Auschwitz: The men behind the mass murder.

[As you read the following article, keep in mind that the Nazis acquired power in a democratic nation with a population that was 94% Christian. Neither democracy nor Christianity is enough to prevent something like this from happening again.  Individuals must also have shared core values that place life as the highest value and top priority, along with a shared standard to judge human actions by – we recommend the TOV Standard.]

According to his interrogator at the Nuremberg war trials, the commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, appeared “normal,” “like a grocery clerk.” Prisoners who came across him at Auschwitz confirmed this view, adding that Höss always appeared calm and collected. There is no record of him ever personally hitting – let alone killing – anyone at the camp. Höss lived with his wife and children in a house just yards from the crematorium in Auschwitz main camp, where some of the earliest killing experiments were conducted using the poisonous insecticide Zyklon B. During his working day Höss presided over the murder of more than a million people, but at home he lived the life of a solid middle-class German father and husband.

At Auschwitz there is not one case in the records of an SS man being prosecuted for refusing to take part in the killings. Crucial to understanding how it was possible for Höss to carry on, calmly and faithfully, organizing the killing, is the knowledge that he was never faced with one sudden command to commit mass murder. His long career in concentration camps as a guard prepared him step by step for the moment when the gassings began at Auschwitz. Indeed, he saw his subordinate’s innovation of the use of Zyklon B as a killing device as an “improvement” – a method of murder that carried with it less potential to cause psychological damage to his men than killing by firing squad. Höss was no mere robot, blindly following orders, but an innovator in the way he organized the killing. Read the complete article from BBC History at -- http://www.historyextra.com/feature/second-world-war/auschwitz-men-behind-mass-murder

Let the Animals Teach Us TOV!

I suppose when you are someone who is intimately close with nature and who depends on the earth garden to provide sustenance, there is a greater understanding and respect for the earth and the creatures with which we share space and resources.  But, many of us today do not have those strong connections with the land and sea. We don't farm, fish, raise animals, or hunt.

The closest I get to the land and the sea for my needs is Whole Foods! I love and appreciate the beauty of creation. I'm fascinated by the sheer variety of creatures that exist and thinking about how the planet works. It's absolutely amazing. Those who know me, know I'm not the outdoorsy type, but I have very strong feelings about the treatment of both the earth and its creatures. 

Jewish tradition views animals as belonging to the Creator, thus they are not to be treated with cruelty, made to suffer, or tortured. In Genesis 1, where the concept of TOV is revealed, animals are given an "earth-soul" and it endowed them with their basic instincts, needs and desires. Humans were also created with an earth-soul, but they were also created with the Spirit of the Creator. So, humans share an earth-soul with the animals, but the Spirit distinguishes us from all other creatures. Humans occupy the unique position between the Creator and the animals.

The Creator endowed humans with the responsibility to protect, care for and nourish these creatures. He also endowed humans with the power to subdue their "earth-soul” or “animalness." We have the power to choose to reveal the image of the Creator or the image of a wild animal through the choices we make. It is important for us to understand and act like we are part of Creation not separate from it or above it.

The Creator judged His/Her actions by the TOV Standard -- to see if they protected life, preserved life, made life more functional, and increased the quality of life. When we use the TOV Standard we reveal the image of the Creator in our generation. But today, a lot of people are using a different standard to judge what they do -- how much money they can make or what something’s worth. They fail to take into consideration how each of their decisions may affect the rest of the creation. Never forget that humans destroy and make creatures extinct, at our own peril. This is what can happen when humans fail to subdue their “animalness!”

I posted a video about Koko, the Gorilla that signs (click here). She was being visited by Betty White, whom I love. Betty pointed out that connection between humans, and in this case, Koko. Looking into each other's eyes, she saw that spark that binds all creation together. This can only be seen and experienced when we open our minds and hearts and accept responsibility for our actions concerning them.

The Yardstick for the treatment of the earth and the animals with whom we share a soul – and our fellow humans -- is the Creator’s TOV Standard. If we use it to judge our Thoughts, Words and Acts to see if they will result in Life being Protected, Preserved, Made More Functional and Quality being Increased – then we will improve our world. On the other hand, if allow our “animalness” to go unsubdued – then our Thoughts, Words, and Acts will result in Life Being Destroyed and Harmed, Threatened, Made Less Functional, and Quality Decreased. That is the opposite of TOV – the Torah calls it RA (evil).

