SHABBAT SHALOM -- LECH LECHA -- WALKING FORWARD, IN CIRCLES In this weeks Torah portion, we are introduced to the family of Avraham and Sarah. Our tradition marvels that this founding family was able to articulate a concept of Hashem, ethics, and morality that becomes a Jewish life. Beyond the idols of his childhood home, how could Abraham become so passionate about recognizing and celebrating the One Living God? As we notice creation in all of its subtleties, we appreciate the abundance of our lives and trace our blessings back to the Source of All -- there is no intermediary, there is no distributor who stores wholesale blessings -- each of us links directly and has access to the joyful, timeless rhythm of the eternal. As we have the desire to experience and apply our learning to better our life, we are utilizing the great gifts of Avraham and Sarah -- to not only live our lives, but to learn from our mistakes and our triumphs, as we get the great gift of living another day. No matter our background or our history, Avraham and Sarah teach us that we can overcome shadowing odds and great difficulty to pursue a holy life. We are able to transform any situation by cultivating our kindness and generosity -- by demonstrating an unbridled love of God and for our life, we transform each moment into blessing. Our entire life is like the journey of Avraham and Sarah -- going to a place that we are constantly shown anew. May we have the gentle belief that we are on a significant path, and that our life matters, not so much in the dramatic gesture, rather in the imbedded importance in greeting each other, locating joy, and practicing a generous lovingkindness, everyday. As the philosopher Henri Frederic Amiel writes: Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are traveling the dark journey with us. Oh, be swift to love; make haste to be kind. As we continue to express concern about and our love for our world, may we enjoy this version of Shabhi Yerushalyim, as performed by Yoav Yitzhak, live in Israel. This song is the Mizrachi equivalent of the Ashkenazi much-beloved song, Yerushalayim shel Zahav. May there be less suffering and less terror in our world -- https://youtube/watch?v=8nNB0TPcjIs
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 16:36:17 +0000
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