4.17.15 A little (more) Omer

Another week closer to Sinai and receiving the Torah.  

What are you doing to get ready? 

REMINDER:  According to the Torah (Lev. 23:15), we are obligated to count the days from Passover to Shavu'ot. This period is known as the Counting of the Omer. An omer is a unit of measure. On the second day of Passover, in the days of the Temple, an omer of barley was cut down and brought to the Temple as an offering.

We are now coming to the end of the second week and starting the third. All and all we will count 49 days bringing us to the holiday of Shavuot when we will commemorate the giving and receiving of the Torah.  We are commanded - given the privilege and responsibility of seeing ourselves as if we literally received the Torah directly from God.

In an effort to deepen our connection to Shavuat the mystics have taken 7 of God's attributes and layered them into one another providing us with an amazing array of connections between the qualities themselves and the qualities of God and subsequently of human being.  Each week we are asked to focus on one of the attributes and it's relationship to the other 6. Each attribute is held by, strengthened by and elevated by the other 6. Each week we are given the mitzvah, the privilege, opportunity and responsibility of taking a journey through our soul.  

The 7 attributes are:

• Chesed - loving-kindness
• Gevurah -- might
• Tiferet - beauty
• Netzach - victory
• Hod - splendor
• Yesod - foundation
• Malchut - kingdom

It's customary to recite a blessing before each day is counting.  Counting happens in the evening.  

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is the ________ day.

The focus of week 2 is GEVURAH - justice and discipline.  The focus of week 3 is TIFERET - harmony, compassion, beauty

Friday evening we will count 14.  Saturday evening we will count 15  .  And Sunday evening we will count 16.

The following teachings come from "COUNTDOWN TO PERFECTION - MEDITATIONS ON THE SEFIROT" Images by Judith Margolis (artist, teacher, editor, writer, mother, partner and my dear friend). Text by Sarah Yehudit Schneider (Bright Idea Books, 2007 - go to www.judithmargolis.com to see different images and to order a copy of this amazing book for yourself.

I apologize that I can only provide you with the text.

Day 14:  Malkhut sh'b'Gevurah - Leadership in Justice

Criticism and Severity only work on the "other" after one has applied them to oneself.  i.e. after one's own teshuvah (turning inward) and the lowliness that comes from that.  If Gevurah/Justice does not come from a place of lowliness then it deteriorates into abuse.

Day 15: Hesed sh'b'Tiferet - Compassion in Mercy

Tiferet (Mercy) resides on the central pillar of the Tree of Life, yet leans toward the right toward the side of Hesed (Compassion).  This teaches that when tempering generosity with justice, one should lean toward kindness.  The formula is not balanced evenly. MERCY AND COMPASSION are the fruit of LOVE and they should be expressed as much as possible.

Day 16:  Gevurah sh'b'Tiferet - Might in Beauty

Beauty/Harmony is the balancing of opposing tendencies; generosity and limitation, light and dark, love and fear etc...and this requires compromise.  

Mekor Ha'chayiim, Source of Life, as we move into Shabbat and closer to receiving Torah directly from You (again), may we do the work necessary to be ready for such an awesome gift. May we ask ourselves the difficult questions around our relationship to Justice, Mercy, Beauty, Might and COMPROMISE.  Can we put our love for the other first so we can love the other (and ourselves) fully.

See you at Sinai (again) - in just 5 short weeks.

Shabbat shalom u'mevorach,

LP

4.10.15 A little "counting of the Omer"

According to the Torah (Lev. 23:15), we are obligated to count the days from Passover to Shavu'ot. This period is known as the Counting of the Omer. An omer is a unit of measure. On the second day of Passover, in the days of the Temple, an omer of barley was cut down and brought to the Temple as an offering.

It's that time of year, again.  We are in the first week of seven, counting 49 days until we arrive at the holiday of Shavuot and commemorate the giving of the Torah.  Just as we are commanded to see ourselves as if we were the slave in Egypt, so too are we commanded to see ourselves as if we received the Torah directly from God.

In an effort to deepen our connection to Shavuat (or perhaps to Passover?  or perhaps to both?), the mystics have taken 7 of God's attributes and layered them into one another providing us with an amazing array of connections between the qualities themselves and the qualities of God and subsequently of human being.  Each week we are asked to focus on one of the attributes and it's relationship to the other 6. Each attribute is held by, strengthened by and elevated by the other 6. Each week we are given the mitzvah, the privilege, opportunity and responsibility of taking a journey through our soul.

