Throughout life, we encounter various challenges and unexpected situations. Some of these arise from choices we consciously make, while others seem to happen by mere chance.
Consider a child brought up in a very observant household. Did they willingly embrace their parents' faith, navigating its challenges with genuine commitment, or did they simply follow rituals without true understanding? When doubts about the religion inevitably surface, individuals must decide whether to reaffirm their faith or abandon it altogether.
At the age of 16, I sought guidance from a mentor about my struggles with the Jewish faith. His response was profound: "AMAZING! Now you can start to have faith because you chose it as opposed to being raised with it." This choice, he explained, would lead to a mature faith rather than a mere adherence based on upbringing.
The story of Moshe illustrates this concept. Unlike his fellow Jews in Egypt, he was raised in Pharaoh's palace and had to actively choose to concern himself with the welfare of his brethren. When he witnessed an Egyptian mistreating a Hebrew, Moshe made the conscious choice to intervene, ultimately leading to his fleeing after Pharaoh learned of the incident.
Moshe didn't lament his need to escape because it was a consequence of his own choices, not an imposition from others.
Reflect on your daily actions—how much do you do out of habit, merely because it's always been done that way? This week, take a moment to make intentional choices. Choose to spend quality time with a loved one, perform a mitzvah, or say a blessing before eating. Even if these actions are already part of your routine, doing them with conscious intent will deepen the experience. By choosing to be present, you take ownership of the moment, actively seeking ways to enhance and improve it.
Wishing you a meaningful Shabbos,
Kushi