FUSION
WITH G-D [Emulations]
1.
REVEW [Knowing about G-d]----------We have arrived at
a bridge...we
began to explore in a very limited way, the concept of knowing G-d, in
a very theoretical way. We saw that Judaism teaches that
G-d is a
concept that is both as far away as possible [ The Transcendent side]
as well as being as close as can be [the Immanent side]....This
knowledge is important as a starting point---a foundation point....we
need to know about G-d in order to begin our relationship with
G-d.....Similarly, it's often a good idea to find out as much as
possible about a person, before we can begin to connect......
2.
A PARADXICAL RELATIONSHIP WITH G-D-------------Let's go back to
the
basics....We are seeking to connect with the Being that is
most
radically different from ourselves on the one hand---as we discussed
last week regarding His absolute independence and
unknowability ...etc..etc...
Jewish thinking
and Jewish Mysticism are no strangers to encountering paradox,
especially when it comes to relating to G-d....Even the Angels [as
described in the famous account of the Merkava (the most classic
of all
the Prophetic Mystical Divine Visions) brought in the
1st chapter of
the Book of Ezekiel] teach us that the way to encounter G-d
or
Infinity is through a process refered to as 'Ratzo vShov' or
'Moving
forward/close and moving backwards/distant'...........
3.
THE MITZVOT OF G-D RELATIONSHIP------The area of G-d Relationship
involves numerous Mitzvot....It's important to mention at this point,
that the concept of a Mitzvah, is not simply a Divine
Commandment,
but it is also a way of relating to the Divine---The word
Mitzvah is
related to a word 'Tzavta' meaning a type of
togetherness....The 1st 2
letters of Mitzvah [Mem and Tzadi] when rearranged in a
certain Aleph
Bet substitution mechanism, are substituted for the letters Yud
and
Hei---and when joined to the last 2 letters of the word Mitzvah [Vav
and Hei ] spell out The Divine Proper Name of Yud and Hei andVav
and
Hei...........The 613 Mitzvot are thought of as being 613 pieces of
advice on how to connect to Hashem........................
When
we add to this, the mystical concept that different Mitzvot
correspond
to different aspects or organs of the person [ the 248
positive
Mizvot of the 613 Mitvot correspond to 248 limbs and
organs and the
remaining 365 Mitzvot correspond to the 365 ligaments connecting these
organs], and that the Mitzvot directly concerned with our
relationship
with the Holy One blessed be He, represent the main organs; the head
and the heart ---- the vital organs--- without which life
would
discontinue, then we see that these G-d Relationship
Mitzvot serve as
the foundation point of all of Judaism....Our purpose in
this teaching,
is not to analyze all of the G-d Relationship Mitzvot, but rather
to
draw from their infinite wisdom in order to aid us in our goal of
mastering Dvaikut or G-d Consciousness or G-d Relationship....
4.
FUSING WITH G-D------------------ 'Fusion' is perhaps the
best
all-encompassing term that combines all of the different ways
of
relating to G-d, a challenge, as we mentioned that demands of us to
dance the paradoxical Angelic dance of 'Ratzo
V'Shov'---closeness/intimacy
and respectful distance.... We
will
define our usage of Divine Fusion, as the ability to bond in the
most
intimate way with that which is totally different than ourselves , and
still hold on to a respectful distance.....We will begin today with one
type of fusion----- that of Divine Emulation ----one of the
most
important, but perhaps least developed or practised of the Divine
Relationship Mitzvot
5.
EMULATION OF THE DIVINE--------------There is a verse in the Parsha 'Ki
Tavo' that states 'Vehalachta Bdrachav' ---and you shall go
in His
[Hashem's] Ways....' Our Sages and Commentaries
teach that this
Mitzvah [Commandment or means of clinging to Hashem] directs us to
study G-d's ways, and then emulate them. There are
certain
limitations pointed out, such as those Divine Actions that are
radically different from human actions [and there is one
classic
commentary of the Maharal of Prague, who points out that just as our
Sages in the Talmud seemed to only be concerned with the positive
Divine actions (as they point out , that just as Hashem
is benevolent
and compassionate, so to should we be that way), so too should we only
emulate the positive Divine actions]. Nevertheless
[from other more
primary sources], it seems that there are no real limitations on
the quantity and quality of Divine emulations that we are to carry
out,
as long as we seek expert\Rabbinic guidance in those areas of
doubt.
It
seems clear that one of the main reasons for emulating G-d's Ways,
is
that since we are created in the Image of G-d, we should therefore try
to actualize or live up to our Divine root/source, and thereby,
when we
do emulate G-d's Ways, we sanctify and elevate all aspects of
our
lives---our life outlooks, our character traits, our words and
our
actions----- and also thereby make great strides towards clinging to
Hashem, and towards making the world a more Holy and G-dly place to
live in....
