GROWING YOUNGER
Dear Family,
Hope everyone is well and enjoying the Summer.
Mazal Tov to Zalmy for having been offered a place in Law School. Now for something different!!
Wishing Miriam Brocha to enjoy all her globe trotting.
We are now in the last Book of Chumash, Sefer Devarim.
Devarim is different from the previous 4 Books. It is said that the first 4 were from Hashem, and the last was a repetition from Moshe Rabeinu.
This week Zalmy showed me a Dvar Torah from Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, which I found interesting, and am summarising below.
The Book of Devarim is set entirely in the LAST MONTH OF MOSHE'S LIFE.
And what is striking, is that we still see Moshe as a passionate and driven leader at the age of 120!
At the very end of the Book we read that at the age of 120 MOSHE'S EYES WERE UNDIMMED AND HIS NATURAL ENERGY WAS UNABATED.
There was an interesting Research carried out into AGEING (the Grant study) which began in 1938, trying to find out what contributes to HUMAN FLOURISHING.
George Vaillant, one of the Researchers wrote books called Ageing well and Triumphs of Experience, and 2 of the many dimensions he explored, are relevant to what we see with Moshe.
He calls these
1. Generativity ie taking care of the next Generation
In the middle or later life, when we have established a career etc, we can either stagnate or make a decision to take on new Projects or learn new skills.
The character of this decision is openness and care, and to invest one's substance into forms of life and work THAT WILL OUTLIVE ONESELF.
This could even be voluntary or charitable work.
2. Keeper of the Meaning ie Use of the Wisdom which comes with age
Age together with Wisdom, brings reflection and detachment that allows us to stand back and not get swept along with moods, the fashions, or the madness of the crowds.
He therefore concludes, that especially in our fast moving society of today, we need to turn to Mentors, who can help steer one through the 'white water rapids'.
And don't we see Moshe Rabeinu reflecting this to us.
1. With Moshe's position that he had reached, he could easily have retired, happy with all his achievements of an extraordinary life, chosen by Hashem, Leader of Klal Yisrael etc
Or he could have brooded on his failures and been depressed about not being allowed into Eretz Yisrael etc.
Moshe did neither of these.
What did he do?
He turned his attention to the next Generation. He became Moshe Rabeinu - Moshe our Teacher
He told us who we are, and our destiny.
He spoke about Justice, care for the poor, consideration for employees etc
He spoke of Hashems love for our Ancestors and urged us to reciprocate this love with all heart, soul and might.
He reminded the people of the blessings they would enjoy if they kept Faith with Hashem and the curses that would befall if they did not.
He taught the Song of Haazinu.
He gave the Tribes his death-bed Blessings
2. Moshe summoned all his Wisdom to reflect on past and future, giving to the young, the gift of his vast experience
ALSO BY WAY OF EXAMPLE HE SHOWED WHAT IT IS TO GROW OLD WHILE STAYING YOUNG
Ie Moishe's energy was unabated, (and not, and his eye was undimmed, but) BECAUSE HIS EYE WAS UNDIMMED.
This means he never abandoned his Ideals, no matter what difficulties arose. (and therefore his energy was unabated)
The people who do not give up their ideals, who never give up, who do not 'go gentle into the dark night', who still see a world of possibilities around them, and who encourage and empower those who come after them, - these keep their Spiritual energy intact.
There is something moving about seeing Moshe, at almost 120, looking forward as well as back, sharing his Wisdom, and teaching us, that while the body may age, the Spirit can stay young AD MEAH VEESRIM.
Wishing everyone a Gut Shabbos.