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VIGNETTES
Inspiration comes in all sizes
Ignite your soul with petite, poignant pieces and enhance your Shabbat
We strike a match, ignite a spark, create a flame. The flame lights a candle and then another. The flames burn in full brilliance, reaching up to G-d, ready to further ignite, diminishing naught. “The soul of a human being is the candle of G-d,” Mishlei 20:27 A most beautiful interpretation of the verse above “illuminates” why the mitzvah of Shabbat candles is gifted to women. Women have the “unmatched” ability to ignite the souls of those around us, the spirituality of the world ours to shape. We begin with our own then inspire another. Us two affect more, and then there were four. Each as bright as their own, strong, steady and ready to “enlighten” the next. And the cycle continues, adding to the light, the glow of the world, ad infinitum.
A most elegant property of fire is its ability to climb to great heights. It stretches and reaches upwards as it extends past its origin and beyond itself into a world beyond. Shabbat is the day which extends past the boundaries of the mundane and the ordinary to become the point in time of heightened spirituality, a taste of the world beyond. Women naturally embody a sensitivity to, and appreciation of, G-d and spirituality. We very often reach in to a spiritual place within and pull out insight of the world beyond. When we light the candles week after week it is only fitting it is we women who usher in the holiest of days. Our worlds collide in this one display of tradition and faith, of pride and sublimation. A spiritual being, a spiritual element and a spiritual time converging to reach the sanctity of the world beyond, together.
Man is a composite man, encompassed of two paradoxical elements. Of all the creations, man alone has the privilege of fusing together the physical and spiritual worlds, just as he himself is this fusion. The creation of man took place on erev Shabbat, the time we transition from the mundane to the holy. How and when man came to be are much the same, with the physical preceding, and the home for, the spiritual. We recreate this pattern today. The act of preparing for Shabbat on erev Shabbat is sanctified and holy, for it is only what we prepare prior that we have to enjoy on Shabbat itself. The elevating of physicality can only be done through that which we make ready beforehand. May our preparations today be filled with joy and spirit and may we appreciate that which we do today is that which we can sanctify tomorrow.
Our pattern blossomed this week as we added the numbers one, two and three. We learned how each number has its own essence and energy. The number seven is no different. There are seven days in a week, seven years in a shemita cycle. We count seven weeks from Passover to Shavuot. Seven represents a cycle of completion and the natural world. (Eight represents above nature) The world was created in seven days. The physical world was built in six and infused with its “soul” on the seventh. Shabbat was the crown placed on the six days created prior. It was the day which culminated the process, the cycle, of creation. This Shabbat may we infuse the finishing touch of spirit to our six days of accomplishments and may we give this seventh day to G-d. May we bask in the soul of Shabbat, of completion.
This week, we discussed finding our purpose in two opposing pieces of ourselves, what is easiest and what is most difficult for us. We discussed how each supports the other, and together they are the clue to our potential and the key to our growth. Shabbat is, of course, a manifestation of this idea of unity. Shabbat is an expression of polar opposites uniting to create one lofty experience. A spiritually charged day most fully expressed by engaging in earthly actions. Through blessing our meals, through words of Torah, through time with family, we unite our polar opposites of body and soul and reach the ultimate spiritual purpose, closeness with Hashem. This Shabbat, may we merge the different parts of ourselves and serve Hashem with all the pieces of ourselves, in one united expression of faith and joy.
We spoke this week of male and female energies and how the fusion of both is what leads to transcendence. When G-d introduced the commandment of Shabbat to us, it is said He spoke the words zachor, remember, and shamor, guard or keep, simultaneously. Zachor, male essence, is the remembrance or memory of the original spark of inspiration. It’s the keeping of the positive mitzvot which allege our allegiance to G-d, the source of infinite oneness. Shamor, female essence, refers to the negative commandments. When we act with restraint, we give structure to the male zachor. Shamor contains and puts into practice the light of zachor. This Shabbat, may we keep both the positive and negative mitzvot, ultimately bringing our souls to their highest heights. May we restrain and push forward, reconciling this tension of opposites l’shem Shamayim, for the sake of Heaven.
A few days ago I was on the porch chatting with a friend about Hashem and Chaye Sarah. She commented how even something as simple as the warmth of the sun on our skin can be a spiritual experience. Summer brings with it the scent of the ocean seawater, the sounds of the birds chirping amongst themselves, the vibrant pink of the sky as the sun rises and sets, the sweet taste of seasonal, juicy summer fruit, the feeling of the wind blowing through our hair and the warmth of the sun on our skin. As the seasons change, so too can the way in which we connect to G-d. This Shabbat, may our senses dance to the rhythm of summer and may we smile in awe as we appreciate the beauty of the natural world G-d placed us in.
