Faith First: A journey from Mt. Monadnock and Rosh Hashanah to the Holiness code
The outward existence can inform the inward but must not to be confused with it. Inner experience might seem insignificant but is connected to that which is eternal and infinite. Our innermost spark is part of this sacred unity. The outer world is where the material life with a small ‘l’ takes place. Here there can be great joy and beauty (although some say that it is nothing compared with the other side).
If we are open to it, spiritual wisdom can be found in the material world in the smallest and in the biggest and everything in between but only impacts the reality of who we are if we are able to process it with our inner knowing. In the outer world we can learn about the inner through something we read, a person we talk to, etc. And then there are those moments, in the healing sounds of nature, the spiritual focus of prayer or meditation, the study of a Bible passage where there is a sense of transcendence and that inward life take form in such a way that reality is clear. For it’s in the inner that real Life and infinite Love with capital ‘L’s resides. (Interesting that the Hebrew word “el” means God.)
At some point, in an instant, the material world will evaporate before our eyes. We might think that time is a long way off but when it comes it will seem like it's come in a blink of an eye. I hold by faith that the essential inner part of us will remain. It could feel much like the experience of watching a fully engrossing movie or play then leaving the theater. At first there is a transition time, a feeling of disorientation then we start assessing whether it was a good experience, what we learned, what was missing and so forth. Only this time not only are we audience but we have also been the actors so in a sense we can be both the judge and the judged. Did we do a good job? Did we make a mess of the script, forget or mumble our lines, confuse others around us? Did we go off on a tangent involved in a sub plot forgetting the main story line?
Maybe everything is for a reason. Through the sound of water rushing through a mountain gorge could be found a calling, as insight, an opportunity for growth. Or simply a prompting to connect with that inner core. If we find ourselves stuck or in a situation not our choosing we can change it but not with will power alone. its simple a matter of learning the particular lesson the situation is there to teach us, passing a spiritual test, turning to answer G-d’s call or connecting, re-connecting to that essential part of who we really are, the root of our being. This is a major aspect of the Abraham and Isaac sacrificing story.
One of the essential questions of the Rosh Hashanah service is why, at this holiest time of the year, the beginning of a new year, a fresh start, do we read this story of Abraham and Isaac, the Akedah. One of the elders of my Jewish community said it was because it was such a supreme example of faith. Faith has to come first. That’s why we start the new year with this portion. Faith must come before personal needs, before fear, before our egos or a need to be in control or certain of outcome. Faith, commitment to our spiritual life, even before the highest of virtues, peace in the home, shalom bayis. That is Abraham's example for us. He did not say “Sorry God, family and people are counting on me and I’m too busy today and besides that would destroy my relationship with Sarah”. Faith first. As put forth in the Holiness code, “Kedoshim tihiyu. Ki kadosh ani Adonai elohechem.” You must be holy because I Adonai, your God are holy”. We are holy when we put the spiritual first. This is the key to wholeness, true shalom (peace).
On rare occasions there could be another purpose for the most difficult aspects of our lives. It could be because experiences that are really hard, so hard you don't know if you could get through it, can be for purification and spiritual strengthening. To be able to access that inner space totally and completely we need to be as pure and strong as possible. That’s another component of the Akedah; it's also about how much pain, fear of the unknown, can you stand. What are you willing to commit to follow where G-d is calling? And if you step up to the challenge what then?
G-d comes before anything else because this is how we attach ourselves to, live in, the inner reality. Who would knowing trade an eternity of wholeness and passing this possibility to our decedents (after the Akedah G-d’s promise to Abraham) for a momentary achievement no matter how urgent the need? When our priority is the inward life, when our faith is our primary guide, when we become as nothing in the material worlds eyes, then we live in that unity with the Divine Presence. When our connection to G-d is number one our lives become blessed and this blessing flows to those around us and those who come after.
But how can we cope when it seems so hard, when the pressures of the material world are too great to overcome? My solution is to never mind how hard it is and simply do my best to be holy. Everyone has trials, so what? Enough with the complaining already, that’s not what its about, get over it. Instead connect with the joy, beauty and peace of the inner reality Put G-d number one, and let everything else go, even the perception of hardship. Remember Abraham. He did not let the hardship of his burden stop him. After all, our feelings about a problem are just an attitude and this we can change. The same life experience can be perceived as a bowl of cherries or sour grapes. Which will you choose?
Life is full of beauty, why focus on the mosquitoes? Put faith first and Love as if your life depends on it, because it, life with a capital ‘L’, does.
