5780 Chanukah Day 4 — Or Ruach — Sitting in the Light of the Spirit

The Power of the Spirit
Meditations for the Days of Chanukah

Sitting in the Lights that Echo from the Beginning of Creation

Chanukah Day 4
 

Or Ruach: Sitting in the Light of the Spirit
 
In Miketz, the Torah portion we read this Shabbat Chanukah, Joseph is struggling to remember who he his and what his life is about. Dreams give him a glimpse into the mystery and provide him with vision and insight.

After Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dream, Pharaoh says, ruach elohim bo—the spirit of God is within him. (Gen 41:38)
Dreams teach Joseph that the Divine flows through all life and shows itself in many guises. Joseph is awakened to the awareness that the Spirit of the Divine seeks to come into the world through us.

As we sit in the light of the 4th day of Chanukah we call on ruach elohim, the Spirit of the Divine. We remind ourselves that the Spirit flows through each of us. We are all channels through which the Divine seeks to manifest.
 
We take our seats with awareness and bringing attention to the breath, we say gently to ourselves, ruach elohim be, the Spirit of the Divine is within me. Over and over we repeat the phrase, ruach elohim be. After some time we add the phrase ruach elohim b’kol, the Spirit of the Divine is within all.

Ruach elohim be, the spirit of the Divine is within me. Ruach elohim b’kol, the Spirit of the Divine is within all. We keep repeating these phrases, letting them travel with the breath. Each time we notice a story or thought arising, we say to these thoughts, “not now” and return the attention to the breath and the awareness of ruach elohim moving through us and all life.
 
We close our meditation with the prayer:
May the way be clear for the spirit to shine through for good and blessing for all.
 
—Rabbi Yael
28 Kislev 5780

  We are grateful to offer resources for Chanukah. Read the introduction to the daily teachings.
  You can find Blessings and Intentions for the lighting of candles for each night of Chanukah on our website:   Lifting up the Lights: Chanukah in Challenging Times Shining the Lights: Sending Forth the Good   If you are looking for a Chanukah gift for a friend or family member, please consider my book: Directing the Heart: Weekly Mindfulness Teachings and Practices from the Torah. Learn more and purchase.   I will write a personal note to all those who receive the book as a gift. Send your name and the name and address of the recipient of the gift to me at rabbiyael@awayin.org and I will send a Chanukah card with a photo and psalm verse to them.
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