The are few things in life that lift a person up as decisively and powerfully, as inspiration.
Yet inspiration can be elusive. It’s not exactly the flip of a switch. In fact, it requires conscious pursuit.
This past week I was communicating with a couple of members of our community who are currently in Israel on a solidarity mission. I could feel their inspiration through the wires. The rawness of their experience — to our people and our land — clearly touching their soul in a profound way. They were in the right place at the right time and the results were apparent.
Some people are easily inspired. Like when walking down the street and marveling at something that barely makes it to your radar. Or those that see the hand of G-d in some story that bores you 20 seconds in. Then there are those who can stand in front of the most beautiful sunrise, experience the birth of a child or narrowly escape a harrowing experience and shrug their shoulders, rationalizing their experience with the ever elusive word —nature, or clinging to the irrational concept of randomness.
Yet inspiration is only half the picture!!
The Lubavitcher Rebbe spoke hours and inspired multitudes. He delivered the most motivating and inspirational talks. Every single one of his talks finished with the words “deed is the main goal”. In other words — it’s what you do with your inspiration that counts.
One can talk about the virtue of helping another and be inspired to help but unless there is resultant help it’s missing the main point. One can be inspired with faith and love to Gd but it’s what we do with it that counts…Not as a belief rather in action.
Action — the partner of inspiration. Or better yet, the sole purpose of inspiration. From non tangible thought and emotion, to the very tangible and quantifiable results of deed.
Judaism requires action. There’s infinite inspiration and faith at the core of our Heritage but at the end of the day — the core foundation of Jewish life is deed!! It’s what has ensured the perpetuation and continuity through thick and thin without one ounce of erosion. We lay Tefillin as they did thousands of years ago.. Shabbat, check. Tzedakah, check. Kosher, check. Torah, check….
And we do so in our style. Indeed we are encourage to do so in style!!
With best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom,