The world is currently experiencing turmoil. Two large wars have sparked riots in the streets. Some people are satisfied, but many are not. They are anxious.
The second biblical portion of the Book of Leviticus, Tsav (6:1-8:36), states in 7:26, “You may not eat blood, wherever you reside, neither of flying creatures nor quadrupeds.”
I understand that the Torah regards blood as a vital life force and a powerful symbol of life. We are prohibited from eating it to emphasize our respect for all living things.
How should we respect all living things? How can we respect other humans when we are anxious about them, even consider some our enemies?
We need to learn how to deal with anxiety. We need to decide that we will treat others, even those who cause us anxiety, as we want them to treat us.
But how do we do that?
Ryan A. Bush wrote an easy-to-read 127-page book entitled “The Anxiety Book.” It is free on Amazon Kindle. He offers excellent advice on overcoming anxiety and cites numerous authors who provide valuable insights. Here are some of the quotes.
“If you imagine anxiety as a huge wave that builds up intensity to a crescendo and then starts to recede, the best way to cope is to simply float on the wave. You don’t have to fight the wave or stop the wave or modify it in any way. Instead, simply allow the wave to pick you up and allow it to gently place you back where you were when it passed.”
“Every person experiences continual shocks and threats to his existence. (But this is good.) Self-actualization occurs only at the price of moving ahead despite such shocks.”
“To get out of a maze, you must go forward to meet the experiences when they come. Do not try to avoid them. Merely accept them and be prepared to let time pass until you can face them without suffering.”
“Anyone can conquer fear by doing things he fears to do.”
“We need to understand that anxiety is not dangerous. As soon as we stop fighting our obsessions and instead ridicule them, our problems diminish. Worrying about our problems does not solve them.”
“Nature loves courage. You must make the commitment, and nature will respond to that commitment by removing impossible obstacles by hurling yourself into the abyss and discovering a featherbed.”
By adhering to the biblical command and these quotes, we respect all living things and know how to do it.
Thank you rabbi for the article
it really helped me going through a big lawsuit
i am beginning to realize my anxiety is my perception of things
I am happy that I helped.
“If you imagine anxiety as a huge wave that builds up intensity to a crescendo and then starts to recede, the best way to cope is to simply float on the wave. You don’t have to fight the wave or stop the wave or modify it in any way. Instead, simply allow the wave to pick you up and allow it to gently place you back where you were when it passed.”
What happens, if we must overcome an obstacles? we can’t be passive in case of a murder or rape of a woman. But, we can let the anixety roll over and not make bad mistakes or errors
You are correct. There are times when we need to act.
Does anxiety help us develop ourselves? Should we take the misery and pain of anxiety and match it proportional to its what we’re suppose to feel to ensure we’re taking the proper action? Take for instance, a woman is raped because u lacked awareness to notice she was calling for help. You should feel some sort of guilt and take better action next time?
There are many times when we need to act.
To “float on the wave,” as Ryan A. Bush suggests, is to embody the concept of “lishma,” or acceptance, which is a central tenet of Jewish mysticism. By surrendering to the wave, one may find a sense of peace and tranquility, even in the midst of turmoil.
The second quote, which speaks to the idea that self-actualization arises from embracing challenges and moving forward despite obstacles, resonates deeply with my own philosophical views; I wrote a lot about the importance of struggling with difficult concepts and ideas in order to achieve a deeper understanding of the world and our place within it. This process, dear Rabbi Israel Drazin, of struggle and perseverance is, in fact, a form of self-actualization, as it allows us to grow and develop as individuals. Best: stephen
As usual, you add splendid things to what I write.
Yes, We must respect all living things.
If we don’t we’re misusing our intellect.
We are becoming what God doesn’t desire for us.
You are entirely correct.
Does the development of the intellect lead to the developmental of all proper characeristics?
The intellect leads us to proper behavior.
I mean like those with great intellect recognize like exercise is necessary to a healthy life a man such as your father recognized this and exerted himself as u stated in your biography. With Intellect comes strength.
I like your use of Leviticus and these quotes to help with anxiety. Another way to try to deal with anxiety is to take a stoic approach. A Stoic would say that any situation in life is not good or bad in and of itself. It is neutral and is just what is. We have the choice as to how we will view any situation, as a blessing and opportunity or as a problem. If we accept things as they are or will be, then there is no reason to feel anxious about the future or past. Is this a good method to deal with anxiety?
I agree entirely. I always liked the stoic approach and the book by Emporer Marcus Aurelius.