Finding G-d on the High Seas

More difficult than navigating complex relationships with those around us is navigating the complex relationship with ourselves.  Indeed the Mishna in Ethics says that the true warrior is the one who conquers his/her own inclination.  In modern vernacular (Brene Brown language) it’s about taking the risks to be real despite the underlying vulnerability that one has.

“Those who have a ‘why’ to live, can bear with almost any ‘how’.” Victor E. Frankl

To take the risk of being vulnerable there has to be a why.  Why is this relationship worth it? In dealing with human relationships the answer is clear.  The relationship with my spouse, parent, child, co-worker IS worth it. So, I will risk the vulnerability commensurate with the depth of the relationship I want to have.

But what of our relationship with G-d? Does it work the same way?

These final two days of Passover that begin Friday night answer this question and brings forth this idea in a meaningful way. 

The Seventh Day of Pesach commemorates the crossing of the Yam Suf – the Reed Sea.  And the final day of Passover, is intimately connected with the coming of Moshiach and the Messianic, Utopian era fundamental to our Jewish faith.

The Jews stood at the edge of the sea. Behind them their captors for 210 years – the Egyptians.  There weren’t many options.  In fact all of the anxieties and their voices that could surface, did.  Commit suicide – never give in. Give in to our captors and return to Egypt – we are afterall inherently slaves.  Fight them – even to death just so not to go down like sheep to the slaughter.  Pray to G-d – He is the only one that could help.

Where do you see yourself in these anxieties?

Only one person was willing to face his vulnerabilities.  His name was Nachshon.  Nachshon said, yes these are strong feelings all of them.  I should get them analyzed and checked out with a therapist as to why I have such strong feelings.  But right now it’s a time for action.  Right now there is a relationship to be had and so I need to take the risk and be vulnerable.  And he did. He marched forward into the water not knowing how it was going to end and of course the rest is history. 

Why did he do it? Because like the human relationship, a relationship with G-d requires risk and vulnerability. G-d said to go to Mt. Sinai and so Nachshon says I must go. But there is an ocean in the way, there are obstacles to this relationship, there are voices in my head that are bringing up all my early trauma, there are world views and perspectives that I’ve adopted, and all of this goes counter to one thing; moving my relationship with G-d forward.

The proof is in the pudding, the sea split, the Jews crossed over and arrived at Sinai materially and spiritually richer for it, in a more profound relationship with G-d.

The why is what drives us.  We don’t see G-d and in fact sometimes the challenges can be so great like an ocean in front of us that cause us to question the entire foundation of this relationship.  Is this something I even want to be invested in?

The answer is hope.  When hope is lost, then indeed there is no how that can’t crush us, big or small.  But when we have hope we can face an ocean and it will split for us.

The hope is actually a promise and the essential purpose of creation; that is to bring the world to a state of unity with G-d.  Where oceans no longer conceal Divine purpose.  Where Corona Viruses and other challenges no longer interfere with our true purpose and connection with G-d. And where our vulnerabilities no longer need to be risked because everything is exposed like the light of day.

Like every relationship we’ll get out of it what we put into it.

Have a good Shabbos and a good Yom Tov.

Rabbi Eliyahu Schusterman

Ps. Please join us on Sunday at 7:00 PM at Chabad Intown for the traditional Moshiach meal to close out the holiday.

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