Ginsburg has passed

[ThatOwlWoman]

This is pretty long, but I think worth the read. One of my friends posted this tribute to RBG.
~~~

There are a few posts going around reminding folks that since RBG is Jewish, the proper thing to say about her passing is "May her memory be for blessing," which is true, but I wanted to add a bit of perspective on what that means.

Jewish tradition does not focus on the afterlife. There are a few thoughts on what happens when we go, some of which look a bit like reincarnation, and some of which looks like time to reevaluate our actions and relationships on earth, but for the most part, the whole "Do good things, get good reward from God; do bad things, get bad punishment from God" is just not part of our worldview. (Spoiler alert: this is why I love The Good Place so much- the final season feels very in line with Jewish thoughts on the afterlife.)
When Jews speak of righteousness, it is never with the idea of an eternal reward. We work to be good humans to others and ourselves because justice and peace are their own rewards. We don't know what happens next, but we know what happens here, and that is enough. The pursuit of justice is one of the highest callings of Judaism, and it should not be misinterpreted as vengeance or punishment. The ideas of justice and sustainability are inextricably linked in Judaism. A system that is unjust cannot sustain, and a system that is unsustainable cannot be just.

It is said that a person who passes on Rosh Hashona is a Tzedek/Tzaddeket, a good and righteous person. When we speak of tzedakah, the word is often translated as "charity" but it is more accurate to say righteousness. Tzedakah can take many forms (including monetary donation) but it's important to note that tzedakah is not a benevolent contribution given to be kind or nice to those who need it, it is to be viewed as a balancing of the scales, an active working towards justice. To use a simple example, one should donate to the local food bank not to gain favor with God, or to be nice to those with less than ourselves, but because it is unjust for anyone to be without food, especially while others have plenty. Correcting injustice, balancing the scales, evaluating the distribution of power and creating equity is tzedakah, the work of righteousness.

Similar to Maslow's (imperfect) hierarchy of needs, Maimonides wrote in the Middle Ages of eight levels of Tzedakah, the highest of which results in self sufficiency, or rather, an act that creates a sustainable form of justice. "Teaching a man to fish" is an extremely reductionist view of this idea, but it's a start- the real meat of it is the idea that charity is good, but eliminating the need for charity is better. (i.e. Tax the billionaires so we can have universal healthcare instead of praising the rich for building hospitals with their names on them.)

The second highest form is where both the giver and the receiver are unknown to each other. This allows both for the dignity of the recipient, and for the giver to be free from personal motivation and reward. In other words, we should help create a more just world for the benefit of people we don't know, without the expectation of praise, gratitude, or reward, in this life or the next.

When we say that Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a tzaddeket (the feminine form of tzaddik) we don't just mean she was a nice person. What we're saying is that she was a thoughtful person who worked tirelessly to create a more just world. One that would perpetuate equality and access, one that wasn't reliant on charity, one that was better for people she did not know, without the expectation of praise or fame. THAT is what it means to be a Tzaddeket, and I can't think of anyone who better embodies the pursuit of justice.

When we say "may her memory be for blessing" the blessing we speak of is not "may we remember her fondly" or "may her memory be a blessing to us" the blessing implied is this: May you be like Ruth. Jewish thought teaches us that when a person dies, it is up to those who bear her memory to keep her goodness alive. We do this by remembering her, we do this by speaking her name, we do this by carrying on her legacy. We do this by continuing to pursue justice, righteousness, sustainability.
So when you hear us say "May her memory be for blessing" don't hear "It's nice to remember her"-- hear "It's up to us to carry on her legacy." When you hear us say, "She was a Tzaddeket" don't hear "She was a nice person"-- hear "She was a worker of justice."

May her memory be for blessing.
May her memory be for revolution.
May we become a credit to her name.

[Cypress]

Those supreme court Justices must really love their job. Most of them seemingly stick with it well into their 80s.

You never really hear of a supreme court judge just deciding at age 60 to retire, kick back, play golf, and enjoy the grandkids.

[ThatOwlWoman]

Those supreme court Justices must really love their job. Most of them seemingly stick with it well into their 80s.

You never really hear of a supreme court judge just deciding at age 60 to retire, kick back, play golf, and enjoy the grandkids.

I think because their decisions live on after they are gone, and in a sense they become immortal because of that.

[IBDaMann]

Trump should push through the next pick

Fuck leftists

Apparently Trump is already on it and he plans to nominate a woman.

[IBDaMann]

This is pretty long, but I think worth the read. One of my friends posted this tribute to RBG.

Here's a better one from Donald Trump:

As we meet tonight our nation mourns the loss of a legal giant, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Her landmark rulings, her fierce devotion to justice and her courageous battle against cancer inspire all Americans. You may agree with her and you may disagree but she was an inspiration to a tremendous number of people ... I say all Americans. Justice Ginsberg's close relationship with a friend of ours and a friend of mine, Justice Scalia, is a powerful reminder that we can disagree on fundamental issues while treating each other with decency, dignity and respect. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.

[ThatOwlWoman]

Unread. Always will be. lol

This message is hidden because IBDaMann is on your ignore list.

[IBDaMann]

Unread. Always will be. lol

This message is hidden because IBDaMann is on your ignore list.

Is there any way I can repay you?



p.s. - quick question: Is Into the Night on your Ignore List as well? He's not, right?

[Guno צְבִי]

This is pretty long, but I think worth the read. One of my friends posted this tribute to RBG.
~~~

There are a few posts going around reminding folks that since RBG is Jewish, the proper thing to say about her passing is "May her memory be for blessing," which is true, but I wanted to add a bit of perspective on what that means.

