Tuesday, August 20, 2013

14 Elul


Regina Dugan opened her TED talk by asking:  What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail? 

As we approach the High Holy Days, our days of judgment, this question is one we should take to heart.  Why is it that when we have made all the amends, made all the apologies, forgiven those who have hurt us, that we still feel dread?  Why do we still feel scared instead of confident going into judgment?  Perhaps because of this – that we did not attempt to change the world, to change ourselves, with our whole hearts.  Our faith teaches us "It is not incumbent upon you to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it (Pirkei Avot 2:20).”  We are partners in the work of creation.  The mystics teach that God created us for the soul purpose of perfecting and completing the work.  When we fail try, to even attempt to do so, we ignore our purpose in life.  And so we walk into the Day of Judgment full of dread.  But there is still time.  Be who God meant you to be – yourself, a creator; and use your power to begin to change.  You are enough.  God made you who you are for a reason.

(RGG)

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