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Thursday, 9 December 2004
Magical Mystery Tour
Topic: Talmidi spirituality
Last night I saw an episode of "Veritas". Its story was set in an Hassidic Jewish community, and dealt with the tradition of the Baal Shem. It brought up some interesting questions for me, namely about the resurgence of magic and superstition creeping into Jewish life under the guise of Jewish mysticism.
I have a condition called Asperger's Syndrome, and it causes me to see the world differently - in effect, to see it exactly as it is. Normal people seem to have this habit of looking for hidden meaning in things that actually have no hidden meaning. Normal people seem to crave mystery, and create it even when there is no need to. They seem to be completely thrown by answers which are displayed in plain sight - they cannot see the wood for the trees.
There was a man who went out into the desert to find God, in order to have his questions answered. He fasted seven days and seven nights there. At the end of the seven days, he felt that he had not found God, nor had any of his questions been answered. So he vowed to fulfil certain tasks if God would answer him. He completed all these tasks, and still he received no answer. So he finally decided to study the complicated writings of mystics, in the hope that he would find his answers there. Once more, having finished reading the mystical works, he found he still had no answers to his searching questions.
So the man went home, and sat on the ground in his house. He raised his hands to God and cried out, "Adonay, why will you not answer me?"
And a voice came back, "Because you never actually asked me anything. I've been here all the time; you only had to ask".
The prophet Yeshua` told us it was not difficult to gain insights from God. `Ask, and it'll be given to you; look, and you'll find; knock, and it'll be opened to you. Because everyone who asks receives, and whoever looks finds, and to whomsoever knocks it'll be opened.'
I think there are two forms of mysticism. One form finds delight in believing that certain things are unknowable, and the more complicated something is, the more likely it is to have religious significance. This type also tends to believe complicated ritual in and of itself can give you answers. By chanting words you don't understand, by performing actions that have no immediate significance, this type holds that one can attain a mystical union with the divine.
There is a second type that believes that, if we seek to better ourselves, if we endeavour to heighten and improve our spiritual senses, we can come to understand God's ways and experience God more fully. This type of mysticism moves from one reality - ours - to God's, and back again, bringing insight and understanding with us.
Torah forbids magic and superstition. However, the prohibitions on magic are not meant to be restricting laws, but are life-saving ones. Belief in magic and superstition was and is addictive, the belief is like a drug. Prohibiting magic is like prohibiting drugs. Leaving superstition behind is like your soul coming off drugs.
Look, and you will find.
Posted by shmulikparzal at 00:01 GMT
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Thursday, 2 December 2004
Why I started this blog
Topic: Talmidi spirituality
I am increasingly concerned that the discussion group I belong is going down the kabbalist / rabbanite route, discussing things which have nothing to do with Talmidaism. I am very worried, but there doesn't seem to be anything I can do about it. I can only try to emphasise the Talmidi view. I feel helpless. And disillusioned.
I will try to introduce things that hold my interest as a Talmidi Jew, but I fear that no one else is interested. I guess I can respect that though. Anyway, I'm putting my thoughts out into the ether. At least no one can get annoyed with me here!
In fairness to the group, there are a few people there who understand where I'm coming from. I pray daily for all of them, and I love them, even though I don't tell them. When I went to the Western Wall in October, I prayed for all of them fervently.
God knows what is in my heart. I am only trying to follow what YHVH teaches. I am interested in the wonder and beauty of ancient Jewish culture, about the teachings of our ancient Talmidi community on compassion, forgiveness, love, humility, understanding.
It is my hope that, by putting out my thoughts here on this weblog, I will be able to give people an idea of what it is like to be a Talmidi Jew, a Follower of the Way.
Posted by shmulikparzal at 19:10 GMT
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Updated: Thursday, 27 January 2005 08:18 GMT
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