(16)  in that I command thee this day to love the L-RD thy G-d, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His ordinances; then thou shalt live and multiply, and the L-RD thy G-d shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest in to possess it."

   There is so much more I can write on this subject of Torah not being far off, but I will save that for another day.  What can be more liberating than walking with our L-rd?  Torah is not meant to be a burden, it can be, but it is meant to change our entire soul to be kadosh unto the L-rd!  

   There was once a man who met an intelligent and beautiful young lady.  He wanted her to be his, but she said that he would have to do and not do certain things if he wanted to be with her.  After all, she has limits/morals and respects herself.  She did not want to be treated badly or be caught up in a bad relationship; she was a busy woman who traveled around the world taking care of the sick and needy.  

   Eventually the young man professed his love for the young lady.  She loved him too, even though he would sometimes treat her second-class in his life to his job or sports or what-have-you.  He would sometimes yell at her and call her names.  She reminded him of her boundaries and told him, "If you love me, why don't you treat me like you do?  Why don't you try to please me and make me happy?"

   At first the man responded by saying, "Why should I change?  I am just being true to myself!"  The young lady, though still in love with the man, left him saying, "When you change your ways, I shall be back with you.  I promise you that if you love me, eventually you won't have to change, you will be renewed in spirit and in mind.  What I have asked of you, you will do of your own accord and our two houses will once again be enjoined."

   The man was a wreck, crying out, calling her, even yelling and getting upset.  He was raw, unbridled emotion - the floodgates had been let loose.  He proclaimed and felt that he still loved her, but he did not know why he was acting the way he was.  He then began to understand that it was what was lacking in him, he had not yet sought after her ways and her desires.  He was merely seeking and making his own desires while saying he loved her.  He started to write exhausting poetry from his heart - discipling himself to put down on paper what he truly wanted to express.  He sent her flowers and chocolates.  But, he was still himself and she was still gone.

   He remembered that she loved animals, so he bought her one.  But, she did not respond.  So, he send charity in her name to the animal society.  And he began to remember what it was that she loved and did in the world to make it a better place.  He realized it was not something that he had to seek and find in some far off place, rather that if he loved her, that he should open his heart to what she said and who she was.  Years passed and soon he found himself an advocate for human rights and spiritual renewal, as she was.  He had thought about her from time to time, but she had taught him to be a better person and he was grateful for this, even if they weren't together now.

   Her promise came true when they both arrived at the same event; when they saw each other, they knew that the love was still there, but this time, neither was seeking something that was not there in the person.  They desired each other; the love was fruitful and not stagnant.  He no longer desired her because of all the richness that he would get by being with her or because of how he felt; he longed to do as she did and to make her happy.  They lived out their lives a model of romance, tragedy, and eventually as love.

   This is something I long for, to be like David, the Psalmist, who declares, "And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for I have hoped in Your ordinances.  [44] So shall I keep Your law (Torah) continually, forever and ever. [45] And I will walk at ease (liberty), for I seek Your precepts."  Tehillim/Pslams 119:43-45.

   I know some people see Torah as Law and as far off; or that it is not required or even desireable.  Torah has become a symphony in my soul.  When I write, I hope to put on the page the slightest capture of what is inside.  For Torah, I hope that I can uphold the salt of the Mosaic covenant and be part of the Light of Israel.  It is not some profession or belief that saves me; it is not about my salvation.  It is about loving HaShem, my G-d, His Torah, and His Olam (creation; world).  As Rabbi Cardozo said (I paraphrase), that we should become the commandments, not necessarily obey them.  It is through obedience that we can begin to achieve understanding (the symbiotic relationship between thoughts, actions, and emotions).  When we "get it" then we are living Torah and enriching our spiritual lives.

   May you be blessed and seek after G-d; to be a person like Dovid Melech, who seeks G-d's heart - and becomes it.


In Defense of Liberty through Torah...