Let’s start with our physical world. The way we know things in life is that when we want to get from point A to point B we have to travel through space. The concept is clear way before Einstein detailed the three core concepts of our world: time, space, and matter. These three rules are embedded within our physical universe from the first verse in the Torah. Bereishit, in the beginning of time, Bara Elokim Et Hashamayim, space, V’et Ha’aretz, matter.

We have to understand that as long as we are creatures of earth we are subject to those rules even as we aren’t traveling through actual streets. Meaning, when we travel through our minds we also have point A and point B to travel to, and the distance between those points is considered space and it requires time to do so. Although traveling through the mind is infinite and going from N.Y. to S.F. can take seconds, alas our time is still being spent as we go through that motion.

So let’s break it down so we can climb this ladder. Speaking of ladders, it stands on the ground and reaches a certain height, and as we wish to climb we must take one step at a time until we get to our desired spot. We have two points of matter divided by space and it would now require some time to move from one end to the other. The ladder is the road that leads us to where we would like to go and all that is left for the person to do is to take the steps. At times we don’t even know where this road leads to but we do understand that there is something awaiting us at the other side, and with just a bit of curiosity we are driven to take the trip.

Everything in life has these same rules, even the concept of a friend’s telephone number runs on this program. My friend and I are the matter in this equation, while the number being the road that connects the space between the two of us, and now I have to use my time wisely and make the call. Similarly, as we speak to them; we may need guidance in a certain area and the words being conveyed will help me go from being stuck in one area to finding freedom at the other end, given that I follow their words and put them to test to see if they have any substance.

Even the words you are reading now are taking you on a trip from the beginning to the end, from a start point to a destination, and the views along the way are what the writer chooses to relay. I can insert red and blue flowers to ignite your imagination, I can play around with psychological ideas to make you think, and I can even pull a few heart strings as we go since the road we are on has endless opportunities.

There are physical roads like these that much thought has gone into its emotional design. Signs, trees, landscapes, and more, all add to the experience of the traveler. And this is why some books are beloved while some are horrifying to even take off the shelf. They are roads paved with certain emotional connections and even the innocent can detect their exiting aura from afar.

Now, the mind of a person has millions of such roads. Every thought we have carries us from one place to another. It truly depends what kinds of thought we entertain that shapes the emotional reactions we have. There are certain labels we give to people, like “That guy is depressed, narcissistic, smart, happy, etc…” What makes them these kinds of people is up to the roads in their minds that they travel on. We can’t blame the downtrodden for being in their horrible situation, sometimes their will is too weak to overcome the places their mind takes them to, and we could pray for them and be there for them with a smile and helping hand so that they can eventually allow themselves to follow the words of others and eventually start walking the path of the upright.

One of the biggest ways out of addiction is when we are able to close off the roads that lead us down these emotional and disastrous pathways. When even a hint of the addiction isn’t entertained, as the mind can be focused elsewhere, and isn’t given the opportunity to reawaken, the person can finally find peace from their demons. They have to recognize the physical location they tend to fall through, the partners that are associated in this act if there are any, since accessibility doesn’t only mean that their phone is unfiltered or the cabinet is unlocked, it means that they are close to the problem from another direction. The path has to be dissociated with because we already know the destination it leads to.

The ability to open a new road in the mind is powerful. Being able to stop at the current moment and assess the direction we want to go to and see a vision of the destination is the secret of every successful person. Not only do we envision the goal but even the mile markers and some of the steps we will take along the way. If someone finds themselves in a stressful financial situation and is capable of taking a few moments to truly envision a future for themselves, by seeing themselves in five years from now and then retrace the path that this “future self” took to get there, they will be prepared for the small steps they must take and even look forward to the hardships that will inevitably come along the way.

Instead of being stuck on the same beaten path that was walked and crisscrossed on thousands of times with the same miserable results, now one can charter a new path that will lead to somewhere only your inner eye can see. But the point is not to create a new path in the mind that will be just another one of those ideas that becomes part of the daily zigzag, you have to be convinced that this path will actually lead to everlasting change so that you are willing to get up every morning and fight for it. It has to be a vision so strong that when the emotions of the old paths awaken by accident, by neglect, by life situations, and by God Himself, your will will be strong enough to fight the downward pull into that familiar spiral that kept you chained as you were running in circles chasing your tail for so many years.

King David says in Tehillim 15:2, “One who walks with innocence and works honestly, his heart and belief are truthful, and speaks honestly.” Speaking honestly sounds like a nice virtue and as we learn to adapt to being truthful we do it because the lies pull us down. As they say, “A liar has to be really smart,” since they have to remember years of lies in order to protect their dignity. But the benefits of speaking only truths, besides lifting that burden, is that you start being respected by the listener. Since your heart is no longer tainted with falsehoods you no longer have to make calculations and keep your mind busy in thoughts of deception. And as we’ve spoken, our thoughts determine our emotions, them our actions, and ultimately, who we are.

The power of a Tzaddik is that their hearts are open wide, and when they speak and give a blessing, their words aren’t just shallow words, they leave an imprint and create a convincing path along the disciple’s brain which gives them hope and vigor to follow that path of blessing. The road created by the Tzaddik is one that is filled with beauty and is destined to reach a destination that is deeply desired by your soul. The words are the tar on the road, and your actions are the vehicle that drives on it.

