How do we deal with differing thoughts that enter our mind simultaneously, especially when they are opposing thoughts? While they are all important, they may collide one with the other.
A person might be looking for a thrill while at the same time they know that they should be responsible. Do they take the risk and have fun, or should they be more responsible? How do we make that decision? There is a process.
This process of going from thought to speech and then to action can be complicated for some people to work through. Can we use this process to navigate through life?
This week’s Torah portion, Ki Tietze, gives us two thoughts, and commands us to always remember them. These thoughts seem to be opposing as well. One thought is positive, to honor Shabbat. The second thought is more somber, to constantly remember how Amalek (the famous anti-Semite) wanted and wants to destroy us. Now, if we are told to always keep two positive thoughts in mind, that is easy to do, even if they are not the same thought. Since they are on the same wavelength, we can keep both side by side. However, thinking of opposite thoughts, one good and one bad, one that puts us in a good mood, while the other puts us on high alert, doesn’t jibe well. How do we deal with this? This can put us in a swing mood. One second we are happy, the next we are on high alert.
How do we balance our life?
Think about wine and vinegar. On the one hand they are opposites. Wine is an enjoyable drink while vinegar is bitter. Yet they both come from the vine. The difference is how they are used. When vinegar is added to our food, the flavor enhances our food and makes it very delightful. Wine, when we drink it responsibly, is enjoyable as well. Life is a matter of perspective.
We can find good in everything that we see and experience. It all depends on our attitude. Like vinegar, the bitter thought, Amalek hated the Jews because he saw our good qualities. But we can shift our attitude—instead of us allowing that thought to unhinge us, we have to look at the deeper meaning of what the Torah is telling us, and then we will see that the message of Shabbat and the message of Amalek are one and the same.
Just like wine and vinegar both come from the same source—although they cannot be used the same way—so it is with Shabbat and the anti-Semite. However, it doesn’t mean that we should not be looking a little deeper to find the connecting dots.
We can take our thoughts, bring them to words, and then to action to make this world a brighter place. As long as we are connected to the brightness of this world, we can always strive for better.
Wishing you a Shana Tova and Shabbat Shalom.