בס"ד

Torah in je leven integreren door reflectie en conversatie kan een ongelooflijk leuke en boeiende ervaring zijn. Het is een ontdekkingsreis waarbij oude wijsheid en tijdloze leringen tot leven komen in onze dagelijkse ervaringen. Door reflectie hebben we de mogelijkheid om diep in het rijke tapijt van Tora te duiken en er diepgaande inzichten en lessen uit te halen die resoneren met ons moderne leven. De vreugde ligt in de 'aha'-momenten, die momenten waarop een Torah-vers of -verhaal plotseling verbonden is met onze persoonlijke uitdagingen, aspiraties en waarden. En wanneer we met anderen over Torah praten, wordt het een interactief onderzoek, waarbij verschillende perspectieven en interpretaties ons begrip vergroten. Deze dialogen wekken vaak opwinding en intellectuele nieuwsgierigheid op, waardoor het leerproces zowel plezierig als bevredigend wordt. Tora wordt een levendig en dynamisch deel van ons leven, dat niet alleen leiding biedt, maar ook een bron van eindeloze fascinatie, verbinding en groei.


OPMERKING: Voel je niet verplicht om elke bron door te nemen of alle vragen te beantwoorden - tenzij je dat wilt. Zelfs één bron of één vraag geeft je genoeg stof voor discussie en meditatie. Geniet ervan!

Some thoughts from the parsha

In Devariem 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” (nitzavim), 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.

De 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.

Now, reflect upon the following questions

  1. 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?
  2. 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?
  3. 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?
  4. 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?
  5. 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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Shabbat Shalom!

Door rabbijn Tani Burton

Als je meer vragen wilt om over na te denken, ZIE DE ANDERE BLOGS VAN RABBIJN TANI BURTON OVER DE PARSHAT VRAGEN

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