Jewish Musings Thursday, Sept. 19, day 348 since Oct. 7

[hollygail]

What’s on your mind — how to make kugel? This week’s Torah reading? Life goals? Prayer? We are all engaged in weight loss/weight maintenance journeys and we are all Jewish or at least interested in Judaism. We like to eat, we like to discuss. It is our goal here to provide each other support on our journeys, to share experiences, to call on our rich cultural heritage and texts, and to help each other grow spiritually.

Some of us take weekly turns starting the thread:

Holly
Lee
Louise
Lynne
Peachy

And for those of you that stop by to read this thread without posting — you are welcome to, but you are also welcome to chime in. Don’t be shy!

[hollygail]

The haftarah for Ki Tavo is from Isaiah, the entirety of chapter 60 (1–22). As we get closer to Rosh haShanah, it looks more likely that God will keep the divine promise and restore the Jewish people to their homeland. That is the triumphant mood of this week's haftarah. It is filled with images of light, which in Judaism are always synonymous with Torah, God and hope itself. Not only will the Jews be brought back to their land, other nations will come to serve them, and those that refuse to do so will vanish. Things will be so good for the Jews that even nature will "conspire" to help: the people will no longer need either the light of the sun or that of the moon.

Here's the opening of the haftarah:
Arise, shine, for your light has dawned ק֥וּמִי א֖וֹרִי כִּ֣י בָ֣א אוֹרֵ֑ךְ
Doesn't that sound like a promise of good things to come? This is the sixth of seven haftarot of consolation (following Tisha b'Av). (Most of the time, the haftarah has some sort of connection with what happens in the Torah portion; exceptions include the three weeks before Tisha b'Av and the seven weeks following it, although I'd say it's in complete contrast to the section of the Torah portion we looked at yesterday; do you agree?

In your life, what makes your outlook a positive or an affirmative one? Is it the time of the year? Or specific things going on in your life or the life of any of your loved ones? Do you have other comments about promises, whether from God or any other source(s)?

[peachymom1]

I had a difficult childhood, but as a teenager, I remember deciding that I was going to make a positive life for myself, no matter what. I started by gathering strength and support from my friends. i don't know if being an optimist is my nature or if I developed it - maybe both - but I think people really do have the ability to choose to be positive or negative. Maybe not all the time; I haven't quite figured it out yet. I have challenges and bad moods like anyone else, but I find that choosing a positive outlook makes it a lot easier to get along in life. And one way to cheer myself up is to cheer someone else up, or do something good for someone else. Adding even the smallest acts of goodness or kindness to the world makes a difference, IMO.

[gazelle18]

Hi everyone, sorry I’ve been remiss in posting lately; I have had a rotten cold, and was not feeling up to much of anything. Fortunately, I am now on the mend.

Someone once told me that a person can actually choose to be happy. Even if the person’s life is full of challenges, the person can make a conscious decision to choose to be happy. This was really helpful for me, and I remind myself often of this advice.

[lee058]

Good afternoon everybody. Hope you are all well and SAFE! Please pray for Israel.

Re today's topic: I think I can make a difference in how I think as well as act. Sometimes, when something negative is plaguing me, I just repeat to myself, "It's over. It's done with. I've done the best I can in dealing with it. Dear God, please help me think about positive things." This helps.

Have a peaceful evening, Lee

hollygail, What time on Sunday? Please email me. Thanks!