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Go Beyond Nature – Nissan #2

by Yehudis Golshevsky
Go Beyond Nature - Nissan
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A Sacred Time – Nissan #2

Nissan is the time when the spring begins in earnest, when the world goes into bloom, and its mazal is the ram. This renewal of the natural world, while positive, also has its more negative aspect: the rejuvenation of material desires. The Egyptians worshiped the ram because they believed that one should act out his animalistic nature, which is the opposite of personal purity. The pesach offering is brought from sheep or goats as a means of counteracting this false Egyptian belief, since Jews are tasked with transcending the physical, breaking through to the spiritual. This is one reason why the name of the month, Nissan, shares the root with the word ness, or miracles. The foundation of our Jewishness is in learning to lead a life that is rooted beyond nature.

In springtime the entire world is renewed, all the grasses and plants flourish. We also need renew our connection to the spiritual and our commitment to revealing G-d’s Kingship in the world.

When things are difficult for me, I need to remember to make a new start, because everything flows from the strength of its beginning. By starting again, I reconnect to my ultimate Source and free myself of my ties to the mundane which keep me locked into a materialistic and base worldview. If things went well until now, starting again is an attempt to make things better. And if things are not going too well, isn’t it obvious that I need to begin fresh as soon as I can? (Based on Oneg Shabbat; Likutey Halachot)

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