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.
No comments:
Post a Comment