PARSHAS Bechukosai 5784
Lost and Found
Rabbi Dovid Yachnes
Men's Programming
Confusion. Frustration. Weariness. All these speak of the feelings we have as we trudge through life trying to figure it all out. Painted with an unlimited amount of colorful distractions, we numb ourselves just to be able to survive.
In truth, it is only natural that we have this reaction to life. Without a clear roadmap leading us through the jungle of life, we are indeed all but lost. Why would a seemingly loving and kind Creator toss us into a spiral of endless uncertainty and disappointment?
He, of course, would not! In fact, He did not! In just less than two weeks, we will celebrate perhaps the greatest holiday of all. Chag Shavuos! The day in which we commemorate and relive the most monumental moment that our nation has ever experienced.
Shavuos is the time when Hashem, the Creator and Master of the universe, revealed Himself to the three million men, women and children who had just left Egypt and then proceeded to give them the Torah. What is the Torah and why did God want us to have it?
The Torah is the map and direction for life. It is the manual and the “how to” book. Contained within the centuries-old script is the path to survival, to living, to thriving. Everything is found in it! God understood that without Torah we would be lost. He gave us the Torah so we could find our way through the paths of life, always.
We are familiar with the words that many of us sing together on Shabbos – “עֵץ חַיִּים הִיא לַמַּחֲזִיקִים בָּהּ” – “Torah is a tree of life for those who grab hold of it”. If we are to figure out this life, we must utilize the handbook. Thankfully, we live in a time and place where Torah is accessible to everyone. With classes, both virtually and in person, as well as the many avenues to study alone and with others, there are so many opportunities to connect to Torah.
We can and must attach ourselves to the wisdom and lessons of the Torah! We no longer have to feel lost and confused. Let us utilize the great gift of Torah, find our direction, and live with clarity, confidence, and calm!
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