Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Shavuot - Hebrew Harvest



As I write, I listen from my office window to the strains of Hebrew folks songs in the background, sung by a choir preparing for holiday festivities which will begin within another few hours. "Ima Adama"... "Mother Earth", they sing in harmonious refrain....

As described in the Ettinger report. with added notes of my own ...The Hebrew holiday of SHAVOU’OT is celebrated on the 6th day of the Hebrew month of Sivan, 50 days following Passover. It commemorates a critical event, which has shaped the nature of the world in general and Western democracies in particular: the receipt of the Torah 26 generations since Adam (Adam-Noah-Abraham-Amram, Moses’ father). The Hebrew words for Jehovah equal 26 in numerology, as is the number of Hebrew letters of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs: Abraham, Yitzhak, Yaakov, Sarah, Rivka, Rachel and Leah.

SEVEN. The word SHAVOU’OT is derived from the Hebrew word SHVOUA' (vow), referring to the exchange of vows between G-D and the Jewish People. The root of Shvoua’ – and Shavou’ot - is the Hebrew word Seven-SHEVA. Shavou’ot is celebrated 7 weeks following Passover, reflecting the qualities of 7 key Jewish leaders: Abaraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aharon, Joseph and David. Number 7 represents wholesomeness in Hebrew tradition– 7 days of Creation. The Sabbath is the 7th day, there are 7 directions (No., So., West, East, Up, Down, one’s own position), Moses’ birth/death was on the 7th day of Adar, Jethro had 7 names and 7 daughters, Passover and Sukkot last for 7 days each, the first Hebrew verse in Genesis consists of 7 words, The Menorah has 7 branches, Jubilee follows seven 7-year cycles, each Plague lasted for 7 days, 7 Continents, 7 notes in a musical scale, 7 days of mourning, 7 Jewish Prophetesses, etc. Pentecost is celebrated – by Christians – on the 7th Sunday after Easter.

SEVEN is an important number. It's rhythm brings us to balance, as it combines even and odd numbers, both yin and yang. I am inspired today, and have recorded a short vocal piece, which I am so happy to share with you.
HOLIDAY OF UNITY – KING DAVID & MOST IMPORTANTLY - THE PROPHETESS MIRIAM. Shavou’ot is the day of birth/death of KING DAVID (as well as the day that Moses was saved by Pharaoh's daughter), who united the Hebrew People, elevating them to a most powerful position. LIttle is mentioned in the Old Testament about the Prophetess Miriam, though it is she who watched over Moses who allowed the Pharoah's daughter to find him. Miriam was a powerful prophetess in her own right. On this holiday of Shavuot, I would like to pay special hommage to her, particularly to her silent power of a mother, watching over her child so that he/she can grow up to fully express that which is his/her unique gift to humanity. That is the gift that Miriam provides us.

David – along with Moses and Abraham – was a role model of humility, hence the Hebrew acronym for ADAM (human-being in Hebrew): Abraham, David and Moses. 150 candles are lit at King David's tomb on Mt. Zion in Jerusalem, consistent with the 150 chapters of Psalms mostly attributed to David. 150 is the numerical value of NEST (KEN in Hebrew), the warm environment of the Torah. David’s personal history (from shepherd to king) provides a lesson for individuals and nations: There’s an opportunity for everyone, the road to success is paved with difficulties and ups & downs, human beings are fallible but they must repent for their errors.

SCROLL OF RUTH – KING DAVID – HONOR THY MOTHER IN-LAW. Shavou’ot is highlighted by the studying of the Scroll of RUTH, the FIRST of Old Testament’s five scrolls: Ruth (read on Shavou’ot), Song of Songs (Passover), Ecclesiastes (Sukkot), Book of Lamentations (Ninth of Av), Esther (Purim). Ruth was the great grandmother of King David. She stuck by her mother-in-law, NAOMI, for more than 10 years during Naomi's most difficult times, financially and socially. Ruth, the daughter of Eglon and the granddaughter of Balak, kings of the Moabites, had the option to be reunited with her own People, and be assured of affluence. RUTH chose PRINCIPLES (LOYALTY, CONCERN, MODESTY and LOVE) OVER CONVENIENCE. Boaz - the chief of the Sanhedrin (Jewish Legislature) - attributes his initial affection for Ruth, whom he married, to "I am informed of your support of your Mother-In-Law." The total sum of the Hebrew letters of Ruth - in Numerology - produce the number of laws granted at Mt. Sinai (606), in addition to the 7 laws of Noah.

This is a great story of another powerful feminine archetype. Both men and women can be empowered by the story of Ruth.

HOLIDAY OF LIBERTY/HARVEST/OPTIMISM. The Torah was granted in the desert, a platform of Liberty, away from physical and spiritual constraints. Celebrated fifty day following the Exodus (physical deliverance) from Egypt, Shavou’ot signifies spiritual liberation. Shavou’ot celebrates the culmination of the agricultural, physical and spiritual HARVEST season of optimism, which starts on the second day of Passover.

Please enjoy these three free healing musical tunes, which I recorded freely. There are NO mixes, no alterations, no fixing up to make my voice sound "pretty" or "perfect". This is me NETTO, clean, virgin, white (with lots of blemishes and imperfections)!!!!! I hope it will support you in expressing your own imperfect perfection!!! Get the music here:





















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Monday, June 09, 2008

Think Less, Be More

Spending too much time in your head?

Thinking too much and being too little for what in your heart, you know you are?

Join the millions who will participate in the Great American Think Out to learn about the power of being versus thinking.

And it's not just for Americans.

Here's a bit about the program:

"Featuring some of the most impressive and popular contemporary spiritual authors, and renowned new thought instructors and trainers, this extraordinary campaign reveals incredible ways to quiet unproductive and anxious mind chatter and respond to your circumstances with love and intentionality."

A free and very practical 30-day email course is available here:

http://stopthinkingnow.com/

You'll find my contribution to the conversation on Day 13.

On October 2nd, 6 million people will turn this power on simultaneously to create a change in the world. Please join us!