Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 19 Iyar, 5784 –Day 34 of Omer
Parsha Be-Hukkotai – “My Laws” (Leviticus 26:3 – 27:34)
Second Portion: Leviticus 26:6 – 26:9

Good morning! In America, we are celebrating Memorial Day – where we remember those who have given up their lives to protect our freedom.  I find that fascinating in this journey we are on- to discover our own freedom, balanced with direction.  We are this period of time energetically between Passover and Shavuot – a time of tremendous importance. And we remember.

Today’s theme is the “Bonding of Humility.”

From Chabad:

Humility should not be a lonely experience. It ought to result in deep bonding and commitment. There is no stronger bond than one that comes out of humility. Does my humility separate me from others or bring us closer? Does my humility produce results? Long term results? Does it create an everlasting foundation upon which I and others can rely and build.

Exercise for the day: Use your humility to build something lasting.

This is an important question to contemplate. Humility breeds bonding and commitment. It gives birth to bonding in many ways.

This question – does my humility separate me from others or bring us closer? Is an important one.  How do we develop humility?  I found this from SkillsYouNeed.com

To Develop Humility:

• • • We must start from a recognition that we are not always right, and that we do not have all the answers
    • Spend time listening to others – holding space for others is a critical part of humility
    • Practice mindfulness and focus on the present
    • Be grateful for what you have
    • Ask for help when you need it
    • Seek feedback from others on a regular basis
    • Review our actions against the language of pride:
      • What that snobbish?
      • Was I being a bit vain?

This is an interesting list and one to focus on if we are struggling to bond in our humility.

With his connection – let’s dig into the Torah Portion today.  We left off yesterday with a choice. How will we approach the Torah? There were two options, and I much preferred option 2:

“I love you – I really want you to keep my Sabbaths because I know you will work yourselves to death, and you need rest. It’s about balance and harmony. When you enter rest, treat it special. Don’t just sleep all day, because that will support your body, but won’t support your true identity – your soul – your Neshama.  If you follow my guidelines? You will find your life aligns with the direction and energy of love. Of where I want to take you and every other being that is created. I cannot make you do these things – you have free choice. Because where I want all of you to go? Is a place of peace, abundance, and security.”

And today’s portion seems to continue this theme:

6And I will grant peace in the Land, and you will lie down with no one to frighten [you]; I will remove wild beasts from the Land, and no army will pass through your land;

7You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you;

8Five of you will pursue a hundred, and a hundred of you will pursue ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you.

9I will turn towards you, and I will make you fruitful and increase you, and I will set up My covenant with you.

So Hashem wants us to go to a place of peace, abundance, and security.

Peace in the Land.

Victory over those who decide to be our enemies. Security.

Fruitful and increased in abundance

I think all of us want this, right? Peace, Abundance, Security.  How many of us truly have it?  The Torah is the key. Freedom is wonderful, but it can also produce anxiety. It puts the responsibility on US to direct our lives.  Hashem knows where he wants us to go. The Torah is the directions for us to get there. To a place of peace, abundance, and security.

What are your thoughts?

These are my thoughts from two years ago:

Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 22 Iyar, 5782

Today is the 37th day of the Omer

Todays passage is once again short, so I’m going to put it here in its entirety:

“I will grant peace in the land, and you will go to sleep with nothing frightening (you). I will eliminate wild animals from the land, and (foreign) sword(s) will not (even) pass through your land (in peace, never mind in war).

You will chase away your enemies, and (as they are running away) they will fall (dead) by the(ir own) sword(s) before you (kill them). Five of you(r weakest men) will be able to chase away a hundred, and a hundred of you will be able to chase away ten thousand. (As they are running away) they will fall (dead) by their own sword(s) before you (despite your tiny army).

I will turn (away from all My affairs) to (reward) you, and I will make you fruitful and (into men of) stature. I will set up My covenant with you (anew).” (End portion)

So this portion is connected with yesterday’s as it is the promise of what will happen if we pursue the Torah, guarding the mitzvahs and observing them.

Hashem will not only protect us and provide us within the land; He will protect us from outsiders. As we navigate anti-Semitism in our country; we should take comfort that Hashem does not neglect us, if we honor the Torah and His mitzvahs.

There is peace here as we engage the Torah!

What are your thoughts?