Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 28 Tamuz, 5783

As we enter this week – where the new moon of Av begins on Tuesday night, it’s time to reflect and set intentions.  We are almost halfway through this period of Tamuz/Av – which is about learning to “see in the darkness.”  Tamuz was a mix of Shadow and light – all happening at the same time in the same moment.  Av will be a little different as the shadow continues as a constant until the 9th of Av, which will then turn towards the light and become fully illuminated on the 15 of Av – which is a special day – like the Jewish Valentine’s Day – which will happen at sundown on August 1st.

Tomorrow we will talk more about the month of Av – and the challenging things that happened during that month.  It is important not to be afraid of Av – that is not the purpose of the shadow and darkness.  We do not need to be afraid of the new moon – because the moon is STILL shining, even though we cannot see it!

As Jews, we do believe that everything that happens is for our good – sometimes that is revealed in a moment – sometimes it’s a later good we cannot see yet.  May this week be more seeing in the darkness for us as we journey to together in this final book of the Torah.

Let’s dig in.

I want to focus on the last line of today’s shorter portion.

Deuteronomy 1:21 says this: “Look! God, your God, has put the land (into your hands) before you! (all you have to do is) go and take possession of it, as God, the God of your fathers, has told you! Don’t be afraid or demoralized!”

I want to focus on the word demoralized.  Its a word we don’t often think about or talk about, yet I would argue a lot of us tend to experience and/or feel.

The word demoralized means “having lost confidence or hope; disheartened.”

How many of us have gone through periods of being disheartened?

One of the things I am realizing is how much my own feelings of demoralization center around being stuck on a future I have been unwilling to let go of, for the possibility of a future that may be for my good.  I cling to the idea of a future I believe will somehow make me happy.   Whether it is a career, job, or relationship; including the relationship I have with my own children; I can feel demoralized when it exists in a moment where it is not what I desire and expect.

This morning I heard someone share about the idea of intent vs expect. What do we intend to do with our moments, instead of what do we expect the moments to do for us?

Demoralization comes from expecting the moments coming our way to do something internally for us.  Instead of trusting the moments coming our way to bring us to our intents.

Consider the land we are entering to be connected to the intents we set.  Every new moon, we are called to set new intents for the next moon cycle. Here are mine:

• Abundance
• Harmony
• Ease
• Creativity

And what I want to leave behind:

• Guilt
• Shame
• Malevolence
• Toxicity

And in these intents, I can trust I can move forward in each moment, and bring these intents with me – and I will “take possession” of them.  That is the message of the Torah today.  Don’t get caught up like the spies did – this is the rebuke of Moses.  The spies thought about the future in a way that Hashem did not give them what He had promised. And that is what they received.

Our internal reality drives the external one.  That doesn’t mean we are God.  It just is a reminder that Hashem exists all around us – and – INSIDE of us.

Those are my thoughts.  What are yours?

Here is my commentary from a year ago:

Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 4 Av, 5782

Saturday evening, I was driving home late from a class and I could see the first sliver of the moon after the new moon. It was gorgeous. I wish I had stopped to get a picture.

It is an amazing picture of light in darkness. Even the sliver of the moon that the sun is shining on is able to create light in the darkness. It was a sight to behold and brought me great comfort in hopes that we will come through the darkness of the three weeks between 17 Tamuz and 9 Av in a manner that brings us to the full moon on the 15 of Av is a way that is joyous and happy and celebratory!

Let’s dig into today’s portion!

Moses has been rebuking Israel as they get ready to enter the promised land. He started with the idea that Israel required judges to be appointed. Moses couldn’t do it on their own, and the people couldn’t figure out how to settle their disagreements without bringing in judges.

After this, Moses moves on to rebuke the Israelites for the incident with the spies. The portion today ends with the landscape in which the spies became problematic. Moses brought them out to Kadesh Barnea and showed them the land. Moses reminded them that he told them that God has put the land before them, all they needed to do is go and take possession of it. He told them not to be afraid or demoralized.

It is interesting to me here; I am learning about “the law of attraction” which is controversial as a concept. But as a philosophy, it is something that connects here (at least for me). Moses was telling the people – this is yours. It belongs to you. Don’t doubt yourself. Just go and get it. It’s almost as if he was communicating this idea that if you believe it; you will have it.

Now the difference for Moses is that he heard from Hashem. He knew this is what Hashem wanted for the people. But it is interesting here how the Torah phrases it.

What do you think?