T'shuvah; Return to Source
Every
year at this time tradition invites us to journey inward – to do the
important spiritual work of T'shuvah; re-turning to Source.
We take measureof our lives to discern what is good and to release or
change what is not.
Death and Rebirth are ongoing
themes,especially during these Holy Days. The familiar words 'Who
will live and who will die?' can be received as a call for us to
reflect on our own habits. What is useful and should live on? Have our
habits become rote and no longer applicable? Does the challenge that
created a specific habit no longer exist? What needs be released
andallowed to die?
Individually and as a community,
our journey will be an intimate one of discernment and release.
Internal space will be created. New dreams, habits and practices
will beallowed to manifest. Together, the HighHolidays will be an
opportunity to co-create the world for the upcoming year.
Our
journey begins now as we look tothe heavens. This is the month of Elul
- symbolized by the symbol of Virgo. During Elul we are graced by
the feminine presence of Virgo. She is theDivine aspect that rules this
month. Thepotency of the Divine Heavenly Mother can help discern
what is truly"good" from the illusion of what seems to be
"good". "Matzah Eeshah Matzah Tov; Find a womanand you find
Goodness." Proverbs 18:22. That is to say, when you "Find a woman",
Virgo in the heavens"you find Goodness", the ability to discern truth
from illusion. (Bnay Yisaskhar Elul1)
"Elul" is also
an acronym for the Biblical phrase, Ani L'dodi V'Dodi Li - "I am my
Beloved's and my Beloved is mine." (Shir haShirim 2:16) This
illustrates the deep love between The Holy One of Blessing and the
people that surfaces during this timeof the year. As in the Song
of Songs,the nature of Elul is one of Spiritual Intimacy. It is a
sweet opportunity for inner work inpreparation for the New Year.
In
Elul,"The Ruler is in the field." (Shabbat 63a) Before "entering the
city" the community receives the Ruler in the fields outside the city.
At that time, anyone who sodesires may meet and greet The Ruler
forcoaching, reflection and adjustment. Through these metphors,
our Sages hint that the Holy Presence is around and available duringthe
month before the HIGH HOLY DAY's.
A practice, in
preparation for the High Holiday work of T'shuvah, is to consider and
reflect upon one's persona lKavanah - Intention. Kavanah is a
synthesizer that directs feeling and action. When our focus
is set to shift Kavvanah rather than a specific action, then multiple
actions are impacted. The specific actions shift naturally
as a consequence of a shift in kavvanah.
For example – It is
one thing to decide to give up the act ofeating chocolate ice cream,
and much deeper and effective to hold theconsciousness and intention of
eating healthful foods. What Kavvanah drives your feelings
andactions? What shift in kavanah will serve better? Realignment
of Kavvanah is a most effectivemethod of T'shuvah.
Elul
is anopportunity for the inner work of soul accounting in preparation
for the NewYear. Rosh HaShanah; the new year begins with the new
month Tishray; designated by the Libra scales. It is a time of
weighing in and balancing. May we all be blessed to find the balance,
harmony and compassion we seek thisyear. May it be The Will
More 5770 Elul Musings
Elul is the lunar cycle connected to Virgo. During Elul we are
graced by The feminine presence of Virgo. She is the Divine aspect that
rules this month. The potency of the Divine Heavenly Mother is
available to help discern what is truly "good" from the illusion of
what seems to be good. "Matzah Eeshah Matzah Tov; Find a
woman and you find Goodness." Proverbs 18:22 That is to say, when you "Find a woman" Virgo
in the heavens "you find Goodness." The ability to discern truth from
illusion.
In Elul, "The Ruler is in the field." Before "entering the city"* the
inhabitants receive the Ruler in the fields outside the city.** At that
time, anyone who so desires may meet and greet The The Ruler. This is
informal time for coaching, reflection and adjustment.
An aspect to consider is Kavanah; Intention (Binah;: Understanding).
We seek to alter intention - Kavvanah, rather than specific actions.
Kavvanah directs feeling and action. When we set our focus to shifting
a Kavvanah rather than a specific action, then multiple feelings and
actions are impacted. The specific actions can shift naturally as a
consequence. Realignment of Kavvanah; Intention is a most effective
method of T'shuvah. (from Sefer Bnay Yiasakhar Elul 1)
Elul is an opportunity for inner work in preparation for the New Year;
which begins on the following New Moon; Rosh Hashanah (September 8th).
