Your Time Has Come To Shine!
How can one deal with the uncertainty that is especially prevalent in our times?
What is the Jewish answer?
As usual, we can gain insight by “Living with the times”. By that, I mean, and emphasize the 'Spiritual Times'. The Jewish people and the entire world are guided by a particular spiritual energy that is infused every day, which serves as a moral compass.
Today is the fifteenth day of the month of Av in the Jewish calendar. The intensity of its spirituality is unique. Indeed the Talmud (Taanit 26b) relates that “There were no greater festivals for Israel than the 15th of Av and Yom Kippur”.
How strange? Why so?
The mystics explain just as the moon is in a constant state of flux, ebb and flow, waxing and waning, so too the Jewish people endure the highs and lows throughout its history. For this reason, the Jewish people are compared to the moon, and because of this, we count on its time cycle. Her ways have been very much echoed in our story.
The Moon's optimal point is on the fifteenth day of each month when there is a full moon shining in all its glory. It is for this reason that some of the greatest events in Jewish history - Passover, Sukkot and Purim - coincide with this date.
But why is the fifteenth day of the month of Av unique among all the others? What's so special about this day?
The dynamic of the moon is that it reflects a light that is not her own.
As humans, we have the option to either shine our own light or reflect the light of someone else. One can create something new or one can internalize an existing idea and then express it to others.
In order to accurately reflect a light greater than ourselves, we must first ensure that there is no blockage in our reflective abilities. We must remain pure and impartial, ridding ourselves of all prejudice, so as to allow the “light” to be first fully absorbed, which can then “shine” to the outside world inhibition.
The most effective and proven method of overcoming blockages in our systems is when we overcome setbacks in our lives. It is only when our paradigms are severely challenged that we are forced to operate outside of our comfort zones. Only then do matters become crystallized, bringing a greater sense of moral clarity.
The month of Av reminds and recalls the greatest setbacks faced by the Jewish people. The Jewish rebound is at its most intense during this time. As our wise sages have said, “according to the pain is the reward”.
Subjected to trial and error, all 'light' becomes personalized. You can only own something once you have earned it. You can't earn something until you pay for it.
Our time to shine, is now.
As we sing each Friday night in that beautiful mystical melody:
“Wake up, wake up, rise and shine, your light has come”.