18 Sivan 5783 – 7 June 2023
עַל־פִּ֤י ה’ יַחֲנ֔וּ וְעַל־פִּ֥י ה’ יִסָּ֑עוּ אֶת־מִשְׁמֶ֤רֶת יְהֹוָה֙ שָׁמָ֔רוּ עַל־פִּ֥י ה’ בְּיַד־מֹשֶֽׁה׃
On a sign from Hashem they made camp and on a sign from Hashem they broke camp; they observed Hashem’s mandate at Hashem’s bidding through Moses.
It is quite normal for us to make plans in life. We plan our work, our leisure time. Our goals and our holidays. Some people have their whole lives planned out for them. Sometimes everything goes exactly as we planned, and sometimes our plans go awry.
When things do work out the way we want them to, it’s called in Hebrew k’seider ( order) and when they don’t work out, it’s called shelo k’seider.
This verse makes it clear to us that G-d is who guides us through the times of life. It is He who determines which goals we achieve, and then it does not matter whether we are talking about spiritual or mental goals. It is He who ultimately determines our path in life.
If something is not going the way we would like, we can get angry or try to go against G-d’s will. But that only leads to more frustration, anger and can even lead to depression.
We must learn to accept that our life path is going the way He has set it out for us and if goals are not achieved that that is okay too. We need to turn shelo ke’seider into k’seider. Every event, every situation we must see as Divinely guided, we fully accept His guidance.
That gives us peace in our hearts, that makes us go through life happily.
This should not make us lazy, thinking that the goals meant for us will be achieved anyway, whether we try our best or not. Building and tearing down the Tabernacle was hard work. So whatever the outcome, we must roll up our sleeves and work towards all our goals. And know that whatever the outcome, the way there is also a learning moment and whether or not we achieve the goal is what is good for us.
By Angelique Sijbolts
Sources:
Crossing the Narrow Bridge – A Practical guide to Rebbe Nachmans’s Teachings by Chaim Kramer p. 179
Kehot Chumash
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