Chukat, חֻקַּת

We actually want to give, were born to give, and when allowed to do so freely, our gifts arise on their own and flow like water. (Click image to read more)

To speak to the rock is to show the people the essential unity of all God’s creations on this earth. (Click image to read more)

Here is how you pray: you have to take whatever is bothering you — the snake of the matter — and put it up on a pole and turn your heart towards heaven with reference to this specific thing, turn this specific thing over to God. (Click image to read more)

I feel drawn once again to the idea of not forcing, to the power and the effectiveness and the fundamental truth of not forcing. To hit the rock as Moshe did, not once, but twice (Numbers 20:11), in order to obtain water, is to use force, aggression, to assert one’s will, to coerce the rock

Venatan meimav.  The rock will give its waters.   This is how God instructs Moshe to get water for the thirsty people, how He wants things to work in His world: The rock will give its waters. You just have to ask for them, to speak gently to the rock, and the rock will unlock

Before I begin, I would like to thank my mother for graciously allowing me to write a guest blog on her blog this week and for her Torah which constantly inspires me. I would also like to to thank all my teachers at Yeshivat Maale Gilboa where I studied this year. Particularly, I am grateful