When life hits a person hard does life, and G-D expect a lot from a person? Also, I cant remember the title of the piece, but the only thing I can remember is that when a person reads the bible does it do any good for the edification of a person? I was reading that our actions are more than our beliefs and our thoughts, so should I do more actions to make the bible more realistic?
Hi, Thank you for asking this meaningful question. First, I would say that yes, when life hits us hard it is a wake up call from G-d that we need to refocus our efforts on something. The definition of that “something” is very personal and is attached to your specific situation at that specific time. If we just let life go by, however, and put no meaning into what is happening around us other than self pity and sorrow then we will only be depressed Jews instead of Jews who are looking to make our lives better and more meaningful.
G-d expects us to live up to our personal potential. That potential is also unique and therefore something that only you can define for yourself. The Torah gives us a road map to figure out how to life happy and productive lives, but first we must learn what these things mean and internalize the powerful messages that Judaism has to teach us. Then we can relate those teachings to our situations and change our lives for the better. Yes, G-d expects you and me to live to our potential and not one drop less. Sometimes things happen to test us and see how we will react. It is at those times that we must be strong and stand up to the challenges.
Second, it is true that actions speak louder than words and words louder than thoughts. The Talmud tells us that matters of the heart are not matters of all. This means that if you think that you love someone but you never tell them then it is as if you don’t love them at all (at least from the other person’s perspective).
In other words actions are what we Jews use to show our desire to be closer with G-d and attain personal happiness. We must also know, however, what these actions mean and why they help us attain greatness. This is what the Jewish people said when they were offered the Torah. They said, “Na’aseh v’nishma,” which means, “We will do, and we will listen.” This statement teaches us that through actions we can change our lives and our relationships with man and G-d, but we also need to listen to their meaning and internalize why we are doing these things.
I would encourage you to get involved in an organization called Partners in Torah. They will find a study partner for you to learn about whatever you want over the phone for free. Call 1-800-STUDY-4-2. Give them my name as a reference if you want (Rabbi Gershon Litt) and tell them what you want to learn. It’s a great first step to doing and learning.
I hope that this helps.
Be Well,
Rabbi Gershon Litt