| | Jewish Spiritual Renewal: New Class: Fun/Light: Perek Shira: Shabbat 1/28/13 perek shira: song of nature Shalom my dear Chaverim, Talmidim, v' Rabbanim, friends, students, and fellow rabbis. An oneg, joy-filled, Shabbat this coming weekend to all. HAPPY TU B'SHEVAT.....THE JEWISH NEW YEAR FOR TREES. For this series, we are studying Perek Shira. It will be fun and light and short for those that wish it to be, as well as deep and involved from those who like to delve into our traditions texts. Perek Shira is 6 chapters long with verses of various heavenly and earthly bodies, plants and creatures singing praises to God. If you would like, consider the phrase the entity is singing, and ascribe to it what the entity is trying to teach us... about what traits to mirror and what traits to avoid. More on the text is found in the first class. ''The OTHER GRAIN SHEAVES are singing: 'The meadows are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with grain; they shout for joy, they also sing.' (Ps. 65:14). [Perek Shira 3:9, Nature's Song] What type of attributes does RICE GRAIN have that you would wish for yourselves, and your children? Some hints: 1. RICE is tough when you first encounter it, but softens as you spend time with it; 2. "Grains of RICE should be like two brothers, close but not stuck together."; 3 ''She's been married so many times she has RICE marks on her face.'' [Henny Youngman] ; 4 ''Everyting irie! Ya Mon! Hahahahah. Me wan some jerk chicken, RICE n peas, fish tea, wit curry goat'' [Bob Marley] CIRCULAR TERRACED RICE GAIN SHEAVES VIET NAM These middot, character traits, of living in shalom, and becoming spiritually connected are discussed throughout all of my books. Find the one or more that you would like at www.JewishSpiritualRenewal.org/books. How has learning Perek Shira helped you in your interpersonal relationships? Are you learning to live in shalom and be in shlema? How has understanding the spiritual and ethical teachings of Judaism helped you live a more joyous life? Next class, Baruch ha Shem, we will continue with Perek Shira. Thank you for joining me. Shalom uvracha,
If visiting SC's Low Country, contact us for a Shabbat meal, in our home by the sea, our beth yam. Maker of Shalom (Oseh Shalom) help make us deserving of Shalom beyond all human comprehension! | | © 2012 Rabbi Arthur Segal Jewish Spiritual Renewal | |