Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Jewish Holidays: 10 Tevet - Jerusalem Under Siege

Jewish Holidays: 10 Tevet - Jerusalem Under Siege


On the 10th day of the Jewish month of Tevet, 3336 years from Creation (425 BCE), the armies of the Babylonian emperor Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem. Thirty months later—on 9 Tammuz 3338—the city walls were breached, and on 9 Av of that year, the Holy Temple was destroyed. The Jewish people were exiled to Babylonia for 70 years.

The 10th of Tevet (this year, January 5, 2012) is observed as a day of fasting, mourning and repentance. We refrain from food and drink from daybreak to nightfall, and add selichot and other special supplements to our prayers. More recently, 10 Tevet was chosen to also serve as a “general kaddish day” for the victims of the Holocaust, many of whose day of martyrdom is unknown.



An ancient Jewish custom, which was revived by the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory, is to deliver words of inspiration and arousal to repentance on fast days. Presented here is our modest contribution to our duty as Jews to reflect on the significance of the tragic events of our history and come away motivated, encouraged, and—yes—even inspired:

  • The Destruction of the Temple
  • Siege Mentality
  • Walls and Gates
  • Jerusalem Under Siege
  • What We Are Missing
  • The Palace and the Pigeons
  • Beggars at a Wedding
  • Love in the Ice Age
  • 10th of Tevet
  • A Siege of Support
  • The Rebbe on the Holocaust
  • The Three Weeks and Tisha B’Av


Source: chabad.org

Monday, January 2, 2012

Martin Luther King Jr. Quotes

Martin Luther King Jr. Quotes




Martin Luther King, Jr. was a great preacher, orator and writer. He knew the power of words to challenge and inspire individuals and society. Words lead to actions, and in King's case, words provided a pathway to racial reconciliation and the cornerstones for building a more just American society.

These familiar quotes are as relevant today as they were when King first said them.

From every mountainside, let freedom ring. When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!
I Have a Dream, 1963.

Somehow this madness must cease. We must stop now. I speak as a child of God and brother to the suffering poor of Vietnam. I speak for those whose land is being laid waste, whose homes are being destroyed, whose culture is being subverted. I speak for the poor in America who are paying the double price of smashed hopes at home and death and corruption in Vietnam. I speak as a citizen of the world, for the world as it stands aghast at the path we have taken. I speak as an American to the leaders of my own nation. The great initiative in this war is ours. The initiative to stop it must be ours.
The Trumpet of Conscience, 1967.

Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time: the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.
Nobel Prize acceptance speech, Stockholm, Sweden, December 11, 1964.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction ... The chain reaction of evil -- hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars -- must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.
Strength To Love, 1963.

We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. Frankly, I have yet to engage in a direct action campaign that was "well timed" in the view of those who have not suffered unduly from the disease of segregation. For years now I have heard the word "Wait!" It rings in the ear of every Negro with piercing familiarity. This "Wait" has almost always meant "Never." We must come to see, with one of our distinguished jurists, that "justice too long delayed is justice denied."
Letter From A Birmingham Jail, 1963

Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!
I've Been To The Mountaintop, 1968

A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.
Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?, 1967.

You know my friends, there comes a time when people get tired of being trampled by the iron feet of oppression ... If we are wrong, the Supreme Court of this nation is wrong. If we are wrong, the Constitution of the United States is wrong. And if we are wrong, God Almighty is wrong. If we are wrong, Jesus of Nazareth was merely a utopian dreamer that never came down to Earth. If we are wrong, justice is a lie, love has no meaning. And we are determined here in Montgomery to work and fight until justice runs down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream.
Address to the first Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA) Mass Meeting, at Holt Street Baptist Church, 1955

Men often hate each other because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don't know each other; they don't know each other because they can not communicate; they can not communicate because they are separated.
Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story, 1958

The gospel at its best deals with the whole man, not only his soul but his body, not only his spiritual well-being, but his material well being. Any religion that professes to be concerned about the souls of men and is not concerned about the slums that damn them, the economic conditions that strangle them and the social conditions that cripple them is a spiritually moribund religion awaiting burial.
Pilgrimage to Non-Violence, 1960


