A few years ago, I took up rappelling, the art of descending sheer cliffs by rope and harness, so that we could explore the red-rock canyons of Southern Utah. After I had begun to learn the basics, Steve, our guide, said to me, “You’re one of those people who wants to speed up when your adrenaline starts to flow.”
Some things in life have to be earned, and some things cannot be. We can earn respect and reputation by our behavior, but sometimes we need help, or forgiveness, or just a break, that we haven’t earned and don’t deserve. And we can also give to others gifts they don’t deserve and don’t have to earn. That sort of undeserved kindness is captured by the word Hesed, often translated as lovingkindness.
The other day I had coffee with Hal, the father of one of our chavurah members. He had just written his second novel, this one based on his amazing experiences as a Jewish-American soldier fighting the Nazis in World War II. We got together to talk about his book.
One of the current terms of religious discussion that I’ve grown to suspect is “spirituality.” I’m tired of hearing people say, “I’m not religious; I’m spiritual,” which often means I don’t have any outward signs of religious or transcendent life, but, trust me, I possess many lofty sentiments.
Chesed or loving-kindness is an essential human attribute, but it’s first of all a divine attribute. If we want to cultivate chesed, we should pay attention to how Hashem exercises it. And God’s chesed is on display at the conclusion of the Haftarot of Comfort, the passages from Isaiah that we read during this period between Tisha B’av and Rosh Hashanah.
{enclose 2011-11-04-religious-humility.mp3}
Avraham and Sarah possessed a true gift in their interaction with others: humility. Without an agenda, they welcomed all into their tent. And when Avraham and Sarah mixed with the world as they traveled, they did not hold themselves in high esteem; rather, as true lights of Hashem, they recognized the spark of Hashem in others and gave honor, despite their difference in faith.
{enclose 2011-04-24_decision-at-the-sea.mp3}
In honor of the seventh day of Passover, this podcast recalls the moment before the Sea of Reeds is split and Israel is saved from Pharaoh's armies in Exodus 14. It was moment of decisiveness for the people, who could return to Egypt or forge forward into the water with faith.
{enclose 2011-03-08-power-of-silence.mp3}
rav rafael speaks from the end of the book of Exodus as the Shechina takes residence on the Tabernacle. The Shechina is the embodiment of Hashem's word. We learn of the nature of our words and speech as vessels, both in speech and in silence. We turn to John 6 where Yeshua teaches his disciples about Hashem's word as manna from Heaven. From this we learn the value of our words as they abide in Torah's eternal words which descend from Heaven.
{enclose 2011-02-20-frugality-and-the-half-shekel.mp3}
in this podcast, rebbetzin malkah relates the giving of the half shekel in parasha Ki Tisa as an institution to bring us together in community. Frugality is a balance of when to give and when to keep. This is expressed not only in the value of our finances, but the value of our soul infused intention. When we get tired out from giving too much of ourselves, it is time to be frugal and recharge before we have nothing left to give to others.
{enclose 2011-02-09-humility-making-space.mp3}
in this podcast, rabbi rafael gets spacial as he contemplates the construction of the tabernacle (parashat Terumah, Exodus 25) and God's cosmic creation as modelled through the middah of humility.
{enclose 2011-01-13-letting-Hashems-hands-work-in-your-life.mp3}
explore patience through the middah of silence and learn to exhibit greater long-suffering by realizing the hand of God in your life.
{enclose 2010-12-10-Silence-SpeechAsAnOpenDoor.mp3}
this week's podcast by rebbetzin malkah focuses on how too much and too little speech affect those around us. It is filled with several stories and practical illustrations.
{enclose 2010-12-03-Not-By-Might.mp3}
this podcast discusses the miracle of oil remembered during Chanukah as it relates to our spirit and diligence in the face of adversity.
{enclose 2010-11-25-Jacob-and-Frugality.mp3}
this week's podcast highlights the reunion of Jacob and Esau after many years apart. Each values the material world and wealth differently. As we enter this coming holiday shopping season, consider the middah of frugality as it relates to our own material resources, wealth and what we truly value in life.
this Torah commentary discusses the great decisions that Abraham, Isaac, and Yeshua have faced in their lives and how we can be strengthened in our own decision making.
{enclose 2010-10-23-Vayeira-Decisiveness.mp3}
{enclose 2010-10-13_patience_life_without_a_script.mp3}
rebbetzin malkah explores the idea of our lives being unscripted, and how to cope with life’s expected unexpectedness through employing patience and tolerance
