[Avodah] THE BOOK OF YOUR LIFE

[Richard Wolberg]

Having gone through minor surgery recently, my mind has been very  
active in spite of a very inactive body. The following are thoughts  
that have occurred to me in this unusual state:

It has been explained that in religious life there are two states of  
holiness: one in which ‘the blessing of the Divine grace is  
perceptibly revealed,’ and another in which ‘grace, as it were,  
retires and remains hidden.’ I can readily identify with this hidden  
state at present. This state has been described as one of ‘inward  
drought and abandonment,’ and may be the result of bodily  
indisposition or mental weariness. At such times ‘we should hold to  
God’s word, Whose truth and grace are independent of our changing  
moods and feelings; and remain confident that even in states of  
deepest abandonment, God is with us, although with veiled face. This  
is similar to “hester ponim” – God, hiding His face. Nevertheless, as  
in the game “Hide and Seek”, if we are persistent and positive, we  
will find Him.

What also occurred to me is that life is like taking a book out from  
the library. It doesn’t belong to us, but it is there for us to use  
and enjoy. If we are careless and tear the book, we are responsible to  
repair it. If we lose the book, we must pay for its value. And if we  
don’t return it on time, we are fined each day until we do return it.

The life analogy as I see it is that our lives are on loan from God.  
When we are careless and cause damage, we are required to make  
whatever repairs are necessary. If we throw away our lives, then  
somehow it will have to be replaced in whatever way the Almighty deems  
necessary. As far as returning it on time, God takes care of that.  
However, if for some tragic reason we decide to return it prior to  
when it is due, the fine imposed may be quite high.

The ideal is to take out a good, worthwhile and meaningful book.  
Metaphorically, the cover of the book is the hand we are dealt:  
family, location, health and externals. The content of the book is our  
choice. The better the choices, the better the book. Even a shabby  
cover doesn’t take away from the content of the book.

May our personal books put us in the ultimate Book of Life.

ri
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