Source:  huffingtonpost.com

Holidays and Observances in the United States


Holidays and Observances:
Jan 1
New Year's Day
Jan 2
'New Year's Day' observed
Jan 16
Martin Luther King Day
Feb 14
Valentine's Day
Feb 20
Presidents' Day
Apr 8
Easter Sunday
May 13
Mother's Day


May 28
Memorial Day
Jun 17
Father's Day
Jul 4
Independence Day
Sep 3
Labor Day
Oct 8
Columbus Day (Most regions)
Oct 31
Halloween
Nov 6
Election Day


Nov 11
Veterans Day
Nov 12
'Veterans Day' observed
Nov 22
Thanksgiving Day
Dec 24
Christmas Eve
Dec 25
Christmas Day
Dec 31
New Year's Eve

Valentine's Day Tips - What do Rose Colors Mean?

Valentine's Day Tips - What do Rose Colors Mean?



Each rose color has its own unique meaning. This presents a great opportunity to send a message along with your thoughtful gift. Here are the color meanings:

Red Rose
This one is the most obvious. It means "I love you." It represents romance and love.



Deep Pink
This simply means "thank you". If someone you know does something nice for you, a deep pink rose is a good way of saying "thank you".

Regular Pink
A pink rose represents happiness. It's great to give a pink rose to a partner to say, "I'm very happy with our relationship."

Light Pink
A light pink rose means "sympathy". When someone has had a loss then light pink roses is a very nice way of expressing your condolences.

White Rose
A white rose symbolizes innocence and purity. When combined with red roses (see further down), it represents "unity".

Yellow Rose
A yellow rose symbolizes friendship and caring. It's the perfect innocent gift to give to a friend or give to a loved one when you simply want to say "I care". When given to a friend it also means "I'm happy with our friendship."

Lavender Rose
A lavender rose is a symbol of "falling in love". When you give it to a person you are saying "I have fallen in love with you and am enchanted by you."

Orange Rose
An orange rose is a symbol of desire. "I desire you" or "I desire to get to know you better" is the message that orange roses send.

Black Rose
Never ever give a woman a black rose, because Hollywood has, unfortunately, made out the meaning to be "death". These aren't easy to find and some maintain that they don't actually "exist".

Blue Rose
A blue rose is very hard to reproduce or find, although some floral companies are trying to do it naturally. Others just dye them. To some a blue rose symbolizes "mystery" and to others "attaining the impossible". A blue rose given can symbolize the rarity of your partner. You have attained the impossible.

Mixture of White and Red Roses
When you deliver white and red roses together to someone, it is a symbol of unification and unity. "May we always be together as one."


If you want to be creative, you can combine some of the above roses to send several messages at once. For example, send lavender and orange roses to say that you are falling in love with the person and desire to know them even more. Provide yellow and pink roses combined to let a grieving friend know you care and are sorry for their hardship and loss.

Another tip - and this one is from DateGifts.com - buy 11 roses of one color and then 1 of a contrasting color. Provide them to your girlfriend and let her know that she is unique and that's one of the many reasons you love her. She stands out amongst all women and you are honored to have her in your life.

Here's an example: Get her 11 deep pink colored roses and one red rose. Deep pink means "thank you". You can then say, "thank you for being unique. I love you." Or give her 11 pink roses and one blue rose to say, "I am very happy with our relationship and thankful that I have attained such a rare gem as you."

The best part about this is that women know how much thought is put into a gift and the way you present your roses will have an amazing impact.

Three Kings Day Coloring Pages - Los Tres Reyes Magos

Three Kings Day Coloring Pages - Los Tres Reyes Magos

Hello, if you are looking for activities or coloring pages for your kids to go along with the tradition and story, here I bring you some coloring pages for you to share with them and have some fun creating new art... Have fun!!







Three Kings Day Bread: Rosca de Reyes

Three Kings Day Bread:  Rosca de Reyes

Ingredients
1 (1/4-ounce) packet active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1/4 cup dried figs, cut into strips, plus more for garnish
1/4 cup candied orange peel, cut into strips, plus more for garnish
1/4 cup candied lemon peel, cut into strips, plus more for garnish
1/4 cup chopped candied cherries, plus more whole for garnish
2 tablespoons light rum
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
3 large eggs, divided
Water


Preparation
In a small bowl, combine the yeast and warm water; stir to blend. Let stand until the yeast comes alive and starts to foam, about 5 to 10 minutes.