To nourish is the most instinctual of female qualities, to nurture a part of our DNA. When baking bread we nourish our families with far more than just nutrients. When taking “challah” and offering the portion to G-d, we infuse our bread with sparks of holiness, spiritual nourishment for our souls. Sifting and measuring and kneading .. as we knead the dough we prepare to keep the first of the mitzvot given to women. Wheat, a most earthly ingredient, and water, which is compared to Torah, combine to create a cohesive, singular entity. It is of this entity we offer to G-d, before we take for ourselves. Rolling and baking and eating .. as we partake of this blessed bread, we feed our bodies as we nourish our souls. Today, may we take challah as we bake challah, and this Shabbat, may we enjoy the physical and spiritual nourishment of this consecrated bread.
On Shabbat, the knowledge we gain is more easily understood and readily internalized. The additional soul we receive on Shabbat, the Neshama yeteirah, grants us access to the mysteries of the Torah, allowing us to make leaps with our intellectual and spiritual growth. This extra depth of soul connects us to Hashem on a level higher than that of a weekday. Whether it’s reading the parasha or its commentaries, changing the conversation on the Shabbat table, attending a class or simply reading, or rereading, a chapter from our favorite Judaic book, how can we commit to increasing our “knowledge intake” this Shabbat? How can we utilize the soul of Shabbat to its fullest? May we all use this time to learn and grow as we can only on Shabbat.
On Shabbat we don’t engage in work. More to the point, on Shabbat, we don’t engage in creative work. We create for six days and on the seventh we cease. As we learned this week, an important aspect of creation is reflection. The rest of Shabbat is not a passive rest. It’s a time to evaluate ourselves spiritually as well as creatively. On Shabbat we take a few quiet minutes to assess our past week, which allows us to greet the following week in a higher state. I’m sure we all do this naturally but it’s exciting to note this is Hashem’s very own practice we are emulating! May we all reflect and introspect, get to know our actions and ourselves better, and begin the week anew, infused with a more intimate understanding of ourselves and G-d.
As we Illuminated Our Souls this week we drew parallels between the physical and spiritual worlds of a candle’s bright light. A candle’s fire is dark at its base. Connected to and sustained by the wick, this darkness lays the foundation for the brilliance to come. The black fire then evolves into a vibrant ombré of golds and luminous white. The fire spreads its brightness, its light and warmth making way to the world. Past this brilliance is an ethereal halo surrounding the illumination of the fire. It is above the flame, translucent and hinting at its future, reaching infinitely higher. The fire is as we are. Grounded by physicality, living brightly yet always striving and growing. This Shabbat, when we bring the warm glow of the candles into our homes, may we too ascend to lofty heights, just as the fire of our Shabbat candles do, week after week.
We spoke briefly this week of ways to live in this world. We mentioned the ideal being to live each day with G-d. This idea is, of course, heightened on Shabbat. On Shabbat, we step into G-d’s world, so to speak. We leave the mundaneness of the week behind and enter into a day with a unique and inherent holiness. “The essence of the day is unity and complete connection to G‑d.” It is said the spiritual growth we attain on Shabbat is greater than the effort we put in. It’s a day where our efforts yield exponential dividends. It’s a day above nature. May we merit to live above nature all the days of the week and, this Shabbat, may we make the most of the holiness embedded into the day itself and achieve great spiritual heights
It’s hard to believe just a few short days ago we closed out the official end of summer. The sun is still shining, the air still warm, the celebrations still going, and yet there is a palpable shift in the air as we take a turn on the cycle of life. While we might mourn the passing of a season, we can also appreciate how endings are simply beginnings and a fresh, new chance to rise. To begin fresh something must end, must contract, to create space for the new. Thus, the same point is both an ending and a beginning. Shabbat is the end of one week and the beginning of another. It is the bookends, the first and last of the week. It’s both our launch point and our landing. Our inspiration and our goal. This Shabbat, may we close out our week with a sense of accomplishment and may we begin our week with a sense of anticipation, for the best is yet to come.
