There comes a time when the flood waters recede...

when the voice in our head says- please, come closer,

when the beat of our heart is in sync with that longing,

when our body trembles and awaits the caress,

that time has arrived

it is the call of the geulah from within- 

all parts of ourselves unite in one voice,

the plea for You- Hashem-

we each raise our banners and proclaim Your absoluteness, 

we battle our jumbled thoughts,

we remove the shield from our war torn hearts,

we brace our form to uphold Your will,

Now, 

Please, let the waters recede and harmony prevail-

from inner redemption to the outer expression.

 

Good Shabbos B'reishis!

HI! What a year already!!! It was amazing to celebrate with some of you at our simcha. BH.  It's been topsy turvy the whole way- with the masks, social distancing, outdoors, change of venues etc...

I think about the idea of light and dark and it is clear to me that just as Hashem is creating light, He is also creating dark.  In which case, within the dark we can find Hashem.  In truth, wherever we turn, there He is.  The only thing required of us, is to look for Him.  

Step 1. acknowledge this truth

Step 2. Want to see Him

Step 3. Ask Him to show you how -if you're not sure

Step 4. start looking for HIM 

As Tzvi Freeman says below so beautifully:

Be Light By Tzvi Freeman The mandate of the whole of Creation is stated almost immediately. They translate it as “Let there be light.” But it is better translated as, “It should be light.” Meaning that all the world—even the darkness—should become a source of light and wisdom. And that mandate He put in our hands.

Rosh Hashana

 Dear amazing geulah from within family,

This year has taught me so much even though we haven’t learned together as much as in the past. 

I have heard from many of you that learning has taken place in a more individual level- between each of us and Hashem. THIS is exactly what the geulah from within experience is. 

It is being able to discover Hashem speaking to us individually in each moment- either through the synchronicity of the events He causes to unfold in our lives or through the hugs and kisses we feel from Him in seemingly small ways, or even through our struggles and the small steps we take to cinnect to Him and come closer to Him through our struggles. 

We are about to be created anew on Rosh hashana. There is a segula that Rav Meilich Biterman discusses about  finishing the sefer tehillim two times on the first night of Rosh Hashana (Friday night)- that doing this will bring a salvation for whatever you may need. 

Let’s do it together with achdus. May each of you find your personal redemption this year and May we all one day meet and dance together at the third bayis. 

Thank you Reitza Sarah for creating this Link as always - linking us all together with your work :

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1onR_Cup-nOmY9wJMjHPYAv8BhrdyuDAFnWEfyqRPcTE/edit

Wishing you a Kesiva Vechasima Tova and a gut gebentched year,

aviva 

The work of Elul- believing you can:)

Adam trudged past the gates of Eden, his head low, his feet heavy with the pain of remorse.

Suddenly he stopped. Then he spun around and exclaimed, “You had this planned! You put that fruit there knowing I would choose to eat from it! This is a plot! But tell me: Why?”

There was no reply. But we have found an answer.

Without failure, we can never truly reach into the depths of our souls. Only once we have fallen can we return and reach higher and higher without end.

Beyond Eden.

Maamar Bati Legani 5731, citing Midrash Tanchuma, Veyeishev 4:1.

By Tzvi Freeman 

Elul Ba

                                           Time for Introspection.

You may say- We did that the last six months in quarantine!

But- Elul has a special power of clarity and teshuva.

Take a deep breath and make a list of what you see yourself doing, thinking, feeling, that you would like to see change.  Make a list of what you do, think, feel, that you want to hold onto this year. Thank Hashem for allowing you to have that and for giving you this opportunity to let go of what is blocking your relationship.

After introspection comes the action of the :

4 steps

Turn away from that thing that is making you feel distant from yourself and Hashem, Regret it, Apologize to yourself/soul and to Him, Plan for the future (one small step).  

Forgive yourself as you ask for His forgiveness. 

Shavuous...

We are dating Hashem!!!

These are the last few days for us to work on our relationship with Him before He gifts us with our "ring", the Torah.

This week should be filled with simcha. What actions can I do that make me feel close to Him and therefore, b'simcha.  What thoughts, words, and maybe even breathing patterns will enhance this simcha?

Here are a few questions to think about as we enter this marriage:

1. What do I want out of this marriage?

2. What can I bring to this marriage?

3. How can I make my environment feel the excitement of the pre-wedding and wedding atmosphere?

Here's a thought that makes me feel loved (but each of you should find what speaks to you).

"You Got Me" (Hashem has my back and my best interests in all moments-BH!)

Below a painting done by Batsheva Lovy:
When I look at it, I think of ;

Women receiving the Torah, each one singing their own song- receiving and shining their own lights- marrying individually and collectively.

Have a chag kasher vesameach!