A mystic* taught that the word ‘created’ also means ‘strengthening’. The first thing that God did was to allow his breath, his ‘ruach’ to rest on the chaotic waters, and He began by strengthening the earth so that it would be a strong foundation on which to house the wonders of creation.
The masterful Baal Shem Tov taught that ‘where a person’s thoughts are, that is where his entire being exists’. Have you ever been eating a mediocre meal, noticed that it only tastes *ok*, but you are with such great company that the meal actually tastes better? Similarly, we can be in a beautiful location and feel awful because our mind is elsewhere.
We need to strengthen our foundations, body and soul. An invigorating physical exercise will get our body strong, but by breathing, focusing on our breath, allowing our ‘ruach’ to settle the chaos, we can have a strong mind as well as a strong physique.
Be strong, be creative, be the best you can be.
Shalom V'Ahava
Marcus
*Rabbi Mordechai Yosef of Ishbitz, in the Mei HaShiloach
The Kosher Sutras © Marcus J Freed 2009/5770