Finding Your Way

Every human is unique. Every human is irreplaceable, for each person is a distinct conglomerate of certain qualities and aptitudes that enable him or her to do a special task in this world that no one else can do. As such, Hashem leads each person down a distinct path of life, tailor-made to facilitate that person’s soul correction and the development and acquisition of the particular tools, skills, experience, and aptitude that he or she will need to do their job effectively. Once you know this, it’s easy to find your way in life.

Let’s take the military for example. Every soldier has a training path designed to enable him to perform his future tasks. For example, it’s not enough that a pilot learn how to fly a plane. To be a good pilot, he must also learn physical fitness, navigation, aerodynamics, meteorology, weapons ordnance, and parachuting, just to name a few. A pilot trainee doesn’t complain when he’s sent to cope on his own for seven days in the desert, for he knows that survival training could save his life in the future. He doesn’t become sad and depressed when he has to navigate on foot through difficult terrain, complaining, “Hey, I’m a pilot; what do I need these ground exercises for?” He knows that everything along his training path is designed for his ultimate success and benefit.

By the same token, Hashem tailors a unique path in life for each of us, giving us experience that we need to do our jobs. Every trial, tribulation, and ordeal is just another stepping stone to strengthen us and to help us reach our goal successfully. With this in mind, there’s no room for all types of complaints and questions such as, “Why is Hashem doing this to me?” Knowing that everything in our lives is part of the tailor-made path in life that Hashem designs for each of us, there’s no room at all for sadness or despair. We never get lost, and we always find our way. That means that we have direction in life; we therefore become much more efficient in whatever we do.

The Torah teaches about Avraham Avinu (Abraham), the first monotheist, who we call “Rosh Haolam”, the head of the world. Just as the head is the control center and most important part of the body, Avraham Avinu is the head and most important part of humanity in that Emuna – the complete and true faith in one G-d – comes from him. If you take a close look, Emuna is the most important contribution to society in all of history.

The book of Genesis, or Breishit, which tells about Avraham Avinu – is the book of Emuna. The best way to learn Chumash, or any of the 5 Books of the Written Torah, is with Rashi’s commentary, for our sages teach us that Rashi’s commentary is also conducive to emuna. Rashi stands for Rav Shlomo Yitzchaki, and 11^th C Ashkenazi (France and Germany) Torah luminary who interpreted the entire written Torah and the entire Gemara.

The Torah tells us in Parshat Vayera of Avraham Avinu sitting in the entrance to his tent on a scorching hot desert day on the third day following his circumcision at age 99. Hashem made the day a scorcher, so that no one would move about, enabling Avraham Avinu to rest. Instead, Avraham Avinu was sorry that he had no guests. He was the epitome of lovingkindness. His entire task was to advertise Hashem’s name in the world. Avraham Avinu would feed desert travelers, and while they’d eat and rest, he’d tell them about Hashem. When they’d want to pay for Avraham Avinu’s hospitality, he’d tell them that there’s no need to pay – just say thank you to Hashem. He’d then teach people how to say the grace after meals.

So, here we have a 99 year-old man suffering the post-operative pain of circumcision, and he doesn’t even feel the pain, because he’s upset that there’s no guest in his tent. There’s no to whom he can teach about Hashem!

As the descendants of Avraham Avinu, we also have the duty to continue spreading the truth of Hashem in the world. We have a specific purpose of carrying the message of emuna to the ends of the earth. Rebbe Nachman of Breslev teaches that the redemption of our people is dependent on passing the message of emuna all over the world, to every people and to every nation, Jews and non-Jews alike. As opposed to other religions, we’re not trying to make other people like us; we don’t proselytize nor are we missionaries. Missionizing is stupid anyway, because each nation has its own particular task and path in life. Yet, our purpose is simply to disconnect people from idol worship – just like our forefather Abraham did – and to connect them to Hashem.

Three times a day, we say the Aleinu prayer, which is all about ridding the world of idolatry and spreading the message of emuna in the world. We pray for the day when idolatry is wiped off the face of the earth, וכל בני בשר יקראו בשמך – and when all the nations of the earth shall call Your name, a day when Hashem shall reign over all people.

One asks, if Hashem is all-powerful, why can’t He reign over all people now? G-d willing, we’ll answer that question next week, in the coming portion of this series.

To be continued.