The journey to freedom as the example of the children of Israel demonstrate in this week's Torah portion is really just a matter of attention. We start out by facing in the right direction and then take off with that leap of faith never looking back. The main ingredient that makes up this attention is the choosing of the right path every which step of the way.
When we are speaking of Consciousness this right path means choosing our thoughts for their maximum 'good' potential. In other words we have to believe in where we are going and that in one way or another we are going to get there. This week's Piyut (poem) celebrates this feeling recounting the story of Moses and Israel along with Pharaoh and all the many miracles that give this story a time honored place not only in history but in the mystical psyche's of all who seek freedom and at last find it triumphantly.
Piyut Beshalach 5772
Through many years of toil lay
With hearts that yearn and pray
For deliverance the higher connection
Like a seed that produces its reflection.
There on the waters of the Nile
Moses floats away all the while
Carrying within the question bold
To meet Hashem as it was foretold.
Moshe the man could not deny
Hearing the sounds of his people's cry
And yet there was much to be learned
When he found the bush that burned
I am that I am he started to think
And each thought returned in a blink
And so it was he rose upon high
To ponder the voice answering why
Now his feet upon holy ground
Connecting his thoughts to the sound
Free Israel to Pharaoh you must go
Then he knew the within without to show.
There followed one demonstration after another
Finally the day came to rescue sister and brother
Along with all the families of Israel he saved
With courage to trust in Hashem he braved.
Despite the people's lingering murmuring doubt
He stood before the Red Sea and turned it about
From one dimension he entered into the next
Keeping in mind the ancient words of the text.
With 72 Names he parted the sea which rose
There upon dry land to walk no water flows
And then on the other side Egypt was no more
So completely did they enter that holy door.
Rejoicing the taste of freedom in the air
Hashem with them here now and everywhere.
The sacred Torah binding together their dreams
So that they could retrieve its words between seams.
Onward to Sinai unity sublime
The vision awakened paradigm
Where they will know one is all
And there to experience the rise from the fall.
Consciousness rises via the momentum of its attention. It uses the symbolism of higher thought in order to achieve this ascension. Torah provides the user guide to that journey making sure that at every step we are reminded of our holy purpose. The end in sight is unification with holiness bringing about a return of our recognition of the Sinai experience. May it be so speedily in our times. B"H.
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