Post Covid Firmness

These are the early days of a post covid world (we continue to pray for those who need healing and for those still struggling). We are beginning to enjoy being with others, attending events, the kids being with others, going back to the office, and all the other fun and social stuff. 

Is it possible that the hard times of these past 1 ½ years will be a distant memory?  I for one hope not. Well, of course I hope that the illness and challenge is a part of the past, but I pray that the struggle was not for naught.  I hope that the things I’ve learned will stand me in good stead for many years to come.

Here is one and its connection to this week’s Parsha:

During the past months, I came to appreciate that life and its frenetic energy can skew my priorities.  When the rest of my life got shut down, I naturally was left with the things that were most important.  These included; my marriage, my children, the rest of my extended family, my relationship with G-d, Torah study and Mitzvos, and of course my health.

Of course, these things rose to the top because there wasn’t much else.  I was confined to my home where my family lives, I was concerned for the well-being of my extended family, my time was spent with them. The alternative to living in fear was recognizing that G-d is in charge and so it was worthwhile to strengthen that relationship, through prayer, Torah study and Mitzvos.  It was in a sense a utopian era.

With the reintroduction of the rest of my life, these things are naturally flowing back into the mix of the frenetic pace of life.

I’m concerned about that. I don’t want to forget that.

For me however the key is not to live in a fantasy world of confinement where this utopian era continues but to embrace the messaging and find the balance.

This names of this week’s Torah portions tells us how.  Matos and Masay.  Matos literally means a stick, a hard stick.  And Masay means to journey. 

This year as in many years, these two portions are read together.  The names of the Parshios seem to be in conflict with each other.  One means planted in place and firm while the other connotes movement. How does that work?

The answer is that we need to be firm and in place around the things that are what life is really all about and we need to be moveable and flexible around the other stuff.

Time management or life balance is about keeping the main thing the main thing.  When I keep family, health, G-d as my priority and “work”, recreation, entertainment as secondary, then balance ensues.

This is a simple but powerful lesson for me in this post covid world. I hope it resonates with you too.

Have a good Shabbos!

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