Living Inspired

I have been working through Rabbi Tatz's book Living Inspired during this time of Elul. There is a saying "some things never change", but with the grace of G*D they can. As Rabbi Tatz says, living inspired follows a higher pattern, hard to grasp but worth the effort. He says, mystical truths can only be "talked around" until one "falls in". When one finally grasps the essence of something it is so clear and so simple, but it can only be grasped inwardly and can never truly be expressed. I'm sure this has happened to you, and the more you try to explain it to someone, the less you grasp it yourself. It's those moments that are best left between you and HaShem, kept pure and untainted.

That higher pattern has three distinct facets. The first being the point of beginning, the transition from nothing, to something. The second is the process itself. And the third is true joy, the resolution of doubt, the depth of emotion felt upon understanding why what seemed unjust or cruel was in fact kindness. The first phase is ecstasy, the second is one of pain, and the third transcendence. As we approach the new year may we all be inspired to live lives worthy of our calling. It is a life of joy, and with much struggle we can break free of the things that keep us from knowing G*D more deeply beloved, those flashes of understanding may only last a moment, but what an amazing moment it is.

The parsha of Ki Teitzei contains 74 of the 613 mitzvot. The mitzvot in Ki Teitzei are the backbone of all Jewish history and are the tools of survival that insure that there will always be a Jewish destiny to pursue. Rabbi Wein says, "It is undoubtedly with this in mind that the rabbinic commentators over the ages interpreted the opening verse of the parsha - "When you go out to war against your enemy" - in an allegorical and not merely a literal sense. The "war against your enemy" refers to the ongoing war of conscience and morality within ourselves in which we are constantly engaged all of our lives. "The enemy" lurks within us. It is a war between right and wrong, discipline and hedonism, instant gratification and long- term benefit. Every day of our lives we make these choices and fight these battles. The Torah, which always advises us to choose life and eternity, supplies us with these mitzvot - the material aid in our struggle. The rabbis taught us that the L*rd wished to give Israel merit and strength and therefore He gave us many mitzvot. All of our lives, in all circumstances, we would be able to win the crucial battle of human morality because these mitzvot would always be at hand.

"The example of "yefat toar" - the beautiful woman, or young girl captured in war is an example. The Torah gave us this mitzvah to help us understand and moderate the desires of lust. It is obvious, as Rashi points out, that the Jewish soldier’s desire to marry such a woman, having no other commonality except for momentary physical passion is not really such a good idea. Passion and physical desire are part of marriage but they are certainly not all of marriage. The Torah, by emphasizing the legal and moral consequences of his behavior attempts to put the entire matter in perspective before the actual liaison occurs. The mitzvah serves as a brake on the passion and therefore mitigates an otherwise immoral and dangerous relationship. The rabbis taught us that, "the Torah spoke only regarding man's/women's evil inclination." All of the mitzvot are intended to save us from ourselves, our weaknesses, our foolishness and unhealthy desires. From the outside, looking at Judaism with its 613 commandments and rituals, our faith may appear confining and cumbersome. Yet any Jew experiencing and living Judaism from the inside, considers all of the rules, rituals and commandments to be mighty weapons in the war that we wage daily against wrongdoing and self-destruction. Perspective and understanding of the consequences of one's behavior are to be treasured and nurtured. Observance of mitzvot allows us to gain that necessary perspective and long view that can make life's struggles holy and worthwhile".

Rav Kook, a 19th century chef Rabbi of Israel taught that our soul is always active, deep down, it is always praying, always struggling to live forward in a good way.
If we can just create a stillness beloved, if we can clear our mind of old thoughts, old knowledge and old emotions, then we can hear that subtle, small voice.

Yedid Nefesh/A prayer of Moses for Miriam
Nafshi, holat, ahavahtecha ana elna refa na la
My soul yearns for your love, Yedid Nefesh, please G*D heal her *Moses's prayer for Miriam.

I don't know why the amazing video on the shofar/Shema is doubled. After you listen to the first one once, it is doubly amazing if you click on the first one and then click on the second one a few seconds later, it is like hearing it in the "round". 

Shana Tova Umetukah~
Ketiva ve-chatima tovah~
Elisheva Amaris~