By Mindy Rubenstein, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 15, 2010
The Jewish people recently celebrated the new year, along with the culmination of reading the Torah, or Hebrew Bible. And while the high holidays were a time of deep introspection and an accounting of our lives, the real work has just begun anew.
This week's Torah portion talks about Abraham, the first Jew. He begins a new journey to the land of Canaan, where he becomes the founding father of monotheism.
The portion begins with the words: "Go forth from your land . . . to the land that I will show you." His journey was open-ended, with no destination or foreseeable future. Abraham travels, step by step, without hesitation and with courage to meet his destiny.
While we read the same words every year at this time, it suddenly has new meaning for me. I struggle with trying to be in control of my own situation, where I am now and where I'm headed. I feel pressure as a wife and mother of three young children to determine and create the ideal situation for our family.
But after reading these words this week, it became clear I am in the same situation as Abraham. I must work hard, do my best, but ultimately I cannot know our true destination. And that's okay.
The story of Abraham is inspiring me to live in the moment, as truly difficult as that can be, and to stop worrying so much about where we are headed. It's important to plan and have goals, of course, but it's even more important to enjoy the scenery along the way, to enjoy what's happening right now, and to have faith.
In practical terms, it means sitting on the floor to play with my baby instead of frantically straightening up the house. Reading my son a book when he asks me to, instead of saying "not now." And helping my daughter with her homework instead of checking my e-mail.
This call to "Go forth on a Journey" is really a call to us all. The message of Abraham, it seems, is to face our own personal journeys with courage and dignity; to embrace each step, and meet our destiny.
Mindy Rubenstein can be reached at mindy.rubenstein@yahoo.com.