Week Two. the Shammes and the Shamash
Humble Truth Teller and Brilliant Wayshower .
Humble Truth Teller and Brilliant Wayshower .
וְעִקַּר הַכַּוָּנָה, שֶׁכַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא מְשֻׁקָּע בְּתַכְלִית הִתְגַּבְּרוּת הַחֹשֶׁךְ וְהַקְּלִפָּה, וְהוּא כָּלוּא וּמְסֻגָּר בְּתוֹךְ הַחֹשֶׁךְ אֲפֵלָה, הַמְסַבֶּבֶת וּמַקֶּפֶת אוֹתוֹ מִכָּל צִדֵּי צְדָדִים בְּכַמָּה סִבּוּבִים רַחֲמָנָא לִצְלָן, וְאֵין לוֹ שׁוּם פֶּתַח וְתַקָּנָה וְתַחְבּוּלָה לָצֵאת מִתּוֹךְ הַחֹשֶׁךְ, אֲזַי עִקַּר עֲצָתוֹ – שֶׁיַּמְשִׁיךְ עַצְמוֹ לְהָאֱמֶת, וְיַבִּיט עַל הָאֱמֶת לַאֲמִתּוֹ, וִיבַקֵּשׁ רַק הָאֱמֶת הָאֲמִתִּי. וּכְנֶגֶד זֶה אֵין שׁוּם חֹשֶׁךְ וְסִבּוּב שֶׁיַּחֲשִׁיךְ לוֹ, כִּי הָאֱמֶת הוּא הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ בְּעַצְמוֹ, וְהוּא בְּחִינוֹת: ה' אוֹרִי. וְכֵיוָן שֶׁה' אוֹר לוֹ, אֵין שׁוּם חֹשֶׁךְ שֶׁיַּחֲשִׁיךְ אוֹתוֹ, וּבְוַדַּאי יִזְכֶּה לִרְאוֹת הַפְּתָחִים לָצֵאת מֵהַחֹשֶׁךְ, בִּבְחִינוֹת: פֵּתַח דְּבָרֶיךָ יָאִיר מֵבִין פְּתָיִים כַּנַּ"ל, וְהָבֵן הֵיטֵב.
How to make a light in the thickest darkness
-Rebbe Nachman of Breslov
3. The essential point is that when one is sunk in the worst attack by darkness and the forces of suffering, and one is hemmed in and closed up within the thickest darkness which surrounds and encircles them round and round on every side, Heaven protect us, and one has no opening, healing or solution to depart from the darkness—in that case, the best advice for them is to draw oneself to the truth. They should look to the genuine truth and search only for the real truth. Against this there is no darkness or encirclement that can make it dark for them.
For truth is the Beloved One Themself. Thus, they are in the place of “the Infinite is my light.” And because the Beloved is their light, there is no darkness that can make it dark for them. They will surely merit to see the openings from which to depart the darkness, as in, “The opening of Your words illuminates, making the simpleminded understand.” Understand this well.
וְהָעִקָּר – שֶׁבִּתְפִלָּתוֹ וּתְחִנָּתוֹ וּבַקָּשָׁתוֹ, אַף־עַל־פִּי שֶׁאִי אֶפְשָׁר לוֹ לְדַבֵּר שׁוּם דִּבּוּר בִּתְפִלָּה וְתַחֲנוּנִים, מִגֹּדֶל הַחֹשֶׁךְ וְהַבִּלְבּוּל הַמְסַבֵּב אוֹתוֹ מְאֹד מְאֹד מִכָּל צַד, אַף עַל פִּי כֵן, עַל כָּל פָּנִים יִרְאֶה לְדַבֵּר הַדִּבּוּר בֶּאֱמֶת, בְּאֵיזֶה מַדְרֵגָה נְמוּכָה שֶׁהוּא. כְּגוֹן לְמָשָׁל, שֶׁיֹּאמַר: "ה' הוֹשִׁיעָה" בֶּאֱמֶת. אַף־עַל־פִּי שֶׁאֵינוֹ יָכוֹל לְדַבֵּר בְּהִתְלַהֲבוּת וְהִתְעוֹרְרוּת כָּרָאוּי, אַף־עַל־פִּי־כֵן יֹאמַר הַדִּבּוּר בֶּאֱמֶת, כְּפִי מַה שֶּׁהוּא. וְעַל־יְדֵי הַדִּבּוּר הָאֱמֶת, יִזְכֶּה לִרְאוֹת הַפְּתָחִים שֶׁבְּתוֹךְ הַחֹשֶׁךְ, וְעַל־יְדֵי־זֶה יִזְכֶּה לָצֵאת מֵחֹשֶׁךְ לְאוֹר, וּלְהִתְפַּלֵּל כָּרָאוּי, וְכַנַּ"ל. (וְעַיֵּן לְעֵיל כָּל זֶה בְּהַתּוֹרָה "תְּהֹמֹת יְכַסְיֻמוּ" בְּסִימָן ט.)
