Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 13 Av, 5783

Today’s passage starts with – “be careful not to forget God.”

Forget.

We forget.

And we are reminded. Deuteronomy is designed to remind us.  Of our grounding and foundation when we work towards spiritual liberation.

Becoming spiritually free and liberated requires a partnership.  It isn’t done in isolation. It’s with community. Its in harmony. It is a dance. A dance between us and Hashem.  Where He leads, and we choose to take His hand and follow.

And for those of us who struggle with the idea of Hashem being masculine – “He” is really “They”  Hashem leads – THEY reach THEIR hand out towards ours – and we can either receive the dance or reject the dance. This dance of spiritual liberation. They are always calling us to the dance.

This was from a year ago:

What is exciting is this: we stand on the precipice of something major. This is the time of the Torah cycle that brings comfort. Yet we still have painful reminders that Hashem is the one guiding. We can manifest our destiny in many ways; and our faith and positive energy can “spark” good in this world. But we have to always remember, it’s not us. Our soul is connected to something bigger. My soul is connected to your soul. Your soul is connected to those around you. Collectively those of us who are studying, digging, learning have the opportunity to gather our souls together for the good of the world. Tikkun Olam; actions we can take to repair and heal the world.

This is NOT a dance we engage alone. They lead. We follow. We isn’t a singular We.  Because we are NOT alone. Our souls are all interconnected. Dancing together.

This is the message of the Torah. It wasn’t one Israelite who entered into the promised land. It was the entire community. And some stayed outside. And that was ok. That was the design.  One large dance of beautiful souls together in harmony. Hashem leading. Us following.

Those are my thoughts.  what about you? what are yours?

Here is my commentary from a year ago:

Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 18 Av, 5782

We are continuing today with Moses reminding the people before they enter liberation.

Todays portion starts with “be careful not to forget God.”

This is super easy to do when we find true liberation. When we are free it is easy to forget the author of our freedom. We want to believe we did something to “earn” our freedom. That it was our doing. And we CERTAINLY have a role to play. There is a ”partnership” involved. But if we forget the role Hashem played, it isn’t going to go well for us!

Moses tells us – as we see prosperity in the promised land, our hearts may become arrogant. We might forget Hashem and what He did.

Moses reminds us:

“you (might) forget God, your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, who led you through that great and awesome desert, where there were snakes, serpents and scorpions, and thirst, but no water: who brought you water out of solid rock; It who fed you with manna in the desert, which your forefathers never experienced, in order to afflict you and test you–though it was for your benefit in the end- and you will say in your heart, “My own ability and the strength of my own hand has accumulated this wealth for me! “

Then you must remember God, your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to make wealth, in order to establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, to this day.”

So we are called to remember and be grateful for what we have. It is Hashem’s provision.

The portion today closes shifts a bit, because it moves from the accumulation of wealth to becoming self-righteous. Before entering the promised land; before finding true liberation, there is a concern from Moses we will be self-righteous. He ends the portion with reminding us (there is a LOT of reminding in Deuteronomy) about what is going to happen:

Moses tells us; “today you are about to cross the Jordan to come and take control of nations that are even greater and stronger than you….”

He continues; “You should know today, that God, your God, who is passing before you (into the land) is a consuming fire. God is going to destroy them, and He will subjugate them before you. You will evict them and destroy them quickly, just as God said to you.”

Here are my thoughts:

What are the battles you are facing in front of you? How can we get out of the way and let Hashem lead us? So that our ego isn’t served by what will happen. Hashem knows whether we will take credit for this; or whether our hearts will trust Him.

What is exciting is this: we stand on the precipice of something major. This is the time of the Torah cycle that brings comfort. Yet we still have painful reminders that Hashem is the one guiding. We can manifest our destiny in many ways; and our faith and positive energy can “spark” good in this world. But we have to always remember, it’s not us. Our soul is connected to something bigger. My soul is connected to your soul. Your soul is connected to those around you. Collectively those of us who are studying, digging, learning have the opportunity to gather our souls together for the good of the world. Tikkun Olam; actions we can take to repair and heal the world.

Consider this; but don’t get too caught up in your personal power; because it is only with the assistance of Hashem that we have the opportunity to do good to the point it changes the world!

Those are my thoughts. What are yours?