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Orchard of Delights # Vayeilech
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humanity to unity through a true understanding of its relationship law grants one the ability to ”walk” and ultimately advance from
with the Creator, was set apart from the other nations. this world to the World to Come. Halachah, becomes the bridge, as
it were, that enables us to cross from this world to the next.
Indeed, as Balaam declared when he tried in vain to curse Israel:
“They are a nation that will dwell alone and will not be considered The observant Jewish lifestyle is designed in effect to train us in
among the nations” (Numbers 23:9). Just as being alone can be how to seamlessly make transitions: from night to day and from day
interpreted as either a blessing or a curse, Jewish history has shown to night, from the mundane weekdays to the holy Shabbat and back
that Israel’s uniqueness and chosen status has taken on elements again, from month to month and year to year, from joy to sorrow,
of both – as a badge of honor and as the cause for a virulent anti- from being single to being married, from being a child to being an
Semitism that has hounded us in every generation. adult, and so forth. Rabbi Natan, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov’s
Rashi comments on the verse, “And Israel shall dwell securely, foremost student and the transmitter of his teachings, writes on the
alone” (Deuteronomy 33:28) that all the Jews will tranquilly “sit first page of his book Meshivat Hanefesh that in order to do teshuvah
under their own grape vines and fig trees” (Zechariah 3:10) and one needs to be proficient in Halachah and a master of the dynamic
settle throughout the Land, as they will not need to live together to of “run and return.” In fact, living an observant lifestyle teaches us
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protect themselves or to rapidly band together to repulse an attack. how to “run and return,” training us every day in how to make the
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The sense one gets from Rashi is that this state is both ideal and transitions from one situation to another not only with grace but
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natural. While the blessing that each person should feel safe, and, also with trust, with the full realization that God is with us during
even more importantly, at ease, in the Messianic era is utopian, it life’s highs and lows.
is also the most natural request in the world. Indeed, even though After spending one’s life walking with the law, its influence prepares
human beings seek companionship and feel at peace when they live us for the ultimate transitions – from life to death and from death to
without fear of external attack, ultimately peace of mind is not a life after death. As the Jewish people were preparing to cross from
function of something outside ourselves; rather, it has to be found one side of the Jordan to the other, from one reality to another,
within our own hearts, minds, and souls. Moses was also preparing himself to cross from life to death, from our

One of the most powerful methods for achieving this type of peace physical world to another more elevated spiritual dimension. That
of mind entails the spiritual practice of hitbodedut (literally, lone Moses makes this transition with vigor and no sense of regret speaks
meditation), where a person goes out into nature alone and communes volumes regarding the spiritual level he had attained.
with God. The word “hitbodedut,” is derived from the Hebrew word The phrase “And Moses went” also alludes to the very first time
meaning “being alone” (boded), the very word used in the above God spoke directly to Abraham, the first Jew, when he commanded
verses. Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, following in the footsteps of him: “Go out to yourself (lech lecha) from your land and the place
the patriarch Isaac and his own illustrious great-grandfather the of your birth and from your father’s house to the land that I will
Ba’al Shem Tov, established the spiritual service of hitbodedut. show you” (Genesis 12:1; see “The Ten Trials of Abraham” for more
He encouraged his students to set aside a certain amount of time on this translation of the verse). The Hebrew word for “go” (lech)
each day to be alone, preferably in nature, during which time they has the same root as “went” (vayelech), the name of our portion.
would talk to God just like a person talks to his or her best friend. The Jewish people’s journey began when Abraham left his familiar
This kind of spiritual practice must be tailored to each and every surroundings to begin a new life of constant spiritual striving. His
individual and can be accompanied by singing, praying, learning, personal spiritual quest is implanted in the consciousness of every
Jew in each and every generation. Now, at the end of the Written

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