A Soulful Journey

 A young poet came to a well-known critic with a book of poetry.  While listening to the poorly written verses, the critic dozed off.  The poet noticed and asked: "How can you pass an opinion on my writings when you are sleeping?" "To sleep is also an opinion," the critic replied. It is not easy to take criticism for what have have done but it is the path of growth.  Pay attention to what people say...and what they do not say.

It is said that one day the Maggid decided that the signed the time had come to bring man’s exiled to an end. The decision caused alarm in heaven. He was asked: “Who do you think you are to dare tampering with the celestial order?” --- “I am the Tzaddik hador, this generation’s Just Man,” he replied – “You?  Prove it.”  -- “Very well, my disciples will furnish you proof.” Gathered hurriedly, they were asked point blank: “Am I or am I not this generation’s Just Man?” Thunder-struck, the disciples remained silent.  The Maggid repeated his question; nobody said a word.  He tried a third time and again was met by silence, always the same silence. It was a strange refusal, one that has remained unexplained to this day.  One wonders why these blindly devoted men refused, at the critical moment, to support their Master.  What is known is that, contrary to his predecessor, he never tried again.  It is written t...

“Be quiet,” the older man counsels.  “The Czar’s voice must not be lost in the air.  Like a holy bell, it must sound only for a great sorrow or a great celebration.”  (Advice to son listening to the Czar) –Boris Godunov If this is true for the voice of a human, must less a despot, how much harder should we listen to His Word?

When God came to King Solomon in a vision at night offering him whatever his heart desired.  The king did not ask for wealth, power or fame.  Instead, he asked for, “A listening heart to judge people and to be able to discern between good and evil.”   I Kings 3:9

Rachel Carson published Silent Spring and warned that the would be no birds love to sing, they would all die of DDT. Everyone first laughed at her. Ralph Nader wrote Unsafe at Any Speed and showed how the auto industry disregarded passenger safety. He alone heard the voices and stories of people wounded and killed.

I've heard of the rainbows Of the stars Of the play of light on the waves These I would like to see. But far more than sight I wish for my ears To be opened To the voice of a friend the happy, busy noises of community, The imaginations of Mozart. Life without these is darker by far Than blindness.”   - Helen Keller

The encounter between Moses and God at the burning bush: Moses is reluctant to undertake the redemption of the Children of Israel from slavery and agrees only after God assures him that the elders of Israel will follow him.   V’shmoo l’kolecha , “And they shall listen to your voice.”  But Moses is initially a failure. Not only does Pharaoh refuse to hear but the Israelites too, are reluctant to follow his lead. Rabbi Menachem Mendl of Kotsk was bothered by this turn of  events.   Had not God promised Moses that the children of Israel would listen to him? Is it possible that God was leading Moses astray? He finds an answer in a close examination of the biblical text, noting that God tells Moses,  V’shamoo l’kolecha  “and they will hear your voice” and not  v’shamoo b’kolecha  “they will listen to your voice.” There is a big difference between hearing and listening.

A farmer and his son were driving to donkey to the market where they were going to sell him. They have not gone far on a group of bystanders shouted, “Aren’t you foolish to be trudging along on foot when one of you can be riding the donkey?” When the farmer heard this, he told his son to get on the donkey. And they went happily on the way until they do you encountered another group of bystanders. ”My, my!” said one of the men.  “Just look at that young fellow riding in comfort while this poor father has to walk.” ”Get off that donkey was lazy boy,” shouted another, “and let your father ride!” Right away, the son got off the donkey, his father taking his place. Before long they encountered yet another group of bystanders. "How can you ride when you’re poor tired child can hardly keep up with you?" So the farmer reached down, pulled his son up behind him onto the donkey’s back. Further down the road, there was another bystanders, probably ...

Thoughts of Helen Keller They took away what should have been my eyes, But I remembered Milton’s Paradise. They took away what should have been my ears, Beethoven came and wiped away my tears, They took away what should have been my tongue, But I talked to God when I was young. He would not let them take my soul- Possessing that, I still possess the whole! -Unknown Thank God for what is.

"One day I took my girlfriend for a ride in my new car.  I was studying the high-tech dashboard, which had a lighted panel to alert the driver to any situation requiring attention.  During our drive, a warning light flashed, and I read the massage aloud, "Low fuel," I announced. My girlfriend, who had been staring out the window, turned to me and replied, I love you too, dear."   -Michael Hammond Advice? Go with it.

"While praying, listen to the words very carefully. When your heart is attentive, your entire being enters your prayer without your having to force it." Rebbe Nachman, The Empty Chair