Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 11 Adar, 5785

What a week we are in!

We had the time change – that has been an adjustment. We are approaching the full moon. A lunar eclipse. Friday the 13th.  And in the middle of all of this? Purim!

What is Purim? Check this article out here

Purim is based on the story of Esther – which is the one book where Hashem is not mentioned at all. It is all Hashem’s timing.  He is everywhere – and the book of Esther is one of the books I think we can relate to most – because we see the perfect timing of everything. Even when things look desperate – it all unfolds exactly as it should.  For our good.

There is a lot of things shifting and changing this week. Can we flow with these changes (many of which are beyond our control?) or do we need to make decisions to try to get clarity?

This is a time of some uncertainty.  Can we have grace (courteous goodwill) and peace in the changes?

Today we read in the Torah about the aftermath of the golden calf.

Moses actually expresses some anger to Hashem – feeling “set up” a bit by the circumstances.  And Hashem frees Moses to go.

Where are we feeling “set up” by our circumstances? And where might we trust and say “I will not move without you coming with me Hashem?”  Where can we wait patiently for direction and guidance, instead of making decisions that stem from a place of fear and desire for certainty as opposed to uncertainty?

This is the message as we enter into the fullness of light of the moon – where things will be revealed, then disappear (like the lunar eclipse) and then reappear.  What will we receive and see?

What are your thoughts?

Here are my thoughts from a year ago:

Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 18 Adar 1, 5784
Parsha Ki-Tissa: (Exodus 30:11 – 34:35)
Third Portion: Exodus 33:12 – 33:16

 Good morning!  After yesterday’s long passage, we get a short one today, which is interesting to me. It’s almost like we get to digest what we learned.

The context of the Golden calf was significant. And Hashem’s response was both kind and harsh.  He withdrew His protection and told Moses He would not go with the people – but instead would send his angel ahead of them. The people were disappointed to say the least.  Moses met with Hashem.  Lets dig in:

12Moses said to the Lord: “Look, You say to me: ‘Bring this people up!’ But You have not informed me whom You will send with me. And You said: ‘I have known you by name and you have also found favor in My eyes.’

13And now, if I have indeed found favor in Your eyes, pray let me know Your ways, so that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your eyes; and consider that this nation is Your people.”

Whoa. We just have the Golden Calf situation. Hashem is merciful with it. And Moses goes to God and says “Look, God….” And lodges a complaint. He holds God ACCOUNTABLE.

That’s gutsy, Moses.

And Moses lodges the complaint – immediately followed by softness. 

It’s like “Look, God. You are making this tough for us. You said I have found favor in your eyes. This doesn’t FEEL like favor. This feels like punishment. So – given our natures – you are Hashem, and I am not? Help me to know you better.”

How does Hashem respond?

14So He said, “My Presence will go, and I will give you rest.”

Hashem receives the complaint and the request to know Him with peace.

Moses doesn’t seem satisfied though:

15And he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go [with us], do not take us up from here.

16For how then will it be known that I have found favor in Your eyes, I and Your people? Is it not in that You will go with us? Then I and Your people will be distinguished from every [other] nation on the face of the earth.”

Moses basically says “I hear you Hashem – and – we aren’t going to leave here without YOU.” Moses doesn’t want Hashem to go. He wants Hashem to go WITH THEM.

What is our takeaway?

For me? Anger is safe.

If Moses can be angry with Hashem’s response after the Golden Calf? We can be angry with the Universe when we aren’t getting the things we believe we are supposed to. Hashem can handle it. As long as we are soft. And open.

We can say “Look, Hashem – I know abundance is coming – but I can’t pay rent this month. What is going on? What am I missing? I want to know you more. Let me know YOUR ways, Hashem (universe, source, etc).”  And. Then we can listen.

This is the takeaway. We don’t need to be afraid of our anger – provided we don’t REACT out of anger. Provided we remain SOFT – and OPEN.

This is the takeaway for me.  What are your thoughts?