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A Month of Holiness and MysticismOctober 2003From the Desk of Rabbi CohonJudaism speaks on so many levels, and never is that more true than in this month of Tishrei, when important Jewish holidays crowd one upon another in a surfeit of celebrations. From Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur to Sukkot and onward to Simchat Torah, we observe and celebrate an unbroken sequence of holy days, feasts, fasts, and rituals galore. For nearly a month we are engaged in activities that help define our relationship to our religion and each other. From blowing shofar to examining our souls to building booths to dancing with Torahs, it's an autumnal abundance of Jewish connectedness to God and our people. And the ways in which each of these holy days express both the human and divine elements in our religion spans the full range of human needs and emotions. The fall holiday cycle not only brings the possibility of positive transformation in our conduct, it also helps us celebrate the best qualities we possess: introspection, gratitude, and celebration. It's all designed to bring us to a greater awareness of God in the world, and to help us see that each of us has the capacity to live a life that is both good and holy. It works like this: if you participate and involve yourself in religious activities that connect you to holiness and to other members of our community, your sensitivity to the "God-traces" in the world, and your connectedness to others, and to what is holiest in yourself, increases. The Jewish fall holidays really work when you participate in them fully. The connectedness the festivals bring may be best experienced at temple, singing or praying or dancing or simply enjoying the presence of an active, vibrant congregation. But the holy element within each of us sometimes needs more to keep it fresh and vibrant. Otherwise, we are likely to succumb to the temptation to assume that when the festivals are over we need not venture back into shul until at least Chanukah… So this month, in addition to the ongoing carnival of holy days we are immersed in, we are focusing on the ways that mysticism can bring us to a greater sense of connectedness. Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition, has long taught that awareness of God in the world and of our interconnectedness brings us to higher levels of spirituality and holiness. We are offering three ways to learn about and experience our Kabbalistic tradition. On Thursday night, October 14th we welcome renowned mystic Rabbi Rami Shapiro for a Kabbalistic "Happening". We will begin with a Sukkot dinner with him for our Emanu-El LITE group and any other interested attendees, and then move to a public talk, meditation, and sharing at 7:30 that night. Rabbi Rami Shapiro is a very special man, storyteller, and award-winning poet and essayist whose liturgical poems are used in prayer services nationwide. This will be an extraordinary chance to experience his creativity and spiritual touch in person. Don't miss it! On Thursdays in October at 11:45 AM, starting the 9th, I will be teaching a four-week mini-course that's an experiential and intellectual introduction to Kabbalah. This class will help explain and teach mystical practices and themes in accessible ways. Bring your lunch and get some insight and holiness in a about an hour. And on Friday night, October 31st, we will celebrate our first candle-lit Kabbalistic Shabbat of the new year. This is a mystical and very special way to explore, enjoy, and experience the Sabbath through song, story, and meditation. If you have never been to a Kabbalistic Shabbat, you are in for a treat. If you have come, you know how beautiful, peaceful, and sacred they are. Come enjoy the first of four Kabbalistic Shabbat services we will have this year. In this New Year of 5764, may you and those you love be sealed in the Book of Life for good, and may you celebrate a true Z'man Simchateinu-a time of joy and holiness-not just this month, but throughout the year. L'shalom v'reiut, in peace and friendship, Rabbi Samuel M. Cohon |
