Dear Dr. Pipes

Submitted by Seamus Dafydd Dives MacNemi (United States), Oct 3, 2009 at 14:00

In reading though the back log of this forum I have come to the conclusion that there is a blindness on both sides of the debate. I have thought that if Osama Bin Laden had acomplished nothing more than to focus the mind of men again on the idea of G-D he would have served a useful purpose. We need not be dismayed by the turn of events because I think that there is a silver lining hidden in the dark clouds hanging over our heads.

The world at the turn of the last century was indeed in need of a serious spiritual awakening. This I see as evidenced in all of the present economic and social problems that we presently face. It is my thought that if we are to progress beyond this point we must learn to trancend the limitations of language and history and start over again to work to bring our lives into harmony with the actual world that we live in. I think that to many people live in a world of speculation and supposition unaware of the importance of the present moment. Always they are looking ahead into some idea of a reality that does not yet exist all the while not paying attention to the pesent moment which does exist. It is in the present moment that we all live. We do not and cannot live in that future moment until we get there and no matter what we might plan or hope for in the present we have absolutely no guarantee that that future moment will be as we would wish. This is preciely the point where the idea of faith comes into play in our lives. But what is faith? The dictionary and most thinkers would tell you about faith in some thing or idea or talisman or book whatever but they will fail to answer the real question. What is faith?

For myself, I have defined faith as courage in the face of adversity. For me it is the expression of a resolute will to persevere regardless of set backs, disappointments or any obsticle either natural or man made that inpedes our achievement of our predetermined goal. This thought has sustained me through some of the most protracted difficlties in my life and brought me to this present moment in which I am writing to you. It gives me reason to say, " Baruch Atah Adonai Elueinu Melech ha Olam she chechianu, ve kimanu ve higianu l'zman hazeh.

I fully realize the difficulties that we face in the world today. Although I am only one man among millions I think that I might be able to act as a catalyzing agent in events to bring about a refocusing of the efforts of you and many others whos desire it is to first preserve the State of Israel and secondly to build for a future that we all can enjoy. My participaton in this forum is an expression of that thought and my wish to be of service to that idea. I am a Zionist in my thinking and the idea of Zonism is what motivates my every waking moment. I am a realist and not some sort of a pie in the sky idealist. While I hold high ideals I fully realize that the ideal is seldom the realty. I take the reality of the present moment and work to shape it to my ideal much like a sculptor working a block of stone. A small chip at a time.

I have become a sort of specialist in making connections which might not otherwise have been made. I connect ideas to ideas and I form new thoughts with old ideas. In my studies of the Torah I have come to realize that inspiration arizes out of a recognition of necessity. It is the ability to recignize and understand the parameters of necessity that seperates us from the majority of men in the world. That in itself puts us in a unique position to act with focused intent to move matters toward some desired goal. There will always be resistance to our efforts. There will always be those who will object or want to offer some different or opposing view. In such situations we must review our thinking and refine our thoughts so as to clarify the picture for all to see. I have learned to seek criticism of my ideas because criticism helps me refine my thinking. Criticism helps me to eliminate inconsistencies and contradictions which would, if left unattended, serve to produce unintended consequences which could turn out to be liabilities. I must pay attention not only to my goal but as well to the most efficient and constructive means of achieving my goal.

You and I seek a comon objective in our efforts. It is my hope that I can work with you toward those ends.

Sincerely, Seamus MacNemi

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