Parasha Shelach ends with the final paragraph of the SHMA. This paragraph reminds us to make fringes on our garments the Tzitzit in order to remind us to keep Hashem's mitzvoth and to not stray after things that capture the attention of our hearts and eyes.
Our attention is meant to be focused one hundred percent of the time on Hashem in all that we do. Why. Because…
Bamidbar 15:41 I am the Lord, your God, Who took you out of the land of Egypt to be your God; I am the Lord, your God.
This sentence turns out to be one of the many cornerstones of Torah. It is repeated several times in various ways including Ex 6:2, Ex 16:1, Judges 6:9 to name a few. It is a cornerstone because it speaks to the heart of what our internal association with Hashem is all about.
When we are seeking meaning within and then find it what we find is that which is described in this verse. We get a sense of what Hashem is all about on a personal basis.
For example we may be in a troubled state or caught up in something that we wish we were not. This kind of situation is referred to as Egypt in those situations where the only help we may count upon is that inner insight that breaks through all of the confusion and guides on our way to more meaning and a better relationship with our own inner lights.
Once we do make that breakthrough within it is important that we be reminded about what has happened so that the next time we find ourselves in a similar situation we will know immediately where to turn.
In addition if we take this a step further we will see that having Hashem to be our G-d means that increasingly our lives will take the reflection of that focus and we will no longer find ourselves returning to Egypt either by design or by being caught unawares.
It is crucial that we remember Hashem each moment. Prior to this final part of Parasha Shelach Yisrael is given instructions as to what the sacrifices are going to be once they enter into the Promised Land. These instructions are given forty years in advance of their entry! The reason why this happens is because the generation that is going to enter the Promised Land is called upon to remember
Hashem always unlike their ancestors who perished in the desert.
There is one more call to remember in this parasha and that is described as the man who was caught collecting wood on Shabbat. He is guilty of profaning the Shabbat and is stoned to death as a result. The lesson is clear once again. Hashem asks us to follow his mitzvoth. If we do not then we suffer the consequences.
A common sense approach to all of this remembering is as follows.
Our thoughts our actions have consequences. When we think and act with Hashem in mind we are guided in the 'paths of righteousness' and have nothing to fear. It is like being told to look both ways before crossing. We may not like to do this but our very survival depends upon making this a lifelong habit.
The same is true with making up our minds to consider Hashem in all we do both before and after the experience is proven to be true.
Sometimes we will know immediately that we are doing what is right and other times upon reflection we will see that Hashem was always there all along. May this always be so in your lives. B"H
For LOCAL INFO on Torah, Kabbalah, and a local events calendar click here.
Comments