Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 12 Sivan, 5783

As the month of June begins, and we head into a full moon this weekend, as I read today’s portion, I am struck with the theme of sovereignty.

Each tribe is given it’s due in the portion.  Each tribe has it’s role. Has it’s sovereignty.  They are not required to forgo their power and sovereignty to another tribe.  There is order, and our values may project into the situation that somehow Judah was “better” for going first.  But those are values WE bring to the passage – there is nothing there that indicates Judah had “more” sovereignty.

Bringing this to a personal level.  Where is OUR sovereignty?  Where is OUR power?  Is it something external to us?  Do we see others, including Hashem as having power and sovereignty over us?

An example of this is feelings.  I hear all the time (and sometimes say myself) “That person MADE me feel sad!” or “That event MAKES me happy.”

When we say these things, we are attributing sovereignty to these external things as somehow having power over us.

As a Dallas Cowboys fan, I often find myself sad these days.  “They make me sad” is something I have thought.  But the REALITY is, I am sovereign over my feelings here.  The Cowboys don’t “make” me sad.  I choose to care about football. I choose to care about the Cowboys. I choose to care about whether they win or lose.  These CHOICES I have made are more the reason of me being sad when they lose.

Now – imagine being in a relationship, even at work. “They make me angry!” Or “They make me happy to come to work!”

That is (in my opinion) giving our sovereignty away.  Our feelings belong to us.  There are things, events, and people who can TRIGGER an emotional response within us – but we are responsible for our own emotional regulation – because the choices we’ve made have likely led to these responses.

That is not to say events happen we had no “choice” over.  Things that happen “to us.” But again, that is giving our sovereignty away.  Because it is possible that these events happen “for us” and not “to us.”

And. I recognize there is wickedness in the world. And wicked things happen.  Compassion and Empathy dictate we not tell anyone else “that happened ‘for you’ and not ‘to you.”  Because THEY Have sovereignty on how THEY define their realities.  We merely need to observe their reality, empathize with it. Have compassion and kindness, and ask “what do you need for support here? How can I help you? How can I encourage you?”

We repair OURSELVES. We do the work to see things happening “for us” and not “to us.”  That is a lifetime of work.  But it’s bringing the sovereignty within. And ultimately, it is Hashem’s sovereignty – through our Neshama that guides us.  We aren’t asked to “give away” our sovereignty to Hashem (again. My opinion). We are asked to ACCEPT the sovereignty that already EXISTS within us.

Those are my thoughts.  What about you?

Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 10 Sivan, 5782

So wow. Yesterdays Torah thoughts continue to swirl around in my head. From sin, to making a vow, to the blessing of peace. That is the formula – we are going to sin. We are going to make mistakes. That isn’t a “give up” attitude – it’s a “even when we make the wrong decision, it’s going to be ok” kind of thought.

Ok. Into today’s portion!

The tabernacle is now complete! On the first day of the month of Nisan. Moses finished the Tabernacle, anointed it. The leaders all brought their offerings. The Torah is very specific to point out that These were the leaders of the tribes back in Egypt. These were the leaders who were present for the census.

Rabbi schneerson wrote something beautiful about the idea of the leaders bringing offerings:

“The leaders first gave gifts to the Tabernacle on behalf of the entire Jewish community (7:1-9), before offering gifts on behalf of their own tribes. The lesson here is: If you wish God to answer your own prayers, petition God first for the needs of all your brethren before mentioning your own needs.

For this reason, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Lyady writes that before prayer you should say, “I accept upon myself the commandment, Love your fellow as yourself” – because your personal petitions are more likely to be granted if they are prefaced with a sensitivity for the needs of others.”

So putting others first is critical! Thinking about what they need, instead of focusing on what I need is a sure way of praying for our needs!

And now we are back to learning about the descendants of Levi. After the offerings were brought, and this is how Moses divided them:

Gershon (which we’ve discussed represented physical) – received 2 wagons and four oxen.

Merari (representing emotional) received 4 wagons and 8 oxen. Emotional work required more labor.

Kohath (representing spiritual) got nothing because their work involved the holy. They were to carry it on their shoulders.

Next. The altar was dedicated. The leaders also brought offerings for the altar, but Moses didn’t accept them because God hadn’t spoken to him about this.

God then speaks to Moses and tells him – “One leader each day! One leader each day should present his offering for the dedication of the altar!”

The tribe of Judah went first. According to Kabbalah, Judah represents Malkhut – or sovereignty.

Issachar went second. Kabbalah talks about Issachar representing Torah. This teaches us (according to Kabbalah) that in order to connect with the spiritual core of Torah, we need to develop a deep inner submission of Hashem’s sovereignty.

The tribe of Zebulun went third.

The tribe of Reuben went fourth.

The tribe of Simeon went fifth.

And this is where the portion today ends.

Now. What did these leaders bring? The Torah describes in detail for each leader that they brought the same thing. Why? Why not just list the offering and then the order? Why Moses so repetitive? The Torah does this a lot. It’s not terse. It’s deep.

Nachmanides writes that this was to give equal honor to each tribe. They wouldn’t be “and the rest.” Each one gets their own honor. And that makes some good sense.

How often are we looking for shortcuts that dishonor others? Cut off their stories? Ask them to “hurry up and finish” their story? That’s something I’m chewing on from todays passage.

How about you? What are your thoughts?