By Whitney Wyckoff

In the Northern Hemisphere, halfway between the Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox, comes the ancient Celtic pagan festival of Lughnasadh,  (pronounced Loo, or, Lew, with the dh just barely touching the top front teeth in a th), also called Lughnasa (or the modern Irish spelling, Lúnasa, the name for the month of August ) and Lammas, one of the eight Sabbats – one of the High Holidays, or four Greater Sabbats – of the Celtic Wheel of the Year.
August 1 is known as the Feast Day of the Chains of St Peter – in Latin, Peter ad Vincula
The month of August was the first in the Egyptian calendar, and called Gule, which when Latinized makes Gula, and signifies the throat.
Seeing the word at the head of the month’s calendar, the Roman Catholic Church made the day a feast to the Christian daughter of the Roman tribune Quirinus, who was cured of a throat disease by kissing the chain of Peter on the day of its festival.
Lughnasadh was imbued by the Church with Christian symbolism, so loaves of bread were baked from the first of the harvested grain and consecrated on the church altar on the first Sunday of August.
On August 1, the national holiday of Switzerland, it is traditional to celebrate with bonfires. This practice may trace back to the Lughnasadh celebrations of the Helvetii, Celtic people of the Iron Age who lived in what is now Switzerland.
In Northern Italy, e.g. in Canzo, Lughnasadh traditions are still incorporated into modern 1 August festivities.
The village of Morvah, Cornwall, U.K, is the home of the Morvah Fair (held on August 1 every year) which has been described as the biggest Lughnasadh celebrations outside Ireland.
In Scottish Gaelic Lunasda means the 1st of August. In County Mayo, IRELAND, on the last Sunday in July thousands of pilgrims still climb to the summit of “the Reek,” or Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holiest mountain. That day is known as Reek Sunday.
The etymology: the Celtic word nasadh means ‘commemoration’, or ‘to give in marriage’; the Anglo-Saxons call this festival Lughmass; because it takes place between the hay harvest and the corn harvest.
It is also associated with Lugh’s  touching and loving devotion to foster mother, The Royal Lady Tailtiu, (the daughter of an older race, the Fir Bolg),who is said to have cleared the way for the introduction of agriculture in Ireland, thus linking Lughnasadh to the land and the harvest.
After the defeat of her people by the Tuatha De Dannan, she was obliged by them to clear a vast forest for the purpose of planting grain.
She died of exhaustion in the attempt. 
The legend states that she was buried beneath a great mound named for her, at the spot where the first feast of Lughnasadh was held in Ireland, the hill of Tailte.
On this day, Lord Lugh hosts funeral game in her honor.
Traditional Tailtean craft fairs and Tailtean marriages, Handfastings, (which last for a year and a day) are celebrated.
At this gathering were held huge games and contests of skill on the scale of an early Olympic Games.

 By Melinda  Ribner  
Did I get your attention?

This week’s Torah portion (June 21) Balak begins with Balak, the king of Maob requesting Bilaam the prophet to curse the Jewish people.  “Please come and curse these people for me, ..  For I know that whomever you bless and whomever you curse is accursed. ” Why did he not simply say, ” Bless my people so no harm will come to them” , rather than ask that the Jewish people be cursed?  This is a sign of Amalek, that I see as  the code for embodied evil outside and even within ourselves. More than Amalek wants their own people to prosper, they want to hurt and destroy those they perceive as their enemy. So powerful is their hate, they do not mind even giving up their lives in this effort. As you may recall, Amalek went out of its way to attack the Jewish people when they traveled through the desert.  Amalek seems to be very alive and active today as well. Within a person, Amalek is equated with doubt, it is the voice of addiction. Because of addiction, a person will hurt himself.

 In this Torah portion, Bilaam, the leading prophet in the non Jewish world, tries many times to curse the Jewish people, but is not able to do so,even though he very much wants to do so, but he can not go against the messages that he receives from God.  At one time, Bilaam even says, ” How good are the tents of Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel. “  Bilaam affirms that there was no sexual perversity, no divination, no sorcery, so Israel could not be cursed. Interesting enough, these very words of this non-Jewish prophet ”Ma Tov vu”, that Bilaam utters, the prophet who tried to destroy the Jewish people introduce the morning blessings of our daily prayers.  Isn’t this ironic, another Tammuz reversal.

Bilaam was unable to curse the Jewish people because of the sexual purity of the Jewish people. Each Jewish tent allowed for openness and yet also protected privacy.  It is said in Kabbalah that when a Jewish married couple have proper sexual relations they create angels that protect the Jewish people. As long as the Jewish people were sexually pure, no harm could come to them.  Improper sexual relations, according to Kabbalah, are sexual relations that are purely lustful. Relations that are purely for physical gratification are said to create demonic energies that weaken the connection with the Shechinah of the individuals and lead to a lack of spiritual protection for the Jewish people as a whole.

My book New Age Judaism has an entire chapter on “Kabbalah of Sexuality”.  ” According to the Ramban, ( Nachmanides) sexual relations brings wholeness not only to ourselves, but it also radiates sexual energy and healing to the world. ” ( page 135) This chapter offers additional kabbalistic guidance on how to have holy sexual relations that are healing to the individuals and the world.

As part of an anti protest statement against the Viet Nam war, many of you will recall that John Lennon and Yoko Ono staged a rally in their bedroom with the slogan, ” Make love not war”. Little did they know that much before they came up with this concept, the Ramban wrote much earlier that making love if done with the proper intentions actually brings peace to the world. People may not realize how important and holy sexual relations are in Judaism and of their power to actually create peace in oneself and the world. Sexuality in Judaism is said to provide the highest revelation of God.  In Kabbalah, in Judaism, it is the bedroom that is likened to the holy of holies, the most important and powerful place to experience Godliness. Perhaps we should revive a campaign inspired by the Ramban, ” Make love for peace in the world.” How would it be if people had this intention when they made love?   Love warriors for peace. We have to fight this battle against evil on many fronts.  Perhaps the bedroom is another frontier for this battle.
Unfortunately, however, if sexual relations do not take place with proper holy intentions, if they are purely animalistic, according to Kabbalah, they can take us to the lowest depths. Lustful sex, even if it is between consenting adults is negative and creates klippot, opaque shells, that shut out the Light of the Shechinah, the Divine Presence.

Because Bilaam could not curse the Jewish people, he comes up with another scheme that will enable him to hurt the Jewish people. If he can cause the Jewish men to ‘sin’, they will become vulnerable and he will be able to curse them. The story I heard was Biliam hatched a plan by which beautiful women of Midian would trick and seduce the men of Israel. When the men would come to town to buy linen, ugly old women would set outside of the tent and escort the men into the tent to view the linen wares. Once inside, they would find beautiful young Midianite women lying down nude on linen who would invite the men to lie with her to sample the linen. Once he was sexually aroused, he was asked to deficate in front of an idol for that was how the people worshipped their idol. It seems hard to believe, but that is what I read. I imagine that the Jewish men did not think that was really like worship of God, so it was not a big problem to comply. The women invited the men to their idolatrous festivities, they ate and they prostrated themselves to their idols, not because they wanted to abandon Hashem, but because of the power of the sexual desire they stopped thinking.
 