A few days ago I was driving down Ocean Parkway, the sun was somewhat hidden, the wind was swirling the not yet orange leaves around my car. I was overcome with this first hint of fall, the feeling of warmth spreading over me as the season of coziness begins to envelop us. I had attended a class on teshuva that morning and was touched by the connection between our discussion and the weather. Perhaps Hashem was speaking to me. I believe teshuva is a year round process, one which comes naturally as we grow closer to G-d and to people, a natural and desired part of any strong relationship. At the same time, there’s an undeniable energy in the air during these months. A season G-d sets for us to find Him more easily. It’s no coincidence the season of personal growth coincides with more time spent indoors, more time to spend in our inner worlds. The fall and winter months allow us to be on the offensive, to make great spiritual strides. This shabbat, as we prepare to say goodbye to this year and usher in the new, we can take inspiration from the weather and welcome the season with a renewed commitment to Hashem, to our spiritual growth and to our connection with others.
Our voices give rise to much beauty on Shabbat. As speech brings our innermost selves out, it’s fitting how many of our Shabbat traditions center around speech. Through Shabbat, G-d brings us into a sacred time and place. Through our voices, we reciprocate this holiness. We read the Torah and sing and bless, we “sanctify the Shabbat.” Articulating the holy words gives life to them. By speaking them, we enable them to connect our essence, the spark of G-dliness within us all, with G-d. This Shabbat, may our voices express our most spiritual parts, and may we all connect to Hashem on this most sacred of days.
As women, we are naturally drawn to beauty and beautifying, whether ourselves, our homes or our tables … it’s how we show our care and love. We spoke this week about outer beauty as a reflection of inner beauty. Shabbat is the paradigmatic expression of this idea. Through the enhancement of the spaces around us, through beautifying the Shabbat experience, we are offering a glimpse into the spirit of our souls, to our values and to our love for Hashem. It’s true that, on Shabbat, we beautify our physical to elevate our spiritual. It’s also true that by beautifying our Shabbats we are reflecting the most spiritual parts of ourselves. What a harmonious flow between our physical and spiritual worlds! May we always be surrounded by beauty, may we all be a source of beauty, and may the rhythm of our inner and outer worlds dance in beautiful harmony.
As we journey from matzah to challah this shabbat, we immerse in the sacred act of making challah. We gather each ingredient, highlighting the unique virtues of each, unlocking the blessings within. One by one they are joined, our hands uniting the many into one. And then we step away. We allow Hashem to step in, trusting Him to raise what we have begun. For the rise can only come through the quiet release of control. And we return. To bless and to offer up. To carefully form and shape, to beautify, what has become this most consecrated dough. And again, we retreat. To relinquish in full faith, knowing the outcome is the harmony of our effort and His will—ultimately, that which He desires. The journey of challah is the journey of life … a sacred flow between us and Our Creator.
Shabbat is the time we experience the light of the world to come in the world of now. While being properly engaged in now, we transcend and experience a taste of then. We bring down this transcendental, holy light by raising up this world elements; elevated dress and food, refining our speech and thoughts, the knowledge we absorb. These heightened components help to bring about a more sensitive and focused prayer, a deeper connection to G-d, an experience of the extra soul of Shabbat. By aptly using our physical worlds we set the stage for our spiritual ascension. May we all embrace our now and, for one day each week, transform it into the world to come.
This week, I was fortunate to co-facilitate two discussion groups. With all this talking, it got me thinking about our dialogue with Hashem. On Shabbat, we switch up our dialogue; the way we speak with G-d is different than that of a weekday. And our prayers reflect this. The requests we usually make in the Amida are replaced with one of praise for Hashem and gratitude for Shabbat itself. Any personal requests we do make on Shabbat are to be spiritual in nature. We are in a time and space of closeness with G-d and it is only natural and instinctual, and appropriate, to focus on His glory and our connection with Him. Our words are elevated, our conversations uplifted. This Shabbat, may we all step out of our space to fully enter Hashem’s, and may we enhance our dialogue to reflect the holiness of Shabbat.
There are three ways to live in this world. The first is in the world of nature. A world where effort yields outcome, where logic and science and proof rule the day. In the world of nature, we take the reins. Or, we can live a passive life, throw our hands up and say, whatever is meant for me will find its way to me. I believe in G-d I don’t need to do anything else. Unless we are on an extremely high level in our faith, this is often an insecurity masquerading as bitachon. Or, we can live a life with Hashem. We can infuse G-d into all we do, we can elevate our days and flow with G-d. We can take part in the dialogue, in the give and take with Him. Join us on July 1st as we inject spirituality into the things we do everyday. Spend the day with us as we nourish our very essence. Join us and rejuvenate your soul.