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Hanukah, Hannukah, Chanukah, Channukah,Jewish Stories, Rebbe Nachman, Breslover Rebbe, friendship, encouragement, Jewish Holiays, Jewish folklore, starlight in darkness, Jewish food, Nine words of Creation, Light
When God began to create heaven and earth-the earth being unformed and void, with darkness over the surface of the deep and a wind from God sweeping over the water-God said, "Let there be light." Genesis 1:1-2 The opening of Genesis presents a series of separations, heavens from earth, sea and land, day and night. Creation is begun with the permeation of light. Light is a metaphor for many things. Before something is created, there must be the inspiration. Before something can be made, the must be light to aid the hands in their labor. We ask for enlightenment when confronted with a difficult decision. Businesses call in management consultants to streamline their infrastructure and become more cost efficient. We spend most of our lives in search of things we don't know. We learn by studying the examples of others and imitating their skills, but true ability and genius emanates from within a person. We say the person is born a gifted pianist or singer or writer. The potential comes from within, but what you do with it is dependent upon the environment and access to training and encouragement of others. Gifts, like seed, can remain unfulfilled throughout life, just as seed falls onto unsuitable ground or lies neglected in a field. What you are given, must be nurtured. Unfortunately, it is so much easier to destroy a crop than to bring it to harvest. It takes hours of ploughing and tilling to prepare the soil before the crop is sown. Afterwards, it takes tending and care to see that the crop survives, as well as all the back-breaking hours of harvest. In a dry summer, it only takes a minute to torch a field and destroy the work of many hours. And it only takes an overnight whirlwind to smash the growing field. In times of drought, water systems must be installed with the constant supervision of irrigation so the maximal benefit comes from watering the thirsty field. Too much at one time and the water runs off without benefitting the thirsty plants. Even so, there has to be nuturing for the human soul. Without encouragement, hope dies, talent is abandoned, skils are neglected. Without oversight, good habits become neglected. A person who is having a difficult time, managing home and job, gives up. The bills never cease, the threats never stop arriving in the mail, electricity gets cut off or water shut off, leaving a person stripped of hope of ever securing the basic needs for his life. So often, we rush about without recognizing the person struggling next to us, confronted with the difficult decision of shoes or food, rent or electricity. And although we may not be able to help them financially, there is a way to lighten the life of someone's life is sinking into a pit of despair. Give of yourself, your time, your concern- Go To Page: 1 2 |
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