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Greetings friends
Congratulations, once again, you have made it all the way through the Torah.
G’mar chatimah tovah - a final great sealing for each, as you have also now been sealed in the Book of Life.
I hope for those who fasted you all had an easy fast and have enjoyed the first few days of the feast of the tabernacles – the booths – sukkot – the covering. Whether named for the booths used during harvest times or to represent the cloud cover during the wilderness travels – the root of sukkah is from the word for covering, and out in the wilderness, in nature, in the universe of place, we are all covered by the spirit of G0d.
You are out in nature, but you are protected, covered - and it is a holiday centered around hospitality and guests, so make sure you take the time and welcome guests and share the bounties of nature. The weather is good – not too hot, not too cold; still approximately the same light and dark, just a little more dark; harvest bounty all around, thanksgiving for what we have.
Throughout time, both as individuals and through group exiles or migrations, we are all contributing to the world through the personal characteristics we have acquired – and that has been - by way of guests – we, being them; we, welcoming them and those characteristics are loving-kindness, strength, splendor, glory, holiness, eternity, sovereignty. We have been homeless wanderers throughout the ages and learned to inculcate these characteristics in our lives from all the places we went and all the people we met. We are connected, and we share what we learn, so the connections get stronger and tighter and the distances shorter.
Please continue to do so and use the time in your booth to continue to really examine who you are and who you want to be and ask yourself – are they the same – are you congruent, present, mindful – aware, and continue to find all the newness, generosity, thankfulness, opportunity and love that is around you – do not just look to criticize yourself – take some time and honor yourselves and honor the beauty of creation all around you. Share your special talents and gifts with those around you.
This is a wonderful time for peaceful reflection and meditation, so here are a few things to meditate on while in your booths and you will find that when you stay calm, you allow change to occur in your lives.
Emphasize trust, not faith. Faith comes from belief, but trust comes from action. Your faith may waver, but your trust never will.
Know there are two paths, and both are built on good, and that good ultimately comes from everything.
Take action using the gifts you were given – you were all blessed with gifts and talents, so use them to bless others.
Hold the energy of the source of life in you, and you will fear nothing.
Know that whoever put you here put whatever obstacles you face in your way but also provided a means to overcome them.
This holiday is centered on the waving of the four species (the arba minim), and they are a palm branch, myrtle leaves, willow leaves (comprising the lulav), and etrog (citron). They represent both the physical makeup and the characteristics of man. We wave these by casting them out and drawing them back in toward the heart, and we do so in each of six directions – east, north, south, west, above, and below – and in so doing, you are doing a spiritual cleanse – in all the directions of life.
Join me this week because you are about to change the direction of your lives. Think of the intention you bring to your life and the words you use, the words you were influenced by, and the words you use to influence. Be generous in your words and spirit to others – you can build them up instead of tearing them down.
And please do continue to spread love and forgiveness and healing to all you know in need of renewal and see the blessings in your life; see the miracles; see the beauty; see the growth, see the opportunity – they are everywhere. Take some time and make sacred time and sacred space a part of your life.
This episode will be posted on our channel - click here to watch the Rabbi David Gellman Show in both the 2023 cycle and the ceremonies and special events section.
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Thank you all for allowing me into your homes, into your electronic devices, into your hearts – as you are all with me in mine –
Be well, be happy, be healthy, be free, be kind, be forgiving, be compassionate, be independent of mind and deed, be mindful of your intentions, and be good to yourself. Continue to celebrate freedom of choice in your life, do not give in to fear, and enjoy the peace that comes from acceptance – as always - if you have any questions or suggestions or want to say “hi,” please send me an email. I love hearing from you.
And remember, anytime you do not want to receive these anymore, please send me an email so I can remove you. And know - that I truly appreciate your sharing your sacred time with me.
Enjoy and celebrate your life and the lives of others, and in doing so, be safe, my friends, be happy, and may you all sow the seeds of and reap the rewards of peace and love and miracles, and make sure you also celebrate your unique individuality and your incredible awesomeness.
And remember – your world is what you make it. Just wish upon a star and continue to be the miracle in someone’s life.
Blessings
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