fear of Gd – New beginnings: A blog about spirituality, chaplaincy and renewal

Audio – Lessons in Tanya 83

Conclusion of chapter 43. We conclude this chapter with a short piece on how the fear/awe and love are levels and building blocks for spiritual growth. The Alter Rebbe suggested in this part that usually the pattern is lower fear, lower love, upper fear and upper love. However, there are times when the lower level love takes precedence over fear. We discuss how and when this would be.

Episode 83

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Audio – Lessons in Tanya 82

Beginning of Chapter 43. We continue to focus on the notion of fear/awe of Gd. This section goes deeper into the distinction between “lower” fear and “upper” fear. Additionally, once we suggest that fear/awe are experienced in two different modalities, he circles back to love of Gd, suggesting a similar dichotomy between this worldly love (Ahavat Olam) and “great” love (Ahavah Rabba). We also discuss how these categories are part of a continuum as it relates to our spiritual growth.

Episode 82

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Audio – Lessons in Tanya 81

Conclusion of Chapter 42. We conclude the discussion about awe of Gd with two final points. First, part of being in awe of Gd is to observe the world and universe and to see the grandeur and beauty of existence. Second, we practice being contrite and in awe thrice daily when we bow during our prayers. This action is a physical reminder of our role as servants before a master.

Episode 81

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Audio – Lessons in Tanya 80

Continuation of Chapter 42. We continue to explore how to focus our minds on bringing about awe of Gd. This piece focuses on Gd as the all Knowing, seeing and hearing.

Episode 80

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Audio – Lessons in Tanya 79

Part one of chapter 42. We continue to explore the notion of awe/fear as it relates to spirituality and worship of Gd. We discuss the idea of awe being something that is also inherent in our hearts if we work to reveal it. At a minimum, feeling awe of the divine can come from avoiding those things that are deemed “sin” so as to raise up a sense of humility in the face of the All-Knowing Gd. We can also come to awe through reflection and contemplation.

Episode 79

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Audio – Lessons in Tanya 77

Continuation of Chapter 41. We discuss the different notions of awe/fear. The Alter Rebbe suggests fear is expressed minimally through action or avoidance of sin. We continue to look at needing both love and fear of Gd. We discuss the importance of not just working on personal spiritual growth but also bringing the community forward through one’s personal growth.

Episode 77

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Audio – Lessons in Tanya 76

Beginning of Chapter 41 – This chapter shifts our focus from love of Gd and the confluence of needing love and fear to carry the light of our actions back to the divine realms to a discussion of the importance of awe/fear. We look at the metaphor of relationship to Gd as master/servant vs. parent/child which comes from the notion of love of Gd. This section suggests that complete service to Gd must be within this combined focus of fear and love.

Episode 76

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Audio – Lessons in Tanya 37

Part one chapter 25. This recording reviews some of the concepts we have seen in the previous chapters about how to overcome the spirit of folly. If we presume our ability to love and fear Gd are always present, we have the tools needed to sustain our positive spiritual growth. This section reviews the importance of relationship with the divine as part of the ability to overcome our mistakes. I also add in a plug for spiritual growth as relational and my work as a spiritual coach. I also offer a special wish at the end of the show to my older son as he turns 13 today on the Gregorian calendar (Hebrew birthday upcoming in a week).

Episode 37

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