Daily dose of wisdom, Brakhot 52: develop your energy source

~ Red Pill Rabbi

We discuss the order of making “Havdalah”, the famous ceremony that marks the end of the Sabbath.  The schools of Hillel and Shammai disagree about the order of blessings in Havdalah.  Beit Shammai holds that we push off the blessing of the day, which states the Sabbath is over, as long as possible by making other blessings first.  The Talmud contrasts this to their opinion that at the beginning of Shabat, during Kiddush, they bless the day even before the wine.  Our sages explain that Beit Shammai want us to start the Sabbath as soon as possible and then hold on to Sabbath as long as possible.  (Really the Sabbath starts itself, our blessing on the day during Kiddush is acknowledging that reality, not creating it).

For Jews our Sabbath gives us spiritual fuel, provides a needed break that energizes the rest of the week.  I simply can’t imagine life without Shabat.
Imagine working for seven days straight, then Monday morning doing that all over again without any break.  That is how life was for most of humanity.  The greatest gift the Jews taught the world (maybe after monotheism and objective morality) is the idea of taking a day off every week.  We all need a break, and we all need time to reflect on what we have done and plan for the future.

Beit Shammai reminds us to hold on to the Sabbath as it is departing.  The wisdom here is when you have a valuable experience, cherish it and draw energy from it.  Everything ends, Jewish wisdom has a concept known as “Gam zeh yaavor” This too will pass. No situation in life is permanent. 

When you accomplish or gain something, reflect on it and hold on to it a little longer to gain that energy to do more in life.  For Jews, the Sabbath provides that energy source.  For modern men, you may have a regular work out, or place to walk or hike, or a motto to revisit.  You can tell yourself after your PB smashing workout how awesome you were.  It helps if you really were awesome.  Find a regular way that works for you to recharge your energy.

Another dispute between Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel was over the wording of the blessing over fire.  Beit Shammai held we say Bara Maor haesh who created the light of a fire while Beit Hillel said  borei meorei is creating lights of fire.  Shammai said we should think back to the first creation of primordial fire, which was one unified color.  Hillel said fire and light are changing and evolving so we bless multiple colors of light.
There is a wisdom in both options.  When we appreciate something, do we look back to the original form it took?  Or notice how it changes?  For some aspects of your life you do need to think about how it was in the past compared to now, and of this part of your life still has a valuable role.
According to the Ben Ish Hai, who was expert in Kabbalah,
BS says we bless maor in singular since our bodily enjoyment from the light is one type of value ie we can see with the light.  BH holds meorei since our soul also benefits from the different colors.
The wisdom here is your soul benefits from beauty, color, art, music, nature, and profound experiences. Fuel your soul.
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Published by Red Pill Rabbi

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2 thoughts on “Daily dose of wisdom, Brakhot 52: develop your energy source”

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