The sexual seduction reached to such a point that an elderly leader of the tribe of Shimeon, whose name was Zimri, attempted to have sexual relations with a Midianite woman named Coshbi publicly in front of the tent of Moshe. In so doing, they both planned to usher in a new age for Israel and Midian, that would celebrate a merging of the two cultures. Kabbalah tells us that these two were indeed soul mates so there was a real powerful desire for them to unite with each other.  They had previous reincarnations such as Dina and Shechem. A plague however ensued,that was stopped by the quick action of Pinchus, son of Elazar, son of Aaron who pierced Zimri and Cosbi, his consort, in the stomach in the middle of the act. And that is how the chapter ends. Very intense.
This is the month of Tammuz, after all. The Torah portions reflect the times. I was not so surprised when I read today that the next flotilla ” Free Gaza” would be occupied by Christian and Moslem women. I thought that was interesting parallel of some sorts with this weekly portion. Another event today was an announcement that  the Presbyterian Church is voting its most anti- Israel referendum in their history. Today, as well, I read that a group of anti-Israel Pro- Palestinian protestors planned to block an Israeli ship from uploading in California, trying to equate this act with the Israeli blockade of the Gaza ship. I find it a bit humorous, that in the end they blocked a Chinese ship from unloading by mistake.  The Israeli ship did not arrive to much later, after the crowd left. Another little miracle that did not allow them to have the public relations opportunity they sought. I am sorry to report political events, but I feel that it is important that all be informed. This is all part of the preparation that is taking place. This is the month of Tammuz, after all as well.
 
 
Be gentle with yourself this month of Tammuz. I have heard already of so many stories of unexpected occurrences, reversals this month. Some of these reversals have been positive and some of them challenging. This is the month of clear seeing, where we can easily see through illusions, and deception, to see the truth. Sometimes, we do not allow ourselves to see what is really happening before, but events in Tammuz bring the truth into light. It may be helpful to know that this is what Tammuz is all about.   For more additional teachings, please consult Kabbalah Month by Month and New Age Judaism. These books can be purchased online or in bookstores.

By Melinda Ribner

We rely on weather forecasts when planning our days’ activities, stock forecasts or charts to guide or monitor investing, might it also be helpful to have a kabbalistic forecast for the month that serves as a guide to our spiritual growth? 

“Thousands of years ago, the Jewish mystical tradition known as Kabbalah revealed a very profound and powerful system for healing and transformation.  Though the knowledge remains obscure, it has influenced many current forms of healing.  According to Kabbalah, the Jewish calendar as a whole is a road map for personal transformation.

“To the unitiated, this material may seem mystical or superstitious, but that does not make it less true.  Many things exist beyond our powers of conception or reasoning. Just as there are various season and fluctuations in our weather, there are also fluctuations in the spiritual energies available.  Those who are attuned to these energies are aware of such changes and know how to use this knowledge for their personal growth and success. Rather than promoting fatalism, this knowledge actually increase our capacity to make meaningful and effective choices for our highest good.” (Kabbalah Month by Month, introduction) 

Welcome the Month of Tammuz on Saturday and Sunday, June 12 and 13:

“From a secular perspective, many think of the summer as a carefree time, a time to travel, relax, have fun, but according to Kabbalah, Tammuz is a heavy and challenging month.  The heat one experiences is not just physical but also emotional and spiritual. That is why we need to be mindful of the emotional intensity of this month and why it is important to be particularly sensitive to ourselves and others this month.  Tammuz is still ultimately a good and wonderful month but only if we know how to use its intense energy constructively.  When we do this we grow through challenges in ways that may not be possible at any other period of the year.”  Kabbalah Month by Month( Page 247-8)

“The divine permutation for the month is reversed. Tammuz can be a time of reversals. We expect one thing to happen but something totally different happens. As much as we may like to think we are in control of our lives, we need to realize our limitations, let go and invite God into our lives. This is one of the deep teachings of this month.

“As hard as it may be, we must realize that whatever happens to us can be an opportunity for growth and healing. We grow the most when confronting our greatest challenges. Tammuz is a month of judgment, we need to accept that nothing is accidental or coincidental. Through we have free will, everything is also divine providence.  (Kabbalah Month by Month, pg 251)

“The astrological sign for Tammuz is Cancer.  The Hebrew word for cancer is sartan, which means ‘ Satan”, a name that reveals the difficulty of the tests of this month. The ruling body of Cancer is the moon.  The moon is always changing, making Tammuz an emotional time with many ups and downs.  One has to learn to ride the emotional rollercoaster of Tammuz.” Kabbalah Month by Month)

“The Torah portions reflects what is happening during the month.  ”This week’s Torah portion Korach reveals the struggle within the Jewish people.  Two hundred and fifty men, the leaders of the Jewish people were followers of Korach claimed that Moses had concentrated too much power in the hands of his family and tribe, the Levites who served in the mishkon, the holy Tabernacle hosting the Divine Presence. Though they were jealous of Moses and Aaron, they did not express this directly. They couched their argument in idealistic terms, claiming that the entire assembly , all of them are holy.” ( Kabbalah Month by Month, pg260) If we look at what was happening on the external level, it sounds that the accusations might be true. Yet, we learn this month, that what is presented is not always what really is, and we must look beyond the external to perceive what is hidden and real. 

As we enter into this month, the world arena has many challenges and catastrophic events before it.  The BP oil spill is polluting the oceans, the economies in Europe are collapsing, Iran and Hammas threatening to destroy Israel, US stock market is plummeting downwards, the recent flotilla incident with the Free Gaza ship with so many nations in the world condemning Israel before they knew the facts. You know what is happening in our world as well as I do.  This is some of the heat of Tammuz. It is easy to be worried and concerned about what is happening in our world.  Additionally, I imagine that there are also challenges in our personal lives, in our relationships and even within ourselves as well.  Often what is happening on the macro level is reflected in the micro level as well.  

How do we grow through our challenges and tests?  How do we see God amidst all the turmoil?  This is the question of the month that we must be mindful of.  According to this month, the fixing of this month is seeing. What we see reflects our thinking.  This month we need to breathe, meditate and open to see life more clearly and calmly. We need to question our assumptions.  We can easily become upset about something that is not even true or do not know to be true. Take a moment to review how your recent responses to events in your life.  If you are upset about something or someone, might you be making assumptions that are not true.  As my teacher Reb Shlomo would often say, “What do we really know? “

We can all acknowledge that a response of fear, worry or anger to any challenge will not be helpful. Even though it may sometimes be an automatic response to become frightened and upset by major challenges and changes that occur in our lives, these emotions do not help us to cope or grow through the challenge.