The outward existence can inform the inward but must not to be confused with it. Inner experience might seem insignificant but is connected to that which is eternal and infinite. Our innermost spark is part of this sacred unity. The outer world is where the material life with a small ‘l’ takes place. Here there can be great joy and beauty (although some say that it is nothing compared with the other side).
If we are open to it, spiritual wisdom can be found in the material world in the smallest and in the biggest and everything in between but only impacts the reality of who we are if we are able to process it with our inner knowing. In the outer world we can learn about the inner through something we read, a person we talk to, etc. And then there are those moments, in the healing sounds of nature, the spiritual focus of prayer or meditation, the study of a Bible passage where there is a sense of transcendence and that inward life take form in such a way that reality is clear. For it’s in the inner that real Life and infinite Love with capital ‘L’s resides. (Interesting that the Hebrew word “el” means God.)
At some point, in an instant, the material world will evaporate before our eyes. We might think that time is a long way off but when it comes it will seem like it's come in a blink of an eye. I hold by faith that the essential inner part of us will remain. It could feel much like the experience of watching a fully engrossing movie or play then leaving the theater. At first there is a transition time, a feeling of disorientation then we start assessing whether it was a good experience, what we learned, what was missing and so forth. Only this time not only are we audience but we have also been the actors so in a sense we can be both the judge and the judged. Did we do a good job? Did we make a mess of the script, forget or mumble our lines, confuse others around us? Did we go off on a tangent involved in a sub plot forgetting the main story line?
Maybe everything is for a reason. Through the sound of water rushing through a mountain gorge could be found a calling, as insight, an opportunity for growth. Or simply a prompting to connect with that inner core. If we find ourselves stuck or in a situation not our choosing we can change it but not with will power alone. its simple a matter of learning the particular lesson the situation is there to teach us, passing a spiritual test, turning to answer G-d’s call or connecting, re-connecting to that essential part of who we really are, the root of our being. This is a major aspect of the Abraham and Isaac sacrificing story.
One of the essential questions of the Rosh Hashanah service is why, at this holiest time of the year, the beginning of a new year, a fresh start, do we read this story of Abraham and Isaac, the Akedah. One of the elders of my Jewish community said it was because it was such a supreme example of faith. Faith has to come first. That’s why we start the new year with this portion. Faith must come before personal needs, before fear, before our egos or a need to be in control or certain of outcome. Faith, commitment to our spiritual life, even before the highest of virtues, peace in the home, shalom bayis. That is Abraham's example for us. He did not say “Sorry God, family and people are counting on me and I’m too busy today and besides that would destroy my relationship with Sarah”. Faith first. As put forth in the Holiness code, “Kedoshim tihiyu. Ki kadosh ani Adonai elohechem.” You must be holy because I Adonai, your God are holy”. We are holy when we put the spiritual first. This is the key to wholeness, true shalom (peace).
On rare occasions there could be another purpose for the most difficult aspects of our lives. It could be because experiences that are really hard, so hard you don't know if you could get through it, can be for purification and spiritual strengthening. To be able to access that inner space totally and completely we need to be as pure and strong as possible. That’s another component of the Akedah; it's also about how much pain, fear of the unknown, can you stand. What are you willing to commit to follow where G-d is calling? And if you step up to the challenge what then?
G-d comes before anything else because this is how we attach ourselves to, live in, the inner reality. Who would knowing trade an eternity of wholeness and passing this possibility to our decedents (after the Akedah G-d’s promise to Abraham) for a momentary achievement no matter how urgent the need? When our priority is the inward life, when our faith is our primary guide, when we become as nothing in the material worlds eyes, then we live in that unity with the Divine Presence. When our connection to G-d is number one our lives become blessed and this blessing flows to those around us and those who come after.
But how can we cope when it seems so hard, when the pressures of the material world are too great to overcome? My solution is to never mind how hard it is and simply do my best to be holy. Everyone has trials, so what? Enough with the complaining already, that’s not what its about, get over it. Instead connect with the joy, beauty and peace of the inner reality Put G-d number one, and let everything else go, even the perception of hardship. Remember Abraham. He did not let the hardship of his burden stop him. After all, our feelings about a problem are just an attitude and this we can change. The same life experience can be perceived as a bowl of cherries or sour grapes. Which will you choose?
Life is full of beauty, why focus on the mosquitoes? Put faith first and Love as if your life depends on it, because it, life with a capital ‘L’, does.
