A Rosh Hashanah Reflection
We are standing on the threshold of a New Year.
Jews all over the world will be celebrating the
arrival of the year 5770.
Part of the Liturgy on Rosh Hashana are the words
Kutvainu L’chayim often translated as inscribe us
into the book of life or inscribe us to a long life… But
the Sefat Emet (a Chassidik Master) explains that the
literal translation of the phrase is inscribe us in life –
or inscribe us into life. He then continues by asking,
what does it mean to be inscribed into Life?
What is Life?
We find in Genesis (2:7) “וַיִּיצֶר יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים אֶת-הָאָדָם
, עָפָר מִן-הָאֲדָמָה, וַיִּפַּח בְּאַפָּיו, נִשְׁמַת חַיִּים; וַיְהִי הָאָדָם, לְנֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה”
“Then the LORD God formed the earthling of the dust
of the ground, and breathed into its nostrils the breath of
life; earthling became a living soul”. We can understand
from this that the breath is life.
The moment we BREATHE that is life. The instant we
become conscious of our breath, we become present to this
moment. We connect with our surroundings, the people we
are with and the joy or pain of being alive. In that second
of breath we are here, fully and completely.
If life is breath, when we breathe we become present to
What is, and when we become present to what is, we
become conscious. It would be safe to assume that Life
is Consciousness.
What does it meant to be conscious?
Consciousness is when I am present in the moment. I
am HERE fully and completely. I notice what is required
of me at this time, at this juncture. Do I stand still and
stay in the bliss of the silence that empties my mind? Do I
pray and beseech that which is Greater Then Self to change
my circumstances? Do I surrender to Spirit knowing that it
will guide me? Do I step through the door that is open for me?
Consciousness is fully engaging in the process of being alive,
of the nuances that the universe provides for us and noticing
the slight change in atmosphere. Understanding when it is
vital to let go and when it is time for action.
At this incredible occasion, as we stand on the brink of a New
Year. I bless you all to be inscribed in Life. May you be
ALIVE in Life. May you realize that now is today, not yesterday
that even this moment is this moment, not the moment that has
just passed. Rather it is a new beginning with new possibilities
and promise. May you fully and completely be present, in every
situation, in every breath.
May you be alive in the process of Living.
Shana Tova – A Git Gebentchta Yur – A Sweet New Year
Chani
No comments:
Post a Comment