Ascension

We left the dirt... the dust... the danger... and death. We escaped from the clutches of persecution, suffering, torture and enslavement. We are free.

Now what?

The crucial, and often overlooked, point of Yetzias Mitzrayim is that we were not simply freed... We became a free people, free to serve our Redeemer, Creator, Father and King. He took us out to bring us to acceptance His greatest gift, the Torah.

We began counting the days until that incredible moment.

But let's make it practical. As much as I try to imagine myself leaving Egypt, witnessing the plagues and eating some sheep, it's not hard. But we all have things we are enslaved to.

So I decided to find something to free myself from. And so far, I am doing ok. Should I succeed, should I rise above this challenge that has been weighing me down, I know I will be better for it. I will be able to approach Matan Torah with a lighter heart... these chains (pun intended) will be lifted and removed...

3 days down...  

Day Nine

I would like to say that today is Day One of my journey, that I am well prepared for my ascent and I know exactly which direction I’m heading in. But, truth be told, it’s already Day Nine and I haven’t a clue about where I am going or how I’m getting there.
I’ve barely begun and already I’m worn and weary. Lack of preparation or guidance leaves me feeling vulnerable.
Already, trying to track my journey is tiresome. But this is my journal. My diary. The Diary of my Spiritual Conquest.
I’m not sure how to go about this. I have forty days to make my discoveries, to come to certain conclusions and make my own decisions.
Forty days of spiritual cleansing. Purging myself before I reach my destination. Uch.
Whenever I come to this time, I feel so… detached. How can I ascend this steep ladder? Does the distance matter? Or does effort count too? And if so, does reaching the peak actually mean something? Or is it just a goal, albeit, rather unattainable? Self introspection is so difficult. No matter about the pain. This is my journey. Pain is inevitable. Success is uncertain. Discovery, for good or bad, is inevitable.
So here I am. At day nine. Nine days late launching my journey. I have nothing with me but my mind, and the vague knowledge of where I should be going. Nothing concrete. Just whispers. Yet, this is a map. I just don’t know how touse it. It holds keys, treasure and how to unlocked all of my mysteries.
Sigh. Travel is never easy.
Day Nine. Forty remaining.