Matza
The more I meditate on the idea of Pesach, the more I start to enjoy it. When we are doing things that are important, there is always this thought that we can do it latter. The idea, as the Rabbi explains below, is that if it's something important, NOW is the time to do it. Never say to yourself that something is important, but I'll get around to it latter. I guess this is why I love Judaism. It's not so much of what you believe, but it's a religion of practice. One must be very ritualistic to enjoy it, and be very self-disciplined because there is no one that will tell you your going to hell if you don't do a particular thing. (I say no one for a reason) You are rarely, if ever, considered an apostate for questioning something. For that matter, you are usually looked at as being someone who is thinking if you question things. -- but be prepared to debate it! if you don't like to debate, good luck being a Jew! :) -- In other words, it _can be_ a very individualistic religion. It's a very beautiful in that way. It seems to combine Eastern thought with Western thought into a very organized, yet very unorganized fashion.
It's been a really strange last few weeks. Right after I did 'Lameditation', I found a group of people that I've been looking for. People who understand things from the level of where I have come from, where I'm at, and where I'm trying to go. Sorry to be so cryptic, but it's all rather personal.
In either case it's lead me to Pesach, or Passover. Starting on the second day of Passover there is a particular meditation that is done. For 7 weeks, or 49 days, there is what is called the Counting of the Omer. Here is a basic explanation: http://www.jewfaq.org/holidayb.htm However, as I have come to find, there is always 'something else' going on in Jewish holidays. I'm going to participate in a meditation group that meditates on certain paths and Sephiroth's on the Tree of Life. What will happen is that we will go down the tree visiting every path and Sephiroth starting at Geburah. We skip the top of the tree from where Da'ath starts, for pretty obvious reasons (after Da'ath there are things that our human minds can not possibly comprehend, unless we pass through Da'ath. I know there are people who claim to understand the Khabs and the Khu, but I say prove it!) and descend down to Malkuth. During this time one does not cut their hair or shave. I'm planing on looking like a hermit when it's done. :) I'll post what the meditation is per day and what the experience was. If anyone is interested in this, the second day of Pesach is this Tuesday and I'll try and post what the meditation is and where we are at on the Tree.
I'm replacing this paragraph with this instead: http://www.aish.com/spirituality/kabbala101/Kabbala_1_-_What_Is_Kabbala$.asp It's a really good introduction into the Kabalah.
I was re-reading what I was saying and it just seemed to cryptic for even myself to understand... :)
It's been a really strange last few weeks. Right after I did 'Lameditation', I found a group of people that I've been looking for. People who understand things from the level of where I have come from, where I'm at, and where I'm trying to go. Sorry to be so cryptic, but it's all rather personal.
In either case it's lead me to Pesach, or Passover. Starting on the second day of Passover there is a particular meditation that is done. For 7 weeks, or 49 days, there is what is called the Counting of the Omer. Here is a basic explanation: http://www.jewfaq.org/holidayb.htm However, as I have come to find, there is always 'something else' going on in Jewish holidays. I'm going to participate in a meditation group that meditates on certain paths and Sephiroth's on the Tree of Life. What will happen is that we will go down the tree visiting every path and Sephiroth starting at Geburah. We skip the top of the tree from where Da'ath starts, for pretty obvious reasons (after Da'ath there are things that our human minds can not possibly comprehend, unless we pass through Da'ath. I know there are people who claim to understand the Khabs and the Khu, but I say prove it!) and descend down to Malkuth. During this time one does not cut their hair or shave. I'm planing on looking like a hermit when it's done. :) I'll post what the meditation is per day and what the experience was. If anyone is interested in this, the second day of Pesach is this Tuesday and I'll try and post what the meditation is and where we are at on the Tree.
I'm replacing this paragraph with this instead: http://www.aish.com/spirituality/kabbala101/Kabbala_1_-_What_Is_Kabbala$.asp It's a really good introduction into the Kabalah.
I was re-reading what I was saying and it just seemed to cryptic for even myself to understand... :)