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Based on letters and talks of the Rebbe, Rabbi M. M. Schneerson
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How to Be Spiritual

X is an enlightened being. He spends his life in the wilderness far from humanity, focusing his mind on the higher realms.

Harriet Goldberg is a schoolteacher. She spends her life cultivating small minds, hoping to give them a sense of wonder for the world they live in.

Who is closer to G‑d?

If the world came from G‑d as light comes from the sun, spontaneously, but with no real interest, then X is closer.

If G‑d created a world deliberately, because that is what He desires and cares for, then Harriet is closer.

You choose.

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Based on letters and talks of the Rebbe, Rabbi M. M. Schneerson   More articles...  |   RSS Listing of Newest Articles by this Author

From the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory; words and condensation by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman. To order Rabbi Freeman’s book, Bringing Heaven Down to Earth, click here.

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Latest Comments:
Posted: May 27, 2011
Communication Limitations

We are spiritual and physical. The former continues, the latter does not. The former returns to HIM, the latter to dust. The former is concerned beyond personal interests, the latter primarily focuses upon one's self. The list could go on...

We are all part of G-D's realm, and in this scenario both persons are considering things beyond themselves the extent to which is not defined.

Should responses address a comparison between two hypothetical persons or as the Daily Dose title states "How to Be Spiritual?"

The latter title requires a certain amount of introspective reflection, e.g., Elijah's "still small voice." If spirituality is to understand HIS will and words and subsequently behave accordingly, it should commence with undisturbed consideration of G-D's intent under prevailing circumstances as we may only attempt to discern.

There is no universal formula. Our physical manifestations limit spiritual communications. G-D does not use language as we do.
Posted By RCJ, Suburban DC, MD USA

Posted: May 20, 2011
IMHO
It seems we need both. Above all we need to spend time with the Creator in private moments in order to be filled and inspired. And once we do this then we can give out from the overflow.
Moses went to the mountain to hear from G-d, then went down to the valley to give G-d's Word to the children of Israel. I don't think it is much different for us today.

Posted By Paula Driscoll, Clovis, CA

Posted: May 19, 2011
i think it is wrong to attribute human desires to god. god does not desire things, humans desire things. god just is.

light comes from the sun because it is its physical design to do so. a person chooses to help others in this case teach school children because that is in their physical design. it benefits peoples existence to learn more about the world they live in.

however we cant all be school teachers.

also why do you say the light from the sun has "no interest". rather that is all it is interested in. similarly god allows himself to exist as all of existence completely and that is all that he is interested in.

god doesn't care or not care about anything he just does what he exists to do, continue to exist.
Posted By DW , Tornto , ON

Posted: May 19, 2011
How about-
both?

Why not choose both?

Of course, that might be difficult to do at the same time.

Why not though?
Posted By Thomas Karp, New Haven, Ct.

Posted: May 19, 2011
Shammai, Hillel, or beyond?
What a crucial and rich debate this is! Reminiscent of Shammai&Hillel debates. But it seems like there emerges a third way, which is beyond the either/or; a true reluctance to choose and thus to judge; a yearning to transcend human judging (regardless of how learned the judging might be) only to make way to the Only Judge there is. A movement away from judging and towards listening to and doing what the Almighty desires; a movement of wanting 'to leave the driving to Him' as one friend so elegantly put it. Because now at this point in jewish history, we seem to have reached a point where we have come to know Him (and thus our deepest being) good enough to clearly sense the pounding immense love for Him in our veins. This, I feel, is the movement which ultimately would bring about "the priestly nation" for which the jewish people were intended for. Love to all.
Posted By zeynep, istanbul

Posted: May 19, 2011
How to Be Spiritual-Christian Perspective
BOTH Harriet & X are closer! Can't have one without the other.
X:
-- G-d created the world
-- the wilderness is in the world.
-- X is in the wilderness, far from humanity but still within the same world as humanity, still a part of humanity within the world that G-d created.
-- X's mind is being cultivated from the world around him -- the world that came from G-d.

Harriet:
-- Harriet's mind is cultivated from the world as well -- the world that came from G-d.
-- From Harriet's cultivation, she cultivates the minds of other, hoping to give them/students a sense of wonder for the world they line in --
THE WORLD THAT CAME FROM G-D AS LIGHT COMES FROM THE SUN, AS G-D DELIBERATELY CREATED -- THAT BOTH X AND HARRIET WERE DELIBERATELY CREATED TO LIVE IN THE WORLD-- THAT G-D DESIRES AND CARES FOR.
Posted By MICHELE MARTIN

Posted: May 19, 2011
Comment
Very enlightening. Thank u
Posted By Misha, Rego park, Ny

Posted: May 19, 2011
Spiritual Expression

A proposition worthy of Hillel.

First, we are both spiritual and physical. The former continues, the latter does not. The former returns to HIM, the latter to dust. The former is concerned beyond personal interests, the latter is primarily concerned about one's self. The list could go on...

We are all part of G-D's realm, and in this scenario, both persons are considering things beyond themselves. They are spiritual as described by their actions, but the extent to which is not defined.

When I read replies to questions posted on your website, in general, most respondents are only concerned about themselves and comments are limited to personal experiences. Sometimes others often post humorous nonsense. The LORD deliberately creates such differences and imperfections for HIS own reasons. Isaiah 55:8-9

Expression of HIS spiritual nature to inform is the highest calling.
Posted By RCJ, Suburban DC, MD USA

Posted: May 19, 2011
we do not choose
we do not choose but we're trained or chosen to live each live unto our own.
I once had opportunities to teach children but realized the amount of effort should be used for my own children and not others. who am i to break or alter the minds of other children who have thier own parents who have trained to think and react a certian way. it is the parents job and not mine to guide down the right path and who am i to know myself the right path unless i am in the wilderness learning for myself. when i become comfortable preaching of what i feel is right or wrong is the day i become G-d himself. jewishness teaches to deny yourself for others so who is right. many teachers like to take control over children when control is lacking within.
Posted By john smith, fort lauderdale, fl

Posted: May 19, 2011
I dont think the human mind can explain G_d via th
I sort of see what you are saying, but I do not think X is spiritual anyway as he has isolated himself from humanity. I think both examples of G_d are simultaneously true however. Then again I think G_d cannot be comprehended... only maybe apprehended through our limited brains and the ladder that teachings, such as in the Torah, give us.
I think to be spiritual one has to attempt to allow G_d to manifest through our actions and in our lives spontaneously every day, like your teacher. This happens best when it is not declared. We can be humans being then, rather than humans doing, as the saying goes. :-)
Posted By Anonymous, London, UK



 


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