Elul 19 Empowerment

Empowerment: Internalizing and acting on the truth that we are all created equal and B’zelem Elohim-- in the image of God, was one of the points touched on at this morning's Torah study.   In Ki Tavo, Deuteronomy 26:1-3 we read that when the Israelites enter the Land of Israel and farm the land, the farmer is to take the first-fruits to the priest and recite a benediction that includes,  “I acknowledge this day before the Lord your God that I have entered the land that the Lord swore to our fathers to assign us.”  Before handing the priest his basket of first-fruits, the farmer tells the priest that there is no difference between them.  That he, just like the priest, lives in the land which God 'swore to OUR fathers.' The farmer reminds not only the priest, but also himself that although we have different roles in society, we are all equal parts of the greater whole.  We are all equal in God's eyes.  The Ishbitzer Rebbe,  comments on this verse  and writes that we can not forget  'There is holiness in the field just as much as in the Temple. 

We are nearing three weeks into the Teshuva process of Elul. All this thinking about mistakes made, about being our best selves will be completely lost if we forget that no matter how insignificant we might feel at times, we are all created equal and in the image of God.  

            There is holiness on our path simply because we are on it.    
          
Shavua Tov! Here's to a good week!