As mentioned in “Leaving seeds of Judaism” humanity is often described in terms relating to the ground/earth/soil ("adam" in Hebrew): like seed, grass, trees (as well as the kosher animals too).  While that entry goes into more detail, let’s discuss here the seed first.  A seed requires nourishment in the sources of soil and water to grow and as it grows, it more or less decomposes/rots.  The grass seed becomes grass by shedding its seed, by death as it were.  The Maggid of Dubno related a parable of a city-dweller who came to the farms for the first time and saw the farmer planting seeds!  He thought, "this man is crazy, wasting food by putting it in the ground!"  But later he saw the fields blossom and he realized that one seed can provide much more food through its planting.  

                   "Edom" in Hebrew means red, as well as soil (and a clan of peoples).  The soil is seen as the life source of the body; we are made up of soil, of minerals.  Blood is red as well and is also said to be our life force; blood spills into the ground for instance just as the body returns to ashes/dust of the ground.  King David was described as red (ruddy), as sometimes G-d is as well, denoting beauty and the preciousness/value of life.  Our blood can boil with anger or be moved by deep poetry like the Psalms as it were.  Passion is described in these terms and no doubt why so many peoples/cultures express passion by kissing the ground.  Part of life may be like the seed, but our deeds can be the blossoms and the harvest, and our passions & love & admiration of beauty be a source for more life.  Who after all, can say that poetry - especially the Psalms - have not encouraged, strengthened, or made them "alive" with passion?  Even passion for love, for young love, or the love of a spouse?  Our acts can indeed spring forth and be seeds for new life!

                   In “Light Emerging Through the Cracks” this concept is described in more detail, but to sum up the cycle of life is that death or pain precedes life or growth.  An egg cracks as the chick hatches from it for instance.  In darkness there is the renewal of life (this concept is also discussed in the teachings and inner meanings of the Jewish calendar).  

                     I feel like Kierkegaard’s parable of the professor who slams his fist into the table saying, “I repeat it” by once again mentioning the parallel of working out.  When we go to the gym, there’s pain and the muscles tear.  This allows the muscles to grow bigger and stronger (depending on types of tears of course).  Emotional, intellectual, and spiritual pain are no different.  Often though emotional and spiritual pains are the hardest to cope with because their benefits are not as readily seen, but one benefit of suffering is the ability to grow in compassion and to know yourself better (when your morals will be compromised by your want for pleasure, comfort, or when they are tested for survival – by the way in Judaism to save a life you can transgress most any commandment, save murder, idolatry, and adultery/rape/etc).  

                   Many of the Psalms discuss the themes of chastisement and the relationship between the righteous & the needy; those who seek after G-d see these challenges as a way to improve, while those who are not as active in seeking G-d (or who have unfortunately been misguided by theologies and ideas from other sources which cause discomfort and despair) see it as destructive punishment.  G-d doesn’t change, but we do; thus some are burned by G-d’s light by coming too close, others have their lights extinguished by running out of fuel, and others are warmed & illuminated (think of Earth – it is perfectly situated for life in the solar system, much closer and its too hot for us, but too far and its too cold).  The difference is ours and in what we do.  This is not to say that those who feel like they are being punished by G-d are wicked because sometimes these are people that have been taught to believe this or because they know their imperfections so well that they assume its G-d’s way to discipline them.  Holding on to this pain or injustice can cause much anger built up inside and low self-esteem (sometimes hidden by "high" self-esteem); the seed doesn't fight the earth, it lets it nourish it.  In this way, those pains and injustices towards us can help nourish us so that we not only let go for our own sakes, but strive to help others: to relieve their pain, to be a voice & work towards rectifying social injustice, and to uplift others who are [metaphorically or literally] crying on the ground.

                   Judaism actually teaches there are many reasons why a person may suffer and its not always "justly," but the faith & trust in G-d in Judaism is that G-d will rectify those wrongs that others have committed against us (and we against others), whether in this world or before the next.  At least we can take comfort in the idea that all earthlings (all things of the earth - plant, mineral, vegetable, animal, us) return and need the earth.  In this sense, we can be like that seed that becomes much more abundant not only through our suffering in life, but in our return to the earth.  The seed didn't need to necessarily even accomplish anything - let alone be cognizant of its own existence - to have merit, to have purpose, and to fulfill its purpose here on earth.  In one sense then, there is beauty in knowing and beauty in that no matter what, there is always a way for us to return to a purified state.  That can give one joy because we contribute in so many ways that we often take for granted ("It's a Wonderful Life" presents this in a classic way too).  Despair then is a waste of time, something that hurts us, when in fact it is not needed.  Even discipline can be seen as a source of joy.  Much like a martial artist who enjoys the discipline it takes to do such precise mind-body exercises or the snowboarder who feels the rush while exerting extreme physical discipline and mental focus while doing a trick, jump, or going for extreme speed.  Sometimes then, the rectification for feeling low is to kiss the ground, is to cry and feel the pain but then to be renewed by the dust, by the sackcloth; many times King David wrote such beautiful Psalms in the midst of suffering and extreme pain or injustice.  Returning to the simple things, to where we came, can sometimes free us.  But also a comforter, a friend, a poem, a story, can enlighten us.  Let us remember that we can help others who suffer, who feel alone, who are sick, who feel pain or despair.  Let's spread and plant new life - "be fruitful and multiply! takes on a whole new meaning!"