The Burning Bush

In this week's Parsha, Shemot, Moses meets G-d.

Uncommonly, in a burning thorn bush.

The bush burns but it does not get consumed. "V'hasneh Anenu Ukal"

What does fire represent?

Destruction

Challenge

Adversity

Chaos

Trauma

All of which consume

Moshe was waiting for the consumption of the entire bush, it didn't happen.

God is telling him;

Fire as an element will burn but it does not have to consume you.

This nation I want you to lead is indestructible.

The challenges, chaos, adversity, and trauma will never consume them entirely; we have come mightily close, but the branches remain.

The branches that bud again, producing life and vitality.

The same is in our personal experience, it’s embedded in our DNA not to fall victim to the fires that ravage our circumstances, there is always a part of us that will withstand the heat, and become a catalyst for new growth.

Our soul gets crushed but it’s not defeated.

The bush burns but it does not get consumed. "V'hasneh Anenu Ukal"

Now there’s also a deeper dive:

Fire as a metaphor for:

Life

Passion

Warmth

Creativity

All of which I exercise to live fully.

Yet, the fire does not consume, and the thorns remain.

All of my hard work toward a better life and yet I still struggle.

The thorns are still there. "V'hasneh Anenu Ukal".

As long as I have breath in me, all of my self-work does not get rid of the thorns.

I am consistently human.

Should I give up now?

God says Al Takriv-- don't come closer.

Hamakon asher ata omed alav admat-kodesh hu—the ground on which you stand is holy.

Don't try for perfection, the place you are in is holy.

The process is holy, the thorns are a part of that process.

The biggest mistake people make in their quest for serenity and progress is thinking that it will be thorn-free, that their "fire" passion, zest, zeal, willingness, is enough to arrive at perfection.

In the human experience, there is no perfection.

The thorns remain but in no way do they undermine your holiness or your fire. The thorns serve the purpose of growth and awareness.

Holy ground, goodness, and serenity are where you stand right now—embrace the today.

It is holy. Admat-kodesh.

And imperfect.