בס”דI

Integrating Torah into one’s life through reflection and conversation can be an incredibly fun and engaging experience. It’s a journey of discovery, where ancient wisdom and timeless teachings come to life in our daily experiences. Through reflection, we have the opportunity to dive deep into the rich tapestry of Torah, extracting profound insights and lessons that resonate with our modern lives. The joy lies in the ‘aha’ moments, those instances when a Torah verse or story suddenly connects with our personal challenges, aspirations, and values. And when we engage in conversations about Torah with others, it becomes an interactive exploration, where diverse perspectives and interpretations enhance our understanding. These dialogues often spark excitement and intellectual curiosity, making the learning process both enjoyable and fulfilling. Torah becomes a vibrant and dynamic part of our lives, offering not just guidance but also a source of endless fascination, connection, and growth.

NOTE: Don’t feel obligated to go through every source or answer all the questions—unless you want to. Even one source, or one question will give you plenty of material for discussion and meditation. Enjoy this!

Some Thoughts from the Parsha

“If a bird’s nest chance to be before you… you shall not take the mother with the young. You shall surely send away the mother, and the young you may take for yourself; that it may be well with you, and you may prolong your days.”
(Deuteronomy 22:6–7)

The commandment of shiluach haken—sending away the mother bird before taking the young—has long puzzled commentators. On the surface, it seems to be about compassion: sparing a mother the pain of seeing her young taken. But the Torah does not frame it as “be merciful.” Instead, it presents it simply as a decree of G-d. The Sages themselves debated whether to ascribe a reason of compassion or to treat it as beyond our understanding.

Maimonides even preserves both perspectives: in one work, he warns against attributing human motives to divine law, while elsewhere he connects the commandment to cultivating mercy. This paradox reminds us that some mitzvot contain layers we cannot fully grasp until a higher state of clarity—what the Talmud calls “the world that is entirely long,” meaning the World to Come.

Awakening from Above vs. Awakening from Within

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdychiv offered a spiritual reading: life has two kinds of awakenings. Sometimes, inspiration comes as a gift from above—like the mother bird nurturing her young. But the Torah cautions us not to rely only on such moments. Instead, we must also “awaken the dawn” ourselves—create our own drive toward G-d through study, prayer, and deeds of goodness.

If we always wait for outside inspiration, we remain passive. But when we cultivate inner motivation—choosing to act even when our hearts feel cold—we discover a deeper partnership with G-d.

What This Means for Noahides

For those walking the Noahide path, this teaching carries universal relevance. A person should not wait passively for faith or inspiration to descend, nor assume that only moments of emotional intensity count as “spiritual.” The everyday choice to turn toward G-d, to pray, to study, or to do acts of kindness is itself the essence of service.

Life offers moments of natural uplift, like the “gift from above.” But the higher calling is to take initiative: to set aside time for prayer, to cultivate gratitude, and to orient one’s daily actions for the sake of Heaven. In this way, every human being can fulfill the verse’s promise—that a life shaped by deliberate service brings blessing and lasting meaning.

Now, reflect on the following questions:

  1. Do I rely only on “inspired moments” to serve G-d, or do I also act when I don’t feel inspired?
  2. How can I train myself to “awaken the dawn” rather than wait for it?
  3. What simple, everyday action can I choose to dedicate l’shem shamayim (for the sake of Heaven)?
  4. When I experience spiritual “dryness,” how can I reframe it as an opportunity for growth?
  5. What practices help me feel most connected to G-d in ordinary, daily life?

Shabbat Shalom!

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By Rabbi Tani Burton

If you want more questions for contemplation, SEE THE OTHER BLOGS FROM RABBI TANI BURTON ABOUT DE PARSHAT QUESTIONS

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