This week in my own Elul meditations, I have focussed on the middah, the attribute of truth, Emet- אמת. There is a beautiful teaching that tells us that Emet, truth is at the center of all other values. Counting Adonai as the first and 2nd in the same breathe, we see emet-truth, right in the middle, telling us that without truth, unbridled, honest, painful, truth, all of the other characteristics are hollow. See the list below for reference:
1 & 2 יי YHVH: compassion before a person sins;–יי YHVH: compassion after a person has sinned; 3. אֵל El: mighty in compassion to give all creatures according to their need; 4. רַחוּם Rachum: merciful, that humankind may not be distressed; 5. וְחַנּוּן VeChanun: and gracious if humankind is already in distress; 6. אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם Erech appayim: slow to anger; 7. וְרַב-חֶסֶד VeRav chesed: and plenteous in kindness; 8. וֶאֱמֶת VeEmet: and truth; 9. נֹצֵר חֶסֶד לָאֲלָפִים Notzer chesed laalafim: keeping kindness unto thousands; 10. נֹשֵׂא עָוֹן Noseh avon: forgiving iniquity; 11. וָפֶשַׁע VaFeshah: and transgression; 12. וְחַטָּאָה VeChata'ah: and sin; 13. וְנַקֵּה VeNakeh: and pardoning.
Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell teaches that compassion without truth is pity. With the ability to sit with another person’s truth and with the awareness of our own judgements and thoughts, we can be fully present in the moment with kindness. Without truth, we are just phoning compassion and kindness in. We want our efforts to be as complete as possible, reflecting the deepest intention we can muster. Let us approach our preparations for the year ahead of us with honesty about where we are right now and who is with us. By seeking emet in the loving embrace of a non-judgemental community, perhaps we can each live the gift of life with a vibrance and felt presence.
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