Let’s talk some Kabbalah

The rabbi shocked the congregation when he announced that he was resigning from his post and moving to a dryer climate. After the service, a very distraught lady came to the rabbi with tears in her eyes. “Oh, Rabbi, we are going to miss you so much. We don’t want you to leave!”

The kind-hearted rabbi said, “Now, now, Carolyn, don’t cry. The rabbi who takes my place might be even better than me.”

“Yeah,” she sighed, with a tone of disappointment in her voice. “That’s what they said last time…”

***

Abraham lived in Israel and had two sons. Isaac stayed on the path; Ishmael left and later returned.

Isaac lived in Israel and had two sons. Jacob stayed on the path, while Esau left and never returned.

Jacob lived in Charan and had twelve sons. They all stayed on the path.

Kabbalah teaches us that the three patriarchs differed in their primary soul-powers. Abraham personified Chesed, kindness; Isaac represented Gevurah, discipline; Jacob is associated with Tiferes, balance.

That’s all for Kabbalah vocabulary, let’s talk in today’s language:

There are some who are of the school of thought that believes in love, love, love, pampering the child and smiling at him even as he burns down the kitchen. These are the kind of parents who, when their child causes trouble, blame the teacher for ruining the could-do-no-wrong child. This kind of child runs the risk of leaving due to weak discipline and no backbone. But eventually they return, because there is love. They know that there will always be a loving home awaiting them.

Then there are the tough discipline types: You know the whip-the-child-into-shape style. No bending, no flexibility, it is shape up or ship out. It works on some, yet fails miserably with others. Unfortunately, children may leave, and may have a rough time coming back.

But there’s the way of balance, discipline with love. Have boundaries and enforce them, yet be flexible and loving at the same time. See the child’s faults and deal with them. See his talents and develop them. Give him or her space to thrive within the safe boundaries you have created.

This philosophy has proven itself: Despite growing up in a hostile pagan environment, all twelve sons of Jacob stayed devout.

Balance.