Thursday, January 22, 2015

The world’s toughest prison. 2 ways out to freedom.





The worst part of prison is that you’re not free to be a master over your life. Your life is totally usurped and commandeered by outsiders, not looking out for your good. A crueler and eviler type of prison is when one has become comfortable and snug with living under these inhumane and unvirtuous circumstances.

Someone who is enjoying a good dream while his house is burning down, and doesn’t want to be woken up, is way worse than someone who is trying to escape the inferno. At least the one trying, has a chance to save him/herself.

The children of Jacob - the Israelites, were subjected as part of the process of bringing them to nationhood and a developed level of independence, to this huge prison and slavery, called the Egyptian exile. Not even one slave ever, escaped the confines and borders of this prison.

When a person is born before they reach maturity and adulthood they are subjected to what is called in mysticism, the animal soul. The animal soul animates and energizes the body and thinks and acts primarily for its selfish sake.

 Like an animal, what concerns children and immature individuals primarily, are their own selves. Self-preservation, self-enjoyment, ego and power for the self. Once established and accustomed to, these habits enslave and take over a person and control him/her.

When a person becomes old enough and realizes the tremendous virtue in thinking and living not only for oneself selfishly but as well for others, for  a greater purpose and meaning,  many times for many people who do think in these terms it becomes very difficult to escape the old habits and addictions.

How do I change my focus from me and I, to a world that can use my talent, my resources, my good will? How do I not give in any more to me, and use me for the sake of something bigger?

Besides the promise G-d gave Abraham that this exile would come to an end and they would come out of Egypt richer and wealthier, there were some specific acts the Bible tells us the Israelites who did escape this terrible existence, dedicated themselves to performing, which helped alleviate their sufferings and arouse G-ds attention to assist them out of this big prison.

“And their cries went up to G-d.”  “They cried out to G-d in their anguish.” “And G-d heard their cries.”

Speech has a tremendous power and it is one of the main identifying descriptions of a human being. It is the fruit that grows from the essence of one’s soul and when used right will connect a person the roots of their soul.

When a person prays to G-d in simplicity, connects with G-d with his mind, and in his heart and soul he expresses his longing yearnings and desires which only G-d can hear and fulfill, and this is done with excitement and enthusiasm, as we see the Israelites did in their times of need, G-d always comes through with an answer of liberation.

Prayer has a tremendous strength and ability to create the will in G-d to respond and comply with the requests of the prayers.

A second powerful tool the Israelites used, was faith. “In the merit of faith our ancestors were redeemed from Egypt.”

They realized the informidable strength they would need to change the status quo, and understood they could get it only from the faculty within our souls called, faith. Although built in our souls, faith requires constant nourishing. Reading and studying. Being exposed and around those who build and strengthen our faith and hope in a G-d, who does all for the good, and gives us the strength to address and deal with the present difficulties and challenges.

Faith in G-d, is the foundation that holds up all of our life, and the strength that brings us in joy to the greatest of freedoms and destinations.

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