One of the most basic and foundational of all Jewish meditations that is appropriate for any time is taught by Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh in his book, Living in Divine Space. Yet, there is a special relevance to this meditation during the month of Elul, as we will now discuss.
Maimonides explains that there are six constant mitzvot incumbent on all Jews, at all times, and in all places: Belief in the existence of God, not believing in other gods, belief in the oneness and unity of God, love of God, fear/awe of God, and not straying after negative thoughts. These six mitzvot can be envisioned as forming a cube surrounding the meditator who occupies the middle of this structure. Indeed, these six mitzvot create the “space” or constant state of consciousness within which a Jew should orient his or her self; thus, the title of Rav Ginsburgh’s book: Living in Divine Space. Elul is the sixth month of the year and, due to the emphasis our Sages place on the importance of focused introspection during this month, this meditation seems especially appropriate.
In the introduction to Sefer Hachinuch, a commentary based on the enumeration of the 613 mitzvot according to Maimonides, there is a hint to a fascinating connection between these six mitzvot and the six cities of refuge in ancient Israel, where those who killed someone inadvertently were given the opportunity to take haven and find protection from any of the deceased’s relatives who may want to avenge the death of their loved one.
Rabbi Ginsburgh teaches that in fact, spiritually and psychologically speaking, these ancient cities of refuge still exist today in the form of Jewish meditation practices, and specifically through meditating on these six constant mitzvot. Through contemplating the deeper meanings of each of the six constant mitzvot and their manifold associations with the directions, the sefirot and various archetypal souls who represent them, one orients him or herself within the middle of the cube, creating a spiritual force field and true center of focus from which one may then proceed to move out into the wider world with balance and integrity.
This is especially true in the month of Elul when we contemplate all of the past year’s missed opportunities, half-hearted actions, egotistic attitudes, short-sighted sins and all the times we missed the mark, so to speak. The feelings aroused during such uncomfortable self-evaluation can easily turn into “avengers of blood” who seek to “bury” us under the weight of our own guilt, low self-esteem and depression over our previous actions. Thus, everyone needs a “city of refuge,” a safe haven where the essential soul work of Elul (and any other time as well) can be accomplished in peace and tranquility. In many ways, this meditation practice is similar to the fence around the roof we discussed in the last chapter, inasmuch as both practices seek to keep our soul safe during times of heightened introspection and elevation.
As mentioned, along with the six continual mitzvot, the one meditating represents the middle, seventh point, which has its own set of associations, as well as a mitzvah which “aspires” to be constant, as taught in the Talmud: “Would that a person could pray [continually] all the day” (Pesachim 44b). King David alluded to this level of sustained consciousness and connection to God when he exclaimed: “I am prayer!” (Psalms 109:4). In other words, prayer is more than an activity, it is a holistic and all-encompassing state of being.
For those interested in practicing this meditation, the six/seven mitzvot and their related associations are:
Constant Mitzvah Direction Sefirah Sefirah Inner Soul Sense Archetypal Soul
Belief in existence of God Above Netzach Victory Security Moses
Not believing in other gods Below Hod Glory Acknowledgment Aaron
Belief that God is One Front/East Tiferet Beauty Compassion Jacob
Love of God Right/South Chesed Kindness Love Abraham
Fear/Awe of God Left/North Gevurah Might Fear Isaac
Not straying after negative thoughts Behind/West Yesod Foundation Truth Joseph
Prayer Middle point Malchut Kingdom Lowliness David
The above chart is the skeleton of the meditation, which is at once mystically potent, yet very practical in its application to daily life. Once the associations are learned, there is no limit to the depths that can be reached through this and other forms of Jewish meditation.
Additionally, this meditation, based as it is on the six directions of space, is one of the secrets of shaking the four species to the six directions on the holiday of Sukkot. When contemplated during the mitzvah of shaking these four species, these concepts enrich the experience immeasurably. Thus, we see how this meditation forms a bookend and surrounding energy for the entire cycle of Elul as well as the holidays of Tishrei.
