Thursday, August 6, 2020 – 16 Av 5780

Ekev: Deuteronomy 7:12 – 11:25

God gave manna in the wilderness, to teach that “Man does not live on bread alone, but man may live on anything the Lord decrees.”

Open yourself to receiving God in the mysteries of life.  (Glory, p. 244)

Friday, August 7, 2020 – 17 Av 5780

Ekev: Deuteronomy 7:12 – 11:25

Moses calls the Israelites a stiff-necked people, reminding them of the golden calf episode, and their repeated defiance of the Lord.

Clear a path through the obstacles and challenges in your life, and act justly without the harshness of judgment.  (Method, p. 25)

Saturday, August 8, 2020 – 18 Av 5780

Ekev: Deuteronomy 7:12 – 11:25

Moses again enjoins the people to observe God’s commandments, love God, and serve God.

The Talmud speaks of a future time when external orders and commandments (mitzvot) will no longer be necessary, for you will be carrying the light of God within, and deeds of loving-kindness will be the natural animated spirit of all life.  (Success, p. 213)

Sunday, August 9, 2020 – 19 Av 5780

Re’eh: Deuteronomy 11:26 – 16:17

Moses tells the people, “See this day I set before you blessing and curse,” in accordance with their choice to see, hear, and follow God.

You are surrounded by the lens through which you choose to view the world.  If you choose to see through the lens of goodness, then goodness is the path upon which you will be led toward the destiny you are meant to fulfill.  If you choose to see through the lens of challenges and negativity, then negativity will be the path through which you are led.  God will come to you in the varied images through which you perceive God.  (Success, p. 211)

Monday, August 10, 2020 – 20 Av 5780

Re’eh: Deuteronomy 11:26 – 16:17

Allow yourself the freedom to feel God in a blade of grass, to see God in the sunset, to hear God in the cry of a child.  Then notice how God appears in the many guises of your life.  There is part of God hiding in the soil of a napkin, the pain of a scar, and the rotting of a pipeline.  God shows God’s self to you in everything you choose to see.  (Glory, p. 244)

Tuesday, August 11, 2020 – 21 Av 5780

Re’eh: Deuteronomy 11:26 – 16:17

Moses stresses the importance of central worship in the new land.

The energy that can build in a community that consciously utilizes the spiritual tools of prayer, study, music, and movement positively affects lives, heals bodies, empties minds, and transforms spirits.  (Success, p. 228)

Wednesday, August 12, 2020 – 22 Av 5780

Re’eh: Deuteronomy 11:26 – 16:17

Moses warns the Israelites to not inquire about other gods or foreign practices when they settle in the new land.

Do not be deceived into thinking that there is freedom in exchanging one set of rules for another, one religion for another, or one family or partnership for another.  (Success, p. 231)