REINCARNATION and MEMORY – Part 4 of 7

OBJECTIVE MEMORY Yesterday’s experience becomes today’s memory. Recall begins with the actual events, which are processed through the mind into consciousness. This operation weaves emotions, biases, previous understandings, and judgmentalism into the true facts. Conscious recollection is imperfect, at best. Human beings have a poor record of accurately remembering their own personal histories. Why shouldContinue reading “REINCARNATION and MEMORY – Part 4 of 7”

REINCARNATION and MEMORY – Part 2 of 7

WHAT REINCARNATES? Those who accept reincarnation believe that some essential component of a person living in the past must undergo transference to a different individual who lived at a later time. Presumably, experiences, knowledge, and emotions have become embedded within the recipient such that this person is able to recall the earthly adventures of aContinue reading “REINCARNATION and MEMORY – Part 2 of 7”

UNDERSTANDING SPIRITUALITY

A common theme in many of my blogs is the importance and relevance of seeking a spiritual connection in life. I find that focusing on, connecting with, and nourishing our spiritual nature adds expansiveness and transcendence to the material world we live in.  Awakening the human spiritual energies is the path to becoming Holy. TheContinue reading “UNDERSTANDING SPIRITUALITY”

REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY TO KEEP IT HOLY

This title statement is one of the Ten Commandments given at Mt. Sinai. The Torah instructs its readers to remember six things. They are: The Exodus from Egypt The Revelation at Sinai Amalek’s Attack on Israel The Episode of the Golden Calf Miriam’s Speech When She was Critical of Moses and Her Punishment The SabbathContinue reading “REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY TO KEEP IT HOLY”

AND ON THE SEVENTH DAY GOD RESTED

After six “days” of the difficult and taxing work of creating the universe, God rested. Have no misconception, creating a physical world was a mighty effort. God, purely spiritual by nature, set about to create something completely new, never before existed. Nothing about this new world bore any resemblance to the harmony, limitless, and absoluteContinue reading “AND ON THE SEVENTH DAY GOD RESTED”

TETZAVEH – ONLY GOD SPEAKS

 Besides the fact that this is the only parasha since the birth of Moshe that the name of Moshe is not mentioned, there is another very unique aspect of this parasha.  This is the ONLY parasha in the Torah that consists solely of God speaking.   There is no third person language, as in “GodContinue reading “TETZAVEH – ONLY GOD SPEAKS”

LISTENING TO OTHERS

One morning, after a night on call as a fourth-year medical student, my friend Tom and I decided we wanted to go to a movie. The Cecil B. DeMIlle film, “The Ten Commandments,” was playing at a downtown theater. Thinking the place would be empty on a Wednesday noon show, we were surprised that theContinue reading “LISTENING TO OTHERS”

THE DEATH OF THE SONS OF AARON

The third book of the Torah, Leviticus, is titled Vayikra in Hebrew. This means “calling,” because God called (addressed) Moses. The first section of this book is also called Vayikra. Within is told the story of the death of Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu. They brought “strange fire” into the most sacred section of theContinue reading “THE DEATH OF THE SONS OF AARON”

HOW DOES GOD LOVE PEOPLE?

Have you ever loved another? Have you been in love with someone? Experiencing this most sought-after emotion is typically a pleasure, and we generally know when we feel it. Love has been defined and described in millions of ways, through poetry, song, and art. This feeling can be recognized in many ways by different people.Continue reading “HOW DOES GOD LOVE PEOPLE?”

A LOUD SHOFAR TO OVERCOME THE SENSES

Rosh Hashanah is the New Year of the Jewish calendar. It is about beginnings. We are reborn in our lives. We restart the effort of engaging with our spiritual natures.    The Shofar, a musical instrument made from a  ram’s horn (the hollow horns of several other animals are also used), produces a sound that shakesContinue reading “A LOUD SHOFAR TO OVERCOME THE SENSES”