Mumbai Doctor Smashed Idols and Became a Jew with Holtzbergs

Israel National News ^ | November 19, 2009 | Hana Levi Julian

[bogusname]

In a powerful echo of the Biblical story of the patriarch Abraham, a Mumbai doctor smashed his father's idols and eventually decided to become a Jew in the Land of Israel.

Dr. Aharon Abraham, left his position as Director of the ICU Medical Center at British Kennedy in Mumbai, India after terrorists murdered his spiritual guide and his wife, Rabbi Gabi and Rivky Holtzberg one year ago. Abraham was born Vagirds Frads to a Hindu cleric who worshipped idols, and a mother who prepared food for them. As did the Biblical Abraham, young Vagirds could not understand how his father could honor a man-made statue, nor why his mother would cook for them. "Sometimes I eat it in secret," he confided in an article that appeared in Hebrew in Sichat HaShavuah...

[sinanju]

“Mister Simpson, quit trying to feed my god a peanut!”

[radiohead]

This is a beautiful story. You never know how your life becomes an example to others.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Unlike the patriarch, however, he waited until after graduating high school to confront his father, asking how he could believe "such nonsense." But when there was no reply, his anger led him to take a hammer and smash the idols, exactly as Abraham had done.

There are no people less tolerant of other people's beliefs than religious converts.

[RoadGumby]

The Bible is NOT tolerant, nor is it meant to be. God, the God of Abraham, is a jealous God. “Thou shalt have no Gods before me.” His Son was sent not to unite the world, but to divide it, those who are Godly from those Hell-bound.

There isno possible way I would ever allow anything resembling an idol in my home. Intolerant? You betcha.

You may get your chance to show your tolerance under sharia law here in the US, I wish you luck with that.

[dangus]

See, even people from India can grow up to become Jewish doctors. Someone’s mother-in-law is very surprised.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

There isno possible way I would ever allow anything resembling an idol in my home. Intolerant? You betcha.

What goes on in your house is your business. However, the subject of the article wasn't breaking idols in his house. He was breaking idols belonging to his father in his father's house. Incredibly lack of respect for his father - you can applaud this behavior if you like, but I could never respect a man who behaves like this, let alone a God who requires it.

[RoadGumby]

Then do not respect Him, that is your choice. I’ll be able to say with a clear conscience, “Told ya so”.

[swarthyguy]

>>an idol in my home.

You don’t have a TV?

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Then do not respect Him, that is your choice. I’ll be able to say with a clear conscience, “Told ya so”.

Feel free. I'd rather see kind, decent behavior from people in this life than outrageous, ungrateful behavior that might earn them brownie points in some afterlife.

[RoadGumby]

Well, then have a good time with your ‘good works’ without the faith necessary to get to that afterlife.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Well, then have a good time with your ‘good works’ without the faith necessary to get to that afterlife.

Thing is, I'm certain it's possible to get to that afterlife without behaving disgracefully toward your parents in their house.

[1010RD]

Isn’t “jealous” as quoted there in the Hebrew mean something more along the lines of “deep and sensitive feelings”. That is I am a God of deep and sensitive feelings toward my creation and the purpose of life.

It seems that the OT presents a continuing battle between false gods and the real God, no? False gods not being real, but dumb idols - man-made and worthless.