Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 21 Av, 5783

Today’s thoughts are super interesting for me.  I find it fascinating that on the 16th anniversary of the day I became a father (Happy 16th birthday to my oldest child) we are reading about how our children are an anchor on the journey to spiritual liberation and freedom.

Moses reminds us in today’s portion how children were sacrificed in the name of other gods.  If our spiritual liberation and freedom drives our children away from us – we are not doing as the Torah asks us to do.

This is not to say our children aren’t also free to seek their own way.  It’s just a reminder that as parents we have a purpose. We can’t forgo our role as parents.  Our freedom is not worth sacrificing our children over. They have to come first.

And I would argue? We can’t serve other gods JUST so that our children are drawn to us either.

Let’s be real for a moment.  We live in a world with access to EVERYTHING.  We hold, in the palms of our hands, the repository of knowledge of humanity. Our children access this.

I am not saying BLOCK ACCESS.  Because we really can’t do that, can we? We are meant to live in the world. We are here for a purpose. To CHOOSE Hashem.

But the Torah is clear – especially in Deuteronomy.  Teach these to our children.  Teach Torah to our children.  Give our children DIRECTION.  These are the reasons we are here.

I wrote this a year ago, and it feels important to remember:

Because although we are moving to freedom; our role as a parent anchors us. The choice to prioritize our kids is the ultimate in love. Which is the force that liberates us in the first place. To recognize the divinity within us; which is love. It is what creates. Love is what makes us not just a canvas – but artists as well. How we create our families – our relationships – it means everything.

What are your thoughts?

My commentary from a year ago:

Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 26 Av, 5782

I was reflecting last night how interesting it was I got out in “Facebook” jail right as we are talking about entering into the promised land of freedom. Our story of enslavement began with Yosef (Joseph) being sold by his brothers and being put into Prison in Egypt because of a false accusation from Potiphar’s wife.

Although Yosef was imprisoned, he was also free. Emotionally. Spiritually. He knew his identity. And that could not be contained by a jail. And eventually he was freed from that prison and became rich and powerful in Egypt. And that was where the Genesis of the enslavement of Israel became foundational.

So let’s dig into today’s portion;

When entering the promised land of liberation, Moses continues to warn the people; be careful!

Be careful? Why should we be careful with our liberation? Let’s just do whatever we want because we are FREE!

Moses says (I’m paraphrasing) “look. Remember what got you here. Don’t change your practice and go after new things that the people who lived her before you did. Don’t try to figure out how those nations served their gods. focus on Hashem. He is who brought you here.

Moses tells them; the people driven out of the promised land worshiped their gods with all the methods Hashem hates. They burned their sons and daughters in fire to their gods.

Let’s stop here. In our journey to liberation. It seems clear that sacrificing our children to do so (for the purpose of freedom and liberation) is NOT what Hashem wants. There may be times we desire freedom from our kids. To “run away” to spirituality and freedom. But that is not what Hashem wants for us. The role of a parent is paramount in this journey of freedom. We cannot sacrifice our children for the sake of liberation. I think this is an important anchor for us as we journey to liberation.

Because although we are moving to freedom; our role as a parent anchors us. The choice to prioritize our kids is the ultimate in love. Which is the force that liberates us in the first place. To recognize the divinity within us; which is love. It is what creates. Love is what makes us not just a canvas – but artists as well. How we create our families – our relationships – it means everything.

Moses tells the people. Be careful.

And he says to be careful about the Torah.

He says 2 things about the Torah.

Do not add to it.

Do not detract from it.

The Torah is the anchor of our freedom and liberation. It is what has guided us on our journey.

Moses continues to warn us about false prophets – if a prophet rises and what they say comes true, and that prophet tells you to worship other gods with which you are unacquainted? You shouldn’t listen to them. Hashem Is testing you to see if you truly love Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Hashem’s ways are kindness. Follow kindness. Follow love.

And if someone you care about tells you to worship other gods or idols? Don’t do it.

In fact the Torah says to put these people to death. Now I’m not sure we are talking a literal death. But certainly relational death. It may be what kills the relationship you have to them.

Finally, the portion ends with Moses warning us about entire cities falling into idol worship. That city must also be destroyed.

Interesting that in our journey towards liberation, we are called to keep doing what got us there. The practices that lead to liberation shouldn’t change when we experience liberation.

I’m reflecting now on the process of being freed from slavery, and the process of moving towards liberation. The Torah seems to indicate those are two distinct and separate processes. We don’t get to jump from exodus and leaving Egypt to getting to the promised land. There is an ENTIRE process we must go through to achieve true liberation.

AND. I’m reflecting on our country that seems to want to keep reminding people about freeing the slaves and that should have been enough. We don’t talk about true liberation for those who live today whose parents, grandparents, and maybe great grandparents suffered in their wilderness after being led out of their Egypt; which happened to be America.

Juneteenth is the Exodus story. What has happened in the wilderness since then that we believe has helped those who were enslaved and the generations that have come after? Where was/is their inheritance in this land? Where is their promise? That is something to REALLY reflect on as we think about and consider our own journeys from slavery to liberation. Freedom from slavery is NOT liberation. It is NOT freedom.

That’s something I’m reflecting on today with this Torah portion.

What are your thoughts?