Iyar is the month of healing.
The Hebrew letters for the name Iyar spell out the initials of the verse "Ani Yud-Yud Refecha - I am God, your Healer."
According to dictionary.com
the verb heal (used with object) means:
1. to make healthy, whole, or sound; restore to health; free from ailment.
2. to bring to an end or conclusion, as conflicts between people or groups, usually with the strong implication of restoring former amity; settle; reconcile: They tried to heal the rift between them but were unsuccessful.
3.to free from evil; cleanse; purify: to heal the soul.
This new month that begins Thursday night May 5th is an opportunity for each of us to detox. There is so much negativity, pain and sickness in the world. Our purpose here as Jews is to refine our character traits, improve upon our weaknesses and learn to serve a power higher than our own wants & needs. This month we can open ourselves up to health, wealth and well being in every aspect of our lives. We can let go of what's toxic and replace it with the clean and pure energy the month of Iyar makes available.
Often when we are judgmental of others, and critical to the point of being degrading it is a clue as to how our inner voice sounds too. When we practise being kinder to others, suspending judgement and giving others the benefit of the doubt, we soften not only our exterior energy but also our internal dialogue.
Since both the Mann (the near perfect food given to sustain the Jews in the desert after leaving Egypt), and also the well that provided the water for the nation which was given in the merit of Miriam were first provided in this month of Iyar, food and drink are an essential part of the healing process. Food and drink represent our physical needs. In the desert, these needs came directly from a merciful G-d.
In today's "dog eat dog" world we push others down and walk all over them to get our "needs and wants" met. Let's consider how much we really "need". A few years ago I began a practise called the Master Cleanse, it is a detox by which I partake of absolutely no food for 10 days. A specific drink is concocted that supplies the needed nutrients for the 10 day detox. At first I could not believe that this cleanse was possible. But after experiencing the exuberance and health I felt at the completion, I decided to take this on as a regular annual experience.
It always reminds me that what we think we need to survive is so much beyond what we really need. I also remember the basics of being grateful for the sweet uncomplicated taste of a fresh fruit that comes off a tree and less excited by the chemically processed condition of most of what we take in. I am able to flush my system with much water, and find ultimately that not just my body but my soul is cleansed and revitalized.
Every physical act of eating, just like every action we take in our daily lives has the potential to create something holy.
We are each gifted with the free will to choose to elevate the most mundane physical actions into an act that heightens self awareness and a connection to the Oneness of the Universe.
This month for our monthly women's gathering celebrating the new month, we made earrings. Traditionally, jewelry has always been used to adorn our external appearance, yet even such a seemingly physical and superficial act can be made holy. When the Jewish women gave willingly of their jewelry to contribute to building the Mishkan, we see clearly their highest priorities. Enjoying fine things in life like food and beautiful clothes is part of recognizing ourselves as created in the image of Hashem. Each time we do a mitzvah, we beautify our inner essence and build that relationship; just as we nourish our bodies with good food, and our self image with pretty clothes and jewelry.
Saying a blessing with meaning when we take that delicious bite, or that thirst quenching sip, or giving ourselves a gentle loving smile when we look in the mirror, or saying a kind word to a harried individual obviously having a bad day...All these are well within the realm of our possibilities.
The choice is yours
:)
Chodesh Tov!
The Hebrew letters for the name Iyar spell out the initials of the verse "Ani Yud-Yud Refecha - I am God, your Healer."
According to dictionary.com
the verb heal (used with object) means:
1. to make healthy, whole, or sound; restore to health; free from ailment.
2. to bring to an end or conclusion, as conflicts between people or groups, usually with the strong implication of restoring former amity; settle; reconcile: They tried to heal the rift between them but were unsuccessful.
3.to free from evil; cleanse; purify: to heal the soul.
This new month that begins Thursday night May 5th is an opportunity for each of us to detox. There is so much negativity, pain and sickness in the world. Our purpose here as Jews is to refine our character traits, improve upon our weaknesses and learn to serve a power higher than our own wants & needs. This month we can open ourselves up to health, wealth and well being in every aspect of our lives. We can let go of what's toxic and replace it with the clean and pure energy the month of Iyar makes available.
Often when we are judgmental of others, and critical to the point of being degrading it is a clue as to how our inner voice sounds too. When we practise being kinder to others, suspending judgement and giving others the benefit of the doubt, we soften not only our exterior energy but also our internal dialogue.
Since both the Mann (the near perfect food given to sustain the Jews in the desert after leaving Egypt), and also the well that provided the water for the nation which was given in the merit of Miriam were first provided in this month of Iyar, food and drink are an essential part of the healing process. Food and drink represent our physical needs. In the desert, these needs came directly from a merciful G-d.
In today's "dog eat dog" world we push others down and walk all over them to get our "needs and wants" met. Let's consider how much we really "need". A few years ago I began a practise called the Master Cleanse, it is a detox by which I partake of absolutely no food for 10 days. A specific drink is concocted that supplies the needed nutrients for the 10 day detox. At first I could not believe that this cleanse was possible. But after experiencing the exuberance and health I felt at the completion, I decided to take this on as a regular annual experience.
It always reminds me that what we think we need to survive is so much beyond what we really need. I also remember the basics of being grateful for the sweet uncomplicated taste of a fresh fruit that comes off a tree and less excited by the chemically processed condition of most of what we take in. I am able to flush my system with much water, and find ultimately that not just my body but my soul is cleansed and revitalized.
Every physical act of eating, just like every action we take in our daily lives has the potential to create something holy.
We are each gifted with the free will to choose to elevate the most mundane physical actions into an act that heightens self awareness and a connection to the Oneness of the Universe.
This month for our monthly women's gathering celebrating the new month, we made earrings. Traditionally, jewelry has always been used to adorn our external appearance, yet even such a seemingly physical and superficial act can be made holy. When the Jewish women gave willingly of their jewelry to contribute to building the Mishkan, we see clearly their highest priorities. Enjoying fine things in life like food and beautiful clothes is part of recognizing ourselves as created in the image of Hashem. Each time we do a mitzvah, we beautify our inner essence and build that relationship; just as we nourish our bodies with good food, and our self image with pretty clothes and jewelry.
Saying a blessing with meaning when we take that delicious bite, or that thirst quenching sip, or giving ourselves a gentle loving smile when we look in the mirror, or saying a kind word to a harried individual obviously having a bad day...All these are well within the realm of our possibilities.
The choice is yours
:)
Chodesh Tov!
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