“The breath of life”.
Twenty thousand times a day, if not 25,000.
Each breath a gift, an opportunity laden with purpose and challenge — life!
Last night, sitting with released hostage Or Levy, the intensity of life, the absolute contrasted elements of living in the physical world was palpable.
The breath of life is is a quote from the Torah regarding the creation of humankind. First formed of the earth and then infused with the soul — the breath of life.
Breath and soul in Hebrew share the same letters. Each breath expressing yet another moment of purpose.
Or sat in captivity for 491 days. Starvation to the extent not seen by the Jewish nation since the Holocaust— evidenced by all upon his fortuitous return. Yet though he eats well nowadays it’s not without deep guilt and shame that there are yet friends of his that are still in captivity wasting away.
Despite this, Or is focused on his “why” which is what propels him forward and gives him his “how”. It’s not his line of course but it was taught to him by Hersh Polin Goldberg who also learned it from someone else. Alas, Hersh didn’t make it but he left Or with something to cling to as he thought of his 2 year old son Almog during his captivity.
Breathe. Feel the joy. Feel the heat, the sun, the sounds of life, the delicious flavors of your meal. Feel the pangs of guilt, perhaps regret but ultimately the empowerment of life; the responsibility and the opportunity —all perfectly expressed in the breath of life.
Incredibly, Or smiles a lot. He says he must smile. If he doesn’t smile then “it would have been better that he didn’t make it out alive from Gaza” — his quote.
Can one even understand what he’s saying? Hardly, unless you recognize the soul of life.
The soul. Encompassing more than words can articulate. Life, deeper, more beautiful yet more painful than the mind can possibly contain.
Ultimately we realize, the soul can contain what the mind can’t fathom. Breath the breath of life. Neshama.
Or is smiling. He’s breathing. He’s alive. We weren’t here merely to spectate. We all have a Gd given mission in the world.
Breathe the breath of life!