Now, the main thing is: In their prayers, yearnings and requests—even if they find it impossible to recite any word of prayer and yearning because of the intense darkness and confusion which surrounds them very, very much from every side—they should still try to at least say what they say with truth, no matter how low its level. Thus, for example, they should say, “Source of Life, help me!” with truth, even if they cannot say it with the appropriate fervor and arousal. They should nevertheless say the words as truthfully as they can. And through the true word, they will merit to see the openings within the darkness, and as a result be worthy of coming out of the darkness into the light so as to pray.
גַּם בָּזֶה שֶׁיִּזְכֶּה לִבְקֹעַ פֶּתַח לָצֵאת, יְזַכֶּה גַּם אֲחֵרִים עִמּוֹ, לְעוֹרֵר לִתְשׁוּבָה רְשָׁעִים אֲחֵרִים, לְהוֹצִיאָם מֵהַחֹשֶׁךְ וְהַגָּלוּת שֶׁהֵם אֲסוּרִים שָׁם.
4 . Moreover, by meriting to break open a way from which to depart, they will also bring merit to others along with them. They will awaken other confused people to return to the Beloved, to bring them out of the darkness and exile in which they are imprisoned.
Shamash- the Akkadian Sun God
Shamash's symbol appears on numerous artifacts found in the Near East, including jewelry, cylinder seals, and other objects. One famous example, dating to the 9th century BCE and known simply as the "Tablet of Shamash", currently housed in the British Museum.
Utu ( "Sun"[1]), also known under the Akkadian name Shamash (modern day Iraq),[a] was the ancient Mesopotamian sun god. He was believed to see everything that happened in the world every day, and was therefore responsible for justice and protection of travelers. As a divine judge, he could be associated with the underworld. Additionally, he could serve as the god of divination, typically alongside the weather god Adad. While he was universally regarded as one of the primary gods, he was particularly venerated in Sippar and Larsa.
The moon god Nanna (Sin) and his wife Ningal were regarded as his parents, while his twin sister was Inanna (Ishtar). The dawn goddess Aya (Sherida) was his wife, and multiple texts describe their daily reunions taking place on a mountain where the sun was believed to set. Among their children were Kittum, the personification of truth, dream deities such as Mamu, as well as the god Ishum.
- Wikipedia
The moon god Nanna (Sin) and his wife Ningal were regarded as his parents, while his twin sister was Inanna (Ishtar). The dawn goddess Aya (Sherida) was his wife, and multiple texts describe their daily reunions taking place on a mountain where the sun was believed to set. Among their children were Kittum, the personification of truth, dream deities such as Mamu, as well as the god Ishum.
- Wikipedia
Week One: The Menorah- a New/ Ancient Story .
We were taught that the menorah is lit to honor the Maccabee victory and the miracle of the oil. But is this story still useful- a violent fundamentalist group of Jews that began a revolt against Syria when Matisyahu- the patriarch of the Maccabee clan, murdered a more moderate Jew? They then took on the Syrian Empire for sixty bloody years- finally inviting in the "protection" of the Roman Empire that resulted in forty years of rule by mostly corrupt leaders from the Maccabee line that culmnated in Rome taking over, more bloodshed, the burning of the Second Temple, and the exiling of the Jewish People from the land.
In my opinion, this is a cautionary tale to remember and tikkun, not one to glorify. The Rebbes of the Talmud excluded the Book of the Maccabees from the official Tanakh/ Sacred Stories, and for good reason! What they did include were stories of eight days of celebration of the first solstice and of the little bit of oil that burned for eight days; and discussions of how to light the menorah. Did the menorah come out of the Maccabee story- or did the Maccabee story co-opt a much older winter solstic practice of lighting the menorah?
We were taught that the menorah is lit to honor the Maccabee victory and the miracle of the oil. But is this story still useful- a violent fundamentalist group of Jews that began a revolt against Syria when Matisyahu- the patriarch of the Maccabee clan, murdered a more moderate Jew? They then took on the Syrian Empire for sixty bloody years- finally inviting in the "protection" of the Roman Empire that resulted in forty years of rule by mostly corrupt leaders from the Maccabee line that culmnated in Rome taking over, more bloodshed, the burning of the Second Temple, and the exiling of the Jewish People from the land.
In my opinion, this is a cautionary tale to remember and tikkun, not one to glorify. The Rebbes of the Talmud excluded the Book of the Maccabees from the official Tanakh/ Sacred Stories, and for good reason! What they did include were stories of eight days of celebration of the first solstice and of the little bit of oil that burned for eight days; and discussions of how to light the menorah. Did the menorah come out of the Maccabee story- or did the Maccabee story co-opt a much older winter solstic practice of lighting the menorah?
by Louis Ginzberg- 1909 from the Talmud
... Adam noticed that the days were growing shorter, and he feared the world might be darkened on account of his mistake, and go under soon. To avert the doom, be spent eight days in prayer and fasting. But after the winter solstice, when he saw that the days grew longer again, he spent eight days in rejoicing, and in the following year he celebrated both periods, the one before and the one after the solstice.
Legends of the Jews 1:2:77-78
by Louis Ginzberg, 1909
The Days of Chanukah and the Days of Creation
This eventful day (the day Chavah and Adam were created and banished from the Garden) was the first of the month of Tishri. (Rosh Hashanah)...
by Louis Ginzberg, 1909
The Days of Chanukah and the Days of Creation
This eventful day (the day Chavah and Adam were created and banished from the Garden) was the first of the month of Tishri. (Rosh Hashanah)...
Each day of creation brought forth three beings: the first, heaven, earth, and light; the second, the sky, the pit, and the angels; the third, trees, herbs, and the Pardess/ Orchard of Paradise; the fourth, sun, moon, and stars; and the fifth, fishes, birds, and leviathan. As God intended to rest on the seventh day, the Sabbath, the sixth day they had to do double duty. It brought forth six creations: Adam, Eve, cattle, reptiles, the beasts of the field, and sheydim/ demons. The sheydim were made shortly before the Sabbath came in, and they are, therefore, incorporeal spirits--the Infinite had no time to create bodies for them.
Day One celebrate the Light
Day Two celebrate the waters and sky
Day Three celebrate the dry land and the plants
Day Four celebrate the planets, sun, moon and stars
Day Five celebrate the beings who fly and swim
Day Six celebrate the animals of the earth
Day Seven celebrate sacred rest
Day Eight celebrate the unknown future that is coming.
Day Two celebrate the waters and sky
Day Three celebrate the dry land and the plants
Day Four celebrate the planets, sun, moon and stars
Day Five celebrate the beings who fly and swim
Day Six celebrate the animals of the earth
Day Seven celebrate sacred rest
Day Eight celebrate the unknown future that is coming.
A Haudenosaunee "Thanksgiving" Prayer.
https://www.firstpeople.us/html/A-Haudenosaunee-Thanksgiving-Prayer.html
Except for the words "Greetings to the Natural World," the words in bold are not meant to be said
GREETINGS TO THE NATURAL WORLD!
The People
Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as People.
Now our minds are one.
The Earth Mother
We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our Mother, we send greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Waters
We give thanks to all the Waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms - waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of water.
Now our minds are one.
The Fish
We turn our minds to all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the Fish and send our greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Plants
Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come.