Put all of the candied fruit in small bowl and drizzle the rum on top. Let stand for 15 minutes to 1 hour to infuse the flavor.

In a small pot, warm the milk over medium heat. Add the sugar, butter, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.

In a large bowl, mix 3 1/2 cups flour, 2 eggs, yeast mixture, milk mixture, and the rum soaked candied fruits, mixing very well until the dough gathers into a ball. If the dough is too wet, Add additional flour, a little at a time, if needed to form a soft dough. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until it's smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Put the ball of dough back into the bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and set aside in a warm spot to rise for 1 hour.

Remove the dough from the bowl and knead on a lightly floured surface. Using your palms, roll the dough into a long rope. Shape the coil into a ring, sealing the ends together. Insert a little doll or coin into the bread from the bottom, if desired. Line a baking pan with aluminum foil and coat with nonstick cooking spray. Carefully transfer the dough ring to the prepared baking pan.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Beat the remaining egg in a small bowl with 1 tablespoon of water to make an egg wash, and brush the top of the bread. Decoratively garnish the top of the bread with more candied fruit and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the cake is golden.

Cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Cook's Note: Let your guests know there is a little doll or coin inserted inside.

The Three Wise Men Day - Día de Reyes

The Three Wise Men Day Dia de Reyes
After New Year's Day, Mexican families still have a very special date to commemorate and enjoy. On January 6, most of the Hispanic world celebrates El Dia De Reyes, the Epiphany, remembering the day when the Three Wise Men following the star to Bethlehem, arrived bearing their treasured gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for the Baby Jesus.


January 6, Dia de Reyes
On the night, of January 5, the figurines of the Three Wise Men are added to the nativity scene. Before going to bed the children place their old shoes under their bed or in the living room, where the Wise Men will leave them their presents. Some also place outside the house, some hay and a bucket with water for the animals, and even some cookies and milk for Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar.
You can feel the excitement building up! With twinkling eyes, the children eagerly, and constantly ask what time it is, wishing for time to fly so they could open their presents.
Reluctantly they go off to bed.
As soon as they wake up, which is earlier than any other day, they run to see the gifts that the Three Magi left for them. Happiness overflows every Mexican home.

The children spend the day playing and admiring each other’s presents, sharing them with friends, talking about how they were able to hear or see the Reyes Magos when they arrived at their home, how one of them heard the camel’s footsteps, how the other saw a shining crown in the dark night! Meanwhile, adults prepare for the Merienda de Reyes, an early evening dinner that friends and families share to celebrate the Epiphany.

Rosca de Reyes
People go to the markets and stores to get the needed ingredients to prepare the feast.
All over the country, in every city and in every little town, bakeries offer the Rosca de Reyes, an oval sweetbread, decorated with candied fruit. There are Roscas of all sizes, very small ones for two or three people and up to the ones that will delight more that twenty people.


The Merienda de Reyes is truly a multicultural event. The Spaniards brought the tradition of celebrating the Epiphany and sharing the Rosca to the New World. The Rosca is served along with Tamales, made of corn which was the pre-Hispanic food per excel lance, and hot chocolate. Chocolate is also a gift from the native peoples of the New World.

Hidden inside this delicious Rosca, a plastic figurine of the Baby Jesus. The Baby is hidden because it symbolizes the need to find a secure place where Jesus could be born, a place where King Herod would not find Him.

Each person cuts a slice of the Rosca . The knife symbolizes the danger in which the Baby Jesus was in.
One by one the guests carefully inspect their slice, hopping they didn't get the figurine.
Whoever gets the baby figurine shall be the host, and invite everyone present to a new celebration on February 2, Candelaria or Candle mass day, and he also shall get a new Ropón or dress for the Baby Jesus of the Nativity scene.


The Mexican Christmas season is joyously extended up to February 2 ! - when the nativity scene is put away, and another family dinner of delicious tamales and hot chocolate is served with great love and happiness.

Source:  inside-mexico.com