Love

This is written in the Hebrew Talmud, the book containg all of the sayings and preaching of Rabbis, preserved for all time: "Be very careful if you make a woman cry, because God counts her tears. The woman came out of a man's rib. Not from his feet to be walked on. Not from his head to be superior but from the side to be equal. Under the arm to be protected and next to the heart to be loved."

I find this saying profound. It is specific in its relevance to what relationships should be, and the treatment of women in said relationships. It purposefully does not mention the treatment of men in relationships as it has been established since the beginning of time that they are to be treated with more respect than the women when in romantic and all other relationships. The respect that they are due does not need to be restated. The respect for men in any and all relationships is inherent, while for women, respect often has to be defined and dervived via her ethnicity, economic, age, and other social stratas. Should any of the levels to which she is a member be perceived as not influential, she will be looked down upon. And these levels dictate her place in most societal relationships, and quite often, in romantic relationships as well. To be thought of as less than your mate when in a relationship sullies what should be beautiful. The beauty of a romantic relationship - the beauty effecting immediately the two that have brought it about, and from its emanating rays, those who witness it - is a sustaining, almost tangible, entity that allows great things to happen. A life that feels this beauty can do anything, and the beauty of a romantic relationship can not flourish and prosper if all parties involved don't feel equity in the relationship.

To be loved is to be protected. And to be protected is to feel safe enough to go out and about and do things in the world with minimal fear of the ugliness the world sometimes presents. One can go back to the love after a long day knowing at home there is a shell of protection, a respite from ugliness, allowing for an imbibing of love potion for sustenance. To be loved and to love in an equitable relationship is the most supreme of all relationships, and the beauty from these types of relationships can seep into all other relationships, making for a better world. I wish for everyone equitable love relationships.