Equanimity – The Journey Begins 11

 

Equanimity

The Journey Begins

 

Bereishit (Genesis) 12.9 And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the South

 

וַיִּסַּע אַבְרָם הָלוֹךְ וְנָסוֹעַ הַנֶּגְבָּה

And journeyed – Abram – going – and traveling – to the South(Negev)

 

The South signifies warmth and kindness.  Abram moved steadily toward the South, toward kindness.  His love for HaShem intensified as he increased his acts of kindness.

 

There is a series of steps, journeys that one must take to obtain Devekut.

 

Devarim (Deuteronomy) 4.4 But you who held fast to the L-rd your G-d are alive every one of you this day

Devarim (Deuteronomy) 10.20 You shall fear the L-rd your G-d; Him shall you serve, and to Him shall you hold fast, and swear by His Name

Devarim (Deuteronomy) 13.5 You shall walk after the L-rd your G-d, and fear Him, and keep His Commandments(Mitzotav), and obey  His Voice, and you shall serve Him, and hold fast to Him.

 

Histavut is the ability to STOP and CONNECT with HaShem G-d.

 

Rabbi Abulafia said that one who has Histavut is one who has attained true passion and is not influenced by the blessings or curses of others.  In other words Equanimity.

כִּי אֶקַּח מוֹעֵד אֲנִי מֵישָׁרִים אֶשְׁפֹּט

Tehilim (Psalm) 75.3 Surely at the set time which I appoint I will judge with equity

 וְעֹז מֶלֶךְ מִשְׁפָּט אָהֵב אַתָּה כּוֹנַנְתָּ מֵישָׁרִים מִשְׁפָּט וּצְדָקָה בְּיַעֲקֹב אַתָּה עָשִׂיתָ:

 Tehilim (Psalm) 99.4 The might of the king who loves judgment! You establish equity, you execute judgment and righteousness in Jacob

 

Man’s / Woman’s soul is the L-rd’s lamp, which searches out all the innermost parts. Mishlei (Proverbs)20.27

 

Equanimity is a state of mental or emotional stability or composure arising from a deep awareness and acceptance of the present moment. 

 

When the mind is settled one has free choice and the control over their spirit to take the time to focus their thoughts upon exercising their sovereignty over his / her animal spirit and to device strategies that activate or restrain his / her animal spirit for his / her personal benefit in this world and in the World to Come.  Cheshbon ha Nefesh Rabbi Mendel of Santanov page109

כִּי נֵר מִצְוָה וְתוֹרָה אוֹר וְדֶרֶךְ חַיִּים תּוֹכְחוֹת מוּסָר

For the Mitzvah is a candle, and the Torah is a Light, and disciplining rebukes are the way of life Mishlei 6.23

 

נֵר יְהֹוָה נִשְׁמַת אָדָם חֹפֵשׂ כָּל חַדְרֵי בָטֶן

The lamp – of HaShemthe spirit – of a man – searching – all – the inner depths – of his / her heart

 

Nishmat – breath – Neshmah – this is what ties our soul to HaShem G-d.

Man’s / Woman’s  soul is HaShem’s lamp, which searches out all the innermost parts Mishlei (Proverbs) 20.21

The soul of man possesses a bright candle with which a person can plumb the depths of the world and gain knowledge of its secrets.  The Torah illuminates a person’s soul and allows him to see a clear path upon which to walk. Artscroll Mishlei Volume 2 page 411

In Kabbalistic and Chasidic terminology, man’s forms of behavior, thought speech and deed, are called Garments of the Soul, because it is through these Garments that the soul is expressed.  The goal of man’s life lies in the perfection of his / her garments.

Garments of the Divine Soul (Neshamah) are Mitzvot because just like garments are outside the body so are the Mitzvot.  Mitzvot are expressions of HaShem’s Will.

Thought, speech and deed are within man’s control.  He / She can choose to Observe Mitzvot or not to.  Mitzvot are there to help with the perfection of his / her garments, his / her Neshamah.

Tehilim (Psalm) 37.27 Depart from evil, and do good; and you shall abide for ever.

Joshua sent spies to Jericho to delve into the minds, the souls of the people there.

Yehoshua (Joshuah) 2.1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men out of Shittim to spy secretly, saying, Go see the land and Jericho.

So we, too, have to search out our souls to determine if we are entirely devoted to HaShem G-d.  This is the only avenue of transformation.  This is how the journey begins.

Blessings and Peace

Rebbetzin Revi Belk


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