“The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing” Stephen Covey
What is the main thing?
Many tell us that it is Torah, study, spirituality, and the stuff that lifts our heads and elevates our consciousness. When our mind is uplifted, it uplifts everything.
The Torah, as well, emphasizes the importance of Torah study and spirituality.
In last week’s Torah portion, Bamidbar, it began discussing the Levites’ jobs in carrying the Tabernacles when traveling. When talking about the Kehot family, the ones tasked with the holiest mission of carrying the Ark of the Covenant, it is mentioned at the end of the Torah portion.
This week’s Torah portion, Nasso (which means uplift), begins with the family of Gershon, also from the Levite tribe. They carried the curtains and coverings of the Mishkan, the more “mundane” parts of holiness.
Splitting up the Levite family’s tasks into two portions and specifically starting the second one with the mundane teaches us a powerful Jewish principal. A real spiritual lift isn’t just when we study something holy, it’s when that holiness spills over into our daily lives. Into the groceries, carpools, phone calls, and laundry. Into the mitzvahs we do with our hands, not just the ideas we hold in our head.
It’s as if to say: you might need to start with inspiration, but don’t stop there. Elevate the everyday action as well. At the end of the day, Judaism is about raising our heads. However, more importantly, it’s about raising our lives.
So, what is the main thing? Living our mundane lives in the service of Hashem and spirituality.
What is one thing you can do to make your regular life a bit more spiritual?
Have an uplifting Shabbos,
Rabbi Kushi Schusterman