The Baal Shem Tov often said, "Everything one sees or hears is to be taken as a lesson in how to better serve the Creator."
We ordered a new replacement shelf for the refrigerator (climbing kids can cause a plastic shelf to break!). The new shelf arrived, and the box had this message written on it: "Even when I'm empty, I'm full of potential. Please use or recycle me."
At times during our spiritual journey, we may feel empty. Sometimes, our previous practices and efforts fail to fill our cup, leaving us longing for a stronger connection to Hashem. Other times, we may find ourselves in a spiritual low due to the ups and downs of life.
I believe this message is incredibly powerful. When we feel empty, it is crucial to recognize it as an opportunity. We can let go of preconceived notions and realize that we are full of potential. We have the ability to explore additional paths on our journey of connecting to Hashem or to continue walking the path we are on.
To do this, we must take action. We can use this emptiness as a launching pad for a new path or recycle the old tricks of spiritual connection that have worked for us in the past.
As I pondered this, I realized how well it aligns with this week's Torah portion, which discusses the Jews' journeys in the desert. There were times when the Jewish people experienced great spiritual highs, such as at Mount Sinai, and times when they faced spiritual lows, like the aftermath of the spies' saga.
We are all on a journey, and it is important to remember that even when we feel empty, we are full of potential. We can use what we have or reuse what has worked for us in the past as we continue our upward journey toward the promised land.
Rabbi Kushi Schusterman