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Rejoice We're Starting Over

At times I sigh when I have to start over. Currently there are several things in my life that I feel frustrated at the thought of beginning again. One is my running--I have to start over. After breaking my arm I could not run, I lost my base, and I now have to start over. Running a mile now hurts, whereas months ago I could run 10 without as much pain. Despite the pain, I love running--it is a joy to be on the road again.

On the other hand, I am greatly looking forward to the renewal of the Torah cycle starting again in B'reisheet. This year, while I will be reading the Torah parasha weekly; however, I will be investing my study time into the Haftarah. Honestly, in past years I have spent the majority of my Shabbat study time has been with Moses--not with the Prophets. I am looking forward to getting to know the other prophets of Israel.

Over the past couple of weeks I have had a deep sense of contentment and joy. I am eager to learn and grow. This morning I was devotionally reading, "Love and the Messianic Age" by P.P. Levertoff. I read the following comment on joy,

The vine is a symbol of Israel, the grapes being individual Israelites. As the wine is hidden in the grapes, so is the joy of the love of God hidden in the soul.

However, as the grapes must be trodden and the skins left behind in the winepress in order that the good wine should gush forth, so does pure, joyous love towards God pour forth from our hearts only when it is trodden out humbly in God's winepress and the skin of our self-righteousness left behind.

Starting Over in Humility

My goal of running 10 miles again will be thwarted by my pride if I refuse to begin by running just one mile. My goal of learning and growing in the Lord will be thwarted if I do not humbly approach His Word again with a heart to change. Levertoff continues,

Self-righteousness is idolatry and prolongs the exile of Israel and of the Shechinah.

Let us all rejoice in the times that we have to start over. Let us take advantage of these times of renewal and be refreshed in our love and devotion to the Lord and to fellow man. May we all work to the end of the exile and the return of the Shechinah.

In closing let me present the commentary on this section from the Love and the Messianic Age commentary,

In his analogy, Levertoff compares Israel to a vine and the individual members of Israel to grapes on the vine. He compares the wine within the grapes to the "joy of the love of God hidden in the soul." Just as salt without saltiness is worthless and just as one does not "light a lamp and put it under a basket," neither is wine left within the skin of the grapes of any use to anyone. "The grapes must be trodden and the skins left behind in the winepress in order that the good wine should gush forth; so does pure joyous love towards God pour forth from our hearts only when it is trodden out humbly in God's winepress and the skin of our self-righteousness left behind." The good wine found within our hearts can only pour forth through the result of tribulations sent to us by God in order to strengthen our true self. "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance." "For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong." Also, if one suffers "as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name." "Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right."

May God be praised and may we all be strengthened and renewed.

Shabbat Shalom.
Boaz Michael
28th of Tishrei, 5770

Ref: P.P. Levertoff, Love and the Messianic, (C)2009 Vine of David.