Joy and Enlightenment

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Ha'azinu (Deuteronomy 32 )

Most of this week's Torah portion is a song. This is reflected in the Torah scroll itself, the way the words are laid out on the parchment - in two columns rather than the regular paragraph format. All prophecy is on a higher spiritual plane than regular speech, but song is a particularly holy way of communicating.

Music lifts the spirits in a way nothing else can. It was common for prophets to rely on musicians to help them enter the trance state necessary to receive a prophetic message.

Song has a way of touching our emotion without us understanding why. People sing melodies and lyrics without having the foggiest idea what the song means. But if makes them feel a certain way. One comedian used to read the words of a pop hit, in a deadpan voice, and have the audience in hysterics...

MacArthur Park is melting in the dark
All the sweet, green icing flowing down
Someone left the cake out in the rain
I don't think that I can take it
'Cause it took so long to bake it
And I'll never have that recipe again
Oh, no!

What is that supposed to mean? Nobody knows. But it was a favorite hit, re-recorded more than 50 times.

MUSIC LEADS TO JOY

Through music, the prophets manipulated their emotions, so to speak, in order to attain prophecy. This means that divine inspiration and spiritual elevation can be dependent on our mood. Since God does not bestow prophecy on someone who is sad, they would use music to cheer them up.

We do not have prophecy anymore, with the possible exception of small children and the mentally challenged. Why does God grant prophecy to these individuals? Possibly because they can't process the information well, and when they communicate it, people don't take them seriously.

Why don't normal adults still receive prophecy? Probably because we didn't listen to the criticism of the prophets when we had them, so now - without a direct revelation - we are less culpable for our transgressions.

MODERN PROPHECY

Today, however, we have indirect communication from the Almighty. He is infinite, and every event that ever happens to you is personally designed for you, as a way of God is speaking to you. It's not the same as prophecy, because the message is often unclear. But the messages are still coming our way, every day, in every headline, at all times.

A somewhat lower aspect of prophecy - divine inspiration - is still available in many forms. But if you want to experience enlightenment, you need to access joy. Of course, wisdom can come to us during any mood. Yet generally speaking, our mind and soul are "closed" when we are down or angry, and they expand when we are happy. Some call this "expanded consciousness."

Meditation can be the specific vehicle for the moment of enlightenment. But the preparation requires joy at doing the will of the Almighty, and happiness with the blessings He constantly bestows upon us.

I've experienced insights based on this traditional Jewish framework, and though I'm not personally some super-holy person, I can report that it works.

Spiritual Exercise:

Put yourself in a good mood, or look for a time when you're in a good mood. Then immediately spend some time in prayer or meditation, seeking insights into something that's troubling you.

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