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Creation Workshop: Understanding Ourselves Through Kabbalistic Creation Day 1,2,3

 

 

Creation Workshop: Understanding Ourselves Through Kabbalistic Creation

The creation of the world is shrouded in mystery. The P'shat, or basic translation we learned in our elementary school years, takes on new meaning as we begin to understand that there are infinite layers of symbolism and lessons to be learned from each act of creation. Our workshop, with G-d's help, will focus on the creation process to uncover what motivates our thoughts and behaviors as they reflect this process. Using Kabbalah, we will explore the day-by-day formation of the world, uncovering the deep facets of our minds and behaviors according to creation. Our goal is to gain a greater understanding of ourselves, correct our mistakes, and overcome our negative emotions, helping us to choose correctly.

The First Day of Creation: Separating Light from Darkness

On the first day of creation, H’Shem introduced light into the darkness. Kabbalistic commentaries refer to this as the separation between Good and Evil, Heaven and Earth, within our consciousness. The first step to controlling our minds is to make a clear differentiation between positive and negative thoughts and actions.

The Second Day of Creation: Separating the Waters

On the second day of creation, H’Shem separated the waters, forming the firmament (Rakia). Kabbalah equates this to our need to separate the two parts of ourselves: the ego (all about the "Me") from the humanitarian, giving aspect of our consciousness. This facet of the soul is a step above knowing right from wrong. It requires a person to separate Din (judgment) from Chesed (loving-kindness). In doing so, one can connect to the altruistic aspect of ourselves, allowing us to become more giving.

Today's Exercise

  1. Write down what you believe to be "Good and Bad" thoughts and actions within yourself, making a clear separation, and challenging your thoughts to grow your perspective.

  2. Then, write down the areas you struggle in, represented by the ego (the "Me") as well as the giving-charitable aspect of your character. See where you can inject some Chesed into your behavior to expand your giving heart, softening Din, the structured elements of your personality.

There is a special Tikun, a correction, that happens to the world when one reads the Pesukim (verses) that describe the creation of that day.


היום השני: יצירת הרקיע/שמים (פסוקים ו-ח)

וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים: "יְהִי רָקִיעַ בְּתוֹךְ הַמָּיִם, וִיהִי מַבְדִּיל, בֵּין מַיִם לָמָיִם"."
וַיַּעַשׂ אֱלֹהִים אֶת הָרָקִיעַ.
וַיַּבְדֵּל בֵּין הַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר מִתַּחַת לָרָקִיעַ וּבֵין הַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר מֵעַל לָרָקִיעַ.
וַיְהִי כֵן.
וַיִּקְרָא אֱלֹהִים לָרָקִיעַ, שָׁמָיִם.
וַיְהִי עֶרֶב וַיְהִי בֹקֶר, יוֹם שֵׁנִי. 

The Third Day of Creation: Revealing the Land and Vegetation

On the third day of creation, the waters separated from the earth, revealing dry land. The receding waters left saturated earth, perfect for growth and vegetation. Water alone cannot house human inhabitants, nor can the earth thrive without irrigation. Similarly, the soul requires a balance of ego and selflessness. Finding this balance connects one with their true self and infuses the body with the internal intelligence called Bina.

We often define ourselves by polar extremes. Extremely selfless people may see themselves as easily manipulated, while self-preserving individuals might view themselves as stingy. A healthy balance and positive self-perception are key to living harmoniously.

Today's Exercise

  1. Write down what you believe to be "Good and Bad" thoughts and actions within yourself, making a clear separation, and challenging your thoughts to grow your perspective.

  2. Then, write down the areas you struggle in, represented by the ego (the "Me") as well as the giving-charitable aspect of your character. See where you can inject some Chesed into your behavior to expand your giving heart, softening Din, the structured elements of your personality.

There is a special Tikun, a correction, that happens to the world when one reads the Pesukim (verses) that describe the creation of that day.


The Pesukim of the third day of creation.

וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹקים, יִקָּווּ הַמַּיִם מִתַּחַת הַשָּׁמַיִם אֶל-מָקוֹם אֶחָד, וְתֵרָאֶה, הַיַּבָּשָׁה; וַיְהִי-כֵן. וַיִּקְרָא אֱלֹקים לַיַּבָּשָׁה אֶרֶץ, וּלְמִקְוֵה הַמַּיִם קָרָא יַמִּים; וַיַּרְא אֱלֹקים, כִּי-טוֹב. וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹקים, תַּדְשֵׁא הָאָרֶץ דֶּשֶׁא עֵשֶׂב מַזְרִיעַ זֶרַע, עֵץ פְּרִי עֹשֶׂה פְּרִי לְמִינוֹ, אֲשֶׁר זַרְעוֹ-בוֹ עַל-הָאָרֶץ; וַיְהִי-כֵן. וַתּוֹצֵא הָאָרֶץ דֶּשֶׁא עֵשֶׂב מַזְרִיעַ זֶרַע, לְמִינֵהוּ, וְעֵץ עֹשֶׂה-פְּרִי אֲשֶׁר זַרְעוֹ-בוֹ, לְמִינֵהוּ; וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים, כִּי-טוֹב. וַיְהִי-עֶרֶב וַיְהִי-בֹקֶר, יוֹם שְׁלִישִׁי

For those preparing for Rosh Hashanah, Reb. Yemima Mizrachi advises adding wine and sugar to every dish. http://www.kabbalah.info/eng/content/view/frame/4516?/eng/content/view/full/4516&main

 http://www.kabbalah.info/eng/content/view/frame/4516?/eng/content/view/full/4516&main

https://www.chabad.org/search/keyword_cdo/kid/9337/jewish/Creation-Six-Days-of.ht


Photo by Dimitris Panagiotaras on Unsplash


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