Faith

How do you care this much? I know I’m only human but I believe that I’m built in your image with the empathy picture blurry.  For I’m sorry to say that I often let other people’s problems drift pass me by as a wind has blown.  I might feel a bit of their pain but feel I just don’t have the time or energy to deal with it and so how or why should I especially if it takes me away from our goals (I hope the our).  G-D what amazes me the most is not your infinite creations which are truly incredible but the ability to care about them all and to listen to every voice even those that don’t listen to yours.  I guess that’s why your G-D and I’m just me but maybe by having a bit more time and care here I’ll find more time then expected.

What is your purpose of life TODAY?  It’s more fulfilling to look at life when you have goals to achieve but not everyday seems to help get you get there. For sometimes life as itself seems to throw away today’s piece and you have to cut out another doesn’t appear to fix.  When days such as those occur we must realize the purpose of life is to live and live well.  That means doing the best we can with the resources G-D has given us for that day or even moment and understanding the road blocks we might face may help us see a door that would have been hidden elsewhere.  Live within the steps of faith and the purpose will be revealed if only in tomorrow’s steps.

It wasn’t a big jump but in my world it was definitely a leap. For my work guilt battles my faith guilt everyday and this time I gave an extra hour to the faith. G-D I left work early today not because I needed to go to some  other meeting or fix something at home but to try to observe a break for the Passover holiday. It’s not a full day as my more traditional brothers and sisters might do but it is  difficult, for the world around me continues to move and I decided to jump in your different  (I hope) instead. May this jump help all those who felt they couldn’t make such a leap so that we can be closer to you G-D and the mission you have put us on.

With Holy Week upon us (Easter/Passover) it’s okay to be grateful and express it loud and clear.  Giving Testimony to G-D for all that has been given you won’t make you vulnerable just knowledgeable.  You don’t have to fear becoming complacent but instead become more motivated to share this great gift with others who haven’t even seen the present.

As a faithful person of the Jewish faith I look to this Passover and give testimony that I was once a slave and G-D’s miracles allowed me to become free then and still today. That what occurred thousands of years ago is only the beginning of the story with new wonders occurring every moment of the day and I’m grateful to be able to experience them with my loved one and even those who have just started their own journey.

I have tried the right individual way to observe these two parts of the Shema ( a prayer that comes right from the bible/torah) and believe this one fits just right for me.  Here are the two verses and how I practice observation.  These are not traditional ways to observe the faith I practice and maybe that’s why they hold a bond unto me and hopeful my maker as well.

(1) You shall bind them as a sign upon your hand and they shall be a reminder between your eyes.  I bind a band aid with a special Blue cloth upon my hand and wear a hat in which when I look up can see the rim between my eye’s.

(2) Speak to the Children of Israel and tell them to make for themselves fringes on the corners of their garments throughout their generations and to attach a thread of blue on the fringe of each corner. I take a piece of blue cloth and put in in the 4 corner pockets of the clothes that I’m wearing.

(3) Sabbath Observation– I observe the Sabbath by not performing the work which produces revenue and try to have my mind refrain from such thoughts. I also try not to have others work on my behave by not visiting businesses during this time period unless emergencies occur.  I believe that G-D wanted us to take a break from our routine and take a bit more time to appreciate what has been put on our table without our effort.

(4) Sacrifice In a symbolic gesture I will need eat the first of my portion or the last thereof and instead give it to G-D who gives me everything.

I’m a strong believer in being part of a faith community where traditional ways of connecting to G-D are kept but I still believe there must be room for individual faith expressions. These are your own personal ways that allow you to connect with G-D in a way that follows the book but with your own DNA. Here are a few that I follow and why.

(1) HAT- Shema Prayer- “Reminder between your eye’s”- As I go about my daily activities I feel and can usual see this expression of my faith.

(2) A BIT LEFTOVER BEFORE AND AFTER- We have not rebuilt the Temple and I want to continually realize that every bit of food is a gift from G-D so I’m not part of the clean plate club.

(3) ON KNEES- I say 3 prayers a day and humble myself as I  say these words.

(4) G-D’s name- It is important to me to honor the one and therefore I never fully right out thy name. When I hear others use the name in vain I pray internally that G-D will forgive them and us for this action.

(5) MOMENT OF REFLECTION- I try to stand as a London Guard for a moment of reflection every day and strength to stand up for is right.

Revenge is truly in G-D’s hands. It’s amazing how if we let go of our hate and even forgive those who’ve done us wrong as a person, without necessarily forgiving the sin, that  G-D has a way of cleaning the slate. Joseph did not actually seek revenge on his brothers when they sold him into slavery but events led him to find justice when it appeared  to be lost. I have many similar experiences one which I will write about in a future blog post.  We in our lives should try to hold onto those points and as we fight for justice know who the real judge and jury is as well as know that this isn’t the final location that it will be dealt.