Boundaries, Closures and Hope

How far are you willing to reach to be there for someone? In this weeks torah portion Batya saves Moses and makes a difference in the lives of future generations. She reaches out when it seems impossible by overcoming her seemingly unreachable physical boundaries and finds the strength to save a child, a child that will open the door to who we are.

As humans we often have a hard time defining our physical, emotional and spiritual boundaries. Some people have to face physical and health issues that they need to overcome. On occasion, we are surrounded by toxic people that we can not stop from poisoning our spirit and we need to stop them at any cost. However, we can only live in this physical world  - without the ability of  reaching out to someone that has fulfilled their purpose here, overcame their boundaries and moved on. We want to be able to touch that person, to have that final conversation, to tell them that the line between our world and theirs is very thin - but in reality, we can not do it verbally. Spiritually, however, we are eternally connected to those we love - something that we should remind ourselves on a daily basis.

This week, someone very special lost their life (may you rest in peace J.) in the most shocking, unfair way. Finding the strength to cope with this loss may be a lifelong journey for the rest of her family and friends. But as the Torah teaches us, we have to find the strength to deal with emotions and challenges that seem impossible. Just like Batya was able to stretch her arms and rescue Moses, we must stretch out our arms to those that are grieving and those that can not comprehend why life's challenges are so abrupt, cruel and unfair. The strength is within us, although the blinding pain is everlasting.

Today, so many people are in need of being emotionally and spiritually stronger that we must all help one another stand firmly on the ground. The post-traumatic effect of cruelty, pain, grief, abuse, death are everlasting (right Fr.?) - but we must find it within ourselves to get back up on our feet and be strong for those that are in this world. Just like Moses became the leader for our people, we all have to live a great life. Our lives are just grains of sand in time and we have to be there for one another unconditionally in order to survive.

After dealing with our grief and being able to set boundaries between the unfairness in life and the hope that it must go on, we live day by day and learn that eventually sorrow will be replaced by smiles again, the cold will be replaced by warmth and death will be replaced by the legacy and footprints of those that are gone.

In Hebrew the word "soger" means to close. This week I learned about the word "close" both in the literal sense and in the spiritual sense (thanks M.). When one door in life closes we look for another way to let light shine into our life, regardless of how dark and hopeless it may seem. And as long as we can overcome our hardships and  boundaries, be strong and leave a legacy behind we can live forever in the hearts of those we left behind.

G-d wants to keep good people for himself also (right F.?), and we will never understand why they have to be taken from us in such a cruel way - after all we are only human.

Dedication: This is dedicated to a beautiful, kind, wonderful young lady who was taken abruptly to the next world without any warning, leaving behind family and friends who love her eternally. There are no words, no explanation. We are all reachingg out to you spiritually and hope that you are at peace. Know we love you unconditionally. May you rest in peace dear. Amen.

Leaving a "Lot" behind

How would you feel if you had to just give up what you have and move to an unfamiliar environment? Would you feel different if you had a specific cause (lets say, saving the world?). Every generation has heroes that have given up their comfortable and familiar life to make a difference.

Those of Eastern European descent who were children during WWII often had to live in basements (think Anne Frank) or migrate from city to city. Then as adults they ran to America, the land of opportunity, to save their own children from anti-semitism. Now their children are running from city to city to find work and uprooting their families and sometimes they make Aliyah and move to Israel all together because that is what they feel will make a difference to their family. Most people I know moved at least 4 times in their life, many lived in different countries and changed who they were to survive!
What is your situation?

Abraham was no different. G-d asked him to give up his familiar surroundings and move. Just like many of our ancestors, he had no clue where he was going. He just knew he was doing the right thing. Maybe if he lived now and his home went into foreclosure (like many of us today), he would live with his mommy (like many of us today)...assuming she was still alive, because he was really, really old! To add to his troubles, he actually believed only in one G-d, not all those pretty shiny gold cows - so many people still worship all the shiny stuff. But for an old guy, he did pretty good. We are still talking about him right? Abe, do you hear us up there?

Even Lot, Abraham's follower and controversial friend, just went along with Abraham. However he never appreciated anything Abe did for him. This explains why he got in trouble with G-d later. People, if someone leads you in the right direction, even if it's out of your seemingly "happy" place - maybe you should try to listen. Appreciate your teachers, friends, significant others even though they are a pain sometimes. Respect your elders because we get wiser with age and see through a "Lot" of stuff the younger generations seem to forget.

Remember things just have a way of working out. Be open to getting out of your comfort zone and get moving. Not necessarily to another city, but to another state of mind. Open your mind to making a difference and don't stop! Run Abraham, run! You must save the world. And don't forget to honor those special people that helped you become a better person!

Good shabbos and get moving!

Noah's Arc - Are we Saved Yet?

Why is it that we constantly feel like we are drowning? The bills, the family responsibilities, the lack of sleep on Monday mornings? How do you think the creatures felt on the Arc? No, not the St. Louis Arc (although it's worth a visit!) - Noah's Arc. The formula is simple: build something that will float in water, put 2 of each creature in it and nature will take it's course! Of course if your creation ends up in one of the parallel worlds, please do not blame anyone!

Our lives are flooded by all sorts of things and all types of people that can cause our destruction. So who is going to save us? G-d is always watching, but if you sit on your...chair...and don't take action, my dear Adams and Eves, you might as well have been one of those creatures that missed the train to the the original Arc and forgot their iPhone at home.

This week reverse the flood of negative emotions into a flood of kindness towards other people. Just today I spoke to someone about job hunting , remember A2?. As we know the market is flooded with resumes - so how do you swim out? How does that Arc look so people can sign up? Well, you try and try again. You ask your friends for help. You interview.

What about those that are at home parents? Yes my dear A. and M. you! (Strangely enough more than 2 people have those initials so it applies ot all of you!) Family responsibilities can be challenging especially with little kids. Just delegate everything to your significant other...just kidding. Don't over do it. Kids need moms and dads that are there for them and are not flooded with the weight of the world.

So if you could speak to Noah right now (I just spoke to his wife a today, her name starts with M.), what would you ask? If you were on a boat and it was drowning, who would you save? If you were pouring a cup of wine would you let it overflow? Think about it.

Let's fill our life with good things and divine energy, but also keep in mind that if you pour a cup of wine that overflows, you might as well have poured some wine on the floor. Do what you can for others, but also take good care of yourself spiritually. Your family and friends will feel your spirit illuminating even when times are tough.

So this week have a little Challah (G. you will appreciate the humor) or something smaller if you prefer, but in either case don't over do it! Another P4 for M. on recommending G.'s book.

Blessings and Good Shabbos!