Holy Rage
Dear Friends,
As we go deeper into the Hebrew month of Tammuz, the tradition calls us toward a brit shalom, a covenant of peace. We are asked to a make a devoted commitment to shalom, to ensure that hatred does not take root and establish itself in our hearts. We are asked to do this with eyes wide open, as we witness and experience all that needs to be changed, challenged and battled in our country and in the world.
How to do this?
Guidance comes:
Be like the disciples of Aaron, love peace, pursue peace, love creatures and creation, and draw close to ancient, eternal wisdom. (Pirkei Avot 1:12)
How to enter into a brit shalom?
Search for love, the tradition calls. Look under the rage that you feel as you witness arrogance, greed, and the shameful grasping for power and control. Look beneath the anger you experience as you see all that is being trampled and destroyed and reach for all that you value and love. Feel the love that manifests as rage. Touch the love that morphs into anger.
A brit shalom doesn’t call us to deny rage. It says, experience rage, acknowledge its presence. Let rage fill you with energy and strength. And then, pivot from rage and act from and for love.
Pursue peace with love. Pursue healing and justice out of love for creation and all beings. Act from and for love.
Shalom/Wholeness/Peace does not mean perfection. It does not mean everyone will agree and see things the same way. Shalom/Wholeness/Peace comes from acknowledging brokenness as an integral part of life. And doing our best to pour love into the brokenness again and again and again.
This is a mighty task and sometimes we will be able to do it and sometimes not. Let us be gentle with ourselves and each other. Let us remember that each time we open the channels of love, healing flows into the world. Our words and actions make a difference.
As we go about our days, let’s hold each other in a brit shalom, a covenant of healing, compassion and peace.
Love and blessings
Rabbi Yael
This Week's Audio Teachings
Morning Meditation Sit
Rabbi Yael is traveling so there are no live meditations in July. Listen to an archive recording from the fourth week of Tammuz 5779, again on Praying with the News, in the Meditation Sits archive.
Torah Study
Parshat Pinchas. Dr. Yonina Foster brings the community into the Torah portion Pinchas as we go further into the Hebrew month of Tammuz
Dr. Yonina Foster is studying toward S'micha in Rabbinical Seminary International, and currently serves as an Activities Director. She is an independent Spiritual Leader, Sweet Songstress, and Reiki Master, serving the Buffalo community teaching Hebrew, meditation, providing creative programming and ritual.
Listen on Soundcloud or on the A Way In website.