Being Paradox

Defining onself is encasing the self and not moving forward. The latter is achieved by always accepting transformation, and through it Divine inspiration. " I am this" is like a jail, it is an Egypt which we should escape from. Going against the wind is transforming because you use energy that you never thought you had.. Moving forward is the advice in this fragment and if it means going aginst the current so be it. Reply

Yes. I would focus on the splitting if the sea. The miracle. Reply

Good🌻Morning,

Empowering words of strength and encouragement! Thank you.

Baruch HaShem,
🕊💜 Reply

I think the only term where we can say "I am this" is I'm a Child of Jacob Child of Issac Child of Abraham blessed... Reply

Absolutely! We are Unique. Reply

If we look carefully we can see that for us it is also only NOW (to our souls). We don’t experience the movement of time, but only create and compare images about it. What we call our Soul exists outside of our body/images, but our mind tricks us so that we learned to identify with our body, This conclusion is how we developed the ego which now rules us like an emperor. Each of the innumerable egos conflict with others but congregate into groups of various narratives, cultures, religions, etc. You are NOT your body. As the Creator says “I AM” so we must change our viewpoint. Reply

The broken butterfly image is a bit disturbing. Reply

How do you walk on opposite roads at once? Reply

We all can be much more than we are aware of. Reply

Rabbi Freeman,

I am not a scientist per se, but I did a brief research and compared the splitting of the sea to the splitting of an atom [fission], and incorporated it into the term we are divine sparks. I found the atom released energy when split [nothing new], but was new is that atoms can decay to a half-life. However, scientists discovered that the atom never stop existing and states that the atom is powerful and eternal!

99% of the human body is made up of atoms! Therefore, we are eternal but just in a different energy or format! Truly we can not be defined or should let anyone put us in a box with their short-sighted definition(s). We have power beyond measure, but we must be taught how to use and control it [i.e. Moses, Joshua, and Elisha and the splitting of the sea(s)].

Thank you for a powerful devotion!

Enjoy your day, Reply

Through the sea and across the desert to freedom. Reply

Both existance and non-existance together The two opposing concepts are not like dialectic materialism--they do not lead to a third idea, but in themselves apply together without any development. Its not logical and I suspect that in this respect logic does not directly apply as to how our lives are arranged. Somehow we can be inside and outside the circle at once.

Thus pre-determination and independent choice apply simultaneously and we need to accept this. Reply

Shalom! I'm very happy to be here at Chabad.org and I hope to learn,to find wisdom and share all the good things with each other

Greetings from Holland/The Netherlands

Shalom Reply

Opposites Unite For Me In this world we are controlled by one force.
We are a slave to our will to absorb all that benefits me. In this state G_d allows me a tiny restricted amount of His bounty - the trivial 'treasures' in this world.

After we effort to exit our self-desire, G_d awards us a second force.
His force of giving.

Then with the help of these two forces I build my spiritual 'I'.
I am merited to rise to each higher level in His world when I find the proper balance between these forces:
I receive His Pleasures only to the extent that I bring contentment to Him.
This is the goal of Creation - to be in perfect adhesion or 'dvekut' with G_d.
Then He can pour all the abundance and goodness He wishes for us when we are in this special partnership with Him. G_d's abundance can flow between us.

Together with these two forces we have built the Temple - a system that is perfect, eternal and spiritual Reply

miracles will come, trust HaShem! and keep walking! Reply

Good grief You are not liberal enough. You need to be for lesbians, gays, abortions, or leave. You are not conservative enough. Get out of here or we will send you back in a body bag. Radicals on the left and radicals on the right. Obstructions and detours. Reply

Just yesternigh it turned out that are were two opposite paths that me and a long-time friend had been following...and that the only way to make either one totally work, is through the other.

It's such a strange realization, that it would be easy to just let it go. Thank you for this reminder that that's not an option. Reply

opposites attract I read this one a few times. Great point!
If we explore and learn about the opposites G-d created, we will most certainly find freedom. Paradox eventually leads to a discovery of truth. Reply

Too many of us get to comfortable and that is where it stays.
I believe growth is best. Walking as though walking out of Egypt still. Don't get comfortable. Reply

definition There is one definition by others that i have come to accept and that is the definition of a Jew:

When our enemies come for us, they do not ask what kind of Jew you are. A Jew is a Jew.

A Jew is a Jew is not meant here as a tautology. There is no paradox. It is a definition. This context is different from the one you are intending.

In your context no two Jews are the same, since each has his own road in life. To paraphrase your clarification, these differences are especially overt when we seek Hashem. Therein lies the paradox you point out : we cannot know/find Hashem, but we can still seek Him. Practicing mitzvot, prayer and Torah study are a part of the search. I was just thinking that our prophets of ancient times helped get us close in this regard. Abraham and Sarah are examples. And then there is Moses.

I've come a long way since August 6, 2009. Thanks to you. Reply