 What helps us to grow? Faith and gratitude is what helps us to transform.  If we believe in God, if we talk to God, if we connect to God, we can find peace amidst chaos and strife, we can grow through challenges and become happier and better people. Learning Torah, reading psalms,  personal and standard prayer, and meditation are each essential. And sometimes we have to simply let go of our struggle and our resistance to life as it is and get down on our knees ( metaphorically, usually) to call out for divine assistance and faith. Try it sometimes.  Get down on your knees and open yourself to God. It is one thing to stand before God, and another thing to be on your knees before God.  I know that Jews do not usually do that. We Jews used to kneel before the Christians adopted this practice and then we stopped doing it so as to distinguish ourselves from them.  If you have never gotten on your knees before God, either literally or metaphorically, you may not yet have opened yourself to receive divine love and compassion.

Thankfully, God is very much alive.  As we say in our the Ahsrei prayer, ” God is close to the brokenhearted and those who are crushed in spirit, God saves.”  It is we who need to call out and open ourselves to receive. 

Blessings for a transformational Tammuz. Melinda Ribner.

Please feel free to invite others to join this list.  My book Kabbalah Month by Month is available online or in bookstores all over, even in Israel.  It offers guidelines, meditations, strategies, stories to promote personal growth and healing each month

By Melinda Ribner

Praise be to God. The month of Sivan, the month of fulfillment, the month of creativity, the month of love, will be arriving on  Friday, May 13. The holiday of Shavuos, the holiday of commemorating the receiving of the Torah, takes place of May 18 – May 20.
 
Kabbalistic Forecast for the Month  “Sivan is one of the most beautiful months spiritually and physically. Just as the trees and flowers are blossoming, so are we. Sivan is a time of gaining clarity of vision, discovering one’s life purpose and receiving guidance and direction on actualizing our personal life goals.  A wonderful time for travel,  Sivan is also a time of increased love and intimacy.  This is demonstrated by the giving and accepting of the Torah which could only occur during this month. A covenant between the Jewish people and God, the Torah is an expression of love, commitment, dedication and intimacy.  It is an everlasting partnership, likened to a marriage. Interestingly enough May and June that correspond to Sivan have always been a popular time for weddings.
 
“It is said that when the Jewish received the Torah, they were of one heart, so unified that were likened to one being. In the Torah passage that describes Israel’s encampment at the foot of Mount Sinai at the time of the new moon in Sivan, the word ” encamped’ is in the singular rather than the plural form. It is this unity that enabled the Israelite to receive the Torah.  Sivan is a wonderful time to deepen existing relationships and open ourselves to meeting new people whom we will be able to draw closely to our heart this month. There is an openheartedness in Sivan that makes it easy to communicate and bond with many different kinds of people.”. Excerpt from Kabbalah Month by Month.
 
Astrological Sign: Gemini : Gemini is the energy that does not want to be contained.  Mercury, the ruling planet for Gemini, was the Roman messenger of the gods who flew from the heavens to the earth. Similarly, the Torah , given, in this month is the messenger between heaven and earth.  People born under this sign are thought to be mercurial, quick to move from place to place, physically and mentally. Geminis want to leave the earth and fly to the heavens. Geminis are creative and skillful communicators. The planet of Mercury is associated with communication and intelligence.” Kabbalah Month by Month. ”
 
In case some of your are wondering, “Judaism does embrace astrology. teaching that we are born under a certain constellation and with a certain destiny. Our sages say that the length of life, number of children, and sustenance depend not on merit but on destiny. Yet it is also said that Jews are not subject to astrology.  Rashi, the great Torah commentator said that prayer, charity and mitzvot can improve our mazel and this is what is meant when the Talmud says ” Jews are not subject to astrology.”  ” New Age Judaism, page101)
 
Torah for the month:  Shavuos, the holiday celebrating the receiving of the Torah, culminates the completion of the journey that began on Passover, the holiday commemorating the departure of the Jewish people out of Egypt. The Jewish people left Egypt, not just to leave a place of bondage, but the Jewish people left Egypt so as to receive the Torah and enter into the holy land of Israel. The purpose of the exodus was not simply to become a free people living in the Land of Israel, but to be a people who would love, know and serve God. It is not that God needed or needs our love and service, but through our love and service to God, we human beings receive the greatest good. According to our teachings, the desire of God was and is always to bestow goodness upon all of creation.  
 
As Rabbi Moses Luzatto said in his book, The Way of God,  ” Since God desired to bestow good, a partial good would not be sufficient.  God alone is the only true good, and therefore, His beneficent desire would not be satisfied unless it could bestow that very good, namely the true perfect good that exists in God’s intrinsic Essence. Even though created beings can not emulate God’s perfection in this own right, the fact that they can be attached to God allows them to partake of it.  They can thus derive the greatest pleasure from that true good to the greatest degree possible. The purpose of all that was created was therefore to bring into existence a creature who could derive pleasure from God’s own good, in a way that would be possible for it.”
 
   
When God finished creating the world, the Torah tells us ” God saw that it was good.” After God created Adam, the Bible reveals that ” God saw all that He had made and behold it was very good.”. The human being was different than other creatures and was capable of receiving the greatest goodness.  What distinguished the human being?  Rabbi Moses Luzatto, in his book, later explains that the gift of free will was what made the creation of the human being ” very good”. It is our free will, our ability to make choices, that makes us unique among all the other creatures.
God blesses everyone and everything but the greatest blessing is our free will.  That is because God wants our heart to be an offering, not a compulsion. For this reason, God is hidden until we learn how to choose. If God was not hidden, we would have no choice but to love God for we would be overwhelmed by God’s love and goodness.  With God’s concealment, we have free will and the power to choose and co-create our reality.
 
Love has more meaning when it is a matter of choice for God and for people as well.  It is a heavenly gift that God allows us to love other people, and to love God. It is the love of God within us that enables us to love God and other people.  When we truly love, we feel God’s presence and that feels wonderful.  Love is unconditional,  not based on what we receive. But rather through love we receive the love we are giving.  Reb Eliyahu Dessler in his book Strive For Truth provided much clarity on this subject and asked  an interesting question.” Is giving the result of love or does love come from giving?  Do we give to people we love? Or do we love people we give to. It is customary to think that giving is a byproduct of love. We love someone so we give to them. Reb Dessler says that If you want to love others, you should give to them.  Become involved in something that is for their benefit. Giving breaks down the psychological barriers between people. We come to love the people we give to. “  New Age Judaism, page 129
 
On Shavous we celebrate God’s gift to us. The Torah that we receive on Shavuos is God’s love letter to us, containing all the secrets that lovers share in times of intimacy.  For many of us  however there are times  when we read the Bible, we question its relevance to us today.  In those cases we need to search our hearts and pray that the secrets of Torah be opened to us. If the Torah were not relevant, did not contain the secrets of the universe, it would not be as treasured as it is.  Finding teachers and books who make the Torah and Judaism exciting, vibrant and sweet is also essential. 
 
On Shavuos we receive the Torah anew. By connecting and learning Torah, by living by the guidelines of Torah, we become attached to God. When we are attached to God, we know and love God, and that is the greatest joy.  It was for this reason that we were created, yet it must also be our choice. 
 
The deepest Jewish teaching that I know is that this world was created for love. Within God was the desire, but not the need, to love and be known. It was for this reason that God created the worlds. At the core of the heart of the human being , made in the image and likeness of the Divine, is also the desire to love and be known. And it is through love, that we know ourselves and God.
 
