After the Manchester Synagogue Attack, They Danced Through Their Tears
This week’s Torah portion starts with the words, “Vayilech Moshe” “And Moses went”. This week’s Torah portion is often read together with the previous parsha Nitzavim (which means ‘standing’). What can we learn from the juxtaposition of ‘standing’ from last week’s Torah portion and this week’s parsha which means ‘went’?
Lesson:
Last week, we reflected on the amazing power of standing still, of being quiet to better hear the messages that God is always whispering to us. Being still and quiet to hear the messages is the prerequisite for self-assessment and growth.
However, there are times we need to move and go! We need to go with the newfound inspiration the standing provided and incorporate that into our daily, busy lives. Inspiration without implementation is like having a check but not taking it to be cashed, it’s not worth much!
How do we translate inspiration and clarity into practical change? Let’s say for example, you realize that you need to improve your general mood throughout the day. That’s the inspiration, but now we need implementation. Since we can’t change overnight, nor are we supposed to, we can try to identify one, very small and manageable action that we can try to implement. One small practical thing would be to put a timer on for one minute a day and smile, no matter what, during that one minute. One might argue – but I want to improve my general mood – not just one minute of the day! However, tiny baby steps, slowly, slowly build to create long-lasting changes.
A famous Torah Sage, Rabbi Akiva was an unlearned, illiterate shepherd at 40 years old who had an offer to marry a beautiful and wise woman from a wealthy family if he would learn Torah. The task at hand seemed too daunting. One day he came across a stream and noticed a huge rock with a hole in the center. Droplets of water were falling - drop by drop - exactly where the hole in the rock was. He realized the power of a little droplet of water, when dropped consistently. He realized that if soft water can erode hard stone drop by drop, then surely the soft, sweet words of Torah can penetrate a stony heart, word by word. Alone a droplet of water may not be powerful, but together and consistently with other drops, it contains much power.
When we make small, consistent implementations, it may not seem like change is occurring. But these small and consistent actions compile and compound to create lasting and beautiful results. Each day, we will see that we are slowly, slowly – drop by drop - transforming into the people we want to become. So when you’re inspired by something think that you have the check – now you just have to take it to the bank!
Exercise: Take something that inspired you or something you’ve wanted to work on or accomplish. Think of a very small and manageable action that you could consistently do every day to work towards that goal. Write it down to remind yourself and do it!
