Unlocking Genius

Newsletter March 13, 2022 Together, we're #keepingitsacred...

A 17th century Yemenite poem by Jewish poet Saleem Al-Shabazi was recorded by iconic Israeli singer Ofra Haza and reached Europe’s Billboard top-20 chart in 1986. Hear it HERE.

The lyrics (אם ננעלו דלתי נדיבים דלתי מרום לא ננעלו /Im nin'alu daltei n'divim daltei marom lo nin'alu ) insist on the theological idea that even if humans lock gates, the gates of Heaven are always unlocked. 

I, and apparently many Europeans in the 80s, love this idea that access to the highest, best parts of ourselves is attainable by all who choose it. 

This song allows the listener to be fueled with the hope that their own ability to self-actualize lies in their own hands. Their destiny is theirs for the taking. 

It is no wonder that this line was further amplified by none other than the self-made American singer Madonna (Hebrew name: Esther) on her Confessions on a Dancefloor album.  Hear it HERE.

And also sampled by rappers Erik B. and Rakim in their popular song called Paid In Full. Hear it HERE.

No one wants to be held back, locked out of their own potential. Yet time and time again human beings are kept from fulfilling their own potential by lack of resources, bigotry, or communal expectations. 

How beautiful is it then, when we find a way to surround ourselves with people who help us unlock our fullest potential. The way Shabazi insists access is attainable if we would only find a way to break away from those who would limit us. We, and the world are blessed. Deeply. From the soul level. 

Last night at the Oscar’s, Daniel Kwan, Co-Director of the winner of the Oscar for the Best Movie, for Everything, Everywhere, All at Once acknowledged the profundity of this gift in his Oscar speech. Hear the speech HERE (especially 2:43 and after). 

“There is greatness in every single person, it doesn’t matter who they are.” He shared, and continued, “If you have a genius that is waiting to erupt, you just need to find the right people to unlock that. Thank you so much everyone who has unlocked my genius. This means so much to us. Thank you to the Academy!” 

Admittedly, I have been spending too much time studying Talmud to have seen the films nominated for the best movie (except for one!) but now I must see this one because I so connect with the director. And I’d like to nurture people like that who cherish their own ability to unlock their own potential and seek to empower others to do the same. 

Those are the people I want to surround myself with, and that is the kind of community this community, Keeping It Sacred (KITS) always strives to be. Indeed that is exactly the kind of person my grandmother, Fruma “Kit” Endler, for whom KITS is named, was. Someone who rooted for everyone to flourish as the fullest version of themselves. That's the blessing of life. That’s what it means to keep it sacred and what it means to build a community that is keeping it sacred. 

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...