 
Suggestions for  Increasing love and Intimacy in Sivan..
 
1. Appreciate, and acknowledge others each day, especially your spouse and children.
 
2. Add romance to your life.  Buy flowers, and gifts for no reason.
 
3. Extend yourself by doing favors for others.
 
4. Open to meet new and different people.
 
5. Fully, receive with gratitude all that you are given from others.  Appreciate and acknowledge every gesture of thoughtfulness.
 
6. Make “I” statements about what you want and feel. Refrain from criticizing others, especially your spouse.
 
7.  If you find yourself upset and resentful, take time to be with yourself, and pray about what you are learning at this time.  Consider what you can give to another person. 
 
8. Spend time in nature. 
 
9. Recharge and nurture yourself with meditation and Learning Torah.
 
10. Speak to God in your own words.  Express your gratitude and ask for what you need and want. 
 
 These suggestions come from Kabbalah Month by Month.
 
 
May we  each be blessed this month of Sivan and on the holiday of Shavuos to open our heart to love God and other people in the deepest way. May we make the choices that promote goodness and love in the world. 
 
Love and blessings, Melinda Miriam Mindy Ribner
 
 
PS. Unless  otherwise indicated, most of the  words in this message are excerpts from my book New Age Judaism. This book contains an introduction to Kabbalah, meditation as well as kabbalistic teachings on love, sexuality, transforming suffering, as well as many subjects that are associated with the new age like holistic healing, vegetarianism, astrology, etc. The book is only $10. What a bargain!! All my books can be bought online or in bookstores.

 
By Melinda Ribner

It may still be the heart of the winter in many places, but the month of Shevat marks a hidden and mystical time of new beginnings. Shevat is a time of rebirth, new inspiration and creativity. The first part of the month may still feel dark and harsh, but that all changes after the 15th of the month, the full moon, the holiday of Tu B’Shevat.
We may have lived through a cold winter this year, but Spring is coming! Be patient. Something new is going to come forth within you.  Prepare yourself for the new revelation of light and blessing that is available to us during this month of Shevat.
In this last month of Tevet we purified ourselves of anger, and learned new ways to responding to challenges in our lives. Through these efforts, the seeds of our vision for expressing our potential have been planted deeper within us. In the month of Shevat, the seed is sprouting. Say Yes to the newness of life once again. Invite the awesome potential within you to come forth. Believe that you will bear new fruit and you will.
The energy of the month is best represented by the holiday of Tu B’Shevat.  It is kabbalistically one of the highest and most joyous days of the year. It is called the New Year for the Trees. Though the trees may still be barren at this time, we are told that the new sap begins to flow on Tu B’Shevat. We once again trust in the cycle of life that will produce new leaves, fruits and flowers.
The Torah tells us that the human being is likened to a tree.  Like the sap of the trees, our creative juices begin flowing on Tu B’Shevat, so we too will bear new fruit and flowers in the Spring.
Meditation for the month of Shevat.
Imagine yourself as a tree. Your branches are now barren, but your roots are hidden, strong and deep. Go deep inside, open to the new creative energy stirring within you now. Breathe deeply and open to this new flow. Open to a new beginning. Keep breathing deeply as you do this simple opening to the new. Let go of the past limiting beliefs of who you thought you are, or what is possible in your life, and open to simply being present. Open your heart, open your mind. Say Yes, over and over again. Say it silently to yourself, Say it outloud, Sing it, Shout it, Whisper it. Breathe deeply. Yes, Yes, Yes. You will bring forth beautiful flowers and new fruit this year.  Amen.
In the month of Shevat, do not waste your time focusing on what you physically see before you, what you have and what you do not have. Much of what we see around us is what we have already birthed previously in our consciousness. The outer world is a reflection of the inner world. Everything has its roots in the spiritual and invisible realms of Being.
Now in the month of Shevat we became pregnant with new possibilities if we open to the new flow of blessing available during this month.  Focus on what is not yet visible, what is the unexpressed potential.  Let’s  empty our minds of the past and call out to receive new inspiration. The internal creative process that will bear fruit later in the year begins in Shevat.  It will not be immediate gratification, so be patient for in the month of Shevat our fruit, the  manifestation of this new opening in our consciousness is not yet visible on the physical plane.
How do we bear new fruit in our lives?  How do we open open to newness? We know that a tree needs firm roots to grow and it needs water.  In the month of Shevat we refine and strengthen our roots. If we want to change what is happening in our lives, if we want to birth new possibilities for ourselves, we have to change our consciousness, our thoughts, our feelings and our connection to our bodies.  Our consciousness are the roots that create what occurs in our life. Prayer, meditation, learning Torah and therapy are powerful tools to change our consciousness.
Interestingly enough, the area of healing this month is eating. Eating is also mysterious inner process of renewal. We do not just eat physical food, but we ingest all kinds of food. What we do for recreation, the movies, the television, the books, the music, the friends, the work we do, everything we take into ourselves is food and has the ability to strengthen or weaken us. This month asks us to become conscious of what we take within us.
How appropriate that we welcome this new month of Shevat with the Torah portion of Va’era. There is a new revelation of God that is introduced now in this Torah portion.  ” I am Hashem ( Yud Hay, Vav and Hay).” Abraham, Isaac and Jacob did not know God as this Name. They did not need this revelation of God, like we do now. This Name is a divine name associated with infinite compassion.
In this week’s Torah portion, Hashem says to the Jewish people  and to each of us,” I shall take you out from under the burdens of Egypt, I shall rescue you from this service, I shall redeem you. I shall take you to Me for a people, I shall be a God to you and your shall know that I am Hashem your God Who takes you out from under the burdens of Egypt. I shall bring you to the land. ” These are the same phrases that we will say later during the holiday of Passover. There is a direct connection between Tu B’Sehvat, the month of Shevat and Passover, the Passover Seder. It is powerful to repeat these words to yourself every day. Many times each day, in our davening, we remember leaving Egypt, mitzraim, the place of limitations and boundaries. I love these words from the morning prayers, ‘ I am Hashem,your God who raised your from the land of Egypt, open wide your mouth and I will fill it.” Sometimes I literally open my mouth like a baby ready to receive. It is very awesome practice.
So love and blessings for a beautiful new month of renewal.  There are also so many more important teachings about the month of Shevat in Kabbalah Month by Month.  All my books, Everyday Kabbalah, New Age Judaism and Kabbalah Month by Month may be purchased online or at bookstores.  If the books are not there at the bookstore, they can be ordered.  Please feel free to share this email with others respecting the copyright and invite them to join the list. Always feel free to write me a note from time to time.  I love to hear from my virtual community.

Melinda ( Mindy- Miriam Shulamit) Ribner is the founder and director of
Kabbalah of the Heart
and Beit Miriam. She is a licensed social worker in private practice, an author and teacher of Jewish meditation and spiritual healing for over 25 years. She travels throughout the world spreading her love and and light through teaching meditation, kabbalah and healing. 646-3824696

By Julia Hultgren

With the New Moon in Capricorn on the 15th of January we may all be thinking, “so much to do, so little time.” This month our ruler is asking for an outward show of accountability.  The solar eclipse acts as a spotlight, beginning a cycle for the next 18 years.  This spotlight focuses on dignity, beauty and material resources, and reminds us not to squander or overlook that oh-so-precious resource, the resource of ideas.
 
