Giving & Receiving

Saturday, September 14th, 2024 | 11 Elul 5784

Happy Saturday! 

This past week was quite magical if I’m being honest. I finally figured out how to create the time and space to slow down - to take time in the morning for a meditation and actually feel the benefits from it throughout the day. It’s crazy how much that can make a difference in a week. 

The real highlight of the week though was Wednesday night when I led an Ethics with Emily on zoom! To those of you who made it, THANK YOU. The energy and perspective you brought to the ~zoom~ room was magical and made for such a special conversation. 

We looked at the very first line in Pirkei Avot, when Moses receives the Torah from Sinai, and passes it down to Joshua, and the bazillion people in between. That introductory line alone can spark a conversation for hours. That is what I believe is one of the many magical pieces of Torah study, and why we are told to study in a group. Each person can read a text and have a totally different takeaway. We are all students and all teachers at the same time. 

One of the themes of this text I love to go deeper into is the idea of giving and receiving. What does that look like in our lives today? Are we giving more than we are getting? If yes, how can we work towards striking a better balance, so that we still have energy left in our cups to give to ourselves. It might not be rocket science, but sometimes this equation can be quite challenging to figure out! However, when we think intentionally about the people we choose to surround ourselves with, this can feel more natural, and a healthy balance of giving and receiving, the type that feels good both ways. 

As we are a few weeks away from the High Holidays, I invite you to spend some time thinking about what giving and receiving has felt like for you this past year:

• Are you giving too much, and not receiving what you need? Or are you receiving, but not returning the favor?

• Are the people you are giving to giving you the energy you need to be your best self?

• If you could change anything in the coming year, what would your perfect balance of giving and receiving look like?

• What can you create for yourself this coming year that feeds your soul?

I think these are important questions to consider, and a really beautiful time to do so. For the next two Wednesdays, Ethics with Emily will continue to happen at 5pm PT on zoom! Come join the magical space we created last week, and give yourself an escape from work, school, or your general to do list, and enter in a space of connection. Sign up here. 

Until then, I wish you a Shabbat Shalom, Shavua Tov, and a wonderful week ahead. 

Ethically,

Emily