Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with thy free spirit.” —Psalms 51:12

Gevurah has given us the strength to return home. The final step is Chesed, Hebrew for “kindness” or “love.” This term is commonly used in the Bible to describe God’s love for mankind. It refers to “tikkun olam,” Christ’s mercy repairing the world. It is the foundation of the Law (Keter): Love God and Love thy neighbor (Leviticus 19:18, 33-34, Matthew 5: 43-48; 22:36-40, 3 Nephi 5:89-92 RAV, 12:43-48 OPV) . Thus, in Mormon Kabbalah it is known as Mercy.

Sin has two affects: damage to the sinner, and damage to those they sinned against. The restoration or mercy is the healing portion of Teshuvah. This also has two parts. First, it completes the Return healing us, and second it heals us when we have been spiritually harmed by others. This healing power has a third effect: ministry.

We obviously do not harm God when we sin against Him. However, sin is a negative with both cause and effect. Being washed clean by Christ’s Grace feels wonderful, it’s empowering! However, it doesn’t merely heal us. On its own, teshuvah can be seen as ego fulfillment. Yet this is contrary to the whole point of being Born Again! There must be a way to heal those that have been harmed, and for God to heal us when we have been harmed. This is Chesed. This is the Atonement’s Mercy healing us, healing the wrongs done against us. This is the power of Christ, and his Atonement.

Chesed

O give thanks unto the Lord, because he is gracious: for his mercy endureth for ever.” —Prayer of Azariah 1:67

• English: Mercy
• Body part: Right hand
• Color: Blue
• Element: Water (baptism)
• Associated with: YHVH/Jesus Christ (the Son of God, the right hand of the Father)
• Herald: John the Baptist/Zadkiel “Righteousness of God” or “Grace of God;” Zadkiel is also known as Sachiel, Zedekiel, Zadakiel, Tzadkiel, and Zedekul. He is the archangel of freedom, benevolence and mercy, and the Patron Angel of all who forgive.
• Day of Creation: The first day. On this day this light was divided from the darkness, creating light and knowledge: love and kindness. All creation is embraced in love as one. All things are in harmony, balance.

Chesed is the first Sefirot in the attribute of action (the Day s of Creation) in the Kabbalistic Tree of life. The Bahir states:

The fourth is the charity of God, His merit and his Kindness (Chesed) to all the world. This is the Right Hand of the Blessed Holy One.” —Bahir IV:144

As Christians, we know God’s Mercy, and the right hand of God as Jesus Christ. Chesed then is the Sefirot that manifests God’s absolute, unlimited benevolence and kindness. Chesed is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the Ending of the Law.

This Sefirot teaches extend mercy to others as God has extended mercy to us. We go the extra mile, are faithful to our covenants with God and are forgiven of past deeds (Mosiah 2 RAV, 4 OPV ). Chesed enables us to pick up our cross and follow Christ, as he makes our burdens light.

The Seven Days of Creation: Chesed

1. Healing: Sin has harmed us and others. On the first day of Chesed we allow God to separate the light from the darkness. The darkness is washed away by the warmth of the light. Being cleansed by the light we are purified and thus moved by the Holy Spirit to do holy works. (Genesis 1:1-5)

2. Washing:  Next the waters come, cleansing the pain sin has caused us, and helps us make clean our sins that have caused pain to others. The waters are cool and refreshing, getting deep within us, healing our wounds. They are also harsh to help us mourn with those sin has hurt. We are literally washed clean and made whole in the peace of God, and now wish to extend that same healing out to others. Know that it is Christ’s mercy that washes us. (Genesis 1:6-8)

3. Works:  The earth brakes free from the water, and vegetation springs from us, causing us to take action. When we are the ones that did harm, we are moved by God to admit our mistakes and work to heal those we have harmed, just as we have been healed. We do this as we are moved by the Spirit. While it is by Grace we are saved, that salvation moves us to action. (Genesis 1:9-13)

4. A New Path: With the sun, moon, and stars lighting our way, the Holy Spirit guides us forward. We’re back on track, leaving the past sins, pride, and Ego behind. This allows us to do more than be healed. We are now able to move beyond our own needs and be a light unto the world, helping and helaing others. (Genesis 1:14-19)

5. Greater Works: As we grow in Grace, our good deeds bear fruit and multiply. We now wish to bring others to Christ. God moves us like birds to the air, and fish in the sea; swift, ever moving, ever singing his praise. We’re seeking to help heal all that have been harmed. God has called us to minister to those in need. (Genesis 1:20-23)

6. Mission: With your new found understanding, God has called you to bring teshuvah to the world. You are called to be a fisher of mankind. Many are lost, and you now hear their cries. You understand the call to repentance isn’t wall of a chastisement, but a bridge we build through acceptance and love. You’re now active in the building of God’s kingdom, a new Eden. (Genesis 1:24-31)

7. Rest: The cycle of teshuvah isn’t the end, but a new beginning. Now we rest so that we can start the cycle again in the new month. Today we worship; we mourn with those that mourn and have joy with those that have joy. You can better help others because God has opened your eyes and you see “It is good.” (Genesis 2:1-3)

The Restoration

To be fully restored, we must continue learning, growing, teaching, and building. We’re growing grace by grace in Christ. The way to grow now is not merely inside of us, building our own relationship with God. Now, we find others that can help us grow. All of these will teach and guide you on the path, just as you will teach and guide them. No one has all of the answers. This is why God has taught us to worship with others. You’re not alone. We’re all in it together. This is known as the Spirit of Ubuntu.

Christ and the Spirit of Ubuntu

What is ubuntu? Ubuntu is a Nguni Bantu term translated as “humanity towards others.” A broader understanding of the term would be “the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity,” (Wikipedia) . In Mormon Kabalistic ideology it’s Zion: “I am because we are.”

We all share the same creator, and are all the children of God, as we learn in the first book of Genesis. This bond is universal and connects all of us. The greater we understand this principle, as taught in Mormon Kabbalah, the greater we understand ubuntu and our creator.

The following story is shared to explain ubuntu:

One day, a western anthropologist went to Africa to study the social behavior of an indigenous tribe. He proposed a game to the children and they willingly agreed to be part of it. He put a basket filled with fruits underneath a tree and told the children that whoever would reach the basket first would win the whole basket and could eat the fruits all by him or herself.

“He lined them all up and raised his hand to give the start signal. Ready. Set. Go!

“The children took each other’s hands and started running together. They all reached the basket at the same time. Then they sat down in a big circle and enjoyed the fruits together, laughing and smiling all the time.

“The anthropologist could not believe what he saw and he asked them why they had waited for each other as one could have taken the whole basket all for him or herself.

“The children shook their heads and replied, “Ubuntu, how can one of us be happy if all the others are sad?” —Amy Rees Anderson

What could be more Christian that to put others before self? This is the age old internal war between Ego and altruism. The real winners are those who seek altruistic goals and opportunities over that which rewards ego, pride, and selfishness. Let us all move forward, embracing the spirit of ubuntu.

Assignment 9: Teshuvah Week 4

In more than 300 words, describe your experiences meditating for 7 days, preferably in a row. How long did you mediate? Did you notice a change in yourself throughout the week as you meditated? What does teshuvah mean to you, and do you feel closer to the Lord after this week’s mediation? Why or why not?

In another 200 words, describe your experiences meditating for a month, four weeks, in a row. How was the total experience? What did you learn about yourself? Your ministry? Do you feel closer to God?

Please send your written assignment to David Ferriman: dferriman@cjccf.org