Eclipses are the most potent change energy of the zodiac, and right now we are in the middle of two.  At last writing, the lunar eclipse in Cancer directed us to domestic water, and Mercury and Mars were headed into retrograde, reminding us that reflection and introspection are better for us now than charging blindly ahead.  When the January New Moon occurs, Saturn, the ruler of the chart, is stationary, poised to go retrograde. Mercury is also in a stationary position, collecting energy to go forward on the following day. Alone, either of these is occasion for great insight.  In combination, on either side of the solar eclipse, they hold particular augury.

Our messenger is in the huddle with Pluto, who is ready to talk. In the interest of going forward, Pluto wants a restoration of dignity and respect. When all is considered (and relevant parties are taking the high ground), Saturn in Libra has a ken for this, and along with dignity, adds balance, equal footing, and fair share to the list of conditions for the upcoming encounter. This seems like a simple game plan, and we would be smart to heed the call. We will need to have the conditions set and well exercised for when the Titans meet in the spring.

Meanwhile, both the eclipse and the north node of the moon are elevating Venus to first string where she joins the heavy hitters for this auspicious beginning of this 18 year cycle. Often Venus is relegated to the ranks of inconsequential players or designing the uniforms, just adding a bit of superficial beauty here, and some extraneous fluff there. Venus in Capricorn is not just some babe to be taken lightly, and reinforces the call for decorum, and respect for material resources. And, after too many gritty years, bringing grace and a code of honor to the forefront will be a relief to us all.

The New Moon groupies are hooking up with the eclectic third Titan, who is currently removed from the fray, partying on the sidelines. The luminaries shake off some of their Capricorn stuffiness, charging their aura with that special electric chemistry only Uranus can provide. It will become ultra cool to follow the rules.

And what of that retrograde Mars from last month? He’s off in the international finance and banking sector, minding his own business. But by the Full Moon on the 30th, we’ll be asking ourselves, “Who thought it was a good idea to leave that wild child alone?”

 Background

Julia Hultgren has been a practitioner/student of astrology for over 30 years. She was an avid student of noted Chicago astrologer, Doris Hebel. In addition to basic astrology readings and charts, Julia reads and teaches planetary indications for soul mates, life purpose and monetary aspects. She also reads and teaches charts of relationships, called synastry. She is a graduate of the Weiss Institute, where she was professionally trained in Past Life Regression. She has been meditating for 13 years and has had many profound and happy experiences becoming reacquainted with spirit, while investigating altered states over the years. She has lived in Colorado Springs since 2001 with her husband and 4 children, has an MSW, and also utilizes EMDR, hypnosis and mediation in her practice.

