Parsha: You Shall be Holy

[Toney]

Researching this week’s reading as I try to better understand the Torah from a Jewish perspective, the universal call to holiness in Leviticus and the different way it can be viewed by Jewish and Christian eyes struck me.

The two ethical philosophies of Judaism on achieving holiness, being a good person and performing the proper rituals, reminded me of the story of Mary and sister Martha. You might recall that Mary sat at Yeshua’s feet whilst Martha saw to important chores about the house. Martha complained and asked Yeshua to instruct her sister to help her out a little.

Yeshua replied, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things but only one thing is important. Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken from her.”

Ritual or ethics? Active or contemplative?

You may have heard of Teresa of Avila. She was Jewish (conversa family); taught her nuns to pray in the Jewish tradition. She also was a mystic, one of the greatest! For Teresa the “better part” was her unitive relationship with G-d – a type of Mary rather than of Martha. Teresa’s spirituality was remarkably similar to Abraham Abulafia's seven stages of meditation in ecstatic Kabbalah.

I often have wondered why there is not more emphasis in both Judaism and Christianity on spiritual growth and ones personal relationship with HaShem. Do you suppose we are fixated on "correct beliefs and behaviour" rather than on true holiness? Are we perhaps just worried and upset about too many things?

[visionary]

Researching this week’s reading as I try to better understand the Torah from a Jewish perspective, the universal call to holiness in Leviticus and the different way it can be viewed by Jewish and Christian eyes struck me.

The two ethical philosophies of Judaism on achieving holiness, being a good person and performing the proper rituals, reminded me of the story of Mary and sister Martha. You might recall that Mary sat at Yeshua’s feet whilst Martha saw to important chores about the house. Martha complained and asked Yeshua to instruct her sister to help her out a little.

Yeshua replied, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things but only one thing is important. Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken from her.”

Ritual or ethics? Active or contemplative?

You may have heard of Teresa of Avila. She was Jewish (conversa family); taught her nuns to pray in the Jewish tradition. She also was a mystic, one of the greatest! For Teresa the “better part” was her unitive relationship with G-d – a type of Mary rather than of Martha. Teresa’s spirituality was remarkably similar to Abraham Abulafia's seven stages of meditation in ecstatic Kabbalah.

I often have wondered why there is not more emphasis in both Judaism and Christianity on spiritual growth and ones personal relationship with HaShem. Do you suppose we are fixated on "correct beliefs and behaviour" rather than on true holiness? Are we perhaps just worried and upset about too many things?

Well said, well said....The difference between going through the motions and living it. :bow:

[simchat_torah]

Are we perhaps just worried and upset about too many things?Quite possibly, rather than being too worried and upset about the physical world, we can also be caught up in being worried and upset in a spiritual sense.

For example, many tend to spend their days attempting to disect the nature of G-d. All the while they are failing to establish a relationship with him. They are more concerned about figuring out who He is rather than getting to know Him.

Just a thought,
Yafet

[simchat_torah]

Rarely do I make such non-tangible points, but I felt it rang true...

[debi b]

They are more concerned about figuring out who He is rather than getting to know Him.



Well said :)

We shall do and we shall hear!

[Toney]

Since we enjoy a double portion this week, I thought it appropriate to include a link (RealOne Player needed) to a double portion of kindness. Enjoy!

The Rebbe speaks to CNN (http://rm.chabad.org:8080/ramgen/cl/JEM/livingtorah/42290.rm) (about 90 seconds).

[debi b]

Double reading is where I tend to "get behind". Lots to think about and don't like to brush over too quickly.....

There is sooo much talk here about Chukim and Mishpat. If these words tend to fall out into two basic categories - Chukim are things dealing with Adonai's stuff and Mishpat are things dealing with people stuff we have a pile of things to think about.

Deut 26:16 16 This day the Lord your God has commanded you to do these statutes (Chukim) and judgments (Mishpat); you shall therefore keep and do them with all your heart, and with all your soul.

Balance these with equal measure. That takes maturity. And the point is;

Deut 4:6 -8 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, who, when they shall hear all these statutes, shall say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what nation is there so great, who has God so near to them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, who has statutes (Chukim) and judgments (Mishpat) so righteous as all this Torah, which I set before you this day?

So if life is a canvas the individual pieces are the brush strokes, but when we step back I think Adonai has a particular painting in mind....

The admonition in 1 Tim 3:7 (I realize this is addressed to leaders) is that he have a good reputation outside of his group. I think this should apply to all His children. It is easy to forget how important this is. To be a reflection that allows people to see Adonai we must balance both Chukim and Mishpat.