The 7 attributes in order by week are:

• Chesed - Loving-kindness
• Gevurah -- Justice and discipline
• Tiferet - Harmony, compassion
• Netzach - Endurance
• Hod - Humility
• Yesod - Bonding
• Malchut - Sovereignty, leadership

It's customary to recite a blessing before each day is counting.  Counting happens in the evening.  

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is the ________ day.

Thursday evening we counted 6 days.  Friday evening we will count 7.

The focus of week 1 is on "Chesed" - loving kindness.

There are many different writings, meditations and teachings around the Omer.  I have been following Simon Jacobson for years.  I like it/him because he gives a short teaching (that's easy to absorb) and then follows it with an "exercise for the day" (that's usually personally relevant).  In order for me to fully count each day of the Omer, I must include action.  You can sign up to receive a daily teaching in your "inbox" and there is even an "app" available.

Here's what Simon Jacobson has to say for days 6 and 7:

Day 6: Yesod of Chesed

For love to be eternal it requires bonding. A sense of togetherness which actualizes the love in a joint effort. An intimate connection, kinship and attachment, benefiting both parties. This bonding bears fruit; the fruit born out of a healthy union.

Exercise for the day: Start building something constructive together with a loved one.

Day 7: Malchut of Chesed

Mature love comes with - and brings - personal dignity. An intimate feeling of nobility and regality. Knowing your special place and contribution in this world. Any love that is debilitating and breaks the human spirit is no love at all. For love to be complete it must have the dimension of personal sovereignty.

Exercise for the day: Highlight an aspect in your love that has bolstered your spirit and enriched your life - and celebrate.

And here's what I have to say:

Love takes a ton of effort.  It can only work when it is between the right people.  Whether the love is between life partners, parents and children, siblings, friends or even teacher and student, love is A LOT of work.  A lot of work!  So make sure the other person is worth it.

In order for me to full love and be loved I need to engage all of myself.  These attributes are a good reflection of all of me.  But, there is one attribute that is missing - HUMOR.  Humor has been an essential part of loving myself and loving others.  

Here's what I have found to be true regarding love:

1. Love all of myself (if I want to love anyone else).                                                     2. Engage the other from a place of compassion (even when you are right).                         3. Give as much love as I can, as often as I can. (because it feels good).
4. Acknowledge how grateful to love many and be loved by many.

Shabbat will move us into week 2 - Gevurah - justice and discipline.

Google "counting the Omer" and you will find a wide array of choices.  See who/what resonates most strongly with you.  Feel free to even mix it up.  No need to stay with just one teacher.

Mekor Ha'chayiim, Source of Life, as we move through Shabbat let us be open to the power of love and the need to open ourselves up to it's fullness.  May we act on our gratitude for all of the love in our lives.  May our compassion for others extend to the "other" we don't yet know.

Shabbat shalom u'mevorach,                                                                                     Laurie

4.3.15 A little Passover

"...forever, compassion will build", "...olam chesed yibaneh", "עוֹלָם, חֶסֶד יִבָּנֶה..."(psalm 89:3)

The Haggadah/story of Passover teaches (over and over again) that because we were strangers in the land of Egypt, because we were slaves, because we were oppressed and because we were liberated and are now a free people WE MUST SEE OURSELVES AS IF WE WERE ACTUALLY THE ONES WHO WERE ENSLAVED and then WE MUST SEE OURSELVES AS IF WE WERE ACTUALLY THE ONES WHO WERE LIBERATED and then WE MUST HELP FREE THE STRANGER AND THE OPPRESSED AMONG US.

It's not optional.  It's our obligation and our responsibility to bring liberation to those who are oppressed.  

But, is this really possible?

Passover is my favorite holiday and it's also my most challenging.  It's my favorite because I am always with family and dear friends and everyone sitting at the seder table is their because there isn't anywhere else they want to be.  It's my favorite because people seem a little more open, less guarded and even a little vulnerable.  As a result, we are able to have interesting, important and thought provoking discussions.  It's my favorite because I LOVE matzah!  

