Friday, May 13, 2011

RABBI ARTHUR SEGAL: JEWISH SPIRITUAL RENEWAL: DEREK ERETZ: THIS TOO SHALL PASS

 
RABBI ARTHUR SEGAL: JEWISH SPIRITUAL RENEWAL: DEREK ERETZ: THIS TOO SHALL PASS 
 
 
Jewish Spiritual Renewal: Derek Eretz Zuta + Rabbah:
 
Shabbat 05/21/11
 
(aka Derech Eretz )
 
The JEWISH SPIRITUAL RENEWAL class list is hosted by Shamash: The Jewish Network a service of Hebrew College/Yeshiva
 
Shalom my dear Chaverim, Talmidim, v' Rabbanim, friends, students and fellow rabbis.
 
An oneg, joy-filled, Shabbat, Sabbath, this weekend.. 
 
We continue with our exploration into the Talmudic Tractates of Derek Eretz Zuta and Rabbah. (aka Derech Eretz Zuta, aka Derech Eretz Rabbah. As was mentioned, zuta is Aramaic for 'small', and rabbah is 'large').
 
 Remember that Derek Eretz is not about Jewish ritual. It is about how we are to treat one another and what traits of character, middot, we are to try to develop. The lessons are universal and ecumenical.
 
For those new to the class, Baruch ha Ba! Welcome! You can access last week's class  at  
or
 
 
 From here you will find links to preceding classes in this  series.
 So,  together we continue:
 
TALMUD BAVLI
 
 
TRACTATE DEREK
 
 
ERETZ ZUTA
 
(aka Derech Eretz)
 
Today we will continue with CHAPTER 2.
Talmud Bavli Tractate Derek Eretz Zuta Verse   2:2 
 
''Incline thine ears to the words of thy comrade. Be not hasty in answering, and consider everything from the right point, and answer to the first question first, and to the last, last; and always confess the truth.''
 
A few week's ago, before Pesach, we discussed the Middot, the character trait, of being an active listener. When the sages tell us to incline our ears to the words of another, we are being taught to do active listening. We all know what it is like to speak to someone whose head, eyes, and ears, are not paying full attention. And all of us are guilty of having done this to another.
 
When our ears are inclined, when we tilt the side of our head towards another, our mouths are then pointed in the direction opposite the person to whom we are listening. While we are not actually being taught to assume this physical position, we are being taught to be quiet and not interrupt while another is speaking.
 
How many of us had at times, while someone is speaking, were thinking about what we were going to say after, then about what what our friends were talking?
 
It is Derek Eretz to actively listen.
 
Now when it is our turn to speak, we are taught to think before we put our tongues into gear. Let our brains and our souls work, while our tongues are silent.
 
When we finally are ready to speak, we need to be truthful, and also to stick to the topic our friend has established. We are not to wander and talk about something on our agenda. This is what is meant by considering everything  we are about to say from the ''right point.''
 
We are to do our best to respond to the points made or questions asked in the order that they were presented. This allows us to deal with issues that are significant  to our friends, in the order, the importance, in how they were presented.
 
Lastly we are advised not only to speak the truth, but to do vidui, confess the truth. So many times our friends, our ourselves, when having an issue in life, feel if not believe, we are the only ones dealing with this issue. We have what I called ''terminal uniqueness .'' If we are sitting with a friend, let us say going through a divorce, we can confess, share, our experiences with divorce, to aid them in their time of troubles. We also show them that ''this too shall pass...Gam zeh ya'avor.''
 
''Now the darkness only stays the night-time
In the morning it will fade away.
Daylight is good at arriving at the right time
Its not always going to be this grey.

All things must pass
All things must pass away
All things must pass.'' [ George Harrison,1969]

 
Listening well and responding properly and from the heart is a middot , character trait, of Derek Eretz, that would be nice if we developed.
 
 
Next week, Baruch ha Shem, we will continue with chapter two of of Derek Eretz Zuta .
 
We discuss the aspects of this verse on being a good friend with altruism, throughout the majority of chapters in  The Handbook to Jewish Spiritual Renewal: A Path of Transformation for the Modern Jew  as well as in most chapters of A Spiritual and Ethical Compendium to the Torah and Talmud  .
 
What are your ideas about leading a life where you can put the needs of your friends and family first? How has learning that Judaism  believes in a loving God helped you live in harmony with others? How has understanding the spiritual and ethical teachings of Judaism  helped you live a happier life?
 
Next class, Baruch ha Shem, we will continue with Derek Eretz Zuta ,  continuing  Chapter Two. Thank you for joining me.
 
 
 
Shalom:
 
Rabbi Arthur Segal www.jewishspiritualrenewal.org
Via Shamash Org on-line class service
Jewish Renewal www.jewishrenewal.info
Jewish Spiritual Renewal
Jewish Spirituality
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Hilton Head Island, SC, Bluffton, SC, Savannah, GA
 
If visiting SC's Low Country, contact us for a Shabbat meal, in our home by the sea, our beth yam.
 
Maker of Shalom (Oseh Shalom) help make us deserving of Shalom beyond all human comprehension!
 
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Posted by Rabbi Arthur Segal at 1:54 PM