 Filled with Light.Chevre (friends),
It is Wednesday, just past mid-week, Day Four. The sun and moon and day and night were created on this day. I hope that you've been at least that productive in the growth and progress that you've made so far this week.
Light is a potent metaphor in Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism). It actually has a companion concept, that of a Vessel. In simple terms, all of our desires - eating, sleeping, happiness, love - each of these "voids to be filled" constitute a Vessel. Light, in this specific sense, is the fulfillment of all of these desires, the filling of the empty Vessel to complete it.
Have you ever stopped to think which of our actions result in deep lasting satisfaction, and which ones only create temporary gratification or the illusion of happiness? In so many primal ways, we are driven to satisfy desires. Often, these desires can be fulfilled with some "quick fix", or alternatively, in a more lasting and enduring way.
One of my teachers used to say that there were two ways to have the tallest building in town, either by methodically building, or by tearing down everything around you. I think that is a great picture to hold onto, and it captures the short-term ego driven desire to win now, at the expense of others, versus the deep, rich long-term satisfaction that we receive by giving or from personal growth.
If you have viewed movies like "The Secret" that speaks about our ability to create our own reality using the "Law of Attraction", you can find great similarity between this popular presentation of "thoughts being magnets" and the time tested wisdom of Kabbalah's Light filling empty Vessels.
One way to attain a connection with the higher spirituality of the Universe, and to achieve deep lasting personal satisfaction, is to practice gratitude and to push aside the ego to remove self-imposed obstacles. As our ego steps aside, we each become Vessels which align with and attract Light, bringing us closer to God.
Okay, back to earth. The take-home message here is that we each contain a spark of the Divine and we are all born ready to receive potentially infinite blessings. The barrier is our ego, the self-talk in our brain that talks us out of believing, that minimizes our potential, and that pushes away humility in favor of self-importance.
Intuitively, we all respond to these positive traits in the people around us; we are attracted to confidence but repelled by arrogance. We are moved by generosity and selflessness and sickened by self absorption.
In my mind, Kabbalah has a simple teaching that provides clear life guidance: practice gratitude, and don't strive for external fulfillment of the ego; instead, reach for the internal fulfillment that only comes from personal growth, love and giving. A clear open Vessel, distanced from the interference of ego, inevitably attracts Light.
Don't forget to join us for our next Shabbat music worship on August 13th, with guest EJ Cohen, from London, England.
Enjoy today. Try to find a moment to do or say something unexpected and empowering to someone around you. Pick up the phone and make someone's day. It is easy, free and unbelievably fulfilling.
Three days until Shabbat.
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Shalom,
Arnie Davidson
Worship Leader
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AUGUST SHABBAT MUSIC WORSHIP
End
the work-week and welcome Shabbat with friends on August 13th with guest EJ Cohen, a gifted musician, educator and interpreter for the Deaf.
We
begin with wine and cheese and friendly conversation at 5:30 PM. Our
music worship is from 6:20 to 7:30. Mark the date and bring a friend.
Shir Hamakom
465 Oak Street
East Hartford, CT 06118
Google Maps
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 High Holy Days - 5771
Thirty Days Until High Holy Days 5771.
Rosh Hashanah is early in September on 9/9/10. Often
we get lost in the warmth and relaxation of summer, postponing our
"return" to the reality of the High Holy Days until September. Last
year, we had that luxury when Rosh Hashanah fell on September 20th.
This year, Rosh Hashanah is just a few days past Labor Day. The time to
plan is now.
Join us at our first High Holy Day music worship service this year at a location in central Glastonbury. (Click for details.)
About our High Holy Day music worship. I have carefully selected a "bimah team", worship leaders who will encourage participation, surround our space with beautiful music from the heart, and are wholly capable of embracing our vision of blending the traditional with the dynamic and fresh.
The High Holy Days music worship at Shir Hamakom will extend the culture and music of our community into a new place of prayer, full of new insight, traditional chanting, familiar music and the opportunity to slow down and reflect.
Our theme for these Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe) will be "Lev Tahor", a "pure heart". Our journey together will invite quiet moments of reflection as well as the full spirit of community, I personally invite you to join us into a music worship experience that I guarantee, will be a Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur that speaks to you in a new and memorable way, and leaves you filled with spirit and song, rejuvenated for the coming new year..
Click Here for additional information on our High Holy Days worship schedule.
Click here for information on supporting Shir Hamakom, and High Holy Day guest passes.
For this, our first Shir Hamakom High Holy Days music worship, space will be limited and we are not able to accommodate walk-in worshipers. It is important that you contact us soon to ensure your seat. I look forward to seeing and welcoming you there.
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Join
us for Shabbat dinner on August 13th.
Email us if you
would like to join others at a local restaurant following our music worship. |
Save the Music Worship
Dates!
Take a moment and put Shir Hamakom on your calendar.
Friday, Aug 13, 2010
with special guest EJ Cohen.
 EJ is a performing Jewish
musician, educator and interpreter for the Deaf from London, England, specializing in
interpreting Jewish music. She has toured with Debbie Friedman,
Julie Silver, Beth Schafer, and Josh Nelson in concerts around the
world. She is a vibrant spirit and EJ adds an amazing visual
dimension to worship music.
At our High Holy Day music worship
our cantor will be Robin Sparr-Rothman from Boston and...
our guest musician is Dr. Eileen Ain from New York.
Plan on joining us for this memorable worship experience.
Thursday, Sept 9, 2010 Bagel breakfast (9:15) and Rosh Hashanah music worship (10-noon)
Friday, Sept 17, 2010
Kol Nidrei
Saturday, Sept 18, 2010
Yom Kippur morning worship (10-noon)
Saturday, Sept 18, 2010
Yom Kippur Music, Yizkor, Neilah
Friday, Oct 15, 2010
Friday, Nov 19, 2010
Friday, Dec 10, 2010
Make space in your life for Shabbat with the Shir Hamakom community.
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Havdalah with Julie Silver and a day of Jewish Learning.
 Limmud Boston
Join legendary musician, Julie Silver, and the Shir Hamakom and Limmud communities for Havdalah on Sat. October 30th and participate in a full day of Jewish learning on Sun. October 31st at Limmud Boston.
Only $36 registration for adults, $18 teens, FREE under 12.
Arnie Davidson will be among the many dozens of presenters and performers.
Register and info HERE.
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Shir Hamakom
music worship:
465 Oak Street
East Hartford, CT 06118
mail and donations:
PO Box 271
East Hampton, CT 06424
Please note our new mailing address!
shirhamakom.com
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Shir Hamakom receives a donation.
To shop-Click Here.
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