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Greetings friends
I hope you all enjoyed last week’s other talking animal tale from the bible – only two talking animals, and both are special. And you know, we all know asses who have a lot to say – but most are not as worth listening to as Balaam’s.
Friends, we are almost at the end of the book of numbers - which at one point would have been the conclusion of the Torah – as it ends with the people poised to enter the promised land. And there’s something magical about that – a metaphor for life – when we often see what we have reached for – but often, still just out of reach. There is still more for us to do to get there. And friends, there is still more for us to do – even if it’s just to help others on the road.
That is one of the things we do when we send out healing and renewal energy for those in need – and it finds them and uplifts and helps heal – those in our hearts and minds - like dear Fern and Jerry and Doria and Aurelia. It is not just for people – it is for our pets and animal guides. So always take a moment and think of those who need some energy boosts and send some their way.
This week’s story opened not with a beginning but an end. Remember, the breaks in the Torah came hundreds of years after its writing. Last week the centerpiece was Balaam and his blessing, but the reading ended by talking about a couple – an Israelite man and Egyptian woman and this week’s reading begins with the end of the story – they are executed by Aaron’s grandson. And what is his reward for his zeal - Numbers 25:13 - and it shall be his, and his seed’s after him, a covenant of eternal priesthood, because he was jealous for his God, and he made atonement for the children of Israel.
Now, I always thought Aaron’s family had already been promised eternal priesthood, in which case it’s a big, nothing burger. But without telling you, a shift has taken place – we are shifted away from laws concerning ethics and morals into laws concerning ritual – for which there need be no trial, no witnesses, and much execution.
We find out why Numbers was so consumed by numbers. The census was about land distribution which would play such a crucial role when the jubilee rolled around, and everything was returned to where it belonged.
But overriding this, which you would have missed if not pointed out, is the first story of women’s rights – directly connected to the book’s ending census. The opening census meant nothing – everyone died; this ending census will reverberate now through the echoes of time – it is this census that will determine the distribution of the promised land, and with it, the return to the original holder’s family and standing up and arguing for a share are the daughter’s of Zelophehad – who argued to Moses that because their father had no sons – they should inherit, not his brothers.
They make their case to Moses, and Moses does not judge but takes their case to G0d and. Moses tells G0d, and G0d agrees and says -, ‘A man who will die and not have a son: you shall pass his legacy to his daughter.’
The first blow for equality was struck on the banks of the Jordan River 3,500 years ago. What happened?
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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 and do not give in to the fear which is so prevalent, and enjoy the peace that comes from acceptance – and as always - if you have any questions or suggestions or just want to say “hi,” please send me an email. I love hearing from you.
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Enjoy and celebrate your life and the lives of others, and in doing, 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.
Continue celebrating love as its celebratory festival is less than a month away, and continue celebrating freedom; send renewal and goodwill out to everyone in the world – it is an energy that cannot be stopped - and remember – your world is what you make it. Just wish upon a star and continue to be a miracle in someone’s life, light the light of love, and feel free to join us for any of our virtual services.
Blessings
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