Seeing G-d in everything

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encountering G-d, people

I am reading a book about early Hasidic teachers. The book is A Heart Afire.

There is a story about the Baal Shem Tov that struck me. He was constantly challenged to his beliefs. The traditional Rabbis thought of him as a heretic.

The BeShT taught that G-d is in everything even in the most profane. It does not matter whether you are talking to a rabbi or a theif G-d is in there.

So the next time you are with a person, whether it be the clerk at the store, the garabage man or a beggar on the street listen very carefully. Everything a person says has something to learn from and just perhaps you may learn something new about G-d.

I love this idea. When was the last time you listened very carefully to every person you met? When was the last time you tried to find G-d in every interaction with a person?

Let’s try it and let everyone know what you find.

Books: Lilah and The Alchemist

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books, review

Lilah: A Novel (Canaan Trilogy)

http://www.amazon.com/Lilah-Canaan-Trilogy-Marek-Halter/dp/1400052823/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1248833151&sr=1-1

I enjoyed this. I read the first 2 novels a year ago and this one this summer when I went to Florida. I love getting lost in this old world. The images are fashioned by the book and terrible Hollywood movies, but I love the pictures in my head.

Lilah is the faithful sister of the Prophet Ezra. He is in an unlikely sole obsessed by the word of G-d. So much so he moves out of the house and into the poorest neighborhood. He barely takes care of himself so Lilah makes regular deliveries of food.

Through her relationship with a man in the Kings army she is able to sway the evil queen into helping her convince the king to send her brother back to rebuild Jerusalem.

The book is written to create a relationship with Lilah. Very little is nice or sympathetic of Ezra, a man who cannot control his own emotions or presence amongst others.

I enjoy these “historical” novels that take a little bit from the Torah and make it into a big story. For me it started with the Red Tent. I hope more come along in this genre. It is nice to escape to another time.

The Alchemist

http://www.amazon.com/Alchemist-Paulo-Coelho/dp/0061122416/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1248834068&sr=8-1

I dug this book out of my father’s attic. 100 + degrees in Florida, I was crawling around looking for books I gave him. They were not there. I think he threw them away. I came upon a few books that I would give a try. This one my father recommended. Others seemed to love it too.

I turned page after page waiting for something. I did not find anything. I was not impressed.

The book was Paulo’s opportunity to write down his philosophy of life. It did nothing for me.

Writers block

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writers block

I never encountered writers block before. I never wrote before. I think I just encountered it.

It’s the summer.

I went to Florida for a week. I have been working. I have missed going to temple for weeks. I think I made minyan once and went to Friday services twice. I have also had a terrible time openning up this computer at night.

So I have been reading.

What have you been doing?