A Soulful Journey

Two farmers are talking about religion.  They are debating over their respective faiths.  As the discussion turned into an argument one turned to his elder and asks, “Gramps, who is right?  Which religion is the right one?” “Well, there are three ways to get from here to the cotton gin,” he said.  “You can go over the big hill.  That’s shorter but is a powerful climb.  The next way is to go around the east side.  It is not too far but tougher than tarnation.  Or you can go the west side, which is the longest way but the easiest to travel. But, you know, when you finally get there the gin man doesn’t ask how you got there.  He just asks, “How’s your cotton?” –LA Times

Who may ascent the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy abode? One who has clean hands and a pure heart. ( Psalms 24)

In the thirteenth century a Spaniard, Raimon Lull, pursued a woman and attempted to woo her.  After many years, Lull finally succeeded in arranging a secret rendezvous. Silently she revealed a body wracked by cancer.  Raimon Lull’s life changed.  Turning from his life’s course, he became an eminent theologian. Change can happen. All that is required is an open heart.

The first time the word, "you" (atah) occurs is in Psalm 119:12.  The Sages deduced from its use there, "Whoever prays should consider himself as if were standing directly in front of the Holy Presence of God." When we daven we are talking directly to God, speaking to "You."       -Yalkut Shimoni 768

A Midrash on the Torah comments on Laban’s words to the servant of Abraham, Eliezer, “Come, O blessed of the Lord,” (Genesis 24:31).   It wonders how Eliezer, a Canaanite who was cursed by Noah, can be considered blessed.  Midrash answers that since Eliezer served Abraham willingly, lived in peace with him, he was longer in the category of the cursed but became blessed.  People cannot be categorized.  Those who wish to live in peace with us will be blessed, even if their “nation” is one in the past have been enemies.  –Beresheit Rabbah 60:7

During the Bar Kochba rebellion in the second century, the rebels met in fields.  In order to recognize one another they had their own secret password.  They said, “David, King of Israel, lives and endures. It would have been similar to saying in Nazi Germany, “Winston Churchill.” –Louis Jacobs

As Churchill said “The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you can see.”