Judaism and Kind Rebirths: Renewal through Remembering and Reflection

Part V

In Judaism, renewal is an important part of the divine connection with the eternal creator. Specifically, teshuvah, meaning a return to the heart or return to the correct path, is often used to demonstrate the supreme significance of such an action. Turning away from wrongdoing or harmful action with the intent on returning to one’s true and holy self is highly emphasized at any time of its occurrence but has a lot more focus placed on it during the High Holiday season. As the word’s literal translation means “return,” the significance transcends words. It carries the energy and spirit of rebirth, or the returning home to who we truly are. With Kind Rebirth, emotional and spiritual healing transferred by this energy is an act of compassion for self.

The Jewish tradition honors the time of reflection that occurs during sacred times. Shabbat is the Jewish Sabbath practiced as a day of rest and opportunity to commune with loved ones, friends and community. Further, it is a time of spiritual renewal that occurs from sundown Friday to nightfall Saturday. It is observed by refraining from work and other weekday activities. Another important holiday, Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, celebrates and reflects on the world’s creation. This here is marked by a spiritual and mental introspection to concentrate deeply on growth personally and provides time for creating intentions for the upcoming year.

Because these moments invite stillness and awareness, we may consider demonstrating greater appreciation of these values as they remind us of how each of these values are woven intricately into the way mindfulness persists through a kind rebirth. We can look to the Jewish community and their practice of faith as a positive representation of how taking the time to pause and reset so that we can then concentrate in a more profound way the things that matter to us the most. Whether it’s rebuilding and supporting our community, whether is practicing the type of loving-kindness that fosters goodwill to those who are different from us or whether it is to simply reestablish and foster our sense of self-preservation, the end game is to abandon heading down paths that lead to misfortune.

In the Hebrew scripture, Psalm 51:10, I remember this often: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” This verse encapsulates the core spirit and essence of one seeking an emotional rebirth and surrendering to the good it can bring. It does not ask to erase the past or the misdeeds acted out in ignorance. It pleads for transformation through awareness, forgiveness, and the calm spirit to begin again. The spiritual paths the Jewish faith teaches that any struggles can be faced head on and overcome, with stillness, awareness, reflection, and positive intention to do better [good].

I hope I am able to effectively project here that Kind Rebirths embraces similar sacred vows of renewal. Pause, forgiveness, and willing to begin all over again is an honor to the divine cycle of life across all religious and spiritual faiths. When we lose our way or ourselves, to rediscover ourselves and start again is to be reborn.

Stay mindful…

Rebirth