To Live

THE BIG IDEA

According to the Torah Omens ancestral blessings are in the air. 

Jacob, at the end of his life, blesses each of his 12 sons, holding them accountable for their past actions, blessing them in a way that is specific to their unique soul journey. 

Since no one really knows their actual tribal origin, or what the blessings really mean, this is an optimal time to design a blessing that is tailored exactly for your specific self. 

This weekend marks the transition from our work as individuals grappling with our place in the world, to the meditation of a nation and spiritual collective.

Take some time and space to evaluate your personal growth, and bless yourself to make any adjustments necessary before we move into the next phase of the yearly cycle. 

Be sure to follow through on your commitments (especially to a parent or a sibling), and trust that when your past wrongs have been forgiven, they have been completely forgiven.

SOMATIC EXPERIENCE

Make-a-blessing

Preparing for death, Jacob calls for his 12 sons* in to be blessed. 

Take some time this weekend to inhabit Jacob’s experience.

Sit at the edge of your bed and welcome each parts of your self, one by one, to come visit you. Do your best to find a specific blessing for aspect of yourself; the dreamer, the bully, the youngest part, the oldest part, the part that likes nature, the part that is wild, the part that likes to stay in and learn, the part that took accountability for past actions, the part that learned through life’s school of hard knocks.

Be the father that knows (and suffered) because of your actions and still chooses to bless you. 

Give yourself the exact blessing for that part of you - and then try to receive it as if it was the blessing of your life.

If you think the blessing wasn’t accurate, give yourself permission to adjust it. 

Try to journal your experience. 

*it is important to note that Jacob’s daughter Dina was not called in for a blessing, nor is any daughter in the tradition of ethical monotheism directly blessed by a father. While I choose to read the 12 sons as 12 archetypical parts of the masculine self within us all, it is importance is to notice and honor the absence — and consider what it might mean.

SOMATIC EXERCISE #2 

Integrating forgiveness 

For the past weeks there have been multiple prompts to initiate and integrate forgiveness from/for a sibling, or close friend — culminating last week when Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, crying over each of them, seeing God’s hand in it all. 

This week, after the death of their father, the brothers question Joseph’s resolve - worried he was only kind to them to protect their father, begging for mercy for their lives. (An act that brings Joseph to tears).

Where in your own life are you unable to accept the forgiveness of someone you wronged? 

Where do you wait for that person to suddenly ‘wake up’ and have a change of heart?

Is it with a person? Is it with God?

Take some time this weekend to let yourself integrate the feeling of being truly forgiven for everything for which you have taken accountability. Rest into this feeling. 

(You will need your strength for the coming waves)

SOMATIC EXERCISE #3 

Power Up

At the end of a book we say, Chazzak Chazzak ( strong, strong) V’netchazeck (and we will strengthen)

What do you hope to strengthen in your life?

Take a few moments to infuse your body with the energy that comes through the connection between your personal life and a spiritual text. Apply it to strengthen some part of your life. 

Wishing everyone a joyful integration for your parts of self and a shabbat shalom!