Thursday, March 12, 2020 – 16 Adar 5780
Ki Tissa: Exodus 30:11 – 34:35
Moses comes down from the mountain, sees the golden calf and the dancing, shatters the tablets of the covenant, and calls to him all those who follow God.
In a world of infinite choices and clamoring chaos, filled with confused people of low self-esteem, it is understandably difficult for people to make choices about what their image of God needs to be. It is easier to perpetuate a limited God image that is familiar than to risk the unknown. It is time to empower yourself with an image of God that is relevant to your life – a God image that gives your life quality, purpose and joyful meaning. (Understanding, p. 98)
Friday, March 13, 2020 – 17 Adar 5780
Ki Tissa: Exodus 30:11 – 34:35
Moses desires to know God. God hides Moses in the cleft of a rock, shielding Moses from God’s Presence. Then God allows Moses to see God’s back, but not God’s face.
To know God is to welcome the Infinite, the Finite, the Never-changing, the Ever-changing, the Living One, the Eternal One, the Everything, the Nothing, the Absolute, the Relative, the Immanent, the Transcendent, the Father, the Mother, the Brother, the Sister – and you can continue this list. No wonder it is difficult to know God. (Understanding, p. 98)
Saturday, March 14, 2020 – 18 Adar 5780 – Shabbat Parah
Ki Tissa: Exodus 30:11 – 34:35
Shabbat Parah occurs on the shabbat after Purim. Its special Maftir contains the account of the red heifer cow, which is pure and without blemish.
My God, the soul you placed within me is pure, you created it, you fashioned it, you breathed it into me, and you protect it in me. – Talmud (Intention, p. 40)
Sunday, March 15, 2020 – 19 Adar 5780
Vayakhel: Exodus 35:1 – 38:20
Pekudei: Exodus 38:21 – 40:38
Moses assembles the entire congregation, reminding them that no work is to be done on Shabbat.
You may think that you are fulfilling your destiny only when you are in the midst of creative action. Creative inaction is also one of the steps that lead you to the path of destiny and enlightenment. (Harmony, p. 193)
Monday, March 16, 2020 – 20 Adar 5780
Vayakhel: Exodus 35:1 – 38:20
Pekudei: Exodus 38:21 – 40:38
Bezalel, Oholiab, and all the skilled craftsmen complete the work commanded by the Lord.
It is impossible to reach total perfection of all there is in this world. However, you were born coded for specific tasks in special areas of perfection. Your area of perfection enables you to perform the tasks you were assigned before birth; another’s areas of perfection may be in a totally different realm. Together, you and others complete the puzzle that is called humanity. (Harmony, p. 186)
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 – 21 Adar 5780
Vayakhel: Exodus 35:1 – 38:20
Pekudei: Exodus 38:21 – 40:38
The Israelites bring more than what is needed for all the work commanded, so that no further gifts for the sanctuary are accepted.
When you greet another and give generously, you are entertaining God. When you give generously, it comes back to you manifold. (Compassion, p. 129)
Wednesday, March 18, 2020 – 22 Adar 5780
Vayakhel: Exodus 35:1 – 38:20
Pekudei: Exodus 38:21 – 40:38
Aaron’s sacred vestments are made of gold, blue, purple, and crimson yarns. And the frontlet of his crown reads “Holy to the Lord.”
Imagine yourself moving through this day in the awareness that you are encountering God each second in everything you think, say, and do. Even as you speak to another or another speaks to you, the words are but garments of your souls fashioned in holiness. (Intention, p. 53)
