Love Lessons

Newsletter February 12, 2024 Together, we're #keepingitsacred...

In the Jewish tradition, God is Love. No, really. It has to do with Jewish numerology called Gematriya. The numerical value of the words "Sh'ma/One" (which is a name for God), and "Ahavah/Love" equal 13. (For those who read Hebrew:

( 5א1 + ח8 + ד4 = א1 +ה5 +ב2 + ה )

Ever since learning of this truth, I have promoted the idea that God is a force for good in the world. Or, perhaps, THE force of good in the world, encouraging us to feel the connection with every creature on the planet, responsible to care for one another, and invested in one another's success.

Sometimes people are surprised to know that a religious person could promote such wellness. They tell me they have been scared in religion, being told God will be angry at them from straying from a certain prescribed way of life that they aren't living up to. The most extreme case was when someone told me of the shock therapy his parents and pastor enrolled him in as a way to "cure him" of the "sin" of being gay. 

But, I am not an outlier. Plenty of deeply religious people and communities center the love for and from the Creator of All. Christian Science also stresses that "God is Love." Islam names God as the "Most Loving." And, remember, many Christians remind, "Jesus loves you."

So, while there may be dogmatic voices in some traditions (Judaism included), there are also plenty of communities that encourage love, acceptance, joy, and inclusion. I am pleased know that these principles are hallmarks of our community at Keeping It Sacred. 

So, your Valentine's week message is this: love is something everyone on the planet needs to thrive. And, you are deserving of love. And if you can’t find it anywhere else, know that you will find it in our community.

Together, we're #keepingitsacred…

Rabbi Heather Miller

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

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The above is an excerpt from a Keeping It Sacred newsletter. If you want to read the entire newsletter or any from our archives, please head over to: keepingitsacred.com/news 

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Thanks for your interest, and thanks for #keepingitsacred...