Jewish tradition does not focus on the afterlife. There are a few thoughts on what happens when we go, some of which look a bit like reincarnation, and some of which looks like time to reevaluate our actions and relationships on earth, but for the most part, the whole "Do good things, get good reward from God; do bad things, get bad punishment from God" is just not part of our worldview. (Spoiler alert: this is why I love The Good Place so much- the final season feels very in line with Jewish thoughts on the afterlife.)
When Jews speak of righteousness, it is never with the idea of an eternal reward. We work to be good humans to others and ourselves because justice and peace are their own rewards. We don't know what happens next, but we know what happens here, and that is enough. The pursuit of justice is one of the highest callings of Judaism, and it should not be misinterpreted as vengeance or punishment. The ideas of justice and sustainability are inextricably linked in Judaism. A system that is unjust cannot sustain, and a system that is unsustainable cannot be just.

It is said that a person who passes on Rosh Hashona is a Tzedek/Tzaddeket, a good and righteous person. When we speak of tzedakah, the word is often translated as "charity" but it is more accurate to say righteousness. Tzedakah can take many forms (including monetary donation) but it's important to note that tzedakah is not a benevolent contribution given to be kind or nice to those who need it, it is to be viewed as a balancing of the scales, an active working towards justice. To use a simple example, one should donate to the local food bank not to gain favor with God, or to be nice to those with less than ourselves, but because it is unjust for anyone to be without food, especially while others have plenty. Correcting injustice, balancing the scales, evaluating the distribution of power and creating equity is tzedakah, the work of righteousness.

Similar to Maslow's (imperfect) hierarchy of needs, Maimonides wrote in the Middle Ages of eight levels of Tzedakah, the highest of which results in self sufficiency, or rather, an act that creates a sustainable form of justice. "Teaching a man to fish" is an extremely reductionist view of this idea, but it's a start- the real meat of it is the idea that charity is good, but eliminating the need for charity is better. (i.e. Tax the billionaires so we can have universal healthcare instead of praising the rich for building hospitals with their names on them.)

The second highest form is where both the giver and the receiver are unknown to each other. This allows both for the dignity of the recipient, and for the giver to be free from personal motivation and reward. In other words, we should help create a more just world for the benefit of people we don't know, without the expectation of praise, gratitude, or reward, in this life or the next.

When we say that Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a tzaddeket (the feminine form of tzaddik) we don't just mean she was a nice person. What we're saying is that she was a thoughtful person who worked tirelessly to create a more just world. One that would perpetuate equality and access, one that wasn't reliant on charity, one that was better for people she did not know, without the expectation of praise or fame. THAT is what it means to be a Tzaddeket, and I can't think of anyone who better embodies the pursuit of justice.

When we say "may her memory be for blessing" the blessing we speak of is not "may we remember her fondly" or "may her memory be a blessing to us" the blessing implied is this: May you be like Ruth. Jewish thought teaches us that when a person dies, it is up to those who bear her memory to keep her goodness alive. We do this by remembering her, we do this by speaking her name, we do this by carrying on her legacy. We do this by continuing to pursue justice, righteousness, sustainability.
So when you hear us say "May her memory be for blessing" don't hear "It's nice to remember her"-- hear "It's up to us to carry on her legacy." When you hear us say, "She was a Tzaddeket" don't hear "She was a nice person"-- hear "She was a worker of justice."

May her memory be for blessing.
May her memory be for revolution.
May we become a credit to her name.

right on point! thank you!!!!

May her memory be a blesssing zt”l

[IBDaMann]

The people of North Carolina are pushing to honor Ruth in the sincerest manner possible, i.e. by not leaving her seat sit languishing and vacant. They are demanding Trump FILL THAT SEAT immediately in Ruth's honor. Trump wants to complete the honor in first rate style by nominating another woman to continue Ruth's work. We should all support President Trump in seeing this through right away.

[Wolverine]

Hello Crocodile,



I bet McConnell goes full steam ahead to confirm any nominee. Screw what he did with Obama's nominee Merrick Garland. That was then. He's in the tank for Trump. Why would he care about contradicting himself? His reelection is safe no matter what he does. Kentucky is pretty solid behind him.

The Democrats did not hold the Senate, the republicans did and increased their totals in 2018, which means the public trusts them!

[Wolverine]

right on point! thank you!!!!

May her memory be a blesssing zt”l

Her Passing is a blessing, I do not wish harm on anyone it's clear she did, she was an anti Christian Jew, who did all in her power to advance a radical left agenda! I can only hope she changed her views on Christ as messiah, and resides in Heaven. Her views on Abortion indicate she probably didn't!

[Granule]

Well, Trump knows he's going to lose the election. Why would he care?

Because he knows he's going to kick the old pervert's ass.

And more importantly he'll hopefully find someone who isn't a bedwetting socialist.

[Minister of Truth]

The Onion is trolling hard on this matter.

Elena Kagan Decapitated During Rollercoaster Ride
https://www.theonion.com/elena-kagan...ide-1845133470

Sonia Sotomayor Narrowly Survives Gas Leak Explosion
https://www.theonion.com/sonia-sotom...ion-1845133490

[Minister of Truth]

Whoops, news happens fast in Onion land. They decided not to keep Sonia alive after all.

Sonia Sotomayor Dies Choking on Chicken Wing
https://www.theonion.com/sonia-sotom...ing-1845134009

[Legion]

There’s going to be no waiting and there shouldn’t be.

We presently have a 4-4 Court with an election that could easily wind up before an 8 member SCOTUS Jury. How about we avoid that disaster altogether?

That's an excellent point.