LIVE LIFE

     While I was preparing to write this blog I recalled an incident that happened to me while teaching a college philosophy class. 

 A student asked me a number of questions. He began with, "Does G-D really exists"? 

 A question, I am sure many would ask but are too embarrassed. Though I was taken aback by the question I retorted, "Do you exist?" The next question was, "Is G-D good?" My retort was, "Are you good?" He then asked, "Is G-D merciful?" My retort was, "Are you merciful?" The final question was, "Does G-D really care?" My reply was, "Do you really care?"

 As this conversation proceeded I sensed the young man was asking these probing questions because something was troubling him and this classroom was a safe venue to seek answers.

  My answers were to encourage him to reflect upon the existence of G-D, in light of what it can engender in humanity. 

 The reality of G-D's existence can be answered by what affect Hashem lives spiritually and existentially through us and how His existence affects humanity in our daily lives. 

  For man to find the answers to these profound question, we must begin to realize that G-D lives through us - through our goodness - through our humanity and how we relate to each other.

  That is why we are created in the Image of G-D. Such an appellation creates a humanity which must live within the Image of G-D.  If we do so, our lives and our actions will make G-D beloved to all of mankind. 

   As I equally probe for answers, this week's Parsha B’Chucosai which is the last in Sefer Vayikrah, comes to mind.  The first few words read, "ואם בחוקותי תלכו,

“If you will follow my decrees." Then the Torah continues to instruct us how to behave. My focus at this moment is on the first word אם, 'IF'.  Such a simple word and yet it speaks volumes. Think of the word IF and you begin to realize that this two letter word IF, is a little hinge on which the door of destiny swings. 

The very word LIFE, reflects this important idea. For we observe that in the middle of the word life, is the word IF, reminding humanity of the vast contingencies that our life is fraught with. For in the middle of LIFE for all of us is the big IF.   IF I did this or IF I did that, how different LIFE would have been for us. 

  One of my favorite poems is entitled "The Road Not Taken", by Robert Frost. 

   Once while walking through the forest, he came upon a fork in the road, where two paths branched out. Naturally, he could take only one of them, but in the poem, he wonders what would have happened had he taken the other path. The path he did take, he concludes, "Has made all the difference". 

Thinking of my student's questions and the IF of our Sedrah, I realize more and more that as we live LIFE, despite all of the uncertainties and the unpredictable contingencies of LIFE we have to accept LIFE as it is and live it the best way we know and with B’siata Deshmayah, LIFE will be a glorious experience. We cannot, no we must not, go through LIFE second guessing ourselves or wishing that things would be different than the way they are.

  We need to begin to use the IF in a positive way. That is what our Torah reading is all about. IF we want a harvest we need to plant seeds. IF we want good health we have to follow a proper diet. IF we want friendship, we must act in a friendly manner to others. IF we want an ethical way of LIFE then we need to live with morality. IF we want a home of serenity and happiness, then we are to infuse our home with שלום בית. 

   The English word LIFE contains the word IF, however the Hebrew word for LIFE, חיים, contains the name of  G-D; for the true achievement of LIFE can only be realized when it is lived with, אהבת הי ויראת הי. 

   These are trying times for עם ישראל, ארץ ישראל and for the future of humanity, and when we put Hashem into the equation and in the center of our lives then we will, with G-D's help, see the true Geulah S’hlayma heralding a time of peace and tranquility.