KISLEV 28
Hanukkah 5th Night
“The opening
up of Your words gives light, Giving understanding to the simple … Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my
path.”
(Ps 119:130, 105)
“What do you want to
be when you grow up?” – this is a phrase that we have all heard, and even used
ourselves when talking to young children.
And I am relatively certain we have all had answers to this deep question that have been humorous,
and even some that have been what I call ‘thought provoking’. Be that as it may, is it not our
responsibility to teach our children (and grandchildren) to seek Elohim as to
the direction for their lives?
The Word of our
Elohim may not tell us specifically to become a doctor, a lawyer, a carpenter,
or an engineer; it will instruct us
as to how to live a life that is pleasing to Him, the One that created us.
And the more attention we give to the Torah, the instructions in moral
and righteous living, the more familiar we become with our Elohim, and His ways. The closer we grow in our relationship with
our Elohim, the more sensitive we become to exactly what is pleasing to Him.
We grow more keenly aware of when doors are being opened in a certain
direction, and when others are being closed, thus confirming what direction He chooses for us to go in.
First and foremost,
we need to be open to His Word, and
we need to instruct our offspring in this same manner. His Word is shalom, which can mean “the absence of all the forces that cause
and create chaos and conflict.”[1] The Ancient Sages believed that “all that is written in the Torah was written for the
sake of peace”[2]; therefore, it is
through diligent attention to His Word that we escape the snare of
confusion. And is it not true, when we
are confused, not knowing which way to turn, our shalom has flown out the door?
Keeping ourselves
focused on Torah is the only way to ensure that we will remain in His “perfect peace” (see Isa 26:3), avoiding all the
tangles and traps that a state of confusion can cause. The LIGHT of His Word will always bring a sense of security,
knowing that we are firmly walking on the path that He has chosen for us. Amein!
“For the command is a lamp, And the Torah a light, And
reproofs of discipline a way of life
…”
Pro 6:23)
“The orders of יהוה are straight, rejoicing the
heart; The command of יהוה is clear, enlightening the eyes.” (Ps 19:8)
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