When the Guiding Force of
the universe wants to introduce new ideas and energies into the consciousness
of humanity, a plan is constructed to facilitate the revelation and growth of
this fresh divine imperative on the earthly plane. Then, a shoresh neshama (root soul) is formed to take up this spiritual
mission and bring it to fruition in time and space.
Great souls from the
higher reaches of the celestial planes are sent down to anchor the divine
thoughtform in our world. The lives of these souls are filled with suffering
and struggle, but they are lives where the Eternal presence is real and
tangible.
After these souls pass
over, they form a spiritual nucleus in the higher realm. This nucleus becomes a
new outpost of energy and consciousness in the Kingdom of Heaven. It acts as an
intermediary link between those on the physical plane and their supernal
source.
Avraham was the first Jew.
He provided the anchor for the Soul of Israel in this world. Avraham is the
archetype of the father in Judaism. He is the father of the Jewish people and
the father of the Jewish soul. This understanding is explicit in his original
name Avram, which is composed of two
words: av, “father” and ram, “high” or “esteemed.” Together they
form “high father” – the spiritual definition of his life and work.
As his life journey
progresses, Avram receives a new name in a vision. He is blessed that he will
become a father of many nations, and the Hebrew letter heh is added to his name. His name now becomes Avraham. The heh is one of the letters in the sacred
Divine Name Yud He Vav Heh. By the
addition of this letter to Avram’s name, he is bound to God forever.
The addition of the heh to the name Avram is also a symbol of the spiritual initiation Avraham
underwent, whereby he was linked to a new, greater collective soul. This
initiation transformed him into a soul “father of fathers” – av: father; ra: high father; ham: father
of fathers. It led him another step in the journey to his Source.
-- from Living the Life of Jewish Meditation; A
Comprehensive Guide to Practice and Experience, by Rabbi Yoel Glick
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