Flashback Post: After Divestment? Netzach

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Netzakh means dominance, perseverance, longevity, etc. I don't have a one word translation which is why I am using the Hebrew word.

Netzakh is represented by the right leg.

The one who personifies netzakh is Moses. Everything he did, he tried to make sure it was a permanent fix. After he led the Jewish people out of slavery in Egypt, he came down with the Torah and yearned and tried to make sure the Jewish people made it to the promise land. Unfortunately he died before doing that last action. For that, the land being permanently in Jewish hands was not a permanent thing; many times they were captured and taken away. Returned and captured again, etc. But everything before that was done with a dose of netzakh, including the yearning for the land.

That is also why Moses' seemingly small errors (such as hitting the stone extract water)where so grave.

Netzakh with lovingkindness/Chessed (giving, unconditional lovingkindness). "For anything to endure it needs to be loved" (from Aish website). Interestingly, many AAs are back tracking and reflecting. They are looking for their good points and that is very crucial.If there is no vested interest in something or someone, the actions that we do towards it or for it will not be for permanence; it'll be of a way to "get rid" of someone or something.


Netzakh with gevurah (strength, restraint). Being diciplined in our determination is an essential key to endurance. I remember long ago, I used feed on my anger to get fuel to get things done. "Nevermind nobody's helping me, I'll do it on my own!" "No! now that you feel bad for me, now I for sure don't want your help!!" Oh brother! Do I regret those. Well, at the time I only knew how to draw strength (and adrenaline) from negtivity (anger). There is strength to be drawn from joy. from fulfillment of one's good desires as opposed to from one's negativity.

In brief, check one's self to see where is our energy coming from, that will let us see in the long run where it will take us.

Netzakh with tiferet (beauty). Once the perfect combo of giving and holding back is established, this ought to be consistently pushed and upheld.

Netzakh with netzakh. I tend to think of this as dominance overload. Or obnoxious pushing. But even that has its uses. Especially when confronting a powerful enemy. For instance, I see many abused people using this when they realize that no one will believe them that there is a problem with the (abusive ) husband, or father, or whatever. At a certain point, the abused person has to just shut their mind, hold onto their beliefs and ram through.

Netzakh with hod (spendor, empathy). This is a tough one because the two seem like opposites. Can one have dominance without stepping on anyone's toes? Hmmmmm......

Netzakh with yesod (foundation, creativity, sexual purity). In creativity, its important that time does not constrain the art. Its like a movie that makes reference to a current event --in a few years that phrase they inserted in the movie will have no relevance. Rather the movie may have more value if a time -memorial quote was used such as "Rome was not built in a day" (a classic quote) rather than "you can't handle the truth!" (from A Few Good Men movie).

Netzakh with malkhut (kingship). Here is where we take from the world and give back in a long lasting way. The only example I can think of (sorry) is beating up a bully; After taking much from the bully, the response is a good kick in the pants. That way, he will know in a permanent way, not to mess with you again. lol.

Flashback Post: After Divestment?

This week the focus is on HOD. Hod means splendor, bringing a magnificence to things by minimizing one's self, refraining also.

hod personified is Aaron. He refrained when the mixed multitude encouraged others and built the golden calf. (I suspect if he didn't refrain, if he tried to protest, he'd of gotten shot!). He also chose his words carefully when relaying messages to people -to keep the peace.

Hod is also represented by the left leg (to be close to the left arm which represents gevurah)

India Arie...

Michael Jordan...

These names come to mind when I think of Hod. If MJ was arrogant then nevermind. Hod is about being at ease with your talents without letting it go to your head. People who take something ordinary and jazz it up that it almost becomes something new.

A short story:

There was once a spiritual leader who entered his place of worship, dropped down on his knees and cried out in a loud voice, "I am nothing! I am nothing!"

The President of the board, who happened to also be a doctor and a lawyer, also entered the place. He proceeded to follow suit and dropped down crying in a loud voice, "I am nothing! Nothing!"

The janitor, who was doing his rounds came upon the two crying out. In a gush of self pity and humility also dropped down and cried, "I am nothing! I am nothing!!"

