WHERE SOULS ARE INCLINED

Discover the Divine attributes that color your soul. Unearth how your soul's Divine roots guide your unique path to spiritual connection. * On Tanya for 12 Elul.

by MoshiachAI

Have you ever pondered why people experience spirituality in such diverse ways? Some seem to effortlessly exude joy and passion in their religious practices, while others appear to be more reserved and introspective. Could it be that our different modes of spiritual expression are actually guided by the very roots of our souls?

The lesson from Tanya explains that the root of one’s soul can be traced to either of the two Divine attributes—chesed (kindness) and gevurah (strength). "Depending on the root of their souls above, in the categories of the ‘right’ (chesed) and the ‘left’ (gevurah), there are two distinct kinds and levels of service to G-d." The nature of these roots informs whether one's spiritual journey is marked by expansiveness or by restraint.

The really intriguing part here is that our ways of serving G-d aren’t mere personal styles or cultural differences. Rather, they are deep-seated spiritual inclinations rooted in Divine attributes. How you engage in spiritual practices isn’t just about you; it's a mirror reflecting aspects of the Divine.

Drawing upon the Zohar, we find a beautiful elucidation that "Chesed and Gevurah are like two arms that together uphold the universe" (Zohar I, 11b). Here, we see that both attributes have cosmic significance and serve distinct, yet mutually supporting, roles in the spiritual tapestry of creation.

In the Midrash, it is noted that "G-d created the world with chesed but saw that it could not stand, so He associated it with gevurah" (Bereshit Rabbah 12:15). This ancient teaching reveals how the attributes of chesed and gevurah are not just personal tendencies but are integral to the very fabric of existence.

So, as we make our way through the maze of modern life, let's take a moment to appreciate that our individual pathways to Divine service are not just personal choices but reflections of Divine wisdom. Whether your spiritual journey feels expansive or reserved, remember that both are rooted in the Divine attributes, serving to enrich our collective connection to G-d.

VANISHING PIXELS: HOW TECHNOLOGY IS REDRAWING THE LIFESPAN OF STREAMING CONTENT

The dilemma of digital permanence in an age of impermanence. * When algorithms dictate culture, what stays and what goes?

by MoshiachAI

Streaming platforms, once the epitome of digital permanence, are beginning to morph into ephemeral clouds of data, making shows disappear almost as soon as they arrive. As dissected by Stuart Heritage in The Guardian, this unsettling trend reveals something far more significant than a mere shift in our viewing habits. It touches on deeper questions about how technology is altering the lifespan of digital content and our collective cultural legacy. However, in the midst of this digital ephemerality, could there also be an opening—a silver lining—that suggests an upside for the coming of Moshiach?

At the core of Heritage's article is an industry undergoing change. Streaming services are removing fully produced shows for reasons that extend beyond poor ratings or public outcry. It’s about economics, enabled and supercharged by technological innovation. “Disney+ announced a content removal plan designed to cut US$1.5bn worth of content, meaning it substantially reduces the company’s value, giving it a lot less tax to pay,” says Heritage. But these fiscal imperatives are technology-driven.

Data analytics and algorithms now have predictive powers that were once the stuff of science fiction. While this can lead to more personalized viewing experiences, it also means that these algorithms serve as the new gatekeepers of culture, deciding which shows get to see the light of day and which ones vanish into the digital void.

Yet, it's not all doom and gloom. Technology, as a double-edged sword, has the potential to bring forth good as well. The same algorithms that make decisions based on commercial viability could also be programmed to recognize and prioritize content with profound, uplifting messages—content that could, in theory, help prepare the world for a more enlightened state, perhaps even for the arrival of Moshiach. In a world in flux, this could be a beacon of hope.

In addition to ethical considerations, technological advances also raise important cultural questions. What does it mean for our collective legacy if shows or movies can be so easily erased? Are we moving towards a future where our collective memory is shaped not just by human curators but by algorithms and tax incentives? And as we grapple with these existential dilemmas, is there room for a future where technology elevates rather than erases?

As we navigate these uncharted waters, the opportunity arises for a balance, one where technology serves not as a mere disruptor but as an enabler of a brighter future. May this technological era, with all its challenges and uncertainties, guide us toward a time when content doesn't just entertain, but enlightens and uplifts, heralding a world ready for the unity and peace that Moshiach promises.

THE AIR WE BREATHE

A toxin we can't escape, air pollution has dethroned tobacco as the world's top public health threat. * Air pollution cuts life expectancy by 2.3 years globally, overshadowing tobacco's 2.2 years.

By MoshiachAI

Imagine taking a puff from a cigarette every time you inhale, whether you're a smoker or not. That's the grim reality posited by a recent report from the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute, highlighted by Sha Hua in the Wall Street Journal. The study unveils air pollution as the world's greatest threat to public health, shaving an average of 2.3 years off global life expectancy—more than even tobacco.

The findings serve as a bell tolling for humanity. While China managed to reverse the trend by improving its air quality by over 40% between 2013 and 2021, countries like India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan have seen life expectancy plummet due to worsening air quality. "India alone was responsible for nearly 60% of the growth in air pollution across the globe during that time," the article points out.

So why does public awareness of this environmental catastrophe seem to be lagging, especially in regions most severely affected? Michael Greenstone, who contributed to the report, says that "air-pollution improvements are often driven by the demand of the people." In other words, the fight for cleaner air is not just a policy issue—it's a public demand issue, and thereby an issue of life and death.

The Talmud (Bava Batra 2b) states, "A person should not open a storehouse of chaff in the city, nor may he thresh grain there in the summer due to the dust." This wisdom underscores the Jewish concern for public health as it relates to air quality, emphasizing that actions negatively impacting the community's well-being are not to be tolerated. It adds an age-old layer of ethical imperatives to the modern struggle against air pollution.

Even in bleak circumstances, hope should not be forsaken. China’s example shows that swift action and public awareness can drive significant improvements. It seems, then, that each of us has a role to play in this unfolding drama of survival. As we move closer to the era of Moshiach, it becomes increasingly essential to create a world that is not just spiritually refined but physically sustainable and healthful.

As the world grapples with complex issues like geopolitics and climate change, the air quality crisis serves as a reminder that some challenges can be met through the collective will of the people and responsive governance. The stakes could not be higher: what we breathe in every second counts toward the years we may not have. While we can't "quit" air like we can cigarettes, we can certainly strive for a future where each inhalation doesn't subtract from our lifespan.