But, it's also my most challenging holiday because I try hard to acknowledge and address the things that keep me weighted down and prevent me from being truly me. I think about the times I was jealous, resentful, judgmental and harsh. I think about the times when my confidence was weak and my fears were leading.  I reflect on all of this and then decide on a course of action. It's a "middle of the year" Yom Kippur (Passover actually falls in the middle of the Jewish year).

But, the biggest reason Passover is my most challenging holiday is because I never feel like I am able to fulfill the obligation of seeing myself as someone who was actually enslaved.  I never feel like I am able to fulfill the obligation of bringing freedom to those who are currently enslaved.  

Sex trafficking, child slavery, poverty, discrimination, mass incarceration, racism, drugs, rape, unfair labor conditions, murder, war, and...

The suffering in the world is great.  The challenges are huge. 

And The Haggadah/story of Passover teaches (over and over again) that because we were strangers in the land of Egypt, because we were slaves, because we were oppressed and because we were liberated and are now a free people WE MUST SEE OURSELVES AS IF WE WERE ACTUALLY THE ONES WHO WERE ENSLAVED and then WE MUST SEE OURSELVES AS IF WE WERE ACTUALLY THE ONES WHO WERE LIBERATED and then WE MUST HELP FREE THE STRANGER AND THE OPPRESSED AMONG US.

What can I do? 

"...forever, compassion will build", "...olam chesed yibaneh", "עוֹלָם, חֶסֶד יִבָּנֶה..."(psalm 89:3)

Compassion, kindness - this is what I can do.  This is what everyone can do.  Regardless of our ability, intelligence, gender, profession, economic status, religion or belief we can show compassion and kindness.  Regardless of our fears, struggles or challenges we can show compassion and kindness.    

"...forever, compassion will build", "...olam chesed yibaneh", "עוֹלָם, חֶסֶד יִבָּנֶה..."(psalm 89:3)

Mekor Ha'Chayiim, Source of life, as we move into Shabbat and Pesach, may we be mindful of the bounty in our lives.  May we demonstrate our gratitude to those we love.  May we live and lead with compassion and kindness so that others may draw closer to freedom.

May your seder be nourishing and meaningful.

Shabbat shalom u'mevorach and chag sameach,
Laurie

3.27.15 Parashat Tzav

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Parashat TZAV
Leviticus 6:1-8:36
"Get a little (or a lot) closer.  Now don't be shy." 
(right about now you should be humming the Arid Extra Dry commercial from the 90's)

First off, a Hebrew lesson.  Stop rolling your eyes.  I'm not going to ask you to open a workbook and circle "lah", "lay", and "li".

korbanot; plural, most common translation is "sacrifices"
korban; singular 
comes from the Hebrew root koof, reish, vet
connected to the Hebrew word karov which means "close"
In English we often associate sacrifice with giving something up.  

"What is the connection between korban and karov?" (Thank you for asking.)

Korbanot were offered up to God.  Korbanot were THE way people could get karov/close to God.

And now back to Torah:
This parasha explains the offering of six different sacrifices; burnt, meal, sin, guilt, peace and initiation.  God, tzav et Moshe/commands Moses (in pretty significant detail) to teach the Priests all the ins and outs of the various sacrifices.  The Levites would prepare the sacrifices and the Priests would have the privilege and responsibility of offering them up to God.  Various parts of the animal would be eaten by various people or burnt all the way depending on the offering.

"What is the deal with all of these sacrifices?  Why couldn't it just be one kind of sacrifice?And what is the deal with all of the details for how all of the sacrifices should be prepared, offered and consumed (or not)?"  (Thank you again for asking.)

Remember; God is doing something no other God has ever done before, EVER!  God is breaking away from the whole multiple God/multiple people construct and launching  a brand new model - ONE GOD/ONE PEOPLE.  THIS IS RADICAL!!!!

The Book of Exodus is all about God demonstrating supreme power over everything and everyone through the act of liberating the Israelites from slavery with the promise of bringing them to a new land, their own land.

The Book of Leviticus is all about God forging ONE PEOPLE/ONE COMMUNITY to serve ONE GOD.  The sacrifices are the vehicle for worship, praise and gratitude.  They are the vehicle for establishing a closeness between God and the people.  

Perhaps there are different kinds of korbanot with different instructions to teach the people that different actions require different responses?  Perhaps it's to make a distinction between "right" and "wrong", "good" and "bad".  Afterall, the Israelites are not used to making decisions.  They don't know how to choose a path.  God is their teacher. 