The other two stopped and looked at the janitor with disgust, "who does he think he is?!"

Some can fake humility, By Hod I mean true humility. But not the absence of self esteem.

That also reminds me of my aunt. Once, while cooking one of her famous mushroom rice, she says to my mom, " well you know...we are black so I just had to add some spices!"

Back then I laughed.

Hod with lovingkindness - Giving measured help. Knowing when the "grave digger" line has been crossed, and stopping. Its like backing away and letting a child try to walk by himself. The child will cry and protest, but slowly slowly he takes a step... then another.. and so on.

Hod with gevurah - Giving your best at a work (not just job, I mean)--but being able to get one's due compensation. I think Evia's got that one covered: reciprocity.

Hod with tiferet - Balanced humility. At times letting go of one's due reciprocity may be called for. Other times one may need more than one's fair share.

Hod with netzach - Being consistant. This may require a mantra because ( and maybe its just me) but its hard to stay humble all the time. A mantra, studying books of character traits, affirmations, etc.

Hod with hod - The position people want BW to be in. INVISIBLE! lol! Nevertheless even this has its value and use. Usually when a great thing is about to happen (a miracle, a mazal tov, good news) its helpful to make one's self small and unassuming. No unwanted attention to draw jealousy, saboteurs, and what nots. Don't misunderstand, even God does Hod of hod as He makes Himself seemingly not around so that we can all behave like we REALLY want to. But that (and all the other traits) are godly traits and are useful for different circumstances.

Hod with yesod - Creation of good foundation in relationships. Using humility and truth and restrain in a balanced measure.

Hod with Malkhut - Letting your "subjects" i.e. your children, any one under your influence, within your circle to be themselves. None of that "why you gotta act a fool?" Just accepting people (within REASON!)-that is your kingdom. Its also useful to learn who is good at what? Who enjoys what? You can't really learn and know anyone unless you allow them to be them selves. But afterwards, you can know who to call for which task because you truly know their character, quirks, and tendencies.

Flashback Post: After Divestment?

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After Divestment : Week 3; Beauty and Compassion


Week 3 is about focusing on beauty. Inner beauty and outer beauty. There are plenty of blogs that will expound on the outer beauty, so I'll stress more on the inner one.

What makes us beautiful on the inside is a proper balance of giving and holding back. At times we may feel inadequate and want to give more (in search of approval). This manifests by giving just a little bit too much "eye candy" to the world, or blurting out every piece of information that we know on a topic, giving way too much unasked-for advice, or just revealing everything, every gift that God gave us (how much money we have, what we possess, etc). Spilling one's guts.

The flipside is restraining overly much. This can manifest in holding back sexually --to one's husband, not getting involved with people SO THAT one doesn't have to give, erasing one's self from pictures, scenes, events, etc mentally (and in some societies, physically). Belittling oneself. Also holding back important information.

Once we have the correct measurement of giving and holding back, its beautiful! Dealing with such a person is a beautiful, wonderful experience.

Furthermore, this week is also about compassion. Without knowledge there is no compassion. If we don't know the whole story about something, most likely we'll feel vehemently one way (pity) or the other (abhorrence). The more knowledge we have of the whole story of something, the more compassionate will be our view (Please don't confuse this with political correctness or relativity in which these believe everything has equal validity). But its important that we have truths, otherwise the knowledge is ill based.


The beauty and compassion combo is called Tiferet in Hebrew. Tiferet is represented by the chest area.

Tiferet personified is Jacob. His grandfather, Abraham is "giving" to the nth degree, his father, Isaac is "holding back" to the nth degree, Jacob found the balance. He was very true to himself. Interestingly, he was the one who despite his many sons (and who know how many daughters), was able to keep everyone together and on the same path -the formation of the 12 tribes.

Tiferet and dominance (netzah). Giving and taking in the perfected measure consistantly is like finding a formula for sustenance and redoing it over and over and getting the same bountiful results! It forces us to create standards and principles based on what works.

Tiferet and splendor (hod). Giving and taking in the perfected measure with the intent of giving the other party space. This is like creating a space for someone else to talk in a conversation. Basically, give harmony a chance.

