Real Soul Food - Shoftim 5786

Over the centuries people have eaten whatever they had available. There was often no understanding of the relationship between particular foods and their health. There were those who studied this relationship and learned about which foods are healthy and which are not. Some chose to eat healthy foods, and they enjoyed the benefits, both short and long term. 

It was always much easier to just eat whatever is easiest to prepare. The good stuff may not taste as sweet, salty or crunchy and requires more thought and self control. 

Then came the fast food. Instead of planning and cooking, or spending a lot of money and time in an upscale restaurant, you could pick up some delicious food, not even needing to get out of your car. It was advertised as delicious and convenient and healthy. (You could even get a piece of lettuce with the burger!)  the idea caught on like wildfire and spread throughout the world. What an easy way to provide for our nutritional needs. What fun!  How convenient. The health nuts stayed away but they were in the minority and pretty much made fun of. 

And then slowly but surely the world started recognizing the dangers of the fast and easy food. True nutrition may take more work but the benefits pay off in a big way. Often there is a wakeup call. As people become older and wiser, and perhaps G-d forbid facing a serious illness, they start to change their diet. They realize they have been misled and fed a bill of goods. They look at the evidence and work to get on track with what is really healthy and really good for us. Can they undo the damage?  If only they would have been more careful when they were younger…

So what does this have to do with this week’s Parsha?  In chapter 18, beginning with verse 9, Moshe addresses the many types of spiritual practices that there are in the world. Diviners, sorcerers, false prophets, astrologers and all kinds of things that people do to convince us that this is the best way to ensure a good life. 

It’s safe to say that this also applies to the modern spiritual movements like TM, Yoga and Mindfulness as spiritual movements, and so many practitioners who promise nirvana, deep spiritual experiences and peace of mind. It is so seductive. Why observe 613 commandments when you can just take a shortcut and achieve spirituality taught by this or that famous guru. It’s sweet. It is delicious, and it’s the latest way to create a great life. 

But it’s fast food. The one who understands and values healthy eating will not succumb to all the hype and glitzy advertising of the fast food places. It may taste good and feel good l and be easy to come by, but it is not true spiritually. It is not a real connection to Hashem. It is focused on the self, and is not based on the reality of Creation. We received that from Hashem at Sinai, and the truth of those values will never change. 

Moshe says (v. 13): “Be wholehearted with Hashem your G-d.”  True spirituality and true peace of mind come with connection to Hashem by observing His Mitzvot. I have met so many Jews who have tried all kinds of movements looking for spirituality, and one day they taste the Torah and are overcome by the feeling of coming home. 

The Torah is our “wisdom before the nations.”  Hashem’s precious gift that allows us to deeply understand the workings of our souls, our psyches, our bodies and the world. Yes, it takes study and requires self-control, but a life lived by Torah is a life of real purpose - a purpose beyond our own selves and a purpose that raises us up to bond with the Infinite. 

The Jewish sages and mystics mastered the secret to real peace and real spirituality. They taught how to handle all challenges and find holiness in everything in the world. Why look at the fast food and feed yourself stuff just because it may taste sweet and have lots of fat at the moment?  We have the real stuff. It is beneath us to fall for the cheap. 

Friday is the first day of the month of Elul, the final month of the year. It is called the month of accounting and introspection, the time to examine if we are on track and how we can grow in the New Year. Part of that accounting is to think about whether what I am doing to elevate myself and find meaning in life is grounded in truth and reality. May we all be blessed with a Sweet New Year - authentic sweetness - in every way.