Challenges of the Wilderness
Dear Friends,
This week, as we come to the end of the book of b’midbar (Numbers), we continue to walk through the wilderness with our ancestors and witness how uncertainty, fear, and physical and spiritual exhaustion have allowed violence and cruelty to flourish within and among them.
We read these chapters in the Torah during the three weeks that lead to tisha b’av, the day that marks the destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem. These three weeks call us to notice how hatred and fear separate us from what is most essential and leave in their wake devastation and ruin.
It is understandable that many of us are feeling exhausted, afraid, angry and uncertain as we continue to navigate the political and social landscape of our time. And it takes practice to not allow hatred and anger to take root in our hearts and dictate our words and actions.
I find a dedicated compassion practice always helpful, especially so in troubling times. This practice brings calm to my system, encourages patience, care and kindness and opens a pathway to connection. I have shared this practice often over the years and I am always grateful when I return to its embrace.
Compassion Practice:
Each day, I say the following prayer for myself and nine others in turn, creating a minyan of blessing within and around me.
May I (you) be blessed with love.
May I (you) be blessed with peace.
May I (you) be blessed with safety.
May I (you) be blessed well-being
Tradition teaches we begin with ourselves and then go on to say the blessing for others. Some days I focus on people who are close to the center of my life, other days I focus on people I know from afar. Some days I include people in my life with whom there is need for healing and each day I include non-humans; trees, waters, birds, mountains, deserts, air, sky. I was taught not to begin a practice like this by focusing on people who I find the most enraging, but rather to practice with those I already feel loving toward and in this way strengthen the muscles of compassion.
Sometimes I do this practice sitting in meditation. Other times I do it waiting in line at the grocery store, walking through the woods or swimming laps. This practice can be done on the go or in a posture of quiet meditation. It is helpful wherever and whenever we call it forth.
I encourage us to take some time each day and let the intention of compassion and relationship fill our hearts and minds. Let’s send blessings to each other and the world.
Love to all,
Rabbi Yael
THIS WEEK’S TEACHINGS
Torah Portion Mattot-Massei
Listen to the recording of this week’s Torah Study and pre-recorded Morning Meditation Sit. Rabbi Yael is traveling and there will be no live meditations through July 27th. We will return to live sits on August 3rd.
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