faith – Breathing Room

Scriptural Origins of Free Will

Existential Psychology from a Religious Perspective:

Freedom and Responsibility

Mankind was given free will, as denoted by the two inclinations symbolized by the doubling of the Hebrew letter “yud,” in the word yetzer, when used to describe the creation of man (Genesis 2:7). Notably, the word, yetzer, when used to describe the creation of animals, only uses one “yud,” because animals only have one inclination, i.e., their “instinctual drive.” (Genesis 2:19). Yet, mankind has both a good inclination and an evil inclination.

Additionally, there are consequences for the choices we make in life: “I have set before thee life and death, the blessing and the curse; therefore choose life, that thou mayest live” (Deuteronomy 30:19, JPS). If we follow our good inclination, by focusing on H’Shem, and performing the mitzvot, we will receive blessings in our lives. Conversely, if we permit our evil inclination to get the better of us, the consequences are described as curses.

We need to establish our proper conduct in this world. We are commanded “to love the L-RD thy G-d, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments” (Deuteronomy 30:16, JPS). This includes making rational decisions for ourselves in accordance with G-d’s will. We also need to accept responsibility for the choices we make; if we err, there will be negative consequences.

Doing good starts with awareness of the struggle between the yetzer tov (good inclination) and the yetzer hara (evil inclination). H’Shem encourages to choose the good by way of His promptings. We may do so by attempting to reign over the emotions and desires of our heart, that could otherwise lead us astray. Our rational mind needs to be set above this struggle, in order to make the right decision in any given moment. Sifting through our subjective experience, we need to sort out right from wrong. We need G-d’s directive in order to do so.

So, how can we maintain our values, in the face of opposition from our inclination to remain free of responsibilities, throwing caution to the wind, and giving in to our desires of the heart?

We need to have a strong sense of self-esteem, rooted in our identity and religious belief. Otherwise, we may be inclined to look elsewhere for inspiration, and wind up disregarding the practical application of the commandments in our lives. We also need to nurture our belief and practice, and strengthen ourselves through routine and community, as well as a dependence on G-d in all things.

Additionally, we need to guard ourselves against low self-esteem, because it can give way to self-doubt. Ultimately, the nature of our worth does not rest upon our estimation of ourselves; rather, who we are in G-d’s eyes. If we seek to please Him, by following His will, then it is inconsequential when others view us disparagingly. Our sense of self should not be based upon other’s perceptions.

Each and every individual person is actually on their own unique path. Even like-minded people following the same path, have to walk that path alone, regardless of who is accompanying them. We each are accountable for our own lives, and responsible for the ways that we follow.

No one else can live our life for us. We must be content with who we are; and, if not, we should endeavor to excel in improving ourselves: “and to him that ordereth his way aright will I show the salvation of G-d” (Psalm 50:23, JPS). So, let us strive to overcome our lesser inclinations, for the sake of our greater good.

Spiritual Malaise

The Greater Crisis of Spiritual Malaise

The insistence of the people to build a golden calf led to idolatry, inclusive of the revelry that accompanied that idolatrous form of worship; yet, the greater crisis was the spiritual malaise that brought on the unrest in the first place; it is this underlying cause that may serve as an entry point for our understanding. Moreover, we should be able to relate more to the spiritual malaise, than the actual act of idolatry. For, rarely does the general population of Westerners worship actual idols, except within the New Age Movement, as well as certain Eastern religious traditions tailored towards the Western Mind.

Yet, G-d would like us to discern what is within our hearts. Whether or not we keep the L-RD in mind throughout the day is of great significance to our walk with the Him. Yet, if we grow restless and impatient like the Children of Israel, in their expectation of Moses to return from his forty-day retreat on Sinai, then we may seek other means of assuring ourselves that we have some kind of connection to the divine. This is the beginning of spiritual malaise, a turning away from our belief in G-d.

As a result of this recognition, we should examine our own conscience in order to determine whatever obstacles we may have placed between us and G-d. These obstacles, whether abstract ideas, or something more concrete like money, sports, or a favorite sitcom may inadvertently serve us as modern day idols, capable of preventing us from fully focusing on G-d.

At Sinai, when Moses did not immediately return from atop the mountain on the fortieth day, as the people had calculated, they began to panic as a result of their growing impatience and insecurity. Without Moses, they grew distressed, because he was not only their leader, he was also their intermediary between themselves and G-d. So, they sought to replace him with a new intermediary, a golden calf that served as a tangible representation of G-d. As much as Moses represented G-d, and spoke on His behalf, the people now demanded a “god” as a concrete form to better fixate their minds upon, even though they had already been given the commandment, not to make any images.

In our own lives, we need to lift ourselves up above the fascination of this world, inclusive of all its glamour, and the sparkle in front of our eyes that we gravitate towards, instead of seeking G-d within our hearts. We would do well to spend more quiet time, disengaged from the screen, as well as other electronic devices, in order to disconnect from externals, and reconnect with our main Power Source. The Creator of all that we might hold in esteem, should be given more reverence than manmade technological wonders.

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Existential Realities – page 1

“G-d speaks in different ways, and we don’t always recognize his voice. Sometimes in the night, he uses terrifying dreams, to give us warning. G-d does this to make us turn from sin and pride and protect us from being swept away to the world of the dead.” – Job 33:14-18, CEV

One seemingly unbearable consequence of isolation is its potential to reveal hidden truths about oneself. Thus, on the eve of my tenth day of quarantine for Covid, last November, I entered a state of “existential dread.” I was faced with all of the unpleasant things about myself that would surface on occasion in my life, and then submerge below my conscious awareness again.