Perhaps there are different kinds of korbanot with different instructions because they are in the middle of a dessert, making their way to this "Promised Land" Moshe told them about, and they have a lot of time and not much else to do?  Carrying out all of the instructions from selecting the animal, cleaning it, setting up the altar and the Priest actually offering it up to God took a lot of people a lot of time to complete (sometimes days).  This was a way for God to teach boundaries around behavior while at the same time establishing relationships within the community.

The Torah places a huge emphasis on getting close to God.  Does God really need closeness?  Isn't that impossible anyway?  Or is it the closeness between people the Torah is really after?  

What do we do to bring ourselves closer to God?  Perhaps more importantly, what do we do to bring ourselves closer to one another?  We are more independent and self reliant than ever before.  With all of our technology we don't ever have to engage with people.  Social media, invented for the purpose of bringing us closer together, has actually created real distance.  Instagram, FB and texting have replaced phone calls and face to face.  We no longer have to make the effort to visit because we can SKYPE.  Eventually, we'll just need to think about the other.

Think about all of the effort, energy, time and strength the people had to exhibit in order to complete a sacrifice.  I'm not advocating for the building of a third Temple.  But, I think it would be fantastic to go through the motions (with a faux animal).  In a matter of seconds, we can just hit a couple of keys and send a message to hundreds of our "friends". We may have more people we can reach, but did we sacrifice real closeness as a result? What are we willing to sacrifice/give up in order to get close?

Mekor Ha'Chayiim, Source of Life, as we move into Shabbat, let us reclaim closeness. Let's give our technology a rest (a Shabbat if you will), and let's DO CLOSENESS.   Maybe reclaiming a closeness with one another will rekindle a closeness with something greater? It's worth a try.  "Get a little closer.  Now don't be shy."

Shabbat shalom u'mevorach,
Laurie

3.20.15 Israel

This Torah is dedicated to my dear friend and teacher, AP who pushed me when I needed pushing.  I am grateful.

"What happens when Israel is just like every other other country?"  

We are starting a new Book in the Torah, the third, Va'Yikra/Leviticus.  This week's parasha, Va'Yikra/Leviticus 1:1-5:26, is important (aren't they all) and should be read.  So please, go and read it.  

In light of the elections in Israel, I feel it is important for that to be the focus of my comments this week.

Regardless of what side of the spectrum we fall, many people felt a sense of shock and surprise by Bibi's emphatic statement that there will not be a Palestinian State when/if he is elected Prime Minister.  Many people felt a sense of shock and surprise by the results of the election.  He won!  Assuming he can put together a coalition, Bibi Netanyahu will serve a fourth term as Prime Minister of Israel.

Did he mean what he said?  Was it just a political maneuver to gain more votes?  What about the fact that he said the exact opposite a few years ago?

Shortly after he won, at least according to some reports this morning (EST), Bibi recanted his statement claiming he was misunderstood, he didn't mean what he said.

Did Bibi mean what he said?  Is he a liar?  Maybe neither is true.  Perhaps, he is just like other politicians around the world, who say whatever they need to say in order to get elected?  Perhaps he is just like other politicians, who, once they are elected recant what they said? 

I have to admit that, before Bibi announced this "truth", I was one of the people who was not only hoping a new Prime Minister would be elected, I actually thought this was going to happen.  But, I didn't think anyone besides Bibi would be able to put a coalition together.  However, once I heard him say that there would never be a Palestinian State, my hopes were squashed. 

It seemed obvious.  The votes were coming in and it wasn't certain that he would win.  He panicked.  He did what many other politicians have done before (and will again) - he made a provocative, extreme (perhaps even absurd) statement to get the votes he needed.  

Guess what?  His strategy worked!  He won!  

I know many are outraged by what Bibi said and I am certainly not happy.  But, IN MY OPINION, his statement was (simply - although the situation is anything but simple) a reflection of his actions prior to this election. I don't believe Bibi's actions over the years have demonstrated a desire or willingness towards achieving an agreement that would include establishing a Palestinian State.  

