Dear Readers,

Have you ever plugged in your dying phone for its battery to be charged, only to come back several hours later to see that it hasn’t recharged at all?

You’re certain that you properly plugged it into the outlet. In fact, it still is plugged in. Only upon closer inspection do you realize that the charging wire wasn’t snug enough, and it became loose from the electrical hole.

While having a phone that is low on power (especially when you most need it!) can be exasperating, when our spiritual batteries are not charged up, that’s really problematic. We all need to connect spiritually to our inner selves, to our souls, to our spiritual side and to our Creator. This connection fortifies us, strengthens us and enables us to be our best selves. It also provides us with the confidence to strive more and do more, knowing that G‑d is at our side, assisting us.

But there are times when we think that we are charging our spiritual batteries, and yet we remain depleted. We may be doing the right motions, but something is missing. We may be plugged in, but the power is just not coming through.

We may be saying the right words of prayer, reciting the blessings on our food or even studying the books of Torah, but our heart is not in it. The motions are there, and it looks like we are connected, but there’s no charge.

Judaism teaches us how to be mindful throughout our day so that each mundane activity can become a spiritual endeavor, giving us a power boost by connecting us to our Creator. Before we eat, we say a blessing thanking G‑d for providing us with sustenance. After using the bathroom, we give thanks that our organs are working properly. Upon awakening, we acknowledge our gratitude for another day of opportunity. As we leave our homes, we kiss the mezuzah on our doorposts, realizing that G‑d is guiding our every step and endeavor. We dress and act in a manner that reminds us of our spiritual origin and connection.

But what if these reminders that are supposed to make us more aware become just acts that we do by rote? What if those very acts that are meant to make us more mindful have become mindless?

When our actions become lifeless, our spiritual batteries are not being charged. At that point, we need to re-examine what’s loose in our connection—what’s not working and why the power isn’t coming through.

Not getting the spiritual charge we need is not an option; we need to find our loose wire.

What do you do to get connected? (I’d love to read it in the comments below.)

Chana Weisberg

Editor, TJW