Collecting Diamonds

"See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way that I am commanding you today, to go after other gods that you have not known.” - Deuteronomy 12:26-28

Moses presented two different paths in life and two opposing outcomes making no allowances for any other options. God and his prophets have always been known for their stark and simple language, their brutal honesty.

On one hand, we have the option of a life dedicated to studying and applying the Word of God and thereby reaching our spiritual potential and finding true meaning in our lives. The result of that choice is “blessing” (b’racha in Hebrew).

On the other hand, you can disregard the Lord’s directives, but the result: curse (k’lala in Hebrew). K’lala is related to the root “kal” which means “lightweight”. Stopping our ears to the voice of Yahweh causes us to become empty, devoid of self-substance, shallow and worthless (completely without weight). Abandoning the Scriptures disconnects us from the Source of truth and meaning in existence.

The scriptural Way is rich and meaningful. Self-fulfillment can be found in every word we study (of God’s Scriptures) and every “mitzvah” (command/blessing) we perform. Every mitzvah obeyed is a diamond and we should see every opportunity to perform a mitzvah as an opportunity to enrich and beautify ourselves.

Discipleship (not salvation) stands on three pillars: study of the scriptures, service to the Master, and doing kindness for others. In a sense, these three concepts summarize the “mitzvos” (commandments) of God and sustain our lives by strengthening the pillars on which our lives stand!

All our other pursuits are not inherently worthless but if they are pursued for their own sake, if they are cut off from the larger, overriding purpose of getting closer to God and serving Him, they lead us nowhere. We find ourselves floating in space – spiritually weightless.

“In all your ways acknowledge Him.” Connecting everything in life to that overriding purpose makes everything we do a mitzvah. Having God in mind as we eat, sleep, exercise and relax transforms those activities into holy acts.

We can still take simple physical pleasure in our eating or other daily activities as we try to “elevate” them. Relishing what God has given us is a way to express gratitude. But we should be careful not to let the physical pleasures that God absolutely wants us to enjoy become the center of our lives. We would be putting the gift above the Giver.

In Hebrew, the word “if” in this passage can also be translated “as”. The blessing will not come as a result of the performance. No - obedience is its own reward. With every mitzvah obeyed we bless ourselves.