I feel like a teenager again!
I used to only have a twinkle in my eye (says Esty), but as of this Monday – I am now also sparkling from my mouth.
This is because for the 2nd time in my life – I got braces put on my teeth.
As a teenager, I had braces on for a year or so, but for a variety of reasons and debatable excuses – I did not properly follow through with the maintenance and therefore they never really straightened out my teeth.
So, now I’m at it again – all metal in my mouth – but this time I’m determined to do it right!
It makes me think of a constant struggle we face over and over again.
Whether we are starting up a business, entering a relationship, going on a diet or taking a Hebrew class, we are often confronted with this same challenge: Initiating vs. Maintaining.
These are all fabulous, exciting initiatives. When I think of these ‘new venture’ type experiences, I can almost taste the pumping adrenaline, despite my aching jaws.
But what happens after the dust settles, and ‘the honeymoon is over’? How do we maintain the buzz in the daily grind of business? The romance in our marriage? Keeping the weight off? And the Hebrew reading fluency? From where to we draw energy to reach our long term goals?
I don’t think there is a quick fix answer, magic pill or secret ingredient.
There is however, realistic guidance and insight the Torah shares for when we are faced with this challenge: It’s called the exercise of the ‘twice a day sacrifice.’
While the Holy Temple stood in Jerusalem, there were special days and occasions which called for ‘bonus’ sacrifices. These were days of pomp and circumstance and excitement.
Yet, there was also and always a very consistent regiment called the ‘twice a day sacrifice’ – one offered in the morning and one in the afternoon.
So, without getting too bloody, how is the ‘twice a day sacrifice’ relevant today?
Judaism has its fair share of ‘highs’: A moving Yom Kippur experience or an emotional memorial ceremony, but there is more to it. The ultimate power of Judaism is that it always inspired its people to cultivate their relationship with G-d on a continuous, consistent basis, every day of their lives. Judaism asks the human being to make daily sacrifices for truth, for love, for peace, for G-d.
During exciting days as well as monotonous days, on bright days and bleak days. When you awake, you are called to make a sacrifice to G-d. In the afternoon, when your day is winding down, you are called, once again, to sacrifice something of yourself for G-d.
Day in day out. You just gotta do it.
As for me, this time around, I’ll be brushing, flossing and chewing daily in accordance with my orthodontists instructions.
Have a great Shabbos!
Rabbi Yossi Zaklikofsky