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Absence and Desire: Reflections on Psalm 42 the fourth Psalm of the Tikkun HaClali
Absence and Desire: Reflections on Psalm 42 the fourth Psalm of the Tikkun HaClali
Every screaming child wants something. A bottle, a toy, a parent. Every adult wants something too, something out of reach. Who is happy in the Jewish tradition? One who is happy with her lot. But few of us are at that level of equanimity, few of us are that happy.
But more than simply wanting something, we want - by definition - something we don’t have. We humans are imperfect and every imperfection, every lack, is the source of a desire for something. Perhaps it’s a mate or a job, perhaps it’s health or a truly exquisite Lamborghini. But what we want is, by definition, something we don’t have. It can be scary to even name our desires, because acknowledging desire means acknowledging something we are missing, something that is broken.
With incredible beauty the Psalmist writes in Psalm 42, the fourth of R. Nachman's Tikkun haClali, of longing for the Holy One “the way a deer longs for water.” She longs for the Divine Presence because it is absent from her life, as it is so often absent from ours. “My soul thirsts for the living God,” she says.
In naming her desire, however, she also names a possible resolution. She lacks a certain connection to the Divine, yet she she knows that she has the capacity for that connection. She writes that “depth calls out to depth.” (42:8) In longing for the deepness of the Holy One, she recognizes her own depth. The depth she desires is also inside of her.
There are times when the things we really and truly want are not to be found inside of us – a cure, a mate, a meal. Religion fails us when it pretends there are easy ways to meet those desires - say this prayer, wear this amulet, read this book. The poetry of Psalm 42, however, is religion at its finest, acknowledging that there is no magic fix, but articulating our desires and longing with beauty, allowing us, perhaps, to seek our desires with peace, with equanimity and with grace.
Wed, May 25 2022
24 Iyyar 5782
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Thursday ,
MayMay 26 , 2022Masa Ma’agal: Spring Trimester Mystics at the Movies with Education Director Rishe Groner (Grades 4*-7)
Thursday, May 26th 4:00p to 5:15p
Learn Jewish spiritual concepts from Hasidism and Kabbalah through exploring popular kids’ movies from Moana to Frozen 2. -
Thursday ,
MayMay 26 , 2022Masa Ma’agal: Rabbi Brent’s Backyard (Grades K-3)
Thursday, May 26th 4:00p to 4:45p
Gather in Rabbi Brent’s backyard for stories, songs and games around the campfire. -
Thursday ,
MayMay 26 , 2022Men's Fire Circle
Thursday, May 26th 8:00p to 10:00p
The Mens' Fires are opportunities for participants to go deeper into the work we do during our Moonlight Hikes. If you are interested in being involved, please come to the next moonlight hike. -
Friday ,
MayMay 27 , 2022Friday Kehillah at BHA
Friday, May 27th 4:00p to 5:30p
Kehillah means “community”, and this is our weekly chance to come together in a social environment at the BHA Outdoor Classroom, featuring Mitzvah Labs, a chance to explore Jewish ritual and holidays following the theme of each Hebrew month. Open to all, suggested donation $36 per family, included with Masa. -
Friday ,
MayMay 27 , 2022The Language of Truth/Sefat at BHA
Friday, May 27th 5:00p to 6:00p
The Sefat Emet (R. Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter of Gur, 1847-1905) was a Hasidic Rebbe known for his keen insight, spiritual and emotional sensitivity, and accessible Torah. Join Rabbi Brent for a weekly exploration of his Torah commentary and the illumination it can provide us. We will be meeting in person at the BHA.