There was once a young Hasid who devoted his life to studying the religious texts of our people. One night, without any apparent reason, this pious young man closed his Talmud and ran out of his house into the middle of the town square, crying out, “What is the meaning of life? I cannot go any further, I cannot study one additional verse of Torah without knowing the meaning of life!”
Other Hasidim came running to his aid from their homes, from their studies. They tried to calm him down, to convince him to return to his Talmud, but to no avail. Finally, the local Hasisim recommended that he take a trip to the residence of the Rebbe, a few towns away.
So the young Hasid left immediately for the Rebbe’s home. When he finally gets in to see him, he nervously whispered his question. “I must know, I cannot go on any longer, I cannot study another page, until I know: What is the meaning of life?”
The rebbe rose from his seat, walked over to the young man, looked him over very carefully, and shook his head.
“You fool,” answered the rebbe. “You have such a good question – why exchange it for an answer?”
This week, our Torah portion – Re’eh – gives us some of both. Answers, yes … but ultimately, more questions. In its opening lines, Moses proclaims to the Israelites: “Re’eh – see, this day I set before you blessing and curse.” Very quickly, we learn that these are not grand, faraway ideas; but rather specific instructions and reminders as to God’s expectations for the people, What does it mean for them to choose blessing… indeed, to be a blessing? Well, it means remitting debts, taking care of those with no means of providing for themselves, and remaining true to their festivals and ritual observances.
These words are a precursor to those we’ll hear together on Yom Kippur morning: “I put before you life and death, good and evil, blessing and curse… Choose life, so that you and your descendants may live.” Having a chance to hear them now gives these thoughts a chance to live in us. It’s an opportunity to contemplate the questions these words raise. A chance for us to find our own way into that mindset of reflection … and to be reminded that in so many ways – large and small -- the creating change and to transform life into something better really is in our hands.
How will we reach for that potential? Just for today, let us hold that as our question. As the rebbe in our opening story went on say to the Hasid so deeply in search of the meaning of life: “It is the answers which separate us, the questions which unite us.”
May we always be able to turn to the guidance of this Torah portion, and to see that the power to create new beginnings and to choose blessing is in our hands still. And may we turn to our loved ones and community members to help us in this sometimes fearsome but always invigorating venture.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Gutterman
