1, 2, 3, 4 – Chazak!

Wow do we ever need Chazak! Chazak means strength and this week we conclude the reading of the 4th book of the Torah – Bamidbar.  We proclaim Chazak Chazak Vinischazek – be strong, be strong and be strengthened, Lord knows we need it more than ever!!

What is the meaning of closing out the 4th book of the Torah?

1 = One G-d. Spirituality. Holiness.
2 = Dissension.  Disagreement.  Something other than Oneness.
3 = Compromise.  

The problem with the compromise is someone is not entirely happy.  To be a spiritual being we need to give up our material interests.  To be materialistic we need to give up the the tugging of our soul.  So in the interest of compromise we give up something of ourselves.

4 = Transcendence.  The tension is gone.  Peace reigns supreme because we bring the interests of both the physical and the material into harmony with our higher purpose.

Let’s translate this into relationships.

1 = Me
2 = You
3 = Compromise

Again the compromise is limited.  Someone is giving something up to get along.
4 = Transcendence.  It’s not about me. It’s about you. My existence is here for you. The tension is gone.

We conclude the reading of the 4th book of the Torah in this unique time of the Jewish calendar and a unique time in the history of the world.  

The time on the Jewish calendar is the three weeks during which Jerusalem had been breached and the destruction of the Bait Hamikdash took place. The cause the Talmud tells us was lack of harmony among the Jewish People.
The time in world history is a pandemic and quarantine, uncertainty and frustration.  All of which challenges relationships with G-d, with spouses, children, bosses, everyone.

The solution?  Dig deep, find the “4” and give yourself over to G-d, to our fellow Jew, to our spouses, children and all those whose relationships are important to us.

Chazak – Be Strong! We need the strength like never before!

Good Shabbos!

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