THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO DO IMMIGRATION

If someone wants to immigrate to America, they have a choice to do it it the legal way or the illegal way. They can enter through the legal door, following all the steps, proceduress and requirements. They must wait long periods of time, often years. They face numerous hurdles, administrative hassles and expenses. OR, they can break in illegally. 

IMMIGRATION IS A PRIVILEDGE, NOT A RIGHT!!

The job of our government boils down to this simple concept: Make it so difficult to enter America illegally that those whom WISH to immigrate AND America DESIRES will enter America legally.  

THE RIGHT WAY TO DO IMMIGRATION:

1. LEGALLY - Legal immigrates are vetted so we can reject those who pose an unacceptable risk to American citizens for reasons such as crime, health, etc. Legal immigrants are documented. We know who they are and where they are. 

Intelligent legal immigration standards benefit America and its citizens in many ways including greater diversity, ability to address labor force skill needs, etc. America has the opportunity to acquire individuals with special talents, abilities, high levels of education or accomplishments and other unique qualities. 

At the end of 2021 the backlog of people seeking to LEGALLY IMMIGRATE to America from around the WORLD was over 8 million cases. Many wait multiple years. Similar is true with work visas. 

THE OTHER WAY:

2. ILLEGALLY - Over the last 2 years of the Biden Administration, approximately 4 million people ILLEGALLY entered the USA. A record high number people illegally AVOIDED vetting and documentation.  

We don't know who they are or where they are. We didn't vett their criminal records or health risks. We didn't vett whether they would put an undue strain on hospitals or schools. 

THERE IS A RIGHT WAY TO DO IMMIGRATION AND A WRONG WAY. 

THE AMERICAN GOVERMENT CAN'T GET IT RIGHT EITHER WAY!  

SUPERMAN AS sAVIOR

No man is made of steel.

The lower case "s" in sAVIOR in this article's title is intentional because surely Superman was no messiah. While some yearn for the true Messiah and some have the Messiah, others worship idols.  

There have been many false prophets and mistaken messiahs, but there is only one true God. Nonetheless, in the fantasy world of comic-book hereos, Superman is "king."

Cover #1 - Notice in the first cover above: Rolling the stone (car) away from the entrance of the tomb. Notice the end of the front bumper and the red (blood) cape covering the person in red. Notice the reactions.

This is the original opening monologue for Superman, which goes:

"Superman - strange visitor from another planet who came to Earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men. Superman - who can change the course of mighty rivers, bend steel in his bare hands, and who, disguised as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, fights a neverending battle for Truth, Justice, and the American Way."

The comic character "Superman" was first conceived in 1933 in the Depression-era Midwest by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster. Both were teenagers in Cleveland and the children of Jewish immigrants. 

The first Superman comic appeared in Action Comics #1 in 1938. The comic was published on April 18, 1938 which would have been Nisan 17, the date of the 2nd Passover festival date which would be just before the 3rd day of the Passover, the day of Yeshua's ressurection. This was also during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 

Genesis 8.4 -- the ark came to rest in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the mountains of Ararat.

Though published in April the cover was dated June 1938. So the first Superman cover would have included both the Feast of Unlevened Bread and First Fruits.

June 1938 would have included the days during the "Counting of the Omer" and included the 50th, Pentecost, when Jews celebrate (Shavuot) receiving the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai and Christians celebrate receiving the Holy Spirit. 

The writer Siegel is a German (Ashkenazi) Jewish surname. Shuster is as well. A German "Schuster" was a maker or repairer of shoes. The stories being heard from Siegel and Shuster's relatives out of Germany must have been horrific!

During the rise of Nazi Germany the Jews certainly needed a Savior.  Jewish survival was at stake. But if these comic creators were going to be successful they had to know that their "messiah figure" would have to appeal to a Christian audience too. About 75% of America was church going at that time. That was the "American way." 

As America entered the war, the world needed hope. Millions of Americans prayed for "truth, justice and the American way" to prevail. 

Notice the eagles wings and the resemblance to the American Seal (See below).  Notice the issue is #14. That is the gematria of King David.  The history and origins of the Great Seal are fascinating, but were probably lost on the young creators of the Superman comic.

If the Jewish comic book writers were consciously or subconsciously seeking to create a "messiah figure," they would naturally draw inspiration from the bible.  Parallels would be nearly unavoidable with Superman, but there are too many to excuse as pure coincidence. Many people have noticed!

In the story, Superman's birth name, on the planet Krypton,  is Kal-El son of Jor-El.  (Jo-el is the first born son of Samuel.) “Kal-el” follows the traditional Jewish naming practice of adding the suffix “el,” which is singular for “Elohim,” a biblical name for God. The name Jorel means God will Uplift.  Kal, or קל, means "easy" or "light." With the accents at the time, Kal would be read as Kol, or קול, meaning "voice." El in Hebrew, אל, means "God," thus Superman's name in Hebrew is קול-אל, which loosely translates to "the voice of God."

Before Krypton's doom, when Kal-El is a tiny infant, his scientist father and mother, put him in a small ship and send him down the Nile of intergalactic space until he landed safely on Earth.  A baby put in a small ship (basket) and sent out to be spared by devine providence is an obvious play on Moses, a savior to Jews. 

