Monday, July 6, 2009

We really think we're in control; The Key to Independence - A thought for the week (Last week)

In our limited view of things we really think we're in control of what happens in this world.
Whether or not someone is successful in their desire to prevail over us or whether or not we're cured from an illness, etc. does not depend upon them. We can't give them that much power.
We think we have the independence to affect our lives but in reality what happens is completely dependent on G-d's will. There is one thing which we are independent to do and that we will see later.
In the past weeks portions we see 2 events that appeared to be in the control of humans but in actuality was not.
The 1st:
The Israeli people spoke badly against G-d and Moses and G-d sent poisonous snakes.
Those who were bitten were told in order to be cured they had to look up at a copper snake on a pole.
The Talmud asks, "but does a (real) snake really kill and did the (copper) snake actually cure them?" it appears so but in actuality, the Talmud continues, that it wasn't the real snake that caused them to be in danger, but their deeds that brought about the snake to bite them and it wasn't the copper snake that healed them but rather the looking up to G-d, the realizing that no matter how many Doctors and how much medicine one takes (which we should) it is G-d who helps and cures.
The 2nd:
Bil'am was hired by the Moabite King to curse the Israeli people but as powerful as Bil'am was he couldn't effect a curse on them at all and instead had to bless them. Because G-d wasn't going to let them be cursed because they were at that time morally perfect.
SO WHAT DOES G-D WANT FROM US??
WHAT ARE WE INDEPENDENT TO DO??
The Prophet says in the Haftora.
"Clearly G-d told you, Humankind, what is good and what he requires of you:
only do things justly, to love kindness and even in your hidden ways be together with the morality of G-d.
That is what is in our control and that is what is expected of us. That is what we are independent to do.

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