By Melinda Ribner

Please take a moment to forward this post to five friends or family members. We each have a responsibility to uplift others and connect them to the holiness of Torah and God. We all know Jews who are disconnected or in need of a more spiritual entry into Torah who would appreciate the kind of Torah in this newsletter. We all know non- Jews who are interested in Judaism, Israel and this newsletter is a good entry for them as well. This is one of the venues that I have identified for myself to make a small contribution to healing and uplifting people. I thank you for supporting me and this work by sharing my teachings. ~Melinda Ribner At a time of the year when the days are shortest and the nights are the longest, the holiday of Hanukkah comes to help us find the light within darkness. Unlike most Biblical Jewish holidays that require lots of preparation and have certain restrictions, the holiday of Hanukkah has neither. One simply lights the Hanukkah menorah for eight nights and one is plugged into Divine light and blessing. It is simple, but profound. There is a treasure chest of blessings that has been accumulating for thousands of years that we can draw upon at the time of Hanukkah. The Hanukah candles radiate hope, faith and unconditional love, reminding us to dream again, and that our dreams are beautiful and important. Even though we may not have lived our lives as fully as we would have wanted, even though we may have even harmed others, or ourselves or have been hurt by others, the light of Hanukkah reminds us of who we really are and who we can. Hanukkah is also known to be a time to find one’s soul mate or to have the love for one’s spouse ignited. May those of us who are still looking for our soulmate be blessed with Chanukkah eyes. May those who are married be blessed also with Chanukkah eyes. Unfortunately, people too often light the Hanukkah candles and then quickly move on to other activities without taking the time to receive its spiritual gifts. One of the problems we have in life is that we do not know how to receive. We shop too much, we eat too much, we are running here and there, constantly busy when we need to take time to simply be, to feel what is occurring within us and be present to what we truly need and want in our lives. When we try to meet our spiritual needs with material things and various distracting activities we will never be satisfied. Meditative gazing upon the simple sweet light of Hanukkah can fulfill us in the way we have yearned for our entire life. Consider taking the Hanukkah challenge this year and meditate with the candles for eight days. This is a spiritual practice that will be transformational. Even if you do it for just one night, or even for ten minutes on one night, you will receive much benefit. Meditating on each night of Hanukkah will help us transform our lives in ways we have always hoped. No matter what is happening in the external world, Hanukkah teaches us that we can be free, we are holy, we are loved unconditionally and we need not be limited by our fears or guilt. We can live our lives with greater integrity, love and beauty. What a divine gift! And it is free to all who open to receive it. On an even deeper mystical level, gazing at the lights of Hanukkah provides a glimpse into the eternal light of God, the hidden light, the holy light, the light before creation, the light of our own souls. The light of God has burned forever and will burn eternally. When we really get a glimpse of this holy light of Hanukkah, we know deeply that life itself is truly miraculous. Even though we Jews as individuals and as a people have faced and will face many challenges in life, the light of Hanukkah reminds us that God is with us. And now more than ever, this is a great comfort. If we are truly blessed, the light of Hanukkah will reveal to us that the Jewish people are eternal, all the wondrous things that have been predicted for the Jewish people will be fulfilled, and we will be quite joyful. As you prepare to light menorah candles this year, take a few moments to center yourself with deep breaths. Prepare yourself so you can be present as you can be as you do this mitzvah of lighting the Hanukkah menorah. Energetically connect to the thousands of Jews who are lighting Hanukkah candles throughout the world at this very time. Make a connection to the Jewish people who have been lighting Hanukkah candles for generations. As you say, the blessings with this consciousness assume your place with the Jewish people throughout history and align yourself with Divine Will. Assume your place in this ancient lineage of righteous people, prophets, sages, martyrs and ordinary Jews, like you and me, who have celebrated Hanukkah for thousands of years. If you can, place the menorah by the window to indicate your desire to share this light of miracles with others. The mission of Jewish people has always been to share the light of God with others. It is a spiritual principle that when we share our spiritual light with others, our light is not diminished but is actually increased. The more light we share with others, the more light flows through us. Sample Meditative Instructions Imagine yourself standing in front of the Menorah in the Holy Temple. The miracle of Hanukkah occurred in part within the Holy Temple. You can access this memory within your consciousness. This was a time and place for the most intense and palpable revelation of the Presence of God. Whenever we pray, we do a mitzvah, we seek to return in our consciousness to the Presence of God that was revealed in the Holy Temple. Read the Al Nissim blessing found in Jewish prayer books slowly. Then light the candles and say the Hanukkah blessings. As you light candles on your own menorah, you will ignite the space deep within yourself where you are most powerfully and intimately connected with your soul. Within your heart is your holy temple. This holy temple within yourself holds your deepest dreams and holiest visions. Although this may be a little uncomfortable, keep your eyes open and continue to gaze at the lights. The holy light of Hanukkah has the power to purify and to transform. Take note of the various colors of light within the flame. Be gentle with yourself, allowing space for any discomfort without running away. Simply be with the light as much as possible. If your mind begins to wander too much and you find yourself filled with extraneous thoughts, simply take note of this and bring your focus back to the breath and the gazing. Imagine that you can cast into the light anything you want to get rid of. Exhale your negative thoughts into the light. Cast your fear, your guilt, your regrets, and your insecurities into the flame. The more you are able to let go, the brighter the light will be. You can close your eyes if you need to do so, but continue to meditate, allowing the light to be experienced within you. Now, as your eyes are closed, imagine that you are a Hanukkah candle and the light of Hanukkah burns within you. Your body is the candle and your soul is the flame. As you identify with this candle, becoming this candle, experience yourself as a being of great light. Visualize the light of your soul radiating and shining brightly in this world. While the candles are burning, alternate between keeping your eyes open and closed. Gaze directly at the light. After gazing for ten minutes or more, you will find yourself in a heightened spiritual state and you will be able to listen deep inside to your own soul. The candles are symbolic of the soul. Each night the light offers a high frequency vibration. If you want, you can even ask a specific question or simply ask for guidance. Then, listen to the light. It is helpful to have your journal or a piece of paper and write on the top of the page in the name of God or the light of Hanukkah. “This is what I have to say to you… ”When you are ready, write in stream of consciousness the words reflecting your present thoughts and feelings. Simply write from the heart without judging or evaluating. This is just for you. You will be amazed at the wisdom that pours out of your own soul. Done with intention and prayer, you will receive answers to your questions. Melinda (Mindy) Ribner, L.C.S.W. is a spiritual psychotherapist and healer in private practice (www.kabbalahoftheheart.com). She is a teacher of JListen To Light: Meditation for Hanukkah By Melinda Ribner Please take a moment to forward this email to five friends or family members. We each have a responsibility to uplift others and connect them to the holiness of Torah and God. We all know Jews who are disconnected or in need of a more spiritual entry into Torah who would appreciate the kind of Torah in this newsletter. We all know non- Jews who are interested in Judaism, Israel and this newsletter is a good entry for them as well. This is one of the venues that I have identified for myself to make a small contribution to healing and uplifting people. I thank you for supporting me and this work by sharing my teachings. ~Melinda Ribner At a time of the year when the days are shortest and the nights are the longest, the holiday of Hanukkah comes to help us find the light within darkness. Unlike most Biblical Jewish holidays that require lots of preparation and have certain restrictions, the holiday of Hanukkah has neither. One simply lights the Hanukkah menorah for eight nights and one is plugged into Divine light and blessing. It is simple, but profound. There is a treasure chest of blessings that has been accumulating for thousands of years that we can draw upon at the time of Hanukkah. The Hanukah candles radiate hope, faith and unconditional love, reminding us to dream again, and that our dreams are beautiful and important. Even though we may not have lived our lives as fully as we would have wanted, even though we may have even harmed others, or ourselves or have been hurt by others, the light of Hanukkah reminds us of who we really are and who we can. Hanukkah is also known to be a time to find one’s soul mate or to have the love for one’s spouse ignited. May those of us who are still looking for our soulmate be blessed with Chanukkah eyes. May those who are married be blessed also with Chanukkah eyes. Unfortunately, people too often light the Hanukkah candles and then quickly move on to other activities without taking the time to receive its spiritual gifts. One of the problems we have in life is that we do not know how to receive. We shop too much, we eat too much, we are running here and there, constantly busy when we need to take time to simply be, to feel what is occurring within us and be present to what we truly need and want in our lives. When we try to meet our spiritual needs with material things and various distracting activities we will never be satisfied. Meditative gazing upon the simple sweet light of Hanukkah can fulfill us in the way we have yearned for our entire life. Consider taking the Hanukkah challenge this year and meditate with the candles for eight days. This is a spiritual practice that will be transformational. Even if you do it for just one night, or even for ten minutes on one night, you will receive much benefit. Meditating on each night of Hanukkah will help us transform our lives in ways we have always hoped. No matter what is happening in the external world, Hanukkah teaches us that we can be free, we are holy, we are loved unconditionally and we need not be limited by our fears or guilt. We can live our lives with greater integrity, love and beauty. What a divine gift! And it is free to all who open to receive it. On an even deeper mystical level, gazing at the lights of Hanukkah provides a glimpse into the eternal light of God, the hidden light, the holy light, the light before creation, the light of our own souls. The light of God has burned forever and will burn eternally. When we really get a glimpse of this holy light of Hanukkah, we know deeply that life itself is truly miraculous. Even though we Jews as individuals and as a people have faced and will face many challenges in life, the light of Hanukkah reminds us that God is with us. And now more than ever, this is a great comfort. If we are truly blessed, the light of Hanukkah will reveal to us that the Jewish people are eternal, all the wondrous things that have been predicted for the Jewish people will be fulfilled, and we will be quite joyful. As you prepare to light menorah candles this year, take a few moments to center yourself with deep breaths. Prepare yourself so you can be present as you can be as you do this mitzvah of lighting the Hanukkah menorah. Energetically connect to the thousands of Jews who are lighting Hanukkah candles throughout the world at this very time. Make a connection to the Jewish people who have been lighting Hanukkah candles for generations. As you say, the blessings with this consciousness assume your place with the Jewish people throughout history and align yourself with Divine Will. Assume your place in this ancient lineage of righteous people, prophets, sages, martyrs and ordinary Jews, like you and me, who have celebrated Hanukkah for thousands of years. If you can, place the menorah by the window to indicate your desire to share this light of miracles with others. The mission of Jewish people has always been to share the light of God with others. It is a spiritual principle that when we share our spiritual light with others, our light is not diminished but is actually increased. The more light we share with others, the more light flows through us. Sample Meditative Instructions Imagine yourself standing in front of the Menorah in the Holy Temple. The miracle of Hanukkah occurred in part within the Holy Temple. You can access this memory within your consciousness. This was a time and place for the most intense and palpable revelation of the Presence of God. Whenever we pray, we do a mitzvah, we seek to return in our consciousness to the Presence of God that was revealed in the Holy Temple. Read the Al Nissim blessing found in Jewish prayer books slowly. Then light the candles and say the Hanukkah blessings. As you light candles on your own menorah, you will ignite the space deep within yourself where you are most powerfully and intimately connected with your soul. Within your heart is your holy temple. This holy temple within yourself holds your deepest dreams and holiest visions. Although this may be a little uncomfortable, keep your eyes open and continue to gaze at the lights. The holy light of Hanukkah has the power to purify and to transform. Take note of the various colors of light within the flame. Be gentle with yourself, allowing space for any discomfort without running away. Simply be with the light as much as possible. If your mind begins to wander too much and you find yourself filled with extraneous thoughts, simply take note of this and bring your focus back to the breath and the gazing. Imagine that you can cast into the light anything you want to get rid of. Exhale your negative thoughts into the light. Cast your fear, your guilt, your regrets, and your insecurities into the flame. The more you are able to let go, the brighter the light will be. You can close your eyes if you need to do so, but continue to meditate, allowing the light to be experienced within you. Now, as your eyes are closed, imagine that you are a Hanukkah candle and the light of Hanukkah burns within you. Your body is the candle and your soul is the flame. As you identify with this candle, becoming this candle, experience yourself as a being of great light. Visualize the light of your soul radiating and shining brightly in this world. While the candles are burning, alternate between keeping your eyes open and closed. Gaze directly at the light. After gazing for ten minutes or more, you will find yourself in a heightened spiritual state and you will be able to listen deep inside to your own soul. The candles are symbolic of the soul. Each night the light offers a high frequency vibration. If you want, you can even ask a specific question or simply ask for guidance. Then, listen to the light. It is helpful to have your journal or a piece of paper and write on the top of the page in the name of God or the light of Hanukkah. “This is what I have to say to you… ”When you are ready, write in stream of consciousness the words reflecting your present thoughts and feelings. Simply write from the heart without judging or evaluating. This is just for you. You will be amazed at the wisdom that pours out of your own soul. Done with intention and prayer, you will receive answers to your questions. Melinda (Mindy) Ribner, L.C.S.W. is a spiritual psychotherapist and healer in private practice (www.kabbalahoftheheart.com). She is a teacher of Jewish meditation and Kabbalah for over 25 years. Author of Kabbalah Month by Month, New Age Judaism, and Everyday Kabbalah, she is also the Founder and Director of Beit Miriam (www.Beitmiriam.org) and travels throughout the United States and Israel sharing the joy of meditation and Kabbalah. Jewish meditation and Kabbalah for over 25 years. Author of Kabbalah Month by Month, New Age Judaism, and Everyday Kabbalah, she is also the Founder and Director of Beit Miriam (www.Beitmiriam.org) and travels throughout the United States and Israel sharing the joy of meditation and Kabbalah.