King David beautifully composed Tehillim, The Anshei Knesset Hagedolah, The Men of the Great Assembly, established our Tefillah, they created pathways out of words that lead us from one place to the next. And even if we say those words without true meaning we will arrive at the destination on the other end. Similar to a heartfelt song that replays in the back of the mind, it has the properties to lighten or darken the mood, depending on its source, words, and destination, and even if we don’t know the words, the composer instilled this path within it.

But just as when we speak we aim to utter only truths, as we Daven and say the prerecorded words, we should also be focusing on saying them truthfully, with meaning. We can apply meaning to each zone, chapter, verse, or word, depending on how much focus and attention we are able to have. That is why it is very important to Daven in an environment that provides this calm and quietness.

Let’s take the Friday night Tefillah and break it down quickly. The relationship we have with Hashem all throughout the week is one of a Father to His son, while on Shabbos we step into a marriage between a Husband and His wife. As we start we approach the zone of the six days of the week, L’chu Neranena, Shiru LaSehm, Hashem Malach Tagel, Mizmor Shiru, Hashem Malach Yirgezu, and Havu. Each one has a particular connection to its respective day, and each verse has multitudes of meanings and definitions that widen the scope of the understanding heart, but overall, applying meaning just to the fact that we are describing the connection between Hashem and the world throughout the week injects a tremendous effect into the Davener’s heart.

Move on to Lecha Dodi as you describe boundless poetry describing the uplifting of a Kallah out of her misery and destitution, as she shakes off her dusty clothing and wakes up to the reality that her Lover is about to hold her hand and dance with her from right to left. Leading us to Mizmor Shir L’yom HaShabbat, as we announce that the vain hearted have no clue of what they lack in life. And of course, the final Hashem Malach Gey’ut, which is the song for Hashem Himself as we describe His glory, strength, might, and charm.

Just this procession alone can uplift the ordinary weekly mind to find peace for lifetimes, but only when we walk this road of words with meaning. We can continue into the oneness and love we share with Hashem with Kegavna, Barchu, Kriat Shema, and Tefillah, which take us to the climax of our “simple, basic, and repetitive,” Friday night service, but as you can already tell, that would require a chapter of its own just to describe the zone we are in, let alone a book of its own to get into detail.

Imagine a beautiful road, colored with the most magnificent stripes. A road that millions of our Brothers and Sisters have walked on for over one hundred generations. How wide is that road of words and what destination it has taken us to. Imagine the twists and turns added with every tune that was added, and every tear that was shed. Every time we walk on it we are literally walking history and making it for the next generations to come. And as proof of this I would ask you to open a Siddur to Shabbat Davening in the middle of the week, and compare the light on the pages to the aura you see on them when you open it on Friday night. Open up the Siddur to Shachrit at night and compare it to the light you see when you stare at those same words during the daytime prayers. The light is there and the path is paved, all you have to do is walk through them and you will reach the destination that the Men of the Great Assembly have reached.

Now to the Parashiot, Vayakheil and Pekudei. These words have great meaning and their path is luminous and bright. The word Vayakheil means to ‘gather,’ the word Pekudei, well it has many meanings, in the literal sense it refers to the ‘amounts’ collected for the building of the Mishkan. But there is another meaning for it which we say in Ya’aleh Ve’yavo, “Ve’Yizacher Zichroneinu U’Fikdoneinu.” We have to understand the difference between these words since they both have the interpretation of ‘remembering.’

The difference is just as we’ve spoken above, Zikaron is when we know that we know something, for example, the 13 ‘Ani Ma’amin’s. We know that we know them, but if you don’t say and practice those beliefs every single day then you may know them but they aren’t ‘you.’ Pikud is when they are actively remembered, like the time when Hashem actively remembered Sarah and gave her a child, as the verse states, (Genesis 21:1) “And Hashem, Pakad, remembered Sarah as He said and Hashem did to Sarah as he spoke.”

When we gather ourselves together and actively put an emphasis to make a change that is when we are destined to reach the destination we set out to. Gathering our thoughts together and not letting them take control as they run on autopilot, and guiding our thoughts with authentic choice and willpower so that our reactions are calculated, makes the entire difference we are all so looking forward to seeing. That person we see in the vision is not unattainable, rather, that person just needs for us to stop, gather, and actively apply meaning to every single step we take.

This is the honest path Hashem has set the Yidden on in the Midbar, and this is what the Mishkan’s purpose was. So that each and every person in our nation can bring their sacrifice and raise themselves from whatever pit they are stuck in and say, “It ends now! It starts now!” And this is the path of our individual lives as well. We finish the book of Exodus this week, but we also start Shabbat Hachodesh, the time of renewance.

The first Rav of Belz, Rabbi Shalom Rokeach zt”l stated that actively applying meaning to the words of Tefillah will guarantee you prophetic visions. You will see the words come to life and dance with the trees as you dive into chapter 98, you will see Yerushalayim as you recite that Bracha in Shemoneh Esrei. The inner world of roads is endless, but the path upward is one worth traveling. Will you see prophetic visions of the future, maybe, but you will surely be talking to Hashem!

You have reached your destination.

LemmerHypnotherapy.com

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