Pinchas

THE BIG IDEA

This week’s Torah Omens invite us to review and adjust. 

Time for another round of inner accounting. Be sure to include any misdeeds or karmic consequences you incurred this past year. Notice places that need adjustment, this weekend is a favorable time to protest for positive change in your life. Both the Daughters of Tzlofchad and Moses push back on divine decrees when they saw something out of alignment. (The five sisters assert their right to own land, and Moses petitions for his successor), both are granted their request.

Feel emboldened by this week’s energy to demand any necessary changes from the Source Energy of the Universe. Invite this power of cosmic adjustment into your own life. Prepare your case and petition it into being.

Like with Pinchas, holy impulses are rewarded with the blessing of eternal holiness, making this an excellent time to open yourself to divine blessing.

ASKING EXERCISE 

As you review yourself, look for places of inequality or injustice in your own life and in the world.

Tap into the confidence of Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah, the five daughters of Tzlofchad and take your case in front of Moses, Elazar (Aaron’s son and successor), and the entire of the people.

Without land the 5 women would be entirely at the mercy of their ability to secure a husband. Access your desperation, your tears, your own yearning, your own vulnerability.  Spiritually speaking, our tears are our the most valuable matter we have. When we cry out in true longing it awakens the inner gears of the universe (perhaps why many of us are unconsciously drawn to misery).

However the correct use comes when we accept our power to transform tears and fears into a force for positive change in the world. Only then will we come to know the power of our individual and collective will.

This weekend is an excellent time to imagine yourself arguing your case. Be specific. Use logic. Pray with all you’ve got.

HANDS ON THE COW clearing exercise

This week also includes a complete review of the animal sacrifices required during the yearly spiritual cycle.

It is important to appreciate the essence of an animal offering which is to offer an animal in place of your own life. A hard thing for a modern reader to comprehend.

Try the following exercise, as see if it helps you to relieve yourself from any feelings of guilt, helplessness, remorse over wrong action, or as a way to draw closer to God and dedicate yourself further to the practice of eternal light and goodness in the world.

Find a quiet place. Close your eyes. Imagine a herd of animals.

Pick the bravest and most noble of the animals, the one that appears ready to stand in your place. Take the animal with you, knowing it is being given as an offering in place of your own life, sense into the life of the animal as you sense the reality of your own.

Then, imagine taking the animal to the high priest. See the animal bound on the altar, and then imagine yourself placing your hands on it. But REALLY place your hands on it, like Moses placing his hands on Joshua — see the complete transfer of your energy to another being — transfer all your guilt and bad feelings, all your prayer for something in the world, or all your love and devotion to the Source Energy of the Universe. Whatever it is you transfer, see that animal offering standing in for yourself. See its life being offered instead of your own and, as it goes up in smoke, feel your offering accepted and your soul cleared, your request heard, and your devotion received.

For bonus points try this on each holiday (as prescribed here) go through the process with each of the animals. See how clear you are by the end.