To live with the question offers hope for expanded wisdom about self and others and ultimately for peace. View the study sheet here. Watch the recording here.
Things will not always go our way. And when they don’t, we may find ourselves asking, “Why is this happening to me?” We seek causation and clarity. One way we might answer is to blame others. No doubt the actions of others can have great impact on the condition of our own life. However, to point exclusively in that direction only continues our downward spiral.
To blame another is to surrender great power that we have for shaping our life. It deepens our sense of weakness and increases our suspicion and cynicism about others. To regain purpose requires an inward perspective. Profound self-reflection may not come easily to some. One alternate pathway into the self is to exercise an intense curiosity about others. We discover a complexity there and discern how hard it is to always make healthy and best choices. We develop compassion for those who have made mistakes. And, if we are attentive enough, learn to treat ourselves with compassion as well.
This week’s Torah portion is striking with its themes of questioning the worth of one’s own existence, of parents making harmful choices with limited insight, conflicting feelings, and the best of intentions. And of brothers envious of what the other has. Deceit seems like a necessary affect for controlling the world. Yet, no matter the harm we’ve done to others and self, the opportunity for correction is ever with us. A great wrestling is always at hand.
Join us here at 7:00 p.m. (PDT) Thursday November 4 as we explore to live within a riddle.
