The incense is a gift from the angel of death.  It was given to Moshe when he embraced his full humanness.  When we embrace all the wonderfully flawed aspects of being a human,  we can conquer death.  parshat korach ketoret all of me

Ratzo v’shov – the cycle of life – is like a NASCAR race.  Two very different kinds of time.  Mastering the balance between the two is essential.  And quite possible.

Doing the work to get invested in something that I am not naturally committed to – this is the highest level.  The ability to make the mitzvah precious to me makes me precious to G-d.   Only this movement TOWARD Hashem creates attachment.  

Rebbe Nachman is describing what happens at the top of the ladder – silence, shame, the Hidden, realization.  But this would be a good time to be realistic about where, exactly, we are holding. 

Rebbe Nachman speaks of the three points of teshuva – seeing, hearing, and heart-ing.  Without all of them, it cannot be teshuva.  First we have to see, to get a vision of what the new reality will look like.  That’s hard enough, but it’s easy compared to the next two stages.

Welcome back!  We explore Rav Kook’s description of the Birthpangs of Moshiach – we’re right in the middle of it (hopefully closer to the end).  Knowing what is happening allows us to stay afloat in such difficult times.  Rav Kook’s prescription for how to manage is quite surprising.