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Take a Thread (Weave a Rainbow)
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Take a Thread (Weave a Rainbow) |
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Mabel A. Dilley Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 859Seattle, WA, USA |
Many years ago, Reb Zalman, a most simple man, meditated on the Midrash: “How did G-d create the world? He wrapped himself in a robe of light and it began to shine.” At that very moment, Reb Zalman received a command: “Make a prayer shawl woven in vibrant colors like a rainbow to match the ‘robe of light’ in which G-d wrapped himself to create the world,” the spectrum that is literally the Primal Light. Reb Zalman took his thread everywhere and people laughed, “What is this you want? A clown’s tallis?” And so he kept searching for the person who would understand color. His quest ended far from Brooklyn while visiting Montreal’s, Karen Bulow –Vesement Religieux. She knew and understood how to take a thread and wove 5 beautiful Pnai or Rainbow Tallit. All were given as prayer shawls but the fifth tallis? I don’t know. Perhaps it belongs to all of us who seek individual expression of spirit. So it came out like this, this thread of rainbows: white for light that flows into Chochmah-Binah [Wisdom-Knowledge] a wide purple stripe as it enters Chesed [Lovingkindness or Grace], an ultra-violet representing 'Beresh'it' “In the Beginning,” the First Day of Creation. Now, the next stripe is tekelet-blue, representing Gevurah [strength/rigor], the Second Day of Creation when the “waters above” were separated from the “waters below.” Following the Creation story, the next stripe is the Third Day, Tiferet [beauty]. Vegetation was created and G-d said twice, “It is good.” Two green stripes represent his word. Next is Netzach [victory], the Fourth Day, when the sun, moon, and stars were created, so they are represented by yellow. The Fifth Day was when egg-laying animals were made. So Sefirah of Hod [splendor] with orange, like egg yolks. Now, the red stripe is Yesod [foundation], representing Ego and placental mammals created on the Sixth Day; this is red, for the blood of life. At last, we come to malchut, the Kingdom, which is Earth, represented by brown, because all things turn brown and return to the earth when they die. Years passed and muti-colored Tallaysim are commonplace – so much so, that a young man once remarked to Reb Zalman, “yours is exactly like mine!” Reb Zalman smiled lovingly. “Yes, Baruch HaShem [praise G-d], I also have a rainbow tallis…we’re both wrapped in the Creator’s Robe of Light.” So I say to you all, “will you not take a thread?” "I am not now that which I have been." > [This message has been edited by Poet deVine (edited 06-11-2001).] |
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| © Copyright 2001 Mabel A. Dilley - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Mabel A. Dilley Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 859Seattle, WA, USA |
Author's note where it says 'Bere****' that should read Bere**** that was censored by the site. Bere**** is Hebrew for "In the Beginning." ~Shalom "I am not now that which I have been." |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Julian~ You've shared such a lovely piece with us. This intrigues me, as do so many of the stories of the Hebrew heritage. I am so pleased that you shared this. Thank you. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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Mabel A. Dilley Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 859Seattle, WA, USA |
Thank you very much, Marge. The program won't let me finish the Hebrew for Beresh*t, "In the Beginning" I wrote Ron, so hopefully he can correct this problem. "I am not now that which I have been." |
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Songbird Member Elite
since 1999-12-15
Posts 2184Missouri |
This is very beautiful and I enjoyed learning about this. |
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Mabel A. Dilley Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 859Seattle, WA, USA |
Thank you Songbird. I have always enjoyed to story of the colored threads. "I am not now that which I have been." |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Yanno buddy o mine, I learn from you every day and today was no exception. This was something to be really proud of, and good luck with the challenge you entered with it, it is a winner. I wish to take a thread indeed! Bravo my friend, bravo! ~*~ Remember to tell someone today that you love them ~*~ |
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ellie LeJeune Member Elite
since 2000-01-10
Posts 4156King of Prussia, PA USA |
Thank you so much for this wonderful lesson of faith and wisdom....wonderful! Ellie A friend hears the song in my heart, and sings it to me when my memory fails. |
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Mabel A. Dilley Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 859Seattle, WA, USA |
mysteria and Ellie: thank you very much for reading and commenting. The theads should represent the lives we weave, but so often we weave our lives in gray monotones rather than in resplindit color. Be at peace. "I am not now that which I have been." |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
I hope you understand why I had to put the ' in your poem. The software filter has a mind of it's own sometimes. I hope this suffices! |
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Mabel A. Dilley Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 859Seattle, WA, USA |
Poet deVine: thank for trying to fix Beresh*t. My problem of course is the cultural discrimination. I understand folks swear, but frankly that should not apply to appropriate cultural languages. "I am not now that which I have been." |
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