Is there something wrong with simplicity?

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 “Tamim Tih’ye im Hashem Elokecha.” (Devarim 18:13)  Be “tamim” with Hashem your G-d.  The Hebrew word “tamim” can be translated in many ways.  The basic translation is “wholehearted.”   The Torah is telling us to be wholeheartedly devoted to serving Hashem.  The word tamim can also mean simple, or simplistic, or complete.  This simple five-word verse carries a very powerful message for each of us.  Completeness does not necessarily mean complicated or overly sophisticated.  Straightforward, straight up positive actions mean more than all the philosophizing in the world. 

 

Rashi on this verse says:  “Be wholehearted with Hashem, your God: Conduct yourself with Him with simplicity and depend on Him, and do not inquire of the future; rather, accept whatever happens to you with [unadulterated] simplicity and then, you will be with Him and to His portion.” Someone asked me this morning if the Torah says anything about how to be happy.  I was thinking about all the new ideas that have come to our world about how to achieve happiness, some from different religions, some from various movements and spiritual ideas.  There is so much being done in this field today, and I think it is safe to say that there is an epidemic of depression, anxiety and despair, perhaps more than ever. 

 

As I told that person, the Torah, and especially Chassidus, is light years ahead of all these ideas and movements.  Those words of Rashi, based on the simple five-word verse, tell it all.  I am saddened when I see people who have a heritage and history that gives all the tools to find a truly meaningful life, to feel fulfilled and purposeful, give up their treasure and go seek other ideas that will never bring them the peace and harmony they seek.  As the previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Schneerson once said, people seem to like to let go of the simple, straightforward way and seek all kinds of complications.

 

Torah is highly sophisticated, and Torah study is deep, rigorous and greatly satisfying intellectually, and it contains simple (not always easy, of course) tools to achieve happiness.  Rather than seeking muddy waters, it behooves us to learn the straightforward path of the pure waters of Torah.  There is a lot more to say, but in the interest of simplicity, I will leave it at that.

 

May you be inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet New Year.

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