This week we focus on the notion of renewal as suggested by the special Torah portion of Ha-Hodesh. This is part of our preparation for the freedom of Passover. The melody this week is another Bratslav nigun from the Ukraine--with words of ruin and repair. michael (michaelstrassfeld.com; mjstrassfeld@gmail.com)
A word of Torah: This Shabbat we read Parshat Ha-hodesh, one of the four special portions that are read before Passover. It sets out in detail what the Israelites need to do in preparation for the festival, including the sacrifice of a lamb and marking their doorposts with blood.
The Hasidic master, the Sefat Emet, focuses on the opening verse: “This month shall mark for you the beginning of the months; it shall be the first of the months for you.” The word for month is hodesh, from the same root as hadash/new and hithadshut/renewal. For him, even more important than being freed from slavery is being free to live a life of Torah.
What is a life of Torah? For the Sefat Emet, it means being able to experience life not circumscribed by the limitations of nature. It is an awareness that there is something beyond what we can touch and see. His term for this is le-ma’aleh min ha-tevah–literally above nature. Such a life can be achieved if we are not caught up in the material things of this world. It is not that he devalues the material world; rather he believes that the world of the spirit is much more important. Being connected to God or living a life of awareness can free us from the worries and distractions of this world. We can focus on those aspects that enrich our existence such as love, connection and holiness.
The beginning of the month of Nisan, the first month, is an opportunity to renew our lives. For the Sefat Emet, each month can bring renewal, but Nisan provides a special opportunity to renew our lives because it is the month in which our redemption from bondage occurred.
This inner process of renewal also has an outward aspect. The Sefat Emet writes that humans have been created to le-hamshikh/to continue the divine spirit of all God’s creatures. I don’t think he means to extend our life, but rather to enable us to more fully realize our potential. Each of us can also help free others from that which inhibits or limits their abilities.
While Rosh Hodesh/the new month is a particular time for renewal, it is actually possible every day of the year. As it says in the liturgy: ha-mehadesh be-tuvo be-khol yom tamid ma’aseh vereishit/God in God’s goodness renews each day the work of creation. The potential for renewal is a great daily gift to us. We no longer need to live in the narrowly constricted place known as Mitzrayim. We can realize that, mortal as we are, we can also live le-ma’aleh min ha-tevah—reaching for the skies.
Intention/kavana for the week
Before you begin your day, gift yourself a few moments as you awaken to the day.
Set an intention to renew the work of creation this day.
What awakes within you as you open your eyes and heart to this
new day?
What insight/experience from yesterday can help with the renewal of
this new day?
Song:
A nigun of ruin and hope.
Rebbe Nahman said: If you believe that you can destroy then you must also believe that you can repair.
