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Ann, thank you for asking what I was thinking.
Seth, I have to ask something as a follow-up to your response to Ann’s question, but please bear with me as I make a statement first.
I have heard that there is significance in the days of the week as well as dates of the month and throughout the year. I recognize that there is a difference between religion and Kabbalah, but ddespite being a Noahide, I recently fasted for Tisha B’Av and attempted to observe Shabbat (short of attending Synagogue as I live far from one). I later read several Chabad articles from many different Rabbis that such actions, especially concerning Shabbat, specifically to having a complete, 25-hour day of rest, was a grave sin, as I am not of the covenant of Moses. I read that with the right intention I could do a few things as a Noahide, but I certainly do not want to participate in cultural appropriation if it offends anyone. I accept that Kabbalah has been opened to the whole of the world, of which I am grateful to be a part of in my small way, and I know that we’re supposed to limit our inquiry into religious matters, but I have to ask.
In what way(s) may I or may I not observe Shabbat?What is acceptable and unacceptable to bring to the group (when we’re placed in one) for the purpose of prayer? Should we invert our desires and pray for others the very things we feel burning for ourselves (spiritual and/or corporeal)?
To mature my ego, be a vessel of bestowal, and assist in networking all points in the heart to bring about the final correction.
Julia, that was an EXCELLENT question – one I have struggled with, personally.
Albert, I also really appreciate your answer and that you have provided further information on the subject.
It is my understanding that, while (some or all) of the people and events in the Torah may have actually occurred, their significance is not limited to the actual event or person spoken of, and the purpose of the written Torah is exactly as Albert stated, which may be described as a chronology of the states each person goes through on the path to spirituality.
Please correct me if I have misspoken.I agree.
I see that freedom or free will is found in our intention – to see others fulfilled or to see our own egoistic desires fulfilled.
I’d like to take what you said a step further and say that we should think of others, whomever they may be, imagine them in their highest state and feel love for one another in that highest state. We can educate ourselves, in whatever science might be applicable, and imagine the others passing through the stages to reach their goals.
We can monitor how we feel towards others and take opportunities where we might initially think highly or lowly of others and use it as an opportunity to scrutinize our intentions. If we think highly of someone, we can fall into the habit of becoming overly reliant and fail to participate in the work, and if we think lowly of someone we can fail to recognize a person’s value. Either way we would be missing an opportunity to learn and grow. Maybe neutrality is the way to correction.
I got something very similar to you, namely that if I am shown favor or disdain I should remain in a state of reverence and whatever I am given in this vessel I must default back to love thy neighbor as a natural outpouring. Indeed, the glory is God’s alone, for I am but a vessel. If I am empty, I am useful. This emptiness is reverence and is the fear of the LORD. I must meditate reverence and pray love, like an oscillation between 0 and 1, never seeking to hold fast to or remain in one state for any period of time.
I do not want to misspeak. Please advice.
