Greetings friends
We are getting ready for the non-Jewish Purim – Halloween, when you can still go disguised as who you are or who you want to be. And you are free to change those throughout your life, and you will.
One thing we have learned in our journey together is that we need the human connection that takes on a special energy of its own when we are with others. It is always a special time when we get to be with our friends. A true friend is the greatest of all blessings and that which we take the least care of all to acquire.
Another thing we acquire so easily is the memories of the celebrations of the people we love. We are celebratory beings – birthdays, anniversaries – any kind of anniversary, great accomplishments – you name it – we celebrate it – Christmas, Chanukah, Passover, Arbor Day. Life is meant to be celebrated, so celebrate life.
It is harder today with the intense hate so prevalent in the world. Senseless war, genocidal attitudes, disregard for humanity. It fits right in with Halloween when we love to be scared – but that is pretend, and now it is very real. If you are not scared, you should be. We are recreating and reenacting the darkest days of man.
Last week, we saw G0d shut the doors on Noah, his family, and our animal friends as Noah demonstrated the first example of faith.
He listened to the deep, still voice within and did the impossible and stocked it and entered it to be shut in and found himself floating in a box he could not control.
How many of you give up control – of anything?
How many of us listen to the voice of G0d as he speaks to us? He told Abraham to go! And Abraham went. Would you?
This week, we have a complete break from the cosmic bible and enter the realm of a family – the family that makes up the rest of the Torah. We meet Abraham – designated as the first monotheist and the father of the three major Western religions. We are ten generations removed from the flood, but man is still not so good. We meet the first angel of the bible – the messengers of G0d and we see all the people we encounter here have faith – Hagar, Abraham, and even Pharaoh – but the ancient world understood faith differently than we do.
This week begins with G0d calling out to Abraham, his journey to Egypt and what happened there; his splitting from Lot, which will lead to the Sodom and Gomorrah story next week; his encounter with a very special high priest of el-yon; the changing of his and his wife’s name; the birth of his first son – Ishmael and just as G0d gave us his first covenant last week evidenced by the rainbow, we get our second this week, evidenced by circumcision.
We see Abraham is not a paragon of virtue - he lies; he deceives; he does not practice the Noahic laws, but we see the Pharaoh of Egypt does, and if you forgot, they are:
- Embrace the relevance of oneness
- Do not profane it
- The value of human life cannot be measured – therefore, do not murder
- Do not eat flesh from a living animal – it contains the life force of blood
- Respect other property – do not steal
- No incest, rape, or adultery
- Ensure justice in the world
In reality, not too many of the biblical characters we revere followed them too well – but that doesn’t mean you can’t. You could and you should. They’re easy; they’re logical; they are built on decency and balance. Live by them, and you cannot go wrong.
Take a read this week and meet the family that will change the course of history.
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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 angel in someone’s life, and let us all pray for the release of the hostages.
Blessings
RD
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