Teaching in NY

I’m placing this here because I think it has strong resonances with the Muslim thinking on the concept of charity. I’ll post a similar one for Muslims shortly. Eight Rungs of the Giving Ladder: The concept of giving anonymously without knowing the recipient can be traced back to ancient Israel. Beggars would regularly congregate next to a wall of a courtyard and donors, being aware of this, would face the opposite direction and toss coins over the shoulders in the direction of the wall. Therefore, the recipients of the charity would not feel ashamed or indebted to the giver. Maimonides,…

Keep to forgiveness (O Muhammad), and enjoin kindness, and turn away from the ignorant. – The Qur’an, Chapter 7, Verse 199 What would the Prophet have done given the presence of those cartoons? Most probably smiled and turned away.  Why are Muslims getting so worked-up about the works of ignorant cartoonists from the boondocks of Denmark?  Is Islam so weak that we need to kill each other demonstrating our anger at an insult at the Prophet?  Is the legacy of the Prophet so weak that we have to condem every Tom Dick and Lars when they insult him?  Is Allah…

Key selection from the linked article reads: Bananas on pizza? Well, in the Islamic tradition the fallen Adam and Eve covered themselves with banana leaves rather than those of figs. Plus, bananas have a certain shape to them. Who knew?