Tiferet and yesod. I covered that above (overly immodest vs prudish). This also goes for other creative avenues. In business, it could mean knowing when is the right time to give over an idea. In art, loudness vs toned down. When is which called for?

Tiferet and malkhut (kingship). Kingship, I mean, receiving from others and then giving back in return. This is knowing when to reinsert yourself (in a conversation, etc.) and should you say x or hold back?

While Jacob was tiferet personified, his son Joseph was said to be just like him. Joseph is yesod personified. (Yep, so of course he had to be tempted with sexual promiscuity by Potiphar's wife, Zuleka.) Could beauty and compassion (and sustenance) and how we conduct ourselves sexually (or creatively) be related???
compassionate will be our view. But its important that we have truths, otherwise the knowledge is ill based."

Flashback Post: After Divestment?

After Divestment : Week 2; Restraint & Strength
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So onwards and upwards, we keep going towards self improvement. I won't even hope to have time to blog about it so this will be it. I didn't get to week one which was about kindness, but we are already on week 2 so lets begin there. (hopefully I can back track later).

One thing many people do after Passover,(as I've stated before in a previous post) we arrange ourselves to merit past miracles and position ourselves to receive more. This week is a look at Gevurah --restraint and strength, and taking.

How much is too much? How much is too little?


Gevurah is represented by the left hand. It stands for holding back and for being strong. Its like a red light warning us of poison or danger ahead or a stop sign. Gevurah personified was Isaac. At times I wonder, was it because of Abraham's great lovingkindness that Isaac became almost opposite? Anyway, Isaac was so restraining on himself that he would re-open only the wells that Abraham had made previously. Very rarely does he create a new well. He tried to follow in his father's footstep quite meticulously. Even dealing with almost the same problems as Abraham (going into Egypt, dealing with someone who wants his wife, calling his wife his sister, digging wells, etc)

Gevurah is like going all the way to the left. Perfectly. Although, interestingly, he was the one personified as the gevurah one, (holding back his will when Abraham was about to sacrifice him) but Isaac is the only one I know of where the Bible describes him as having fun and being playful with his wife!

8 And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife. Genesis 26:8

Also, his name Yitzhok in Hebrew is from the root word "to laugh"
Gevurah with a measure of kindness (the right hand) brings us to beauty (tiferet). A beautiful blend of giving and taking. Pretty interesting for someone whose known for their restrain.

Gevurah with a measure of kindness with the goal being to restrain brings us to empathy. Being able to help and be kind SPECIFICALLY BY not being intrusive or domineering. Like a therapist, just listening to a friend without judging or giving your input (unless they ask).

Gevurah with a measure of more gevurah =very rigid. At times this is necessary. But the key question is when?

Gevurah with beauty = holding back to give and /or take beautifully. This makes me think of myself trying not to punish the children out of my own anger and hurt dignity, but because they need to know that something is wrong. That already softens whatever punishment they get, plus it allows that the punishment corresponds to the "crime" -no heat.

Gevurah with domineering intent (netzah) = Being strong or empathetic consistantly. Not wishy washy. For example,in the work place you may do a feat which shows gevurah, strength. But with not being consistent in that strength, that image goes limp. You loose the dominion -no longer known for being solid, or whatever it was that you did.

However, if you remain consistent, showing strength, discipline, focus without falling for judging others, criticizing, etc. you can corner whatever market, group, field, provided you have the knowledge to back up this character!

The hardest part to control is the tongue.

Gevurah with a measure of yesod (I'm not sure how to translate yesod: foundation. sexual purity. creativity?) = This is basically being empathetic with a good measure of dominance. Knowing how wide you want to make the playing field for the other person, and not fuddling with the borders for your own sake.

Gevurah and malkhut (kingship)= All the previous traits noted above were things that emanate from yourself. Malkhut is the trait that receives from others and gives back. So exercising gevurah while giving back is basically maintaining you cool in a tough situation. At a time when you have to be strong, restraining, etc. knowing how to keep your cool is a worthwhile ability.

That is the focus for this week. Hopefully I can write more about it later. The most important thing of all is prayer though. No matter how much we work on ourselves, verbalizing what we want to attain and combining it with faith in God helps.

