PARSHAT NITZAVIM-VAYELECH 5784 – BEING VERSUS DOING

בס”ד

토라를 삶에 접목하는 것은 묵상과 대화를 통해 놀라울 정도로 즐겁고 몰입도 높은 경험이 될 수 있습니다. 이는 고대 지혜와 시대를 초월하는 가르침이 우리의 일상 속에서 생생하게 살아 숨 쉬는 발견의 여정입니다. 묵상을 통해 우리는 토라의 풍부한 가르침 속으로 깊이 들어가 현대 생활과 공명하는 심오한 통찰과 교훈을 얻을 수 있습니다. 기쁨은 토라 구절이나 이야기가 우리의 개인적인 어려움, 열망, 가치관과 갑자기 연결되는 '아하' 하는 깨달음의 순간에 있습니다. 또한 다른 사람들과 토라에 대해 대화를 나누다 보면, 다양한 관점과 해석이 이해를 더욱 깊게 해주는 상호적인 탐구가 됩니다. 이러한 대화는 종종 흥미와 지적 호기심을 불러일으켜 학습 과정을 즐겁고 만족스럽게 만들어 줍니다. 토라는 우리 삶의 활기차고 역동적인 부분이 되어, 단순히 지침만 제공하는 것이 아니라 끝없는 매력, 연결, 그리고 성장의 원천이 됩니다.

참고: 모든 자료를 살펴보거나 모든 질문에 답해야 한다는 부담감을 가질 필요는 없습니다. 원하신다면 그렇게 하셔도 좋습니다. 단 하나의 자료나 질문만으로도 토론과 사색을 위한 충분한 소재를 얻을 수 있을 것입니다. 즐겁게 활용하세요!

이번 파르샤에서 얻은 몇 가지 생각들

~ 안에 데바림 29:9-10, Moshe gathers the entire nation of Israel—leaders, men, women, children, and even the strangers among them—before G-d, marking a crucial moment of covenant renewal. The Hebrew word “נצבים” (니차빔), meaning “standing,” suggests more than just standing still; it conveys reaching a spiritual plateau, a moment of readiness for the next phase. This idea parallels Jacob, who erected a matzevah (a signpost or altar) in Parshat Vayeitzei to commemorate a spiritual turning point in his life.

For Jacob, the matzevah symbolized the transition from the era of the forefathers to the era of the twelve tribes. For the Israelites, it marked their shift from a miraculous existence in the desert, where G-d’s presence was evident, to a more natural, earthly life in the Land of Israel, where perceiving G-d amidst the distractions of the physical world would require greater effort.

그만큼 matzevah teaches us about the importance of pausing to reflect on where we are spiritually and where we are headed. This is especially relevant before significant moments, such as Rosh Hashanah. Interestingly, a tombstone is also called a matzevah in Hebrew, which highlights how a person is remembered after their life has ended. But while the matzevah is fixed and unchanging, our lives should not be.

Many people focus on being something—being a good person, being successful, or being a member of a community. But this static sense of identity, though comforting, misses the essence of spiritual growth. True spirituality is about doing—constantly striving, learning, and transforming. Life is not about reaching a final state of perfection but about the ongoing process of becoming. Like a sporting season, where the excitement comes from every game, not just the final win, the spiritual life finds meaning in each step, each action, and each moment of growth.

This distinction is also reflected in the Torah’s instruction that, after it was given, Israel was no longer allowed to use a matzevah for worship. Instead, they were to build a mizbeiach (altar), symbolizing an ongoing, dynamic relationship with G-d. The Izhbitzer Rebbe teaches that even our concept of G-d should not become rigid, like metal, but should remain fluid, capable of growing and deepening. Spirituality that is focused on doing reflects this principle—it remains alive, adaptable, and open to change.

이제 다음 질문들을 곰곰이 생각해 보십시오.

In what areas of your life have you focused more on being something (e.g., a particular identity or role), and how can you shift toward doing—constantly striving and growing in that area?
How can you create regular “signposts” or matzevot in your life to pause and reflect on your spiritual growth, helping you stay on the path of becoming rather than remaining fixed?
Reflecting on the idea that a tombstone is a matzevah marking the essence of one’s life, what do you hope your life’s “summary” will be, and how does that influence the actions you take today?
How can you cultivate a spirituality that is fluid and dynamic, one that grows and adapts, rather than one that is rigid and fixed in place?
In moments of distraction or difficulty, how do you maintain focus on the actions that lead to spiritual growth, especially when the distractions of the physical world make G-d’s presence harder to perceive?

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더 생각해 볼 만한 질문을 원하시면, 랍비 타니 버튼의 다른 파르샤트 관련 블로그 글도 확인해 보세요.