Kevin Bemel ·
Do You Know How to Achieve Bliss?
Parsha [Passage of Scripture] Nugget [Precious Idea] Shemos – Beshalach 13:17-17:16
It’s probably no surprise that I live a G-d centered life. But believe it or not, that doesn’t mean I always put G-d first when setting priorities. While when praying or studying at home I dislike interruptions, sometimes I will break away when my family’s need is more important. Several months ago I reduced my study time to get more sleep and perform better in my work. Parshas Beshalach explains:
“Moses caused Israel to journey from the Reed Sea.” (Shemos/Exodus 15:22).
In this Sabbath’s parsha the Children of Israel leave Egypt but once again Pharaoh changes his mind and chases them. G-d splits the Reed Sea (usually incorrectly translated as the Red Sea) and the Israelites walk between two walls of water on dry land. The Egyptians who follow after drown. The Israelites sing the Song of the Sea thanking G-d for their deliverance.
On their journey to the Land of Israel, the Children of Israel complain of hunger and thirst. G-d sustains them with Manna from heaven and water from a rock.
So here’s a question for you: Is it possible to be spiritual and selfish at the same time?
In the verse above, the Torah indicates Moses forced the people to move on. The whole purpose for the Exodus, receiving the Torah on Mount Sinai (arguably the greatest spiritual moment history) awaits. Why did Moses have to compel the Israelites to proceed on their journey?
The Egyptians were so certain of victory they had decorated their horses with gold, silver, and jewels before setting out on the chase. After being drowned all of this booty washed up on the shore and the Israelites delayed to collect the loot. Probably some people wanted to postpone another encounter with the Almighty to acquire more riches. In this case, it’s easy to see why Moses would need to force the people to continue their journey.
The Zohar explains their procrastination differently. The Israelites were so overawed by the divine experience at the Reed Sea they wanted to continue glorying in it. Why forgo an amazing spiritual high for another or different one? Nonetheless, Moses ends this divine encounter in order to move on. I can imagine many of the people saying to him, “how dare you tell me to deny my spirituality!” But Moses knew G-d didn’t want the people selfishly wallowing in spiritual bliss. The importance of the date with destiny at Mt. Sinai trumped the sublime experience at the Reed Sea.
Even those on the highest spiritual level can fall prey to spiritual greed. One night some seminary students were studying Talmud. A wagon driver ran in asking for help. His horse was stuck in a ditch and might die. The students proceeded to debate whether they should continue their duty to the Almighty since study is a paramount commandment. Having concluded they should help the man, they went outside and found the horse was dead. The man lost his livelihood.
Such is the nature of selfishness, whether it is monetary or metaphysical. Your desire to transcendentally experience bliss may seem to have primacy. In reality,
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The answer may require you go out in the pouring rain to help someone change a flat tire. By devoting yourself to helping G-d’s children you’re on the path to spiritual ecstasy.
What do you use to guide your life, in particular, your spiritual life?
You can leave a comment on this question or ask another question below ↓
Every year beginning on Simchas Torah, the cycle of reading the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, ends and begins again. Each Sabbath a portion known as a sedra or parsha is read. Its name comes from the first significant word or two with which this weekly reading begins.
Do you have a question about the Old Testament? Ask it here and I will answer it in a future Parsha Nugget!