He landed on Earth and after a time growing up on a rural farm he emerged and went on to become the world’s greatest superhero, saving his adopted planet countless times and becoming a symbol of hope for people around the world. Surely the Jewish writers of Superman, in a world coming apart for Jews, were praying for a Messiah. In a comic strip fantasy context, Superman gave the reader "hope." 

He could fly, even as high as the stars and when the times call for it, come back to down to rescue us. "Look, up in the sky. Its a bird (holy spirit), its a plane (to take us away). Its Superman."

A comic book messiah would need to have supernatural powers. Superman was able to see right through walls with X-ray vision, like Messiah could see through the walls we put up and into Man's heart.  Superman could leap tall buildings in a single bound and was more powerful than a locomotive. 

Superman's weakness was kryptonite. Like chumetz (leaven bread on Passover), even the smallest crumb (sin) of kryptonite in the room would weaken him.

Clark Kent was a humble man and wouldn't display his superpowers for just anyone. People would challenge Clark to show them his abilities, but he wouldn't give them a sign.  Once the situation was dire, Clark Kent would strip off his clothes and change into Superman.

The iconic "S" crest on Superman's chest became symbolic of his protection. The Hebrew letter for "S" is the "Shin." The first letter of the word שָׁלוֹם (shalom) peace is shin. Shin ש is also the first letter of the word שַׁדַי (shadai), which is one of the names of G-d.  The Kohen (priest) forms the letter shin with his hands 🖖 as he recites the Aaronic (Priestly) Blessing. Like other letters, there is a duality with shin; shin also the first letter in the word שֶׁקֶר (sheker) lie/falsehood. And as far as the true Messiah goes, Superman was a falsehood.

The Shin is the letter you see on the case (cover) of the Mezuzah protecting practically every Jewish home. The Mezuzah fills a command/mitzvah in the Torah to God's commandments on the doorposts of Jewish homes andvour gates. Those bible passages are on a tiny parchment scroll inside the Mezuzah. On the reverse side of the parchment are written the three Hebrew letters, Shin (ש), Dalet (ד), Yud (י). This is an acronym for the Hebrew words, שומר דלתות ישראל, meaning, “Guardian of the doors of Israel”.  

When wrapping tefillin the letter Shin (ש) is formed on the hand. 

The case for Superman’s Jewishness can also be related to his need to hide his identity. Over thousands of years, many Jews couldn't publicly express their religion. So Jews hid and many changed their names. Superman had to hide his identity as Clark Kent.

Like Superman had to hide his identity as Clark Kent, early comic pioneers such as Jacob Kurtzberg and Stanley Lieber changed their names to Jack Kirby and Stan Lee. Ironically, despite all of the Jews bringing comic books into the mainstream, very few—if any—comic book characters were made to be explicitly Jewish.

Hitler made exposing Jewish identity of utmost importance and the one group that Superman’s Jewishness was not lost on was the Nazis. While Superman creator, Siegel, may not have been able to actually make Superman Jewish, he made his opposition to the Nazis a major driving force for the character. “Action Comics” often featured Superman battling with the Nazis or Nazi stand-ins during the 1940s. To many Americans this was merely a display of patriotism. However, in the weekly Nazi newspaper Das Schwarze Korps, Superman was called one of the “fantasies of Jerry Israel Siegel.” It has been said that Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels declared that “Superman is a Jew!”

In the decades after World War II, many non-Jewish writers have taken on the character and infused him with their own Christian perceptions. Many Christians have considered Superman to be a Christ-like figure. The most recent movie iterations of the character, directed by Zack Snyder, have been immersed in Christian imagery.  But imagery of a Jewish Messiah has been present in the Superman story from the very first cover illustrations. 

Sadly, a world in need of a Savior will some times turn to idols. We know what the Israelites did when Moses appeared to not be coming down from Mount Sinai. In this early cover below, a golden calf comes to my mind.

Notice the inscription on the base, in the cloud caption and the pigeon doves.  

I want to come back to Superman's crest. Again, I said it reminds me of Hebrew letter "shin." (ש)

The letter shin can make either a "sh" sound or "S" sound. What determines this when the Hebrew has vowels is whether the little dot (the somech) is on the upper right or the upper left side of the letter.

שׂ - left is pronounced Sin

שׁ - right is pronounced Shin‎‎ as in Shalom and Shadai

While Superman is clearly an "S" sound, it seems to me that the artist in this version of the crest deliberately slipped a little dot into the upper-right side to suggest a Shin שׁ.

2022 cover for the "Darker Crisis" series. Isn't in interesting how the artist used a clever technique to make Superman less white. There is still no mistaking the Shin.

In Hebrew, the Messiah is often referred to as Melekh Mashiach מלך המשיח which translates to 'the Anointed King'. The story of Superman as king of the world continues to this day. So do the religious undertones and overtones. They've also taken on a darker theme.

THERE IS ONE TRUE GOD!

Moses said to the people, Don't be afraid! Stand firm and see the Lord's salvation . . . Read Shemote (Exodus) 14:13-31.

