Category: Torah

Awakening the Divine Spark Within

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As we progress through life, we may find ourselves searching for a deeper understanding of the world and our place within it. We may often ponder the larger meaning of life and seek to understand our true purpose in existence, looking for ways to connect with something far greater than ourselves alone. This journey of exploration is a deeply personal one that can take us on a profound path to self-discovery and understanding. In the study of Torah and Jewish teachings, we are constantly reminded of the ultimate goal of life, which is to establish a meaningful relationship with HaShem—God, and to find that spark of infinity within ourselves. This brilliant spark of the divine, within us all, is one of our most valuable assets and can be tapped into to create remarkable transformations in our lives. It is this divine spark of Godliness at the core of our being that can help us find clarity, purpose and direction as we journey through life.

To truly connect with the divine, we must look beyond the superficial and delve deeper within ourselves. Through introspection, personal prayer, self-improvement, and a dedicated pursuit of spiritual growth, we can uncover the hidden truths that lie within. This journey of self-discovery requires commitment and effort, but it leads to a greater understanding of ourselves and the world around us. By embracing personal responsibility for our spiritual development, we open ourselves to a deeper connection with Hashem and the world around us.

The Holy Torah and Sages of Israel guide us to see the world with a sense of wonder and reverence, reminding us that there is a higher power that pervades all aspects of life. By cultivating a deep and meaningful relationship with HaShem, we can find true fulfillment and purpose in our lives. This connection brings blessings and creates a sense of contentment, happiness, and peace that permeates every aspect of our existence. It is through this connection to God that we come to understand our place in the world and the role we are meant to play in fulfilling our ultimate potential. It is a journey of self-discovery, growth and enlightenment, as we come to realise that through our relationship with Hashem, we become our true selves.

It is important to remember that this connection to the divine is not something that can be achieved overnight. It is a lifelong pursuit that requires constant effort, discipline, and a willingness to let go of our preconceptions and biases. This process of spiritual growth is not always easy, and there will be moments when we may feel lost or uncertain. But by committing ourselves to this journey, we open ourselves to the possibility of discovering the true purpose of our existence and awaken our inner gifts. It is through this process of self-discovery, we come to understand that our relationship to God is not just about attaining a state of enlightenment, but it’s about the journey itself, the learning, the growth and the transformation that come from it. It’s about becoming the best version of ourselves, one step at a time, one day at a time. It’s about becoming fully alive and in touch with our inner selves and the world around us.

As a people, the Jews have blessed us with a unique perspective on the world, one that enables us to appreciate and make the most of the opportunities that come our way, while also acknowledging that there is always a higher purpose and greater challenges that we can strive towards. As we find ourselves fully immersed in the year 2023, with a high likelihood of the coming of Moshiach and the redemption of the world, it is important for us to remember that this is not a time to be passive but to actively seek to deepen our connection and develop a meaningful relationship with Hashem, our loving Creator, Father, and King. Through this connection, we will be able to find true fulfillment and purpose in our lives, blessings, and a sense of contentment, happiness, and peace that permeates every aspect of our existence. It is through this relationship with Him that we come to understand our place in the world and the role we are meant to play in fulfilling our ultimate potential, and the purpose of our entire existence.

Trust in HaShem

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It is commonly spoken about and there are many discourses in Torah learning about Emuna (faith) in Hashem (G-d) which is the simple expressed belief in His existence and His goodness. What is less spoken about is Bitachon (trust) in Hashem. What does it mean to have bitachon in Hashem?

Firstly, bitachon in Hashem can only materialise by possessing a proper vessel to contain the wisdom that everything He does is for the ultimate good, even in the moment. A proper vessel (a “container”) for bitachon can only be built in the heart through the performance of mitzvot (the commandments of G-d) – whether that be the 613 commands for the Jewish nation or the 7 Noahide commands for the Gentile nations and all they encompass.

A broken container for trusting Hashem, which comes about through sinning, yields mistrust. Not distrust – but mistrust – an inability to trust that all Ha Kodesh Baruch Hu (The Holy One, Blessed is He) does is for the best for a person and for the world, Chas V’Shalom (G-d forbid).