There was no respite, until a divine intervention brought about relief around 3:00 a.m. that morning. Yet, the issue at a hand was not the stark realities that each of those unresolved issues portended; rather, what those concerns pointed toward, namely, a feeling of meaningless in my life, despite my faith, that almost always serves as a buttress between a positive outlook and encroaching negativity.

It was as if a sense of meaningless permeated my entire being, while consolation in my religious belief and practice seemed to be in limbo at that time. Within the framework of existential psychology, “meaninglessness” is one of the four universal issues that people face in their lives to a greater or lesser degree. Yet, as I mentioned, meaninglessness is usually buffered by my faith.

I believe that meaning and purpose in life is derived from the Biblical creation narrative, regarding the dual role of mankind in regard to Gan Eden, “to work it and guard it.” Upon a closer reading of the original Hebrew, the injunction may be rendered as “to serve and to observe;” in other words, to serve G-d, and observe His commandments.

To this day, I still accept this injunction as axiomatic to my faith, as well as a universal given, noting the authority of the Bible. This has always been enough for me, ever since I became observant, within the context of my belief and practice: yet, an individual purpose in life, one that is uniquely my own, must be drawn out from this dual raison d’etre. Perhaps, the sum total of everyday tasks that constitute its fulfillment is not enough to substantiate that reason. There must be a more in-depth inculcation of this reason for being.

The issue hand, revealed to me by the emptiness of that night was the following: gnawing questions of my life in comparison to others, whose lives are successful by modern or worldly standards, stood out in stark relief, against my own, even though I had always dismissed the comparisons. Yet, this time I could not deny how I felt – bereft of a trajectory.

Even so, my sense of relief arrived before dawn, when I was shown that correspondence with others about these issues would somehow bring me renewal. At that point, a wave of peace swept over me. Now, it is up to me to set aside the rumination of these concerns, and simply follow the prescriptive remedy given to me from a divine source.

Challenges Along the Way

How far has my belief and practice taken me already; and, what additions or modifications do I need to make, in order to gain a more effectual understanding of myself in relationship to G-d and His commandments? I am asking these questions of myself: however, you may also ask yourself these questions or some variation thereof. It is not uncommon to be concerned with applying a gauge to one’s spiritual practice, or religious path along the way; in fact, it is recommended.

For myself, there is both a spiritual as well as a religious component to my path. Unless both the spiritual aspects and the religious structure, each somehow will reach down into the core of my being and continue to permeate my life in a beneficial way, then I would need to step back and make an assessment of my efforts. Perseverance is key; and I recognize that sometimes the path can seem more barren than other times. Yet, this is also to be expected.

In the past few days, I have been exploring the concept of acedia, invariably described as listlessness, boredom, and sloth, to name a few of its “characteristics.” In reading about acedia, it seems that much of what I am experiencing has already been framed in words that explain the malady so much better than I ever could. Moreover, one of the remedies is summed up in one word: “perseverance.”

Within the early years of the monastic tradition, whereof acedia is referred to as a spiritual plague of sorts, the monks were mostly confined to their cells, except for communal prayer and meals. Manual labor had not yet been introduced into the daily regimen. Acedia would plague the soul of the monk, making confinement to one’s cell during the day almost unbearable; so, they were always admonished not to leave their cell, except, for communal activities.

I imagine that within the monastic tradition, a monk leaving his cell, would be akin to going off the derech (path), G-d forbid, within the framework of Judaism. I realize that this is a rough comparison; however, the basic risk is letting go of one’s focus on G-d, in pursuit of other cisterns – sources of pleasure, entertainment, or intellectual curiosity. Rather, it is a narrow road to Olam Haba (the World to Come), where eternity awaits the faithful.

Partake of the Blessings

“So shall they put My name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them. – Numbers 6:27, JPS 1917 Tanach

The kohanim served as conduits, inasmuch that the actual blessing flowed from G-d through them, unto the recipients of that blessing, the congregation of Israel. Into their lives, this blessing extended, guaranteed through G-d’s benevolence, and maintenance, so to speak, of that blessing, for only He has the wherewithal to carry out the effectual materialization of that blessing. Whereas man is limited, G-d is unlimited in regard to what He is able to accomplish for us in this world and the next. Where in your life does G-d’s blessing prevail? Where in your life is G-d’s blessings needed most?

Soul Journey

“‘Clear ye in the wilderness the way of the L-RD.”

– Isaiah 40:3, JPS 1985 Tanach

Our ways must approach the ways of G-d. If we are intent on acknowledging that “His ways are higher than our ways” (Isaiah 55:9), then we should feel inclined to make an effort in our lives to “make straight the way of the L-rd.” What would this look like for you in your life? What are the steppingstones required to reach the goals that you might envision for yourself? If we conform to the image of G-d, based upon His expectations of us, and the hope that He will mold us, then we are on our way, and He will “pave the way into eternity.”

“This world is like a vestibule before the world to come; prepare yourself in the vestibule, so that you may enter the banqueting-hall.”

– Pirkei Avot 4:16, sefaria.org