In All Of Your Ways

Judaism is really a lifestyle of faith and not just something you do for a few hours a week. The more you live it, the more you experience and benefit from what the Jewish faith has to offer. Proverbs 3:6 says "In all your ways know him." Talmudic teaching states that this one verse "contains the essence of the entire Torah." Know matter how small, or mundane the task, one can dedicate it to God and make it a holy act. It really goes back to the concept of raising the hidden sparks spoken about in Kabbalistic teachings.

For example, take your job. Know matter how menial it may seem, do it to the best of your ability. Think of how you'll use it to learn and support your family. Remember that it provides the means for you to contribute to your favorite cause, or charity to make the world a better place. And if it is not your life's ambition, then think of it as a stepping stone that provides for your welfare while you pursue your true life's goal. Another teaching of Judaism is that we each have a specific task that only we can complete and that our life is wasted if we don't pursue and accomplish it.

Another classic example of incorporating your Jewish belief into your life is during the act of eating. Jews were to be a "nation of priests" states the book of Exodus. We were to always be mindful of God's holy presence. But it was also recognized that it can be difficult to maintain that awareness with all of the distractions and temptations of life. And so it was decided to incorporate ritual into our daily life that would create and help maintain this mindfulness. This is the case with the kosher diet. We are told to eat only certain foods that have been prepared in a certain way. But we are never told why. It's a matter of trust. We are also told to bless the food before eating and the wording of the prayer is designed to develop a personal bond with the Divine. We say Eloheynu, our God. The idea is that we eat multiple times per day and at least for a moment would remind ourselves of God's closeness and unity. One can take this a step further and contemplate how one will use the nourishment from this food to improve our lives and the world. We remind ourselves that we are co-creators with God and that it is our role to "heal the world" through individual acts of Tikkun.

The concept is to dedicate one's life and being to God. But it is not just serving God, but remembering that we ourselves are aspects of the Shekinah, the divine presence. "Heaven on earth" is achieved through us and the way we live our lives. Thus, we must always be mindful to make our lives holy and to raise the divine sparks each chance we get. We must think and behave like priests and priestesses. The Hebrew word for this focused concentration is kavannah. There's no reason to overwhelm one's self with ritual and a radical change in lifestyle. Just take the first step and add a little more each day to your practice of maintaining an awareness of God in your life. You'll find your life enriched and more meaningful.

Before I go, I just want to remind you to remember the brave advocates for freedom in Iran, who continue to protest and suffer from the tyrannical rule of the mullahs. As we celebrate our liberty this July 4th, lets display green (the color of the protestors) along with the red, white and blue to show support. It can be a banner, ribbon, or something you wear. And speak out wherever you can. They struggle for the basic rights we take for granted and it's always been the Jewish way to side with those who fight for human rights.

Until nex time....

Shmuel