Karen Berg
OCTOBER 14, 2023
This article on the portion of the week was previously published in 2019.
In Hebrew, the word Noach (Noah), means “to be comfortable.” This should already tell us a little bit about the energy that exists in the cosmos this week, and how we can grow spiritually from it.
We read in the Torah, “The earth was also corrupt before God, and the earth was full of violence. God looked upon the earth and saw it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their ways.”
“All that is required of us is that we step out of our comfort zone.”
There are a great many acts the people of the world were engaging in during the time of Noah that had separated them from the Light of the Creator, but if we were to wrap it up in a single word: comfort. They had given up walking the spiritual path. They wanted something easier.
One of the things we learn in our classes at the Kabbalah Centre is that we cannot make spiritual progress when we remain in our comfort zone – when we look for the easy way out, gratifying our ego instead of listening to the longings of our souls.
To step out of our comfort zones so that we may progress spiritually means something different for each of us. For instance, one who has combative nature, always trying to get their point across and getting in someone’s face, may need to get a little uncomfortable by standing down and allowing others their way without needing to interject. Yet, for one who is prone to letting people walk all over him or her, their spiritual progress would be made by speaking up and standing their ground.
“It takes courage and determination to walk the spiritual path.”
The sages teach us the flood which happened during the generation of Noah was named after him. Why would the Creator name such a disaster after a righteous person? Because even for Noah, the most righteous man of his generation, there was more spiritual work to be done. Noah may have done everything the Creator told him to do. He may have said all his prayers, but he did not cry for those who were destined to die in the rising waters.
There is an energy in the cosmos during these next seven days that can give us a push in a new direction. This week, we have the ability to go outside of the boxes we create for ourselves, and to take our first step into a big, beautiful new world. All that is required of us is that we step out of our comfort zone and walk in the direction of our spiritual growth. If you are prone to isolation, try being with people this week. If you are always multi-tasking, try giving the important things in life – like your family, kids, and interactions with others – your full attention. If there is someone in your life you have been judging harshly, make the effort to give them the benefit of the doubt.
It takes courage and determination to walk the spiritual path, and yes, it is often uncomfortable, but it also leads to a much more enduring sense of fulfillment.
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