 |
| Hegyon Ha Lev for Shabbat of Parsha Balak |
As aspiring Sufis, we walk a Path.
(The term "Tariqa" is an arabic word for a "Path" or a "Road".)
*
As practicing Jews we observe the Halacha
(a term related to walking on a path).
*
As Jewish-Sufi pietists we walk the Suluk al Khass
(a special Path)
oooOooo
In his Kifaya [written in Judeo-Arabic], Rabbenu Abraham Maimuni writes:
"The Torah’s Spiritual Path—which extends far beyond the basic observance of the Law [al-Sharīʿah]— is composed of two paths: the Common (general) Path [sulūk Am] and the Special Path [sulūk al-Khass].
We walk the Common Path when we observe the explicit mitzvot of the Law,performing what is commanded and avoiding that which is forbidden....
The Special Path is that followed by one who—like the prophets and saints— is aware of the essential and implicit purpose of the mitzvot and the hidden meanings which they contain.
The one who follows the Special Path is called “holy”[kadosh], “benevolent” [hasid] ,and “humble” [anav]...but the best name for such a one is “hasid” because the term is derived from hesed (benevolence) for, due to his own benevolent desire, he goes beyond what is demanded by the Law."S. Rosenblatt, ed., The High Ways to Perfection of Abraham Maimonides vol. 1,p.134
"We say it is a “special”way because it is not something which every one who observes the Law can fully attain and we say it is “implicit” because it is not explicitly obligatory..."Rosenblatt vol. 1 p.138
Hegyon HaLev
In the Kifaya passage describing his suluk al khass, Rabbenu Abraham singles out the importance of Compassion and Humility using the terms hesed and anav.
We also read of the importance of both those attributes in the haftarah reading (Micah 6) for this Shabbat of Parsha Balak,where,coincidentally, they are also directly related to walking on a Path.
And what is that path?
It is the very same path of intimacy with G-d that is the goal of the salik....the seeker on the Jewish Sufi Path.
For Micah writes:
Act with Justice
Love Mercy
AND WALK WITH YOUR G-D IN HUMILITY
oooOooo
Shabbat Shalom!!
Nachman Davies
Safed
July 18 2024