Jewish mysticism reminds us that the spiritual energy of the weekly Torah portion is "live", and through study and meditation we can dip into that power.Being immersed in Torah throughout the week is similar to dipping in an actual Mikvah- an experience that leaves one feeling purified and spiritually reinvigorated.
Beshalach-freedom energy can continue to flow through us as it flowed through our people in last weeks recounting of the Exodus."
Though the Jews were finally freed from Egypt and no longer slaves to Pharaoh,they still had to deal with the residual effects of so many years of Slavery.The Kabbalah teaches that their encounter with Amalek in this weeks portion,symbolized the Egypt-slavery "PTSD"they would struggle with throughout the forty years of wandering.The quiet comfort of the wilderness (מדבר) helped set the right tone.Only here in this "biblical" Ellis Island "could they begin to untie the "kotzer ruach"(Shortness of breath-spirit) knots,and step onto the path leading to emotional freedom.
This week we too must ask ourselves this question. "Is there more minefield-ness than mindfulness in my life"?
In this way we can begin to confront our Amalek behavior patterns.We too must carve out wilderness moments of solitude,and begin the process of untying our own inner knots.
A suggestion.The prayer of Ana bekoach composed by Rebbi Nechunia Ben Hakana is perfect here.Learn it and meditate with it this week.The prayer contains forty two words,corresponding to the forty two letters of G-ds name.By calling upon the unpronounceable name of G-d we draw from its strength."....please,with the strength of your right hand untie our tangles..."
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In Last weeks Torah we Read how Am Yisroel ( the Jewish nation) burst into spontaneous song in response to the miraculous splitting of the sea.While Hashems feat is indeed spectacular,reading how an entire people reclaimed their humanity by remembering how to sing is the real take home point for me!
This week we read how a broken people,uplifted by that very song,limped faithfully to the edge of Sinai.Though physically weakened they nevertheless glowed with a newfound soulfulness as they proclaimed "we will do and we will listen" and embraced their Torah destiny.
The message for us is clear.Often we catch ourselves asking "am I free enough spiritually to truly integrate Torah consciousness into my daily life"?
The answer.We are never fully prepared,however if we can dig deep enough to sing a nigun (Jewish melody) modern day Shira -song by the sea- then we have re-ruached enough to pony up to the edge of Sinai and bring more Torah and Mitzvot into our daily lives.
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It's going to be an awesome weekend at the Chabad community Shul. We read the Ten Commandments on Shabbat morning.
We prepare ourselves spiritually to receive Torah,the night before with our own North Shore version of the Shira- singing together as a community at THE FRIDAY PROJECT!!!
I hope you can join us !
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Yossi
