To Plead. V’etchanan
THE BIG IDEA
According to the Torah Omens it is the perfect time for a Moses Masterclass.
Take full advantage of the light returning to Jerusalem and connect heart to heart with the transmission of spiritual alignment moving across the airwaves. Try your best to internalize the ‘things’ your instructor Moses offers beyond his language, this is an ideal time to strengthen your working relationship with the divine presence in all aspects of (your) life.
DEEPER DIVE
The week’s first lesson: Maintain connection (even when your prayers are rejected).
V’Etchananan translated as to plead or implore - begins with Moses’ account of his final exchange with God and the story of his rejected personal prayer. It is here that Moses models perhaps the most valuable lesson that any one human can offer another, how to accept rejection with grace and remain committed to a wisdom greater than personal will.
Imagine the greatest of leaders sharing the details of a personal prayer, and direct rejection — then imagine the story being shared with the exact people responsible for his fate without a tinge of resentment, anger, or withholding of his life’s teachings.
It is that exact story of vulnerability that begins Moses’ transmission of the ‘stuff’ he was likely chosen to teach these people in his first encounter with God at the burning bush - the alignment with the divine presence in all. At that time Moses resisted the role not feeling confident in his speech and ability to communicate (the ineffable). Now, 40 years of experience and a whole bunch of revealed spiritual laws later, Moses has the tools to share with all those willing to listen.
Throughout the chapters called ‘to plead’ Moses continually references the laws and rules, the ‘stuff,’ that helps us remain spiritual aligned including the 10 ‘Things' transmitted at Sinai, as well as the most enduring meditations and central prayers to the practice: There is only ONE.
Throughout this teaching Moses warns the people to stay focused on a practiced awareness of absolute Oneness — warning them continually to resist the temptation for a material representation of the divine. No rain gods, no totems, no spirits to talk to, no statues to behold, for all time. Do it yourself, teach it to your children. Practice this series of laws and rules (that might feel like endless prohibition, and obligation) and master the feeling of Oneness in all.
Unless you master D’vekut (absolute cleaving to God) - you will forever be in a state of longing and alienation.
Just a little from Moses’ class on How-To-Walk-With-God-Constantly.
For more on Moses and this moment I HIGHLY RECOMMEND reading the chapters AND listening to this lecture.
INNER WORK GUIDE
How do you handle the feeling of a prayer or desire being denied?
Take some time this weekend to write down the ways you react to feeling denied, rejected, or turned away.
How do you treat the person that rejects you?
Are you able to brush off the experience and adjust your desire - or do you go into a withdrawn, changed, or self protective space?
Does it effect your relationship with the infinite or divine to whom you pray?
Take some time to write out your responses to the experience of rejection, try to pay special attention to both the strongest and earliest memories - and where else in your family or culture you notice that type of response or behavior.
PART 2
Holding a practice of the Source Energy of the Universe without any representation is, from my estimation, the most challenging and least glamorous of spiritual practices.
Take time this week to hold the no- thing in your conscious awareness.
When you sip your coffee
When you walk down the street
When you talk to a friend.
Find 10 spaces in a day to practice an awareness of oneness.
Sending pre-sabbath love to all and wishing us all joy through personal work and meditation.
love,
Hava