The creation of the world is shrouded in mystery. The P'shat, or basic translation we learned in our elementary school years, takes on new meaning as we begin to understand that there are infinite layers of symbolism and lessons to be learned from each act of creation. Our workshop, with G-d's help, will focus on the creation process to uncover what motivates our thoughts and behaviors as they reflect this process. Using Kabbalah, we will explore the day-by-day formation of the world, uncovering the deep facets of our minds and behaviors according to creation. Our goal is to gain a greater understanding of ourselves, correct our mistakes, and overcome our negative emotions, helping us to choose correctly.
On the first day of creation, H'shem introduced light into the darkness. Kabbalistic commentaries refer to this as the Good and Bad, Heaven and Earth, within our consciousness. The first step to controlling our minds is to make a clear differentiation between Good and Bad thoughts and actions.
On the second day of creation, H'shem separated the waters, forming the sky. Kabbalah equates this to our need to separate the two parts of ourselves: the ego (all about the Me) from the humanitarian, giving aspect of our consciousness. This facet of the soul is a step above knowing right from wrong. It requires a person to separate Din from Chesed (water). In doing so, one can connect to the altruistic aspect of ourselves, allowing us to be more giving.
Today's exercise:
Write down what you believe to be "Good and Bad" thoughts and actions within yourself, making a clear separation, and challenging your thoughts to grow your perspective.
Then, write down the areas you struggle in, represented by the ego (the Me) as well as the giving-charitable aspect of your character. See where you can inject some Chesed into your behavior to expand your giving heart, softening Din, the structured elements of your personality.
There is a special Tikun, a correction, that happens to the world when one reads the Pesukim that describes the creation of that day.
היום השני: יצירת הרקיע/שמים (פסוקים ו-ח)
וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים: "יְהִי רָקִיעַ בְּתוֹךְ הַמָּיִם, וִיהִי מַבְדִּיל, בֵּין מַיִם לָמָיִם"."
וַיַּעַשׂ אֱלֹהִים אֶת הָרָקִיעַ.
וַיַּבְדֵּל בֵּין הַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר מִתַּחַת לָרָקִיעַ וּבֵין הַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר מֵעַל לָרָקִיעַ.
וַיְהִי כֵן.
וַיִּקְרָא אֱלֹהִים לָרָקִיעַ, שָׁמָיִם.
וַיְהִי עֶרֶב וַיְהִי בֹקֶר, יוֹם שֵׁנִי.
http://www.kabbalah.info/eng/content/view/frame/4516?/eng/content/view/full/4516&main
https://www.chabad.org/search/keyword_cdo/kid/9337/jewish/Creation-Six-Days-of.htm
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