mental illness is in this society.Jeff Eygeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11967707883565162538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653992368546779574.post-45086767550448401922014-01-15T13:18:52.119-06:002014-01-15T13:18:52.119-06:00I am so sorry this is happening to you, but glad t...I am so sorry this is happening to you, but glad that you are fighting back and standing your ground. I learn a lot from you and would be so sad if you stopped writing. I will do my best to thwart your crazies!Lauriehttp://travelightly.wordpress.com/2014/01/15/the-day-for-trees/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653992368546779574.post-57389164022347964642014-01-11T19:17:22.729-06:002014-01-11T19:17:22.729-06:00Yes, Tony, I'm aware of the high level of bull...Yes, Tony, I'm aware of the high level of bully-related suicides nationwide -- it is horrible. And much more magnified now that people can hide behind a computer, so you never really know who they are. And things go viral overnight, nor so once they are out there it is forever.<br /><br />As for Jewish bullying in particular, it has become epidemic in the political arena regarding any dissent about Israel. A small percentage of very vocal right-wing people manage to shut down dialogue by threatening to pull funding or boycott orgs, in msny cases bullying universities to cancel speaking engagements of people they don't agree with -- you can read about a lot of this on the <a href="http://muzzlewatch.com" rel="nofollow">muzzlewatch.com</a> blog, which is run by an org called Jewish Voice for Peace(JVP). <br /><br />I don't agree with every stance that JVP takes but they have done a good job of tracking censorship.<br />And I have been vilified for even mentioning this org -- thus proving their point. <br /><br />When Professor Schwartz & I were working on his book <a href="http://whostolemyreligion.com" rel="nofollow">Who Stole My Religion?</a> we had two people rescind their support of the book for even mentioning JVP -- in one photo, one SENTENCE, and one footnote -- in a 300+ page book! One of these people sent me extremely insulting, villifying emails that were unworthy of anybody, let alone a respected academic in the community. Not his finest hour, to be sure. But this kind of thing goes on all the time lately. Disgraceful.Yonassan Gershomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07918610823274529036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653992368546779574.post-40446906679467537322014-01-11T12:25:00.337-06:002014-01-11T12:25:00.337-06:00It would be all too easy to see the bullies as tru...It would be all too easy to see the bullies as truly representative of modern Judaism. <br /><br />This makes your work doubly important, showing another way to the bullies and showing the rest of the world that not all Jews are bullies.<br /><br />As for the result of bullying, in this state, suicide now kills more of our youth than car accidents. But since we do not see reports in the papers we are unaware of the depth of the problem.<br /><br />Regards,<br />Tony Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653992368546779574.post-14209726494614216432014-01-10T06:47:18.031-06:002014-01-10T06:47:18.031-06:00Thank you for the support, Dan. There are many ot...Thank you for the support, Dan. There are many others online experiencing the same thing -- it has become an epidemic. For some people, the anonymity of a computer brings out the worst. But for others, like yourself, it brings out the best. Peace & blessings!Yonassan Gershomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07918610823274529036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653992368546779574.post-53601431072788222602014-01-09T18:57:01.705-06:002014-01-09T18:57:01.705-06:00Sorry this is happening to you. There are many mor...Sorry this is happening to you. There are many more of us who appreciate you and your work, even if you don't hear it from us too often.Danhttp://www.brook.com/jvegnoreply@blogger.com