Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 28 Elul, 5783
Today’s portion is the continuation of what we learned yesterday about stress. Creating stress to create change, and wielding stress to navigate change thrust upon us.
This is part of our liberation and freedom. I think we sometimes (wrongly) believe that spiritual freedom and liberation means “no stress.” And I am thinking this is a false understanding of liberation.
Finding EASE in our stress? Seeing stress as a tool? This is freedom and liberation. But this isn’t “easy.” And we are going to learn and fail.
Today’s portion is one of comfort in this. When we struggle, and we turn back to old coping mechanisms on how we navigated stress – idols, materialism, food…in order to bring us comfort from stress (as opposed to comfort WITH stress) Hashem is going to bring us back to Egypt.
Why? Because how else will we truly learn about stress? That there really isn’t this “bad” thing called stress? We receive it as stress because we resist it; try to “fix it?”
Hashem will take care of it – we will see the stress in our own lives and we will navigate it moment by moment with the tools we have – or we will crumble and go back to Egypt to learn again. And that is not a “one time” choice we make. It’s moment by moment.
This morning, I was meditating, and the teacher (who is amazing – Sebine Selassie) talked about “being with stress.” There were three questions of inquiry to ask ourselves when the stress comes:
- What is happening right now?
- What am I feeling? What feeling word is most appropriate? Fear? Guilt? Shame?
- Where am I feeling this? Where in my body can I sense this feeling?
- Can I be with this?
- Can I just allow this to be? Or am I trying to “fix” it?
- Can I appreciate what is happening?
- Can we appreciate that we are able to navigate this, and it is a good reminder of our freedom and liberation?
This can help us move from “being” Stress to “feeling stress.”
I love this as we enter the new year! May 5784 be one in which we all better manage our own stress in each moment! Creating stress intentionally to promote change (first within ourselves, then externally) and then receiving stress (first within ourselves, and then from external sources) in a way we can APPRECIATE!
Now we will be in a place to increase our capacity. Our capacity for love.
What are YOUR thoughts?
Here is my commentary from a year ago:
Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for Tishri 12, 5783
As we approach the Jewish Holy Days of Sukkot (the feast of Tabernacles) we are reminded of Hashem’s provision for us. Todays portion I think will move us forward and propel us like rockets into the universe! Let’s dig in!
Deuteronomy 32:40:
For (when the Jewish people repent, I will turn My anger upon the nations!) I (will) raise up My hand to (Myself in) heaven, and say: Just as I live forever,
Listen to this line again. When we repent. Hashem will turn his anger towards the nations who persecute us. Our repentance not only brings internal healing; our higher selves will turn externally and start to deal with those who are rising against us. It all starts within though. I think this makes logical sense. If we turn inwards and navigate what is inside. Hashem is freed to move forward – not that he is bound; but he cares for us.
Think about this as a parent. When our child is hurt by someone; we have a choice to make. Do we work on the healing within first? Or do we seek external revenge on behalf of the child? The work as a parent is helping the child within. A hug. Validation. Internal healing. Strength. Courage. Self-compassion. Self-love. Once that is taken care of THEN we deal with the external issues. If we jump right to trying to fix the external issue? We miss the opportunity for healing. I believe this is what Hashem wants for us if we are to have true liberation and freedom. We must repent and heal within before the external is dealt with. That a powerful message.
I encourage you to reread that message. We have to be healed internally FIRST so Hashem can be freed to turn his anger on those who cause hurt and harm. And; before we jump to God being vengeful. Let’s remember what his anger on us brings; healing and repentance. That’s the goal. So, this isn’t a message of retribution- it’s a message that Hashem will turn his anger on the nations – and hopefully they turn to Hashem and find healing within. But if not, things won’t go well.
Let’s keep going.
32:41: (I swear that) when i sharpen the blade of My sword, and My hand grasps judgment (to punish the enemies of Israel), I will bring vengeance upon (them, for they are) My enemies (too). I will repay those who hate Me.
32:42: I will make My arrows drunk with (enemy) blood, and My sword will consume (their) flesh, on account of the blood of the slain (of Israel) and the captives (seized), from (even) the first attacks of the enemy.
32:43: (At that time) the nations will sing praises for His people! When (they see how) He will avenge the blood of His servants (that they spilled), inflict revenge upon His enemies (for the robberies and losses they caused), and appease His land (and) His people (for their distress).
Hashem turns to the nations – and he brings vengeance. But with a purpose. The nations will sing praises for His people. His vengeance isn’t vengeance as we understand it. It’s vengeance that leads to healing. We cannot project the idea of revenge with vengeance. I don’t know about you, but In my head there isn’t much of a distinction between vengeance and revenge. But I think it comes down to purpose. Hashem doesn’t see revenge on our behalf. He seeks vengeance – for the purpose of healing and praise. It’s discipline. It’s love. That’s something I’m chewing on.
Hashem is fierce. His love is fierce for us. His love is fierce for our enemies. That could be interpreted as violent. How do we distinguish between fierce and violent? I don’t have good answers on that; would love your thoughts. Hashem’s love is safe; and it feels dangerous because it risks us stepping outside our comfort zone? How do we distinguish between risk and danger? Stepping outside our comfort zone could be perceived as unsafe, or it could be perceived as dangerous. But encouraging Natana to get on a horse on Saturday (see my weekend post for more information) required her to embrace the danger in her head. But she had to feel safe enough with me as her dad to do it. And the result was amazing. She got off the horse thrilled at what she accomplished. It was a dangerous situation that was just perception. The reality is she was safe the entire time.
So the perception of danger is just that. A perception. but how do we distinguish between them? again I’m curious as to your thoughts!
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