Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 13 Sivan, 5783

Today’s portion is fascinating for the simple fact that we see played out the result of Joseph’s life.  I am reflecting on my commentary from a year ago, especially this part:

The lesson from Joseph is a major takeaway here. Reflecting on his life, and seeing how God used that to become a major blessing is a crucial reminder. Our stories aren’t finished yet.

We may find ourselves as a child living among our people and being betrayed to the point we are sold into slavery.

• • We may find ourselves gaining stature in a land that is not our home.
  • We may find ourselves thrown in prison for a crime we did not commit
  • We may find ourselves standing in front of the king and being required to do a supernatural task – like interpreting a dream.
  • We may find ourself a prince of a people who are not our own.
  • We may be rich beyond rich.
  • We may have the opportunity to take revenge on our family for their betrayal.
  • We may welcome our family back into this new land which is not our home.

Wherever we are; the story isn’t finished. Long after our souls leave our bodies in this world and return to Hashem, our story will continue to be written.

We have the ability in the next 60 seconds to make decisions about how our story is written. Maybe it’s the next 30 seconds. Or the next five. That’s it. Beyond that, the story is out of our hands. How will we engage? How will we navigate?

Our story isn’t finished yet. So often I feel stuck by the current realities. I feel like I have no control in the moment.  But the reverse is true.  I have no control of the past – it is done.  I could have ended up destitute, alone, in prison, rich, whatever.  But none of that truly is real anymore. Because THIS moment is what counts.  For me? This moment is about digging into Torah.  Writing about Torah. And sharing what I am learning with others.  That is how I am using this moment.

And sometimes I get distracted.  I WANT to focus on Torah and write.  But instead?  I doom scroll on my phone.  I play a game on my phone.  I watch something on tv.  And I need to remember not to judge myself – to look with compassion.  Why?  Why am I choosing to use the moment to distract myself from focusing on Torah?  Is it because I know there is a lot going on in my life and I feel overwhelmed so I do want to “add” to that by the “burden” of digging into the Torah?  (BTW – that is a mentality that I am choosing in that moment)

Or. Do I choose within to say “I am overwhelmed because of how much is going on in my life, and NOW is the best time to connect with my higher self.  My neshama. That piece of Hashem within me.  And I will dig into the words that are being written at the same time and place I am reading them (in the eyes of Hashem since He exists outside of time and space).”

That is sovereignty.  That is blessing.  That is a choice.  That is power.  That is the power ALL OF US possess.  What do we do with this moment.  Act out of our fear? Act out of love? Act out of trust?

Even our inaction (doom scrolling, games, watching television) is an action.

Let me be clear.  Sometimes the BEST use of the moment COULD be to play a game. To watch TV. To doom scroll.  The key is choice.  Am I intentionally CHOOSING this activity – or did I “fall into it” like a pit?

Let me close with this.  Although NOT an advertisement, I am going to hype a device I have recently begun to start using.  It was recommended by my therapist to help me take in more data for me to process and help me.

It’s called Whoop.  You can see in the image – it measures stress levels.  Whoop measures this by taking a reading of my heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV) in each moment.  Then it is compared to a personal HRV baseline from the past 14 days and my typical resting heart rate.  The stress isn’t bad or good.  It’s connected to things like emotional stress, exercise, etc.

But – I can share – it is MUCH easier to make decisions when my stress levels are lower – I tend to “fall into” activities like doom scrolling, games, eating things I don’t want to – when I am in those higher moments of stress.

That.  Making choices intentionally at high moments of stress?  That is the journey of a lifetime.  I imagine Joseph’s stress levels at various points in the Torah – and how much more difficult it would have been to make the decisions he did.  Like imagine when Potiphar’s wife was propositioning him – what would his Whoop have told him about his stress? And yet – he made the decision he did.

This is why digging into Torah – even in those high moments of stress?  Is a great thing for us all.

Those are my thoughts.  What are yours?

BTW – if you are interested in Whoop – send me a message.  I’d be glad to share what I am learning and send you a referral code for a free month.  (OK.  THAT may have been an advertisement)

This is my commentary from a year ago:

Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 11 Sivan, 5782

Todays portion continues our journey from yesterday. Remember that the leaders brought gifts for the tabernacle all at once. Moses wasn’t sure what to do with them because it was unexpected, and he hadn’t yet consulted with God.

What did Moses do? He went to God and listened. And Hashem laid out a plan for Moses. The tribes would take turns each day bringing their gifts. And we saw the first five days yesterday.

The offerings were the same, but here is the rest:

On the sixth day, Gad brought their gifts.

On the seventh day, Ephraim brought their gifts

On the eighth day, Manasseh brought their gifts.

I want to stop for a minute because I think it is interesting. Ephraim and Manasseh were half tribes of Joseph. After the first half of the gifts were brought, Joseph began the second half with a double portion of blessings. Joseph. Who was imprisoned for years in an Egyptian prison for a crime he did not commit. It was unjust. And yet he kept a positive outlook, and was rewarded with double honor as these gifts were brought in the wilderness – in front of the tabernacle and altar which Hashem provided.

Joseph wasn’t the oldest – in fact he was one of the youngest. The double portion was usually reserved for the oldest – but this is different. I’m reflecting on this a lot. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers- and he received this special honor.

On the ninth day, Benjamin brought their offering.

On the tenth day, Dan brought their offering

On the eleventh day, Asher brought their offering

On the twelfth and final day, Naphtali brought their offering

And this is what closes the portion today.

The lesson from Joseph is a major takeaway here. Reflecting on his life, and seeing how God used that to become a major blessing is a crucial reminder. Our stories aren’t finished yet.

We may find ourselves as a child living among our people and being betrayed to the point we are sold into slavery.

• We may find ourselves gaining stature in a land that is not our home.
• We may find ourselves thrown in prison for a crime we did not commit
• We may find ourselves standing in front of the king and being required to do a supernatural task – like interpreting a dream.
• We may find ourself a prince of a people who are not our own.
• We may be rich beyond rich.
• We may have the opportunity to take revenge on our family for their betrayal.
• We may welcome our family back into this new land which is not our home.

Wherever we are; the story isn’t finished. Long after our souls leave our bodies in this world and return to Hashem, our story will continue to be written.

We have the ability in the next 60 seconds to make decisions about how our story is written. Maybe it’s the next 30 seconds. Or the next five. That’s it. Beyond that, the story is out of our hands. How will we engage? How will we navigate?

These are the questions I’m reflecting on. What about you?