By Yvonne Perry

I began writing The Sid Series when my grandson, Sidney, was very young. The stories were inspired by Sidney and things we did together. I typed the stories into a Word doc, and would later read the stories to him while he sat on my lap in front of the computer. He wanted pictures to go with his stories, so I attempted to illustrate them and bring them to life with colored backgrounds.

Everyone loves to hold a book in his hand; so, I formatted the first three stories and printed them in black and white since my printer was out of color ink (as usual). I didn’t have a stapler with an arm long enough to reach to the centerfold, so I stapled the left edges together to hold the pages tight. It looked like a kindergarten term paper! It just didn’t “feel” like a book. I wanted a better way to bind them, and the pages needed to be in color according to Sid.

I took the file to Kinko’s thinking I would have the stories printed in color on both sides. Shocker! It would cost a dollar per page to have them printed. With the illustrations, the stories were about 15 pages each.

I decided if I was going to go to the trouble of printing and binding the stories, I might as well go ahead and publish them. I found a commercial printer that offered to produce the books in color with a center staple for about $7 each. I printed about a dozen copies of each title thinking I would sell the ones I didn’t need. However, printing them at $7 each didn’t allow any room for profit because folks weren’t willing to pay more than $7 for a 15-page book. Since it cost me another $2 to ship them, I would actually be paying people to buy them.

But none of that mattered. I didn’t write or publish them with the intention of getting rich! I was happy that we could hold and read the books together when it was time for bed. Sidney was so proud of our books that he took them to school for his teacher to read to his kindergarten class.

As time passed, Sid and I added more stories to the collection. He would dictate a story while I typed it. Sid became interested in the computer and was able to play games and get around quite well on the Internet. Once he learned to read, I formatted some new stories into e-books that he could read to himself any time he wanted. I still offer the e-books on my Web site for $3 each.

Still, I wanted the new stories in printed format. That’s when I decided to put all twelve stories in one book and publish them as The Sid Series ~ A Collection of Holistic Stories for Children. I’m glad I did. Now I have a lasting and tangible reminder of the times Sid and I spent together and we have a way to share them with other children and adults. See http://TheSidSeries.com

Yvonne Perry is a freelance writer and editor, award-winning Amazon.com bestselling author, podcast host, blogger extraordinaire, newsletter publisher, Internet marketing guru, and an outstanding keynote speaker. She is a graduate of American Institute of Holistic Theology where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Metaphysics. Perry is the author of The Sid Series ~ A Collection of Holistic Stories for Children.

In this time of new spiritual awakening of people of all cultures we have had a tragedy for a group of spiritual seekers who not due to any fault of there own were not properly educated on the proper use of a sweat lodge. This article tries to dicuss the importance of knowledge and accountability of those who try to teach sprirtual awareness.

Sweat Lodge Deaths & Self-Help Gurus: A Question of Accountability
By Jonathan Ellerby, PhD

A Tragic Call To Attention

The recent and tragic events that involved three deaths and more than 19 injured and emotionally traumatized at a James Ray “Spiritual Warrior Retreat” deserves to be treated with some gentleness for this is more than a news item, but a horrific experience of loss and suffering that is impacting far more people than only those who were there. It is also a criminal investigation and a man’s career under scrutiny. This “event” brings up some critical issues in our society, and this is one of those important times where we can either learn something that will serve everyone, or fall into the kind of blame and stereotyping that helps no one.

Sweat Lodges: Good. Cultural Appropriation: Bad

To be clear, ceremonial steam baths are a part of many traditions across the world and have been around for thousands of years. They are health promoting, safe environments for personal growth, spiritual reflection and physical detoxification – if done properly and according to protocol. There is an important place for this powerful tradition in the modern age. Each type of Sweat Lodge, however, has its own unique history, protocol and procedures that are essential to their impact and safety. Not just anyone should run a Lodge or make one up.

Interfaith, non-Native Lodges, must be treated with as much respect, reverence and care as traditional Native Lodges. The act of “borrowing” or “copying” Native traditions by non-Native people, without permission, guidance or extensive forms of supervision is just stealing and selling someone else’s culture. Native American people have endured this kind of abuse for more than 500 years now and it needs to stop. A self-respecting therapist, healer, or spiritual teacher must find their own innovative and culturally appropriate ways to conduct ceremony – they don’t have to fake it or steal it. That can be dangerous.

Recently, I asked a friend of mine who had lived and studied in a Tibetan Buddhist temple for five years if she’d come to my place of work and teach a session on a specific form of Buddhist mediation that she had learned. Her reply was worth noting: “There are certain things I can and will share based on my experience, and something that I am able to teach, but don’t. Just because I know how to do something doesn’t mean it’s my place to teach it to others. In the Tibetan tradition there are certain rules that determine who can teach what and when. I have to honor those because I honor the tradition, and myself. Being a spiritual teacher should not serve the ego.”

