The word sfirah refers to different G-dly energies existent in the world and existent within us. There are 10 sfirot, and during the 7 weeks between Pesach and Shavuot we focus on the seven sfirot connected to our 7 main emotions. *
So how exactly would we translate "Hod"? Hod is related to the hebrew word "Hodaya" which means to acknowledge, the root of the sfirah is connected to acknowledging the greatness of G-d and His Splendor. Hod is usually translated as "Splendor" but it has a lot to do with "Acknowledgement" and it is also connected to the capacity to surrender, to acknowledge the opinion or point of view of the other... and then (possibly)... to surrender to it. Hod stands opposite the Sfirah of Netzach, which is often translated as "Victory", but suggests the qualities of persistence, determination and commitment.
Drawing from an explanation of this weeks parsha from Rabbi David Fohrman, ( alphabeta.org), I would like to suggest that the idea of being able to acknowledge Hashem's rule over the physical world is the key to all the blessings mentioned in this week's parsha, while refusing to surrender, refusing to engage our "Hod" capacity, or acknowledge the rule of G-d is what leads to all the curses.
Rabbi Fohrman puts forward the idea that just as eating from the tree of knowledge sent Adam and Chava out of the garden of Eden and away from all the blessings over there, so too, not listening to Hashem, specifically in relation to the Sabbatical (Shmitah) year is what sends the Jews out of Israel, and into exile and is what underlines all of the curses in this week's parsha. Rabbi Fohrman illustrates that all the blessings at the beginning of the parsha mirror, (but in reverse order) the blessings and descriptions of Gan Eden. At the end of the portion of all of the curses, the pasukim read..."then the land will appease(G-d's anger on account of ) its sabbatical years.......then the land will lie fallow and bring appeasement (to the Eternal King) for its (unobserved) sabattical years. (26:34).
It seems that just as at the time of Pesach we draw attention to the negative aspects of the ego, eating the flat matzah that indicates humility, and identifying the anti hero, Pharoah, as a personification of ego and arrogance, so here too... the Torah is pointing out to us that the path towards blessing is a path of acknowledging G-d rule over us and submitting to his dominion. The Ishbitz teaches in parshas Behar, that the laws of Shmittah, (the Sabattical year), Ribbis (not taking interest).. and Yovel (The Jubilee year) are related to the realms of Place, Time and Person,.... and in all realms we should be enabled to understand that we cannot have total dominion or total ownership .... only Hashem can really claim ownership in those domains in an ultimate sense. So with this understanding, all three of those mitzvoth just mentioned are training us in our capacity to experience Hod and our capacity to "let go and let G-d" so to speak.
In closing, just a word about punishments and rewards,.... it makes it so much easier to relate to if we think of blessings as consequences of operating with G-dly principles and that the curses, rather than punishments, are the unfortunate consequences of working against or outside of the G-dly vision...G-d is not a punishing G-d, here He seems to spell out the consequences and effects.. of going with the divine Flow or not. In submitting to His plan, we allow our capacity to surrender come to the fore, in go ing with His flow... we become splenderous as we reflect G-d's own light allowing it to shine within us too!!
Have a splenderous shabbos!
* The Seven Emotions: (Loose translations from the Hebrew) Kindness, Strength, Harmony(balance), Determination,Surrender, Capacity to connect, Mastery.
No comments:
Post a Comment