These aren\u2019t the first<\/p>\n
But these are the first<\/p>\n
To become a precedent<\/p>\n
By definition, life must<\/p>\n
Be alive, lest it not be.<\/p>\n
Alive means passionate,<\/p>\n
Meaningful, purposeful,<\/p>\n
Vibrating and relevant.<\/p>\n
The Tree of Life, the<\/p>\n
Book of Life, the Torah,<\/p>\n
Must be all of the above:<\/p>\n
It must be so today not<\/p>\n
(Only) yesterday, it must<\/p>\n
Be so tomorrow not (only)<\/p>\n
Today<\/p>\n
For if something is (only)<\/p>\n
Alive for a limited period,<\/p>\n
Has that something ever<\/p>\n
Truly lived? True life never<\/p>\n
Dies even if the body that bears<\/p>\n
(And bares) it seems to be buried.<\/p>\n
These aren\u2019t the first offspring<\/p>\n
Of which the Torah speaks, but<\/p>\n
(As the name of this week\u2019s\u00a0parsha<\/em><\/p>\n Attests) these are the first offspring<\/p>\n To become a precedent for all of<\/p>\n Eternity, even (and, perhaps,<\/p>\n Especially) in present day life.<\/p>\n So what indeed defines offspring?<\/p>\n And what indeed does it mean to us?<\/p>\n And these are the offspring<\/em><\/p>\n Of Isaac son of Abraham<\/em><\/p>\n Abraham begot Isaac<\/em><\/p>\n Toldot<\/em>\u00a0has two translations:<\/p>\n Offspring and Chronicles \u2013<\/p>\n The offspring of one\u2019s life;<\/p>\n The chronicles of one\u2019s life.<\/p>\n To borrow a new-age, self-help<\/p>\n Infomercial tagline, we live in<\/p>\n A results-oriented society. By<\/p>\n Results do we measure ones<\/p>\n Success and accomplishment<\/p>\n And by results, or the lack<\/p>\n Thereof, do we measure one\u2019s<\/p>\n Failure and disappointment.<\/p>\n Our soul descends from on-high<\/p>\n To down low, springs-off and<\/p>\n Off-springs from heaven to earth,<\/p>\n So that it can create results, warm,<\/p>\n Illuminating, living results, not<\/p>\n (Only) theories, or hypes or hypo-<\/p>\n Thetical realities, but true, real<\/p>\n Results, the kind that one can<\/p>\n Touch with a finger and feel<\/p>\n With a heart.<\/p>\n The point being to create offspring,<\/p>\n To create light, to create divine energy.<\/p>\n