The answer to our vastly unfair distribution of wealth, it would seem, is to cut taxes. Of course the flip side of that is the ensuing reduction in services. I know that some may think , we'll make the rich pay a 'little' more. Sounds great, but if you actually are rich you probably have a lawyer for that. Under the dark cloud of Reaganomics (read neo-liberalism,the belief in the divine nature of 'free markets' and the just rewards that flow to the financial cream of the crop. ) Said cream then pushes some bitcoin crumbs off his table of plenty and it trickles down to us. Hasn't happened yet. More hoarding then sharing. The private good is better for us all. I have a different take on taxes. I think they're often a great expression of the common good. Years ago my mother was complaining of chest pain. She had to be driven to the hospital. Already in our late 60's and with a family history of coronary artery disease the chance that this drive could end with bypass surgery were good. Not once on that drive and with those outcomes fresh in my mind did I think, "How am I going to pay for this. So, I want to thank you. On behalf of my mother and our family, thank you for paying taxes so that she got the profoundly skilled services of a publicly funded care team that saved my mother and us from financial ruin. I pay taxes so the things that bring us together help us to build a more caring society. Yes there are things we cant do to improve the delivery of services to the right people at the right time. Let's root them out and grow the system of service. The happiest nations in the world are literally the most highly taxed. Higher taxes could mean zero tuition, well funded and maintained halls of learning, more nurse practitioners and Doctors to change our sick care society in to a health care one. "Taxpayers" are customers, in this case demanding more services but not wiling to pay for them. Citizens have right as well, but they must also have duties and obligations. Up the street some neighbours pooled there resources to buy a snowblower. Shared cost. Perfect timing.

So, let's dive a little deeper. A key element in repairing the world, a task too daunting for one to embrace alone, is to begin the journey by repairing the soul. Tikkun ha nefesh. What use, after all, is taking to the barricades with a heart full of anger and a hatred of the other?

Yes, fear and the belief that there is evil afoot in this world are powerful motivators but my worry is that the toxicity that becomes our righteous fuel is a sad cure for what ails us. Instead, I offer that we begin with humility. Not a cowering, humble response to our challenges, but instead the humility to know when it is time to follow and when to lead. To move from an ego-system to an ecosystem approach.

Part of what I engage in with Spiritual Direction clients is a journey through what is called Mussar. Together we take note of where soul traits like silence, patience, enthusiasm, equanimity, and more sit within us. What can we do to cultivate more, or perhaps less, of these traits? Alan Morinis has written an excellent book called Everyday Holiness. It is a wonderful introduction to Mussar.

Where do I fit, and how can I pivot from correcting to connecting? If these questions pique your interest, you can reach out to me here.

I asked a rhetorical question on Facebook a few days ago. With 185,000 Jewish people in Toronto, why is there no centre for Jewish Renewal? Vancouver has Or Shalom; there is an effort being made by Rabbi Sherril Gilbert in Montreal; renewal has a beating heart in the U.S. So why not here?

Before I carry on, here is a definition of Renewal that might be helpful:

Jewish Renewal is responding to a different set of questions, opportunities and challenges. It values tikkun olam (repair of the world), combined with tikkun ha-lev (personal spiritual development), reflecting its dual emphasis on healing the external world through the pursuit of social, political and environmental justice, while developing individual spirituality. The blending of mystical and hasidic traditions, along with openness toward other religions and spiritual practices are meant to foster a subjective experience of the Divine.
- Hayim Herring

I belong to a group that operated under the umbrella of Menschworks out of the U.S. Every year, about 90 men gathered for a fall retreat. The Friday night and Saturday service is filled with drums, guitars, dance and joy. It is truly heartening to feel spiritual instead of thinking theologically.

There are shards of renewal light in the GTHA. I wonder how to ignite a lasting flame, one filled with guided meditations, body and breath work, deep ecumenism, song, community, and as Hayim Herring says, openness towards the so called other. I suggest that there is no other if we peer through the lens of oneness. Non-duality. I'll save that for another post.

In the meantime I wonder who among us would like to lift a finger, as opposed to offer a pat on the back, and bring renewal to Toronto and its environs?

Remember to check out my podcast Not That Kind of Rabbi with Ralph Benmergui. My Spiritual Memoir, I Thought He Was Dead, is available through my publisher Wolsak and Wynn and on Amazon and Indigo.