One of my favorite passages in the siddur (prayer book) is the "Asher Yatzar" which can be found in the beginning of the morning service. This prayer speaks of the complexity of the human body - with "openings that open and closings that close." It states, "...if one of these openings would close, or one of these closings would open, we would not be able to stand before You, O God." Some of our students call this the "bathroom prayer" for obvious reasons......

The reason that I like this prayer so much is that it teaches that every aspect of our lives is holy - or has the potential for holiness -- even those areas which we consider to be the most mundane or profane.

During the past year, I underwent two minor surgical procedures. While both the procedures and the recovery went very smoothly, I was forced to slow down and allow healing to take place. I must confess that I wasn't prepared for the emotional and spiritual impact that this placed upon me. Illness and surgery force us to realize both our limitations and the marvelous capacity for healing that exists inside our bodies. Our bodies are great teachers. We need to be aware of our physical limitations and capabilities. When we abuse, ignore or neglect our physical selves, we limit our ability to participate in the beauty of God's creation. When we are impacted by disease or disability, we have to come to terms with our limitations. Indeed, awareness of our bodies is an essential part of awareness of the fact that we, too, are an intrinsic part of the Universe - we are also God's creations.

During the past 3 weeks we have focused on our spiritual selves, our relationships, and our responsibility to community. This week, I want us to be very much aware of our physical selves. If we do not take care of our bodies, then we cannot perform Tikkun Olam - the repairing of our world. Our bodies are holy. The torah teaches that we are created B'tzelem Elohim - in the image of God. In this light, taking care of our bodies is a sacred task. As such - I offer the following questions:

1. Have I taken care of my body through diet and exercise?
2. Have I prepared medical directives that are clear and unambiguous stating my specific desires for illness and end-of-life issues?
3. Have I done all that I could to comfort those around me who are affected by illness - have I performed the mitzvah of Bikkur Cholim - visiting the sick?
4. Have I truly appreciated the beauty of the mountains that surround me?
5. How much stress is in my life? Is it affecting the way I live my life?
6. What bad habits have I cultivated that I need to change?
7. What positive habits should I trying to incorporate into my daily routine?