After Divestment : Week 5; Hod /Splendor

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This week the focus is on hod. Hod means splendor, bringing a magnificence to things by minimizing one's self, refraining also.

hod personified is Aaron. He refrained when the mixed multitude encouraged others and built the golden calf. (I suspect if he didn't refrain, if he tried to protest, he'd of gotten shot!). He also chose his words carefully when relaying messages to people -to keep the peace.

Hod is also represented by the left leg (to be close to the left arm which represents gevurah)

India Arie...

Michael Jordan...

These names come to mind when I think of Hod (mostly because I don't know them personally). If MJ was arrogant then nevermind. Hod is about being at ease with your talents without letting it go to your head. People who take something ordinary and jazz it up that it almost becomes something new.

There was once a spiritual leader who entered his place of worship, dropped down on his knees and cried out in a loud voice, "I am nothing! I am nothing!"

The President of the board, who happened to also be a doctor and a lawyer, also entered the place. He proceeded to follow suit and dropped down crying in a loud voice, "I am nothing! Nothing!"

The janitor, who was doing his rounds came upon the two crying out. In a gush of self pity and humility also dropped down and cried, "I am nothing! I am nothing!!"

The other two stopped and looked at the janitor with disgust, "who does he think he is?!"

Some can fake humility, By Hod I mean true humility. But not the absence of self esteem.

That also reminds me of my aunt. Once, while cooking one of her famous mushroom rice, she says to my mom, " well you know...we are black so I just had to add some spices!"

Back then I laughed.

Hod with lovingkindness - Giving measured help. Knowing when the "grave digger" line has been crossed, and stopping. Its like backing away and letting a child try to walk by himself. The child will cry and protest, but slowly slowly he takes a step... then another.. and so on.

Hod with geurah - Giving your best at a work (not just job, I mean)--but being able to get one's due compensation. I think Evia's got that one covered: reciprocity.

Hod with tiferet - Balanced humility. At times letting go of one's due reciprocity may be called for. Other times one may need more than one's fair share.

Hod with netzach - Being consistant. This may require a mantra because ( and maybe its just me) but its hard to stay humble all the time. A mantra, studying books of character traits, affirmations, etc.

Hod with hod - The position people want BW to be in. Invisible! lol! Never the less even this has its value and use. Usually when a great thing is about to happen (a miracle, a mazal tov, good news) its helpful to make one's self small and unassuming. No unwanted attention to draw jealousy, saboteurs, and what nots. Don't misunderstand, even God does Hod of hod as He makes Himself seemingly not around so that we can all behave like we REALLY want to. Hut that (and all the other traits) are godly traits and are useful for different circumstances.

Hod with yesod - Creation of good foundation in relationships. Using humility and truth and restrain in a balanced measure.

Hod with Malkhut - Letting your "subjects" i.e. your children, any one under your influence, within you circle to be themselves. None of that "why you gotta act a fool?" Just accepting people (within REASON!)-that is your kingdom. Its also useful to learn who is good at what? Who enjoys what? You can't really learn and know anyone unless you allow them to be them selves. But afterwards, you can know who to call for which task because you truly know their character, quirks, and tendencies.

I'm Actually Tired of Blogging.../ After Divestment Week 4

I have a bunch of unfinished work to complete, the After divestment series, others, pics I meant to put up, etc.

But lately, possibly from the terrible cold the family, including myself, is going through, I have been very uninterested in blogging about anything. Also, Ive been spending my blogging time reading either Muslin Bushido's blog and then running over to Black Woman Blow The Trumpet blog, then back again. Pretty interesting stuff going on! I just hope each understands the others POV.

But that leaves me too sleepy to blog on my own blog. I feel tempted to post a comment at Bushido, but I think this is the time to exercise restraint. The topic is specifically for and about AA BW. I even wonder if that is a first!

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After Divestment week 4: Netzakh

Netzakh means dominance, perseverance, longevity, etc. I don't have a one word translation which is why I am using the Hebrew word.

