Shemot
Can we find the balance between Remembrance and Being?
Reflection by Or HaLev Teacher Moran Peled
“One of the keys for understanding the connection between Judaism and mindfulness can be found in this week’s parsha, Shemot, in the two names given for God. In the encounter at the burning bush, God revealed Godself to Moses and sent him on his mission - to bring the people of Israel out of Egypt. First, God introduces Godself as 'the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob' (Exodus 3:6). After Moses insists on knowing God's exact name, he is told a new name: ‘ehiye asher ehiye’ 'I will be as I will be' (Exodus 3:10).
Our Jewish road to spiritual experience is shaped by these two paths: the path of the first name G-d gives - of remembering and a connection with previous generations, and the path of the second name, of being - an open and undefined experience, characterized by what is happening here and now.
Jewish rituals have a close connection with memory - both stories of the past and instructions we inherit from previous generations for the future. At the same time, each of our rituals aspires towards ayin, towards nothingness, a spiritual connection and an experience of presence beyond memory and tradition. Every time we sit down on our meditation cushion, and every time we practice the actions and rituals of our Jewish tradition, we draw and rest on these two foundations. Remembrance and Being, G-d’s names in the parsha, outline for us a balanced path of practice.”