6.EMULATIONS
OF THE DIVINE ---A PARTIAL COLLECTION-------As with any Mitzvah,
the
more that you connect to it in all ways---intellectually, emotionally,
spiritually, creatively...etc..., the more that the Mitzvah's Divine
infinite impact is opened up for the benefit of yourself and the
world. Perhaps the impact of this particular
Mitzvah of Divine
Emulation, will have even greater power than others, simply because, to
the best of my personal knowledge, it doesn't yet seem to be a common
practice to seek out as many ways as possible to emulate
Hashem.
Therefore in the spirit of taking the initial steps into a
new
spiritual frontier, we will bring you some Emulation Meditations and
Exercises to internalize.....I will bring a number of different
sub-categories that I've come up with so far, and what I feel are
the
most important Emulations from each sub-category and open it up into a
meditation or exercise.....
EMULATIONS
1. G-D'S GOODNESS
some examples of
emulatable traits illustrating G-d's goodness are;
a. His being
Long Suffering
b. His being
Merciful
c. He
Forgives Sin
d. He's Good to All
****our meditation
e. His Modesty
f. His being
Faithful
g. He Loves
all Nations
h. He is The G-d of
Blessings
THE G-D IS GOOD TO
ALL EMULATION MEDITATIONS AND EXERCISES
1. Know that when
G-d offers something for a person's benefit, He doesn't go back on it.
Emulate this trait
by committing to seek out all that you can do to benefit
others..........Do as best as you are able to abide by your
word......Start with one person at a time and work your way up to
doing the same for others as well.
2. Know that all
that G-d does is for the best.
Emulate this trait
by contemplating a specific action that you do, to see if it will
ultimately result in bringing goodness to any and every person
effected--------the more that you practice this trait , the better you
will be at it.
3. Know that even
those Divine actions that appear to us as not being expressions of His
goodness, but rather expressions of His revenge or justice--whereby
those who are deserving are rewarded and those who are not are punished
or rectified------those too are expressions of Divine Goodness to the
one being rewarded as well as the one being corrected.
Emulate this trait
by first committing to love everybody with all your heart, just by
virtue of the fact that they are all created in the Divine
Image.......Then, from that same standpoint of unconditional and
universal love, seek out whatever you can find in
each person that can
make that person a better person.......... If, as is most often the
case, your direct rebuke to that person would be damaging---either for
your relationship or for the effectiveness of influencing that
person,
then don't confront that person, but rather pray for their welfare,
healing and betterment........Continue in this manner with this person
and with others----always coming from a space of love and having their
own good and improvement in mind.
2. G-D'S
TRANSCENDENCE
some examples of
G-d's emulatable traits of Transcendence are;
a. His work is
perfect
b. He knows all
c. He sees
all****our meditation
d. He reveals the
hidden
e. He's Holy
f. He's the G-d of
Life
g. He's One
h. He's great and
revered
THE G-D SEES ALL
EMULATION MEDITATIONS AND EXERCISES
1. Know that G-d is
able to see all aspects of a situation or a person at once.
Emulate this trait
by visualizing one particular person or situation that you are
presently involved with........See them as wholistically as you
can........See the past root causes that brought about this situation
or the nature of this person at this point.....See the present impacts
of this person and/or situation.....See the future results that will
probably be brought about...........Based on your wholistic
assessments, do whatever you can do to improve the situation or
person.....Do the same for other situations and /or people , until you
get the hang of how to see wholisticaly and take appropriate
action.
2. Know that G-d
sees [below the surface] to the heart
Emuate this trait
by stopping next time that you encounter a person-----ask yourself if
there is a difference between what their lips are saying and what their
heart is saying. When you do
notice a difference, then open up
your heart to this person's heart message.....Notice how
this changes
the way you entire encounter and relate with this
person.....Continue
in this manner with this person and others until you begin seeing and
relating to people's hearts all the time.
3. Know that G-d
sees all that is hidden.
Emulate this trait
by focusing on one particular piece of wisdom or information that
you
hear.....Distinguish between what the surface message is and what the
hidden message is............Practice deciphering the hidden messages
in all sorts of areas of your life, such as------what your children are
REALLY saying to you or what are
the REAL messages of the events
in your life or what are the hidden
messages that your body is
conveying to you or what are your hidden
intutive messages saying
to you .............Notice how that the more that you focus on
these
and other hidden messages, the more you will be able to truly emulate
Hashem in seeing that which is hidden
*******there is
alot more Emulation teachings and exercises, frends, but surely I've
overstayed my welcome this week and will have to continue later on.
may we truly reap
the benefits and blessings that comes from Emulating the ONE who is the
most worthy of emulating
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