Devarim - Deuteronomy - Chapter 32:8-12

When the Most High gave nations their lot, when He separated the sons of man, He set up the boundaries of peoples according to the number of the children of Israel.

Because the Lord's portion is His people Jacob, the lot of His inheritance.

He found them in a desert land, and in a desolate, howling wasteland. He encompassed them and bestowed understanding upon them; He protected them as the pupil of His eye.

As an eagle awakens its nest, hovering over its fledglings, it spreads its wings, taking them and carrying them on its pinions.

[So] the Lord guided them alone, and there was no alien deity with Him.

FIRST THOUGHTS ON THE FIRST DAY

A good friend of God and mine, whose name is Ruel, which literally means "friend of God," wished me a happy new year with these words, 

"Greetings Jonah, asking father God to make His face shine upon you and your loved ones and May His favor rest on you throughout the new year."

His choice of words, "His face shine upon," got me thinking. Thinking gets me writing in my journal. Here are my first thoughts on this first day of the new year. 

HOW

When God's face shines upon a people they multiply, they are blessed. When God turn's his face, his protection is withdrawn and death and destruction ensue. This is "how" it goes.  

Why does this happen? Because of our disobedience to God. God has told us explicitly what things we are not to do. God even wrote them down on two stone tablets.

Our disobedient (sinful) nature was solidified in Genesis 3.9. After Adam ate the Forbidden Fruit, God calls out to Adam:

And the Lord God called to man, and He said to him,"Where are you?" In the Hebrew it is:

וַיִּקְרָ֛א יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶל־הָֽאָדָ֑ם וַיֹּ֥אמֶר ל֖וֹ אַיֶּֽכָּה

Of course Hashem, the almighty Lord God (יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים), knows "where" Adam is in a locational sense. God knows where we all are, at all times. That was obvious to Jonah. His disobedience was the deliberate use of the concept of where he was. Jonah channeled the concept of Adam's disobedience in the Garden. Then Jonah willingly went down to the pit of sheol in telling the Sailors to through him overboard. He knew his disobedience was the cause of the perilous seas that were destroying the boat.

The Hebrew word that we see in Genesis 3.9 for the word "where" is אַיֶּֽכָּה.  It sounds like "ayeh".

There are two words for "where" in the Hebrew bible. One version is a more generic straightforward request for location. On the other hand, the version of "where" we see in Genesis 3.9, is אַיֶּֽכָּה (Eicha), and it implies a deeper meaning. Here are two other spots this version of "where" is used in the bible: 

In Genesis 22:7, when Abraham and Isaac are ascending the mountain on the way to the "Binding of Isaac,"Isaac calls out, Hineh ha'esh...v'ayeh haseh l'olah? -- "Here's the fire, but where is the lamb for the offering?"  

Another example of the use of this form is found in The Book of Job verse 14.10. Vayigva adam y'ayamot, v'ayeh? -- "A man dies and then where is he?"

In each of these instances, God is not making a simple request for the location. So we the reader need to ponder for a deeper meaning. This dramatically changes the meaning of God's question. The implication is that something transformative has happened. 

In the case of Adam in the Garden, the answer to "where are you" is also the answer for how it happened -- disobedience. By expelling Adam from the Garden, God has in essense withdrawn His face by placing Adam outside of the Garden. 

When God shines His face on us, we are blessed. We are multiplied. But when we are disobedient, God may turn His face and withdraw. 

We see the Israelites' disobedience throughout the Hebrew bible. The Israelites have suffered greatly. This is a pattern we find in the bible and throughout history. Jews are well aware of it. It even has a date, the 9th day of the month of Av, Tisha'B'Av  - the saddest day in the year for spiritual Jews. Scripture has been written for it. 

There is a Hebrew book written which expresses the deep lamentations of the prophet Jeremiah. It is noted for it's dark imagery of the devestated city of Jerusalem and the Temple. This scripture is read in Temples by Jews on Tisha B'Av. The book opens in 1.1-2 with the following words:

"O how has the city that was once so populous remained lonely! She has become like a widow! She that was great among the nations, a princess among the provinces, has become tributary.

She weeps, yea, she weeps in the night, and her tears are on her cheek; she has no comforter among all her lovers; all her friends have betrayed her; they have become her enemies."

Most people know this as the "Book of Lamentations," but that is not the actual Hebrew title of the book. The Hebrew title for this book is אֵיכָ֣ה (Eicha).  

Notice how similar אֵיכָ֣ה and אַיֶּֽכָּה are to each other? In fact they are virtually the same. The only difference is a slight difference in the vowels, the little dots and dashes. They alter the pronunciation of אַיֶּֽכָּה  (ayeh) which means "where" to אֵיכָ֣ה  (Eicha) and means "how."

Thus, the Book of Lamentations in essence asks the great question of "how" could God have allowed great tradegy to befall us. But like the question of "where," we are left to ponder. And the answer that the sages, the prophets and many others conclude, is disobedience. 

Here is the interesting thing. There are no vowels, in the actual Torah. So in effect, אַיֶּֽכָּה (where) and אֵיכָ֣ה (how) are in some sense the same thing. That is something to ponder.