Torah Big Idea #11 Old Eyes Young Vision

Shalom Friends!

I’m excited to continue teaching from the works of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z”l. We’re moving onto his book, Studies in Spirituality, published in 2021, about a spiritual lesson in each weekly Torah portion. 

Because we’re reading from the end of the Torah right now, we’re going to start with the last book of the Torah, Dvarim.

Dvarim takes place during the last month of Moses’ life. It is a master class in how to age gracefully. Rabbi Sacks points out that Moses is described at the end of his life as having “eye(s) undimmed and natural energy unabated.” (34:7)

How could this be? Moses was physically old at this point, and spiritually, he had been through many decades of leading a rebellious and stubborn Israelite community.  Surely in his last month, some fatigue / disillusionment set in. 

Rabbi Sacks teaches the opposite. He explains from this verse that his natural energy was unabated precisely because his eyes were undimmed. 

Meaning, Moses never lost his youthful vision and hopefulness for the future. He didn’t become jaded or cynical. Even after a long and imperfect life – Moses never even enters the land of Israel he’s been journeying towards for 40 years – he remains youthful in his vision for the Jewish future. 

Soon we will be entering the new Jewish year of 5786.  It is tempting, especially in our challenging world, to lose little pieces of hope with each passing year. 

And yet, hope is our Jewish super power.

When we gather to pray, to advocate, to learn, to reinforce each other, we elevate our reservoirs of hope. I certainly feel that way and I HOPE – pun intended – you do as well. 

When we fill our homes with family and friends year after year to honor our tradition and our vision for a sweeter future, we add to our reservoirs of hope. 

And when we learn about Moses at the end of his 120 years, we can challenge ourselves to follow his legacy of having older eyes but a young vision.

Shabbat Shalom & Love,

Rabbi Amy