Do TOV, Choose Life, Reveal the Image of the Creator!

Rabbi Jeffrey Leynor

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What Do We Keep?

I saw a quote on FB which really struck a chord. It said; "Whatever life takes away from you, let it go." Much of the time life does take people and things away from us. These are things we have no control over. It is more than just death -- sometimes it is family feuds, sometimes it is other relationships where we cut ourselves off, or we are cut off from family or other close ties. Other times it is a career, or a business or even our dreams.

When these things occur, we must remember that even though someone or something was "taken away," there is always something that remains. Love remains, cherished memories remain, wonderful experiences remain – and also pain, growth and learning remain.

But, life is not only about what is "taken away" -- it also includes what we "give away" and things which we are willing to let go. I'm finishing one of those stages of going through old stuff, papers, projects, rearranging things, finding lost treasures and divesting myself of others. It seems that this is a reflection of all the changes happening in my life. In some cases, it was difficult voluntarily letting go of certain things, for others, it was a relief, almost an unburdening. 

What did I keep? I kept things which reflect my current life -- materials that will help me in my new ventures and enable me to continue my teaching, training and counseling and even a revival of my music. We all carry what we keep, but also a small part of what we give away and what is taken away.

Voluntarily letting go reveals an important side of personal growth and striving towards maturity. Whatever life takes away from us, we have no choice, however, we do have a choice of how we response to the loss. Whatever we choose to give up and part with often shows courage and a trust in the possibilities of what's to come.

Let go of what we cannot keep, hold on to the best of what is taken away, and play an active role in choosing what we leave behind.

Do TOV and Choose Life!

Rabbi Jeffrey Leynor

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Want Immediate Gratification? Do TOV!

What is the difference between a Master and a Beginner? The Master has failed more times than the Beginner could ever even imagine. One becomes a "Master" (M/F) by constantly practicing their skills and abilities in their lives. They see themselves as a work in progress because they understand that in the process of mastering something there is failure, defeat and loss, whether they are in competition with others or with themselves. However, they use those things to learn and grow from the failures, because they reframe the situation and figure out a different approach or tactic which enables them to progress.

I'm teaching this as well as learning it myself. It also funnels my energy into learning rather than beating myself up for failing or making a mistake. The "Immediate Gratification" comes from taking a negative and turning it to a positive. That decision empowers me!

Those who want instant results will be disappointed. Becoming a Master takes a long time. Very few people are automatic masters. In our culture, we are trained to expect immediate success, immediate results, immediate recognition, immediate wealth and so on. With such expectations, no wonder there are so many disappointed, impatient, enraged people around.

Most of the time, I have lots of questions and few answers, but in this case there is something we can all do that is not difficult. It will lift our spirits and the spirits of others, it will give us meaning and purpose and it will give immediate gratification as well as teaching gratification for the long-term by Doing TOV!

In Jewish Tradition, the Torah teaches that we are supposed to give a "handout" to the weakest and most vulnerable, but the highest form of Tzedakkah (justice/righteousness) is a "hand-up", which enables someone to become self-sufficient and contribute to the community. Our "yardstick" is the TOV Standard which are Thoughts, Words and Acts which Protect life, Preserve Life, Make Life More Functional and Increase the Quality of Life. When we act with loving-kindness towards others, when we fill a need, heal a wound, nourish a soul, the Gratification is Immediate. The result of these actions uplifts everyone involved and the reward is like a hefty deposit in our spiritual account.

Maybe we should do away with the "Bar/Bat Mitzvah" which has become a passageless rite for so many and create a new category for everyone called a "Ben TOV/Bat TOV" Sons and Daughters of Doing TOV. That is where people begin to study TOV and eventually after much practice and growth we become a "Ba'al TOV/ Ba'alit TOV" -- A Master of TOV. These people train and mentor others who are in process and help create communities who practice these values to repair the world. Want satisfaction, meaning, purpose and immediate and long-term gratification, become a Master of TOV.

DO TOV Choose Life!

Rabbi Jeffrey Leynor