|
|
BECOMING A CREATURE OF NEW HABITS
B.S.D.
Rabbi Chaim Zwick
 In Parshas Kedoshim we are commanded to be holy, "because I, your G-d, am holy." How do we fulfill this Mitzvah of being holy? Furthermore, is it even possible to reach such a lofty level - aren't we all simply creatures of habit, connected and defined by our lower, mundane nature?
Habits are a funny thing. We reach for them mindlessly, setting our brains on auto pilot and relaxing into the unconscious comfort of familiar routine. As the saying goes..."Not choice, but habit rules the unreflecting mind."
Everyone is familiar with the sin of Adam HaRishon and how he was enticed by the Nachash - the snake, to eat from the Eitz Hadas. Hashem punished the Nachash by cutting of his legs and forcing him to eat from the dust of the earth. Many P'shatim are given, but the one that I would like to share with you addresses the unique challenge we continue to confront in our service of Hashem. It's not that Hashem cut off his legs and he has no legs, but rather Hashem cut off his legs and now he is one big leg. The Hebrew word for leg is Regel, and Regel is from the word Regelas - the term used for doing things by rote or habit, meaning living in the comfort zone. So we see the evil or poison the snake vehemently infused into the creation from the beginning of time is habit and comfort, doing things by rote without life, energy and passion.
Chassidic thought talks about three zones of existence: Comfort, Stretch & Stress. Comfort is the realm of existing habit. Stress occurs when a challenge is far beyond our current experience and therefore overwhelming. It is the stretch zone - in the middle where true growth takes place. This is where we have the opportunity to break out of our comfort zone as we stretch ourselves to reach higher and higher levels in our service of Hashem. Since activities in this zone feel awkward and unfamiliar, the opportunist Yetzer Hara uses it as an argument against us in order to stifle our personal growth. What is important to keep in mind, is it is only in the stretch zone that true change can occur.
Remember, whenever we initiate change, even a positive one, we activate fear & uncertainty in our emotional brain, which the Yetzer Hara uses to his competitive advantage. In order to combat this, it is important to take small, but consistent steps in the direction of our goals. An approach we learn from Yaakov's ladder - growing continually, one rung at a time. Rather than dismissing ourselves as unchangeable creatures of habit, the Parsha is teaching us how to make empowering choices that lead to the development of new habits.
The commandment to be Kadosh - holy, is telling us that we are not creatures of habit relegated to live according to the needs and desires of our lower animal soul. Rather Hashem has planted inside of us the ability to make healthy, empowering choices. Choices that allow us to break out of our small, self centered selves. Choices that allow us to embrace a higher, loftier reality. Choices that when consistent with Torah values and ideals ultimately lead to a life of Kiddoshim Tehihu - holiness.
Have A Good Shabbos.
Rabbi Chaim Zwick
www.KeserTorah.org
|
|
|
|
|
As a non-profit organization, the Jewish Heritage Foundation relies on the support of readers like you. Click here to make a donation.
Copyright 2008 © Jewish Heritage Foundation. All rights reserved. Terms of use | Privacy Policy
|
