THE THIRTEEN ATTRIBUTES OF COMPASSION
Wednesday, September 24
Elul 24
As we petition G-d to forgive us, we repeatedly recite the Thirteen Attributes of Compassion—as if to remind G-d that He is merciful and forgiving.
These Thirteen Attributes of Compassion were revealed to Moses when he pleaded for G-d's forgiveness after the sin of the Golden Calf. And they radiate during the month of Elul, when we relive Moses' experience.
Moses was dealing with the aftermath of a very grave thing—idolatry, a betrayal of G-d Himself. And this act of idolatry was quite intentional—the Israelites knew the consequences. Nevertheless, Moses asked G-d to restore the special relationship between Himself and His treasured people.
To Moses' entreaty, G-d responded with an unprecedented gift. He revealed His Thirteen Attributes of Compassion—thirteen secrets of G-d's "personality" that only He could have revealed.
We recite these Thirteen Attributes of Compassion many times during the High Holidays:
"Hashem, Hashem, Almighty, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in kindness and truth, keeper of kindness for thousands of generations, endurer of iniquity and transgression and sin, and cleanser ." (Exodus 34:6-7)
Each one of these words is profoundly mystical and contains enormous Divine energy. The Thirteen Attributes of Compassion are described in the Zohar, the classical work of the Kabbalah, as the "thirteen-petalled rose"—the greatest secret of life, the key how to repair whatever is broken.
According to Talmud (Rosh Hashana 17b), G-d told Moses: "Whenever Israel sins, let them recite this and I will forgive them."
The repetition of G-d's name—Hashem, Hashem—at the beginning indicates that G-d is telling us, "I am the same G-d before you sin as I am after you sin and repent." This is a solemn assurance that the invocation of the Thirteen Attributes of Compassion will never be without effect.
This assurance means that repentance is always possible and that G-d always awaits our return to Him. The implication is also plain that if we emulate G-d's compassionate ways, He will treat us compassionately in return.
Ask yourself: Do you consciously emulate G-d's compassionate ways? If so, how? If not, why not?
Exercise for the day:
- Do one deed today which expresses compassion, especially to someone who may have wronged you
- Describe how it felt to do it.
Elul 24
As we petition G-d to forgive us, we repeatedly recite the Thirteen Attributes of Compassion—as if to remind G-d that He is merciful and forgiving.
These Thirteen Attributes of Compassion were revealed to Moses when he pleaded for G-d's forgiveness after the sin of the Golden Calf. And they radiate during the month of Elul, when we relive Moses' experience.
Moses was dealing with the aftermath of a very grave thing—idolatry, a betrayal of G-d Himself. And this act of idolatry was quite intentional—the Israelites knew the consequences. Nevertheless, Moses asked G-d to restore the special relationship between Himself and His treasured people.
To Moses' entreaty, G-d responded with an unprecedented gift. He revealed His Thirteen Attributes of Compassion—thirteen secrets of G-d's "personality" that only He could have revealed.
We recite these Thirteen Attributes of Compassion many times during the High Holidays:
"Hashem, Hashem, Almighty, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in kindness and truth, keeper of kindness for thousands of generations, endurer of iniquity and transgression and sin, and cleanser ." (Exodus 34:6-7)
Each one of these words is profoundly mystical and contains enormous Divine energy. The Thirteen Attributes of Compassion are described in the Zohar, the classical work of the Kabbalah, as the "thirteen-petalled rose"—the greatest secret of life, the key how to repair whatever is broken.
According to Talmud (Rosh Hashana 17b), G-d told Moses: "Whenever Israel sins, let them recite this and I will forgive them."
The repetition of G-d's name—Hashem, Hashem—at the beginning indicates that G-d is telling us, "I am the same G-d before you sin as I am after you sin and repent." This is a solemn assurance that the invocation of the Thirteen Attributes of Compassion will never be without effect.
This assurance means that repentance is always possible and that G-d always awaits our return to Him. The implication is also plain that if we emulate G-d's compassionate ways, He will treat us compassionately in return.
Ask yourself: Do you consciously emulate G-d's compassionate ways? If so, how? If not, why not?
Exercise for the day:
- Do one deed today which expresses compassion, especially to someone who may have wronged you
- Describe how it felt to do it.
posted by kurtiskabbalah at 1:18:00 PM
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