Shoftim: Of Judges and Refugees
“Rabbi, what’s your favorite verse in the Bible?”
The question caught me by surprise. “Favorite verse? Hmm . . . I never really thought of the Torah in that way . . .”
“Come, on, Rabbi . . . what verse do you fall back on when the going gets tough?”
Put that way, I had my answer. In fact, it came from this week’s Torah portion. After warning us against practicing witchcraft, fortune-telling, and all sorts of sorcery, the Torah tells the following five words: Tamim tihyeh im Hashem Elokecha. “Be wholehearted with the L‑rd, your G‑d.”
The Torah is telling is that we don’t have to complicate matters. There’s no need to seek fortune-tellers, perform the paranormal, or be overly concerned with the unknown. We have a direct connection to G‑d, which is accessed through sincere performance of mitzvahs and wholeheartedness.
The message is powerful:
I don’t need to be concerned with that which is out of my hands. All that occurs is orchestrated from above.
I don’t need to worry about my prayer requiring mediation from another. I have a direct connection to G‑d—all that is required is sincerity.
I am not troubled by the unknown. If there’s information I need to know, G‑d will bless my efforts to find it out.
I am never in the dark. I have a manual, a Torah, which helps me navigate an otherwise confusing world.
Don’t worry. Be sincere. Follow the Torah. Talk directly to G‑d.
Be wholehearted with the L‑rd, your G‑d.
Rabbi Yisroel Cotlar
Responder for Ask the Rabbi @ Chabad.org
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