We reviewed last month that Moses becomes a teacher at the end of his life and encourages the Israelites to “choose life.” It seems obvious – who would choose death? But in our world today there are those who believe in martyrdom and that death brings them some kind of heavenly reward.
Judaism vehemently forbids such acts of martyrdom. Even the temptation to sacrifice a life in strict observance of most laws is forbidden – an ill person must eat and take medicine on Yom Kippur; we may drive and use phones on Shabbat in the case of an emergency. There is no Jewish piety in dying because of our laws.
This concept is reinforced again in The Book of Dvarim which we continue to read this month. In Dvarim, the emphasis is on what kind of life the Israelites will live. They have survived their years of wandering and are poised to enter the Land of Israel. And Moses says to them: And you, who cling to the Lord Your God, you are all alive today.
Moses is adding a layer onto preserving life – the layer of meaningful life. Moses preaches to the Isaelites – you have survived the desert, years of uncertainty and trevails. But arriving alive, even in the Land of Israel, is not enough. The purpose is to elevate our lives.
Long before it was trendy to say “thriving not surviving,” Moses reminded the Israelites that their lives in the Land of Israel had a higher purpose. That purpose was holiness. The Torah and our tradition gives us many avenues for holiness from what we eat to how we use our words to how we spend our time and money. No corner of life is exempt from the goal of holiness.
I love this aspect of Judaism and … I also find it daunting. I love that holiness can be found in every act, every moment. When I’m feeling most grounded and aware, even seemingly simple things like getting a good night’s sleep or eating a favorite fruit can bring me tremendous gratitude.
But this thriving can also be unrealistic. Every moment, every action, every word at a higher level?! Not in this lifetime.
I believe Moses and the Israelites also understood this reality. Human beings stumble, human beings are not on a never swerving incline up a mountain of holiness. And yet, we have great potential.
This new year season is our time to evaluate and recalibrate. Where have we approached holiness and where did we miss the mark? In what areas are we thriving and what areas are we surviving? How can we adjust to elevate our lives a bit more in this new year? What can we do now so that next year at this time we are proud of our changes and our growth?
I’m asking myself these questions daily as we approach the new year. Let’s support each other in our quest for thriving in life.
Shabbat Shalom & Love,
Rabbi Amy