Saying something just to get elected, is something I have actually come to expect from American politicians.  Campaigns and elections have gotten out of control in terms of the level of nastiness that is demonstrated and tolerated.  It's hard, really hard to know who is telling the truth and who is saying whatever he/she needs to say in order to get the votes.  In the end, someone wins.  As time passes, we learn that sometimes the candidate meant what he/she said, and other times he/she take it back or modify. It's often the case that regardless, the situation doesn't seem to change or improve.  

What happens when Israel isn't different?

I am deeply passionate about Israel.  My relationship feels personal and it hurts when I don't feel I can be proud of what is happening in a place that I believe gives me breath.  I don't want Israel to be like other countries.  I don't want Israeli politicians to be like other politicians.  I want Israel to be different.  I want Israel to be special.  I want other countries to look at Israel and want to imitate the leadership.  I want Israel to operate from a place of deep Torah and I want the government to lead with Torah - with justice, with compassion, with a commitment to the other because throughout history, we were the "other" and we were not treated with justice or compassion. 

Many are outraged and trying to figure out how to respond.  Many are celebrating.  I hope wherever we stand, we will talk.  I hope we will engage in a dialogue that can hold different opinions and different perspectives.  

Mekor Ha'Chayiim, Source of Life, as we move into Shabbat, let us remember the power of leading and living with compassion for ourselves and the other.  We don't know the future.  But, we can appreciate that it will be a better one if our actions include compassion.

Shabbat shalom u'mevorach,
Laurie

3.13.15 Parashat Va'yakhel/Pekudei

This Shabbat marks the 8th anniversary of my mom's passing.  I am dedicating this Torah to her.  This Torah is written in honor of my mother, Judith Caplan Phillips, z"l.  She (and my amazing abba), taught me the importance, value and benefit of belonging to a community (one of the themes in this week's parasha) and the responsibility that comes along with being connected to the "other".  I am blessed and grateful.

"Mazal tov" to parents Moran, Murray and sisters Ma'ayan and Meitar Lantner, on the birth of their daughter/sister this past Sunday.  May she be blessed with a life filled with joy. laughter, meaning, compassion and peace.

(Do you have something to share?  Send me the information by Thursday of each week and I all include it in the weekly Torah teaching.)

And now for some Torah:

Parashat Va'yakhel and Pekudei (it's a double portion Shabbat)

Exodus 35:1-40:38

Chapter 35:

1Moses gathered the whole community of the children of Israel to assemble, and he said to them: "These are the things that the Lord commanded to make.		אוַיַּקְהֵל משֶׁה אֶת כָּל עֲדַת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵהֶם אֵלֶּה הַדְּבָרִים אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהֹוָה לַעֲשׂת אֹתָם:
2Six days work may be done, but on the seventh day you shall have sanctity, a day of complete rest to the Lord; whoever performs work thereon [on this day] shall be put to death.		בשֵׁשֶׁת יָמִים תֵּעָשֶׂה מְלָאכָה וּבַיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי יִהְיֶה לָכֶם קֹדֶשׁ שַׁבַּת שַׁבָּתוֹן לַיהֹוָה כָּל הָעֹשֶׂה בוֹ מְלָאכָה יוּמָת:

The parasha opens with the image of the entire nation of Israel being "va'yakhel", literally means "communitized".  Of course this is not a word in English.  But the beauty of Hebrew is that nouns can be turned into verbs.  The entire nation of Israel is called upon to hear Moshe announce God's commandments.  Calling the people together establishes them as a community.  Calling the people together "communitizes" them.  God commands Moshe to do this before any commandments are given.  

There are other instances where God commands Moshe to speak to the "elders" who will in turn convey the information to the people.  But this time, God tells Moshe that the people need to be addressed as A COMMUNITY - ONE COMMUNITY.  Gathering just the elders might imply that there are two layers to the community - a higher layer, one that has more access to God and a lower layer that is more distant from God.

I believe God instructs Moshe to "communitize" the people, all of the people so when the commandments are given, they feel, they believe, that God is speaking to an entire community and to each and every person individually.  God wants them to feel the power of belonging to a community and God wants them to feel the intimacy of a relationship with God.

I believe God wants me to feel, wants us to feel the power of belonging to a community and I believe God wants me to feel, wants us to feel the intimacy of a relationship with God.