The one who personifies netzakh is Moses. Everything he did, he tried to make sure it was a permanent fix. After he led the Jewish people out of slavery in Egypt, he came down with the Torah and yearned and tried to make sure the Jewish people made it to the promise land. Unfortunately he died before doing that last action. For that, the land being permanently in Jewish hands was not a permanent thing; many times they were captured and taken away. Returned and captured again, etc. But everything before that was done with a dose of netzakh, including the yearning for the land.

That is also why Moses' seemingly small errors (such as hitting the stone extract water)where so grave.

Netzakh with Chessed (giving, unconditional lovingkindness). "For anything to endure it needs to be loved" (from Aish website). Interestingly, many AAs are back tracking and reflecting. They are looking for their good points and that is very crucial.If there is no vested interest in something or someone, the actions that we do towards it or for it will not be for permanence; it'll be of a way to "get rid" of someone or something.


Netzakh with gevurah (strength, restraint). Being diciplined in our determination is an essential key to endurance. I remember long ago, I used feed on my anger to get fuel to get things done. "Nevermind nobody's helping me, I'll do it on my own!" "No! now that you feel bad for me, now I for sure don't want your help!!" Oh brother! Do I regret those. Well, at the time I only knew how to draw strength (and adrenaline) from negtivity (anger). There is strength to be drawn from joy. from fulfillment of one's good desires as opposed to from one's negativity.

In brief, check one's self to see where is our energy coming from, that will let us see in the long run where it will take us.

Netzakh with tiferet (beauty). Once the perfect combo of giving and holding back is established, this ought to be consistently pushed and upheld.

Netzakh with netzakh. I tend to think of this as dominance overload. Or obnoxious pushing. But even that has its uses. Especially when confronting a powerful enemy. For instance, I see many abused people using this when they realize that no one will believe them that there is a problem with the (abusive ) husband, or father, or whatever. At a certain point, the abused person has to just shut their mind, hold onto their beliefs and ram through.

Netzakh with hod (spendor, empathy). This is a tough one because the two seem like opposites. Can one have dominance without stepping on anyone's toes? Hmmmmm......

Netzakh with yesod (foundation, creativity, sexual purity). In creativity, its important that time does not constrain the art. Its like a movie that makes reference to a current event --in a few years that phrase they inserted in the movie will have no relevance.

Netzakh with malkhut (kingship). Here is where we take from the world and give back.

After Divestment : Week 3; Beauty and Compassion

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This is a late post.

Week 3 is about focusing on beauty. Inner beauty and outer beauty. There are plenty of blogs that will expound on the outer beauty, so I'll stress more on the inner one.

What makes us beautiful on the inside is a proper balance of giving and holding back. At times we may feel inadequate and want to give more (in search of approval). This manifests by giving just a little bit too much "eye candy" to the world, or blurting out every piece of information that we know on a topic, giving way too much unasked-for advice, or just revealing everything, every gift that God gave us (how much money we have, what we possess, etc). Spilling one's guts.

The flipside is restraining overly much. This can manifest in holding back sexually --to one's husband, not getting involved with people SO THAT one doesn't have to give, erasing one's self from pictures, scenes, events, etc. Belittling oneself. Also holding back important information.

Once we have the correct measurement of giving and holding back, its beautiful! Dealing with such a person is a beautiful, wonderful experience.

Furthermore, this week is also about compassion. Without knowledge there is no compassion. If we don't know the whole story about something, most likely we'll feel vehemently one way (pity) or the other (abhorrence). The more knowledge we have of the whole story of something, the more compassionate will be our view. But its important that we have truths, otherwise the knowledge is ill based.

The beauty and compassion combo is called Tiferet in Hebrew.

Tiferet personified is Jacob. His grandfather, Abraham is "giving" to the nth degree, his father, Isaac is "holding back", Jacob found the balanced. He was very true to himself. Interestingly, he was the one who despite his many sons (and who know how many daughters), was able to keep everyone together and on the same path.

Tiferet and dominance. Giving and taking in the perfected measure consistantly is like finding a formula for sustenance and redoing it over and over and getting the same bountiful results! It forces us to create standards and principles based on what works.

Tiferet and splendor (hod). Giving and taking in the perfected measure with the intent of giving the other party space. This is like creating a space for someone else to talk in a conversation. Basically, give harmony a chance.