We have thus established that in order to have suitable trust in G-d’s guidance and intervention of our life we need to have at the very least pure intentions and a willingness to keep his mitzvot. But what does trust exactly entail?

When someone trusts another they take their faith (belief) in that person and elevate it to another level. Their faith in another doesn’t simply remain a hope and a wish that all will be fine between each other but instead when someone wholeheartedly trusts, their hope and wishes become a serene confidence in the goodness and protection that the other can offer.

A serene confidence is the outcome of bitachon in Hashem. A tranquil and unruffled state of mind and being; a conviction and assurance that all is well and all will be well even in the most trying of times.

As G-d is good, and all Goodness is within Him, thus it shall be good and it is for the good, both the inevitable good and the good in the moment. Despite the heavenly curtain that currently prevails and shrouds the full Divine Light from being seen in this world, all remains for the good and bitachon is our own individual manifestation of that good in our lives.

Bitachon is a completion of faith, however not so simple to implement, simply because it requires constant reminders that all is good. We can only be reminded if we have a purity of heart in deed because it is Hashem Himself who grants us this trust.

Bitachon in Hashem is the sweetest and most tender awareness in the world and a treasure to be treasured!

The Purpose Of Life

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Words can be confusing. Despite making sense their meaning depends on personal interpretation. So I ask you… “What is the purpose of life?”. A loaded question, right? But let’s break it down. What is purpose? The dictionary defines it as “an objective to be reached; a target; an aim; a goal”. Narrowing our language further down: what is the objective, target, aim and goal of life?

The answer is startlingly simple. It is what you give it. Yes, yes, the tired old answer you’ve heard countless times before. The purpose of life is what you make of it. But again, language is confusing. It was done that way by Hashem, King of Kings after He destroyed the Tower of Bavel (Babel) and scattered the people of the world after the great catastrophe of the flood of Noah (see Beresheit/Genesis 11:1–9). 

After the flood, the Torah tells us that everyone on earth had the same language and the same words (ibid. Verse 1). The interpretation of this is not only did people speak the same language but they all understood each other perfectly, to a degree of understanding that caused zero confusion. Despite this they were haughty and wanted to make a name for themselves (ibid. Verse 4) and defy Hashem’s loving and benevolent instruction to fill the earth (Beresheit/Genesis 1:28) rather than build and remain in one city (ibid. Verse 4). As a result, Hashem confounded the speech of all the inhabitants of earth (ibid. Verse 7). What does it mean that Hashem confounded their speech?

G-d did not create multiple languages, He instead made people to bumble and stammer. He caused interpretations to go awry. People were misled, understandings were mixed up, chaos ensued and the unity that heretofore allowed the people to thrive was garbled. It was this disunity that thus scattered everyone over the face of the whole earth (ibid. Verse 8).

As a result, we live in the world we do now. Because humanity filled the entire planet, different languages were formed over time out of the dialects of people.

So now when we all ask and exceedingly want to know what’s the meaning or purpose of life, the question almost becomes void in and of itself. It has lost all understanding, unless we can restore its understanding for ourselves.

Is there a difference between the purpose of life and the meaning of life? We have established that a purpose is an objective; a target; an aim and a goal. Let’s return to the trusty dusty old dictionary to define what a ‘meaning’ is. The dictionary defines meaning as “the message (or idea) that is intended”.

We now have two vital words clarified. ‘Purpose’; being an objective, target, aim and goal. And ‘meaning’; being the message or intended idea.

We have established that the purpose of our life is the goal we ourselves give it. However the meaning of life, the message or intended idea behind life intrinsically cannot be ours to provide. We did not create life thus we are not the giver of the message. The message of life is found within the Holy Torah of Hashem. The Torah given to Moshe (Moses) and the ancestors of the Jewish people. It is the Torah that is the blueprint of life, the “dossier” that provides the schematics for living. It is the Torah that provides humanity for all its needs. The Torah is not simply a book, it is the divine underpinning of reality given to humankind throughout history, through Holy Tzadikkim (righteous people) and Prophets.

The purpose of life remains the purpose we ourselves give it. But to know our purpose we need Hashem’s helping hand. We need the Torah and this is why Torah study sustains the entire world because without it we are empty of purpose and without a need to live we die.