The Israelites relied on God for everything - shelter, protection and food. God was the parent, the partner , the provider.  While I am grateful to be living in this time, in some ways I am envious of the Israelites.  God gave them water.  God provided manna.  God took the form of a cloud by day and fire by night to guide and protect them.  They felt the presence of God on a daily basis - multiple times a day, throughout the day.  

I provide my food.  I have continuous running water.  I feel safe without a body guard.  I feel strong and empowered to make decisions.  I don't rely on God to provide or protect me. So can I, can we experience the presence of God, experience an intimacy with God the same way as the Israelites?  

I appreciate and value that the power to change lies in the hands of humanity.  I choose to believe that God is engaged in an infinite "tzimtzum"/retraction, allowing humanity to be in charge.  And I choose to believe that God is ever present and the ability for me to react, to respond, and to engage.  Can I, can we experience the presence of God, experience an intimacy with God the same way as the Israelites?  

I want to believe this is possible.  Perhaps, the way to achieve this intimacy, is by "communizing" ourselves?  In the Torah, God had to do this - Moshe had to do this.  But, today, we have the capacity and the ability to really establish ourselves as A community, ONE community, a community of HUMAN BEINGS.

When we truly believe that we are all part of the same community, we will act as one community.  We will make sure everyone has food, water and shelter.  When we truly believe all humanity is part of A COMMUNITY, we will make sure everyone is protected.  And then, (maybe) we will experience the same intimacy with God as the Israelites did when God spoke to each person individually.

Mekor Ha'Chayiim, Source of Life, as we move into Shabbat, may we articulate a goal of all humanity being "communitized" into A COMMUNITY.  May we prioritize ensuring that everyone has food, water and safe shelter.  May we experience the presence of God and the intimacy of being in relationship with something greater than ourselves.

Shabbat shalom u'mevorach,

Laurie

3.6.15 Parashat Ki Tisa

Parashat Ki Tisa

Exodus 30:11-34:35

RECAP:

Moshe is up on Mt Sinai.

God is reciting the commandments that Moshe will teach to the people.  The Israelites couldn't wait any longer.

Aaron instructs them to bring all of their gold (which, FYI: they looted from Egyptian homes as they fled from Egypt) and he fashions a Golden Calf.

Moshe and God are furious and Moshe shatters the tablets.
Moshe melts the calf and forces the Israelites to drink it.
Moshe commands Levites to kill their brother and over 3000 men are slain.
God strikes the Israelites with a plague as punishment for the Golden Calf.
Moshe goes up a second time to get a second set of tablets.
This time Moshe writes them.
Moshe asks to see God's face.
God passes His goodness before Moshe.

Take a breath!  This is a lot to digest. I have tried to make sense of this parasha for over a decade.  I don't get it.  Where is God's compassion?  Where is Moshe's?  The people, who until a short time ago, only knew slavery, only knew Pharaoh.  They freak out when they think Moshe, their new Pharaoh, has abandoned them.  Probably, in an effort to distract them, Aaron gives them what they ask for, a new god, one they can see and touch.  The People didn't come up with the idea and yet they are forced to drink the melted gold.  Aaron isn't punished by Moshe or God.  Commanding the Levites to kill their brothers and then striking the people with a plague is harsh and cruel.  Moshe and God seem completely out of control. What if that's what happened?  What if Moshe and God simply lost it and are out of control? I have certainly had moments when I have reacted harshly and/or hastily to a situation.  I imagine all of us have and if someone were to evaluate the scene, he/she would conclude that we were out of control. And then, an incredibly intimate scene occurs between God and Moshe.  Moshe finally, after all this time of obeying and doing whatever God commands, Moshe finally asks for something in return. Moshe wants to see God's face. God doesn't give Moshe exactly what he wants but offers as much as He can.  God reveals His backside, all of the goodness as a way of thanking Moshe for all of his effort and commitment to Him and the People. Both Moshe and God eventually calm down and leave the reader with a sense of tenderness and closeness. Maybe the point of this parasha is accepting that there will be times when we are out of control.  There will be times when our reactions are harsh and hasty.  There will be times when we just can't believe what has happened and our reaction is over the top.  When this happens, and it will, and it will happen again, we need to be mindful to eventually calm down and end by passing our goodness before the other. Mekor Ha'Chayiim, Source of Life, as we move into Shabbat, may we be mindful of leaving our goodness at the end of all of our interactions with the other. Shabbat shalom u'mevorach, Laurie