Who Is A Self-Help Guru?

The media is quick to call James Ray a “guru,” which is precisely why most people today are afraid of that word. It is often used in connection with “negative” media stories. I have published a few things on the complexity of credentials and spiritual leaders, and in Return to the Sacred I included an entire chapter on the pros and cons of working with a guru because it is such a delicate matter. The mere mention of the word causes many people to recoil, but “Guru” simply means a “teacher” to whom students are devoted in an equal relationship of power. The teacher is also devoted to the students and stands by them no matter what. It is a selfless role – ideally. It is great to find a teacher or a mentor. The difficult part lies in sorting out who claims to be a guru from who truly deserves the title.

Extreme Spiritual Practices

In my research for a chapter on extreme spiritual in Return to the Sacred, I found a complex history of misuse and abuse. Yet, things like fasting, deprivation of one kind or another, staying up without sleep, and other physical types of austerities can lead to very real and meaningful experiences and personal healing. They have been at the heart of our religious traditions as long as we have record. Think of Jesus in the desert, Moses up the mountain, Buddha beneath the tree, and even Muhammed in the cave – all practiced austerities that would make the average American cringe. Most of the great spiritual teachers who have made a positive impact on the world, Gandhi and Martin Luther King included, undertook training and retreats that would make the local police chief and medical authority suspicious. People do these things because they work. I support that. The problem lies in how we do them, who guides us and why. We need to expect more from our leaders: accountability and credibility – not just great marketing. We also need to expect more from ourselves.

Accountability in the World of Self-Help

Each teacher and each student must take as much responsibility as possible to live, act and choose with accountability. That means integrity, credibility, proper training and humility. There is a line between trusting another and ignoring your intuition and safety. This sad event calls us see that our world is out of balance and people need retreats and self-help leaders more than ever. But we also need more discernment, more caution and more accountability in such things than ever before. Spiritual practices are more powerful than most people will ever know, I have spent my life learning that first hand. But anything with power, even medicine, has the ability to hurt as much as it has the ability to heal. It’s time we expect more accountability from the world of self-help.
Dr. John Ellerby has studied sweat lodges and numerous other spiritual practices around the world for over 20 years. Blending extensive periods of mentoring with academic, research, and professional experience Jonathan brings a rare perspective and credibility to the world of self-help and spirituality. He is the author of Return to the Sacred; Your Spiritual Personality and works as the Spiritual Program Director for the highly acclaimed Canyon Ranch Health Resorts. www.returntothesacred.com

Kabbalah of the Heart

This month of Cheshwan is sandwiched between the month of Tishrei, the headquarters for all the holidays and Kislev, the month that hosts within it Chanukkah, a month of actualizing dreams and miracles. It must mean that there is something important that we need to do in this interim time. Because there are no holidays this month, Cheshwan may look like nothing much is happening. Yet, so much is happening below the surface. Many of the earth’s important resources are hidden below the ground. To find them, one needs to be willing to dig deeply, to get down in the dirt and mud and uncover and sort out the inner riches. Descending is often a necessary preparation for a subsequent ascent. This is what this month is about. Cheshwan is actually a very intense and profound month of letting go into the depths of life, a time of acquiring faith, trust, humility and inner strength so as to really go forward in the next month of Kislev.
 
 The Torah portion for this week is Lech Lecha, which literally means ” Come to yourself”. Abraham receives the command ” Leave your land, your family, and your father’s house and go to the land that I will show you.”   Abraham ( known at this point as Abram) begins his journey of actualizing his spiritual purpose by leaving what he has known, to walk and live his faith. God will show him but does not yet tell him where he is going. Abram has to be in the ” not knowing”.  And similarly, we may also need to be this month in the ” not knowing”. It is not so easy to surrender one’s control to the Divine. This is called one of Abram’s tests.
 
Because of the famine in the land, Abraham journeys to Egypt. It is interesting to note that the Zohar states that Abram went into Egypt without obtaining God’s permission. Nowhere is it written that God told Abram to to down to Egypt.  As they enter Egypt, Abram is frightened because his wife Sarai was so beautiful and he instructs her to say that she is his sister so all will be good with him.
 
Many people ask how could Abram ‘ sell out” his wife in this manner. The Zohar tells us that Abram saw clearly that the Shechinah ( The Divine Presence) was with Sarah, but he did not know that about himself. He knew that nothing could happen to her. And Sarai ( as she was not yet known as Sarah at this time) was indeed protected by the angels, for in the night that she stayed in the palace of Pharoah, the ” Lord smote Pharoah with great plaques.”
 
 The Zohar says that all this happened to them so that Abram and Sarai would acquire a great name in the world. Egypt was such a powerful center in the world that no one before had ever escaped there. But now for the first time, all of Egypt witnessed that Abram and Sarai entered Egypt and miraculously they left Egypt whole, shining, beautiful, even with gifts. Many Egyptians were so taken by Abram and Sarai that they left with them, even Pharoah’s own daughter Hagar.
 
 Abram’s journey is not easy. It most likely would have been easier to stay in Canaan, but he was given a spiritual mission so much greater than being comfortable or safe would afford him. It was necessary that Abram and Sarah went down to Egypt. Similarly, it was necessary that the Jewish people went down to Egypt hundreds of years later. It was part of the divine plan, tikkun olam.  Because of the bondage of the Jewish people in Egypt, Hashem performed miracles to rescue them. The Jewish people’s slavery in Egypt provided yet another opportunity for Egyptians to become Jews.  Jewish oral teachings say that two thirds of the people who went out of Egypt were Egyptians. They stood with the Jewish people at Mount Sinai and became Jews.
 
  Apparently, it seems to be necessary that the Jewish people once again find themselves in a struggle with the people of Islam. It is important to note that many of the so-called Palestinians are Jews who were forced to convert to Islam, who continue to be terrorized by Islam. I suspect that many of them will want to convert back to Judaism at the right time, when they can do so safely without fear of persecution.
 
 The problems of the world, particularly in the land of Israel, may look terrible on the external level, but we must believe that this is part of the divine plan. Ultimately it will all be for good.
 
May we see Hashem’s miracles in our days too. May the Holy Temple be rebuilt. Many Jews may not yet be connected to the Rebuilding of the Holy Temple. They may even feel that it would be offensive to Arabs that Jews express even a connection to the Temple Mount. Yet, the Jewish prayerbook is full of prayers about the Rebuilding of the Temple on the Temple Mount. Please hold this idea in prayer, learn more and beg Hashem that your eyes and heart be opened before passing judgment.  This is a very important time in history to make connection to the Jewish people and Israel.
 
 Kabbalah teaches that the Third Temple will be inaugurated in the month of Cheshwan. Cheshwan, devoid of holidays today, is simply waiting for the Holy Temple to be built. It is not surprising that we will see a lot of energy around the Temple Mount in the month of Cheshwan. The Jewish people have been praying daily for the rebuilding of the Holy Temple for two thousand years. All prayers that are in alignment with Divine will will be fulfilled in the right time. God is faithful.