Now our minds are one.
The Food Plants
With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Medicine Herbs
Now we turn to all the Medicine herbs of the world. From the beginning, they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines.
Now our minds are one.
The Animals
We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so.
Now our minds are one.
The Trees
We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many peoples of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we greet and thank the Tree life.
Now our minds are one.
The Birds
We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the Birds - from the smallest to the largest - we send our joyful greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Four Winds
We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds.
Now our minds are one.
The Thunderers
Now we turn to the west where our Grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunderers.
Now our minds are one.
The Sun
We now send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun.
Now our minds are one.
Grandmother Moon
We put our minds together and give thanks to our oldest grandmother, the Moon, who lights the night-time sky. She is the leader of women all over the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon.
Now our minds are one.
The Stars
We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send greetings and thanks to all the Stars.
Now our minds are one.
The Enlightened Teachers
We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring Teachers.
Now our minds are one.
The Creator
Now we turn our thoughts to the Creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator.
Now our minds are one.
Closing Words
We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way.
Now our minds are one.
https://www.firstpeople.us/html/A-Haudenosaunee-Thanksgiving-Prayer.html
Except for the words "Greetings to the Natural World," the words in bold are not meant to be said
GREETINGS TO THE NATURAL WORLD!
The People
Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as People.
Now our minds are one.
The Earth Mother
We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our Mother, we send greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Waters
We give thanks to all the Waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms - waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of water.
Now our minds are one.
The Fish
We turn our minds to all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the Fish and send our greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Plants
Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come.
Now our minds are one.
The Food Plants
With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Medicine Herbs
Now we turn to all the Medicine herbs of the world. From the beginning, they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines.
Now our minds are one.
The Animals
We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so.
Now our minds are one.
The Trees
We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many peoples of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we greet and thank the Tree life.
Now our minds are one.
The Birds
We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the Birds - from the smallest to the largest - we send our joyful greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Four Winds
We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds.
Now our minds are one.
The Thunderers
Now we turn to the west where our Grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunderers.
Now our minds are one.
The Sun
We now send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun.
Now our minds are one.
Grandmother Moon
We put our minds together and give thanks to our oldest grandmother, the Moon, who lights the night-time sky. She is the leader of women all over the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon.
Now our minds are one.
The Stars
We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send greetings and thanks to all the Stars.
Now our minds are one.
The Enlightened Teachers
We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring Teachers.
Now our minds are one.
The Creator
Now we turn our thoughts to the Creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator.
Now our minds are one.
Closing Words
We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way.
Now our minds are one.
Seeing that God had resolved unalterably, Adam began to weep again and implore the angels to grant him at least permission to take sweet-scented spices with him out of Paradise, that outside, too, he might be able to bring offerings unto God, and his prayers be accepted before the Lord. Thereupon the angels came before God, and spake: "King unto everlasting, command Thou us to give Adam sweetscented spices of Paradise," and God heard their prayer. Thus Adam gathered saffron, nard, calamus, and cinnamon, and all sorts of seeds besides for his sustenance. Laden with these, Adam and Eve left Paradise, and came upon earth. They had enjoyed the splendors of Paradise but a brief span of time--but a few hours. It was in the first hour of the sixth day of creation that God conceived the idea of creating man; in the second hour, He took counsel with the angels; in the third, He gathered the dust for the body of man; in the fourth, He formed Adam; in the fifth, He clothed him with skin; in the sixth, the soulless shape was complete, so that it could stand upright; in the seventh, a soul was breathed into it; in the eighth, man was led into Paradise; in the ninth, the Divine command prohibiting the fruit of the tree in the midst of the garden was issued to him; in the tenth, he transgressed the command; in the eleventh, he was judged; and in the twelfth hour of the day, he was cast out of Paradise, in atonement for his sin. This eventful day was the first of the month of Tishri. Therefore God spoke to Adam: "Thou shalt be the prototype of thy children. As thou hast been judged by Me on this day and absolved, so thy children Israel shall be judged by Me on this New Year's Day, and they shall be absolved."