Our emotions are multidimensional. Thus, when we examine the quality of our emotions, we probe deeper and ask some important questions.
During the past several weeks, I have been sharing with you some Kabbalistic insights into how the seven distinct workings of our personality. This process allows each of us to examine ourself in a deeper way.
In our final week of this inquiry, we examine "malchus" the Hebrew word for the attribute of sovereignty, nobility, and leadership. Sovereignty is a state of being. Nobility is a passive expression of human dignity. True leadership is the art of selflessness. Malchus actualizes the majesty of the human spirit and is the very fiber of what makes us human.
Malchus is a sense of belonging...knowing that you matter and that you make a difference. This attribute provides you with a feeling of certainty and authority.
As I noted in the past, our emotions are multidimensional. Thus, when we examine the quality of our emotions, we probe deeper and ask some important questions.
Love in nobility
Healthy sovereignty is always kind and loving. An effective leader needs to be warm and considerate. Does my sovereignty make me more loving? Do I express and exercise my authority in a caring manner? Do I impose my authority on others? A good exercise to engage this part of self is to act kindly to your subordinates
Discipline in Nobility
Sovereignty needs to be balanced with discipline. When I exercise authority, am I aware of my limitations? Do I respect the authority of others? A good exercise, before taking an authoritative position on any given issue, is to pause and reflect whether you have the right and the ability to exercise authority in this situation.
Compassion – Harmony, in Nobility
A good leader acts compassionately. Is my compassion compromised because of my authority? Do I realize that compassion is an an integral part of dignity? Tiferet -- harmony - is critical for successful leadership. Do I manage a smooth-running operation? Am I organized? Do I give clear instructions to my subordinates? Do I have difficulty delegating power? A good exercise is to review an area where you yield authority and see if you can be more effective by curtailing excesses.
Endurance in Nobility
A person's dignity and a leader's success are tested by his endurance level. How determined am I in reaching my goals? How strong is my conviction to fight for a dignified cause? How confident am I in myself? Is my lack of endurance a result of my low self-esteem? Do I mask my insecurities by finding excuses? A good exercise is to act on something in which you believe but where you have hesitated.
Humility in Nobility
Sovereignty is G-d's exceptional gift to each individual who should be humbly appreciative. Does my sovereignty and independence humble me? Am I an arrogant leader? Do I express myself in a humble way? Do I appreciate the special qualities I was blessed with? A good exercise is to acknowledge our Higher power for creating us with personal dignity.
Bonding in Nobility
Healthy independence should not prevent us from bonding with another person. On the contrary: self-confidence allows us to respect and trust another's sovereignty and ultimately bond. Thus, bonding strengthens mutual. Does my sovereignty prevent me from bonding? Could that be due to deeper insecurities? Do I recognize that a fear of bonding reflects a lack of self-confidence? A good exercise is to actualize your sovereignty by expressing a bond with a close one.
Nobility in Nobility
This is where we examine the sovereignty of our sovereignty. Does it come from deep-rooted inner self-confidence? Or is it just a put-on to mask my insecurities? Am I aware of my uniqueness as a person? A good exercise is to take a moment and concentrate on your own true inner self, not on your performance and how you project to others.
This concludes the series on the attributes of our soul. The timeless message of this yearly counting reminds us that it is only when we humans cultivate our personal characteristics that we become available to live in the higher Divine light.
After the 49 steps of introspection, we arrive at the fiftieth step. When the children of Israel left the slavery in Egypt, they went through this process. They counted 50 days until they experienced the giving of the Ten Commandments. The fiftieth day is what Jews celebrate today as the Festival of Shavuot, (this year May 15 and 16) the anniversary of the giving of the Torah (Matan Torah).
Chabad of Malibu welcomes you to celebrate the holiday of Shavuot with us as we reenact the Sinai event by reading the Ten Commandments from a Torah scroll, please click here for more information.
Adopted from “A Spiritual Guide to the Counting of the Omer -- Forty-Nine Steps to Personal Refinement” by Rabbi Simon Jacobson.
Shalom! שלום!