Greetings friends
We have reached International Holocaust Remembrance Day – to commemorate the liberation of death camps and to honor the victims of nazi genocide. Light a candle, remember, say a prayer, and demand of your government officials that they do something to at least - get the hostages free. The world made a sacred promise – our shared responsibility as a world was to ensure - never again.
Where are the shouts? I see only anti-Israel protesting. And I see palpable fear in the streets of North America and Europe. People in every city are afraid, and yet all the people I speak with, Jewish or otherwise, are disgusted, revolted, and angry about the situation and that it continues. For every Jew who thinks about taking the mezuzah off their door due to fear, there is a non-Jew who wants to put one up in solidarity.
But this wasn’t the only Jewish genocide or attempted one, or enslavement or abuse - from the desires of the Persian prime minister Haman for the eradication of all Jews – commemorated with Purim and the reading of the book of Esther, to the exile from every country, from every home to the horrible Russian pogroms – obviously still going on, to the refusal of the US to allow Jewish refugees into America as they fled nazi persecution.
Last week, we read about the freedom of the people. The people – yes, they were freed – and what you have to realize is - this was not a one-shot deal – this is an always issue – freedom is a right. We witnessed the festival that ushered in this freedom – the one we recreate every year and have for the last 3,500 years. Take it to heart. Make it have the same meaning in your life. Celebrate freedom – not theirs – but yours.
A promise made – all those years ago that not only would G0d lead the people to Egypt but he would bring them out – this is the promise kept.
But changes had taken place and changes need to take place. This 11-day journey will take 40 years, and during those 40 years, the people will have the constant companionship of the deity – enveloped in a cloud by day and fire by night.
This group of people – forever after known as the wilderness generation - had been subjugated for 430 years and were completely provided for – given their food, their water, their lodgings - they knew nothing of independence, of freedom, of initiative – they would have to learn and what they ultimately learned has been passed down to us so that friends - no dream is too big; no challenge too great, nothing we want for our future is beyond our reach -
Keep dreaming and keep reaching. We all encounter red seas to cross. When we have our backs to the wall as they did with an opposing army on one side and a sea on the other – they went forward – as do we all. We take a stand; we go forward, we survive, and we thrive.
Only fear can hold you back – fear – the projection of something negative that hasn’t happened in a current situation.
And every year, we recreate the event of freedom to remind ourselves of its importance.
Just as we can overcome the plagues of life, we can overcome the feelings of constraint. The ancient name of Egypt was not Egypt. It was Mitzraim – a word which means constraint. We were freed from the constraints of fear once, and we remind ourselves annually that freedom is our right and is the most important holiday in the bible.
Keep practicing forgiveness and use this time to continue to forgive those you need to forgive and ask forgiveness from those you need to seek forgiveness from and give thanks and celebrate your freedom and joy; do not succumb to fear and its friends – anger, and hatred.
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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 the fear that is so prevalent, 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, love, and miracles, and make sure you also celebrate your unique individuality and incredible awesomeness.
And remember – your world is what you make it. Just wish upon a star, continue to be a miracle in someone’s life, and light the light of love. May the year bring all your hopes, dreams, and wishes to fruition.
Blessings
RD
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