Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 13 Tishri, 5785
Parsha Ve-Zo’T Ha-Berakhah – “This is the blessing”: (Deuteronomy 33:1 – 34:12)
Third portion (second time around): Deuteronomy 33:13 – 33:17

Good morning! We are in the final days before the full moon of Tishri – the first full moon of 5785!  It’s a beautiful time to see what is shining all around us! How we are seeing our reality.  Wednesday night ALSO starts the Sukkot festival. As we prepare for the Harvest of the new Moon (This moon is the “Hunter’s moon”) we are called to turn inward – to see what we can harvest from the spiritual work of 5784. All of that work we put into our spiritual journey over the past year? We will see come to fruition over the next week.

We will ALSO see those spaces we can work on for 5785. Connected to the intentions we set for ourselves, and the work of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The chapter of our lives is turning another page and “starting over” as we approach Simchat Torah – which will occur the evening a week from Thursday.  So as we find our “finish” over the next 9 days? We will then look ahead to begin again starting on the 23^rd of Tishri (October 25, 2024 this year).

A week ago, I shared a crucial message connected with today’s Torah Portion. It has been prevalent throughout the week for me (and others).

When we are struggling in a moment, my therapist shared that there really exist only four choices:

• We can continue to suffer as is.
• We can control our controllables
• We can change how we think about the situation
• We can practice acceptance

Where are we suffering in our life? What can we do to control our controllables?  Where do we need to practice acceptance?

These are my thoughts for today

From last week:

Good morning! Today is the last day I have before starting my new job tomorrow. There has been a lot of processing for me over the past week. And I wanted to share something my amazing therapist shared with me – when I am struggling.

He shared there really are only four choices:

• Continue to suffer
• Control our controllables
• Change how we think about the situation
• Practice acceptance

As we navigate this space between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur; as we transition from 5784 into 5785; this seems like a real helpful framework in moving forward.

So – where are we choosing to continue to suffer? How can we shift and make different decisions about our reality?

Let’s dig in:

13And of Joseph he said: “His land shall be blessed by the Lord, with the sweetness of the heavens with dew, and with the deep that lies below,

14and with the sweetness of the produce of the sun, and with the sweetness of the moon’s yield,

15and with the crops of early mountains, and with the sweetness of perennial hills,

16and with the sweetness of the land and its fullness, and through the contentment of the One Who dwells in the thornbush. May it come upon Joseph’s head and upon the crown of the one separated from his brothers.

17To his firstborn ox is [given] glory. His horns are the horns of a re’em. With them, he will gore peoples together [throughout all] the ends of the earth these are the myriads of Ephraim, and these are the thousands of Manasseh.”

So today? We have the blessing for Joseph’s family. Joseph, who ran a hard road – sold into slavery by his brothers, became freed and then went to prison. Got out of prison and then saved Egypt and his family. Joseph did not have it easy. He suffered.

And? He chose to control his controllables, change how he thought about the situation, and practiced acceptance. Every step of the way.

What I notice about the blessing? The word “sweet” is mentioned three times. I wonder if this connects to slavery, prison, and a drought. Joseph went through three really hard periods. And prospered through it all.

The blessing was high and low:

13And of Joseph he said: “His land shall be blessed by the Lord, with the sweetness of the heavens with dew, and with the deep that lies below,

The blessing was light and darkness:

14and with the sweetness of the produce of the sun, and with the sweetness of the moon’s yield,

The blessing was ongoing and seasonal:

15and with the crops of early mountains, and with the sweetness of perennial hills,

That is a beautiful blessing and a beautiful takeaway for us all.

What are your thoughts?