This lunar cycle, Tishray, is influenced by Libra's scales to weigh in
the good. 5669 MEETING Elul; Virgo AND THE HIGH HOLY DAYS; Tishray; Libra Scales
Counting
forward forty days brings us to the 25th day of Elul. Since Rosh
Hashanah is the day humans were created, counting back we find that
this day is "day one" of creation. Forty is a number associated with
transformation.�� The gestation, as it were, of transformation and
Tshuvah begin at this time. Tshuvah cycle is birthed on this day. By
the time Elul arrives Tshuvah; return time is ripe and ready to
transform.
It is a beginning of Tshuvah
and preparing for the judgement of the high Holy days. The Shabbat
following Tisha b'Av is called the Shabbat of comfort Shabbat nahamu.
Av them melts into Elul; Virgo. Elul calls for T'shuva; return.
T'shuvah prepares us for the days of awe coming in Tishray - libra's
scales.
An opportunity for
transformation each and every year exists. The process is beginning
right now quietly and with subtlety. It is time to start asking, "How
will I change this next year."
.
Summer Heat
An
opportunity for transformation each and every year exists. The process
is beginning right now quietly and with subtlety. It is time to start
asking, "How will I change this next year."
Tammuz-Av; Corresponding to Cancer and Leo on the Zodiac in Jewish Tradition.
Beyn
Hamaytzarim; between the tight and narrow places refers to the days
between the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av; It is important
because it marks the time of the capture of Yerushalayim which
culminated with the destruction of the Beyt Hamikdash; Holy Temple. It
marks the end of Judaism's first era when Temple sacrifices served as
the dominant vehicle to the Divine.
WhenTisha
b'Av rolls in. It is honored by tradition through reading the book of
Lamentations and fasting. Loss is commemorated by mourning and random
behavior. Some turn their furniture upside down deconstructing the
space they live in. Others wait till later in the day to lay
t'fillin.Some sit and quake until the day is over. All bets are
off.This reflects the randomness and uncertainty experienced by
destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and the resulting ramifications
to the Jewish community at that time. Every year at this time, we have
a chance to meet this klipah (tough shell that hides light) and find
the Divine Spark in it for us.
Hassidic
traditions see this deconstruction as creating space. Big space, enough
space for The Divine Presence to permeate all of
creation.(Moshiah).Just like a rubber band pulled back really far, when
released, has great potency and power to move forward, so too the
destruction and perceived distance from the Divine propels a move
toward unity and integration. The distance invokes yearning.
Imagine
Divine Presence on Earth. What it would be like for us all to get
along, love one another and wish each other well. A world where "May
God Bless everyone, no exceptions" be held as a dominant kavvanah.
When
we imagine this reality, we can begin to feel it. When we feel it, it
begins to trickle in and change can begin.A path is started.(To
manifest this change need be cared for and nourished.)Similarly, The
Ari z"l taught that before creation, came tzim tzum; the creation of
space. Only after the space was created could creation manifest within
it.
This is a true practice in many
mystical traditions. At the beginning, with a process is moving forward
in a given direction and following a path. Only after this process is
deconstructed, either through choice or circumstance and can an
enhanced reconstruction take place. Construction is preceded by
deconstruction.
Beyn Hamaytzarim marks
the annual deconstruction that precedes the Elul Tshuvah period. It is
a call for Hakhna-ah - submission/capitulation. We are not in charge.
What does Hashem want it to be?
Just as
Temple Judaism transformed into Rabbinical Judaism, an opportunity
exists during this to release losses or patterns and reintegrate that
which is life sustaining and available.
The
New moon of Tu b'Av brings a potent energy shift. The potential of a
new reality is seeded. Tu b'Av is a Jewish Valentine's or Sadie
Hawkins' day. According to tradition, on this unique day the tribes
were allowed to intermarry. The edges that separate blurr. Courtship
manifested in circles of maidens wearing white dancing in vineyards
giving glances to potential suitors. The month of Av transforms into a
time of courtship, joy and comfort.
Every year I anticipate this day with joy and anticipation. It is a direct entry way back into the arms of the Beloved.