Tiferet and yesod. I covered that above (overly immodest vs prudish). This also goes for other creative avenues. In business, it could mean knowing when is the right time to give over an idea. In art, loudness vs toned down. When is which called for?

Tiferet and malkhut (kingship). Kingship, I mean, receiving from others and then giving back in return. This is knowing when to reinsert yourself (in a conversation, etc.) and should you say x or hold back?

While Jacob was tiferet personified, his son Joseph was said to be just like him. Joseph is yesod personified. (Yep, so of course he had to be tempted with sexual promiscuity by Potiphar's wife, Zuleka.) Could beauty and compassion (and sustenance) and how we conduct ourselves sexually (or creatively) be related???

After Divestment : Week 2; Restraint & Strength

.
So onwards and upwards, we keep going towards self improvement. I won't even hope to have time to blog about it so this will be it. I didn't get to week one which was about kindness, but we are already on week 2 so lets begin there. (hopefully I can back track later).

One thing many people do after Passover,(as I've stated before in a previous post) we arrange ourselves to merit past recent miracles and position ourselves to receive more. This week is a look at Gevurah --restraint and strength, and taking.

How much is too much? How much is too little?

Gevurah is represented by the left hand. It stands for holding back and for being strong. Its like a red light warning us of poison or danger ahead or a stop sign. Gevurah personified was Isaac. At times I wonder, was it because of Abraham's great lovingkindness that Isaac became almost opposite? Anyway, Isaac was so restraining on himself that he would re-open only the wells that Abraham had made previously. Very rarely does he create a new well. He tried to follow in his father's footstep quite meticulously. Even dealing with almost the same problems as Abraham (going into Egypt, dealing with someone who wants his wife, calling his wife his sister, building wells, etc)

Gevurah is like going all the way to the left. Perfectly. Although, interestingly, he was the one personified as the gevurah one, (holding back his will when Abraham was about to sacrifice him) but Isaac is the only one I know of where the Bible describes him as having fun and being playful with his wife!

8 And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife. Genesis 26:8

Also, his name Yitzhok in Hebrew is from the root word "to laugh"
Gevurah with a measure of kindness (the right hand) brings us to beauty (tiferet). A beautiful blend of giving and taking. Pretty interesting for someone whose known for their restrain.

Gevurah with a measure of kindness with the goal being to restrain brings us to empathy. Being able to help and be kind SPECIFICALLY BY not being intrusive or domineering. Like a therapist, just listening to a friend without judging or giving your input (unless they ask).

Gevurah with a measure of more gevurah =very rigid. At times this is necessary. But the key question is when?

Gevurah with beauty = holding back to give and /or take beautifully. This makes me think of myself trying not to punish the children out of my own anger and hurt dignity, but because they need to know that something is wrong. That already softens whatever punishment they get, plus it allows that the punishment corresponds to the "crime" -no heat.

Gevurah with domineering intent (netzah) = Being strong or empathetic consistantly. Not wishy washy. For example,in the work place you may do a feat which shows gevurah, strength. But with not being consistent in that strength, that image goes limp. You loose the dominion -no longer known for being solid, or whatever it was that you did.

However, if you remain consistent, showing strength, discipline, focus without falling for judging others, criticizing, etc. you can corner whatever market, group, field, provided you have the knowledge to back up this character!

The hardest part to control is the tongue.

Gevurah with a measure of yesod (I'm not sure how to translate yesod: foundation. sexual purity. creativity?) = This is basically being empathetic with a good measure of dominance. Knowing how wide you want to make the playing field for the other person, and not fuddling with the borders for your own sake.

Gevurah and malkhut (kingship)= All the previous traits noted above were things that emanate from yourself. Malkhut is the trait that receives from others and gives back. So exercising gevurah while giving back is basically maintaining you cool in a tough situation. At a time when you have to be strong, restraining, etc. knowing how to keep your cool is a worthwhile ability.

That is the focus for this week. Hopefully I can write more about it later. The most important thing of all is prayer though. No matter how much we work on ourselves, verbalizing what we want to attain and combining it with faith in God helps.