First Things First: G-d’s Blueprint for Living

Ever notice how sometimes life’s biggest lessons come packaged in unexpected ways? Take this fascinating passage from Leviticus 25:1-8: “When you come to the Land that I am giving you, the Land should rest a Sabbath to G-d: you may sow your field for six years, but in the seventh year, the land should have a complete rest, a Sabbath to G-d.”

At first glance, this might seem a bit backward. You’d think G-d would lead with the six years of work before mentioning the seventh year of rest, right? Especially when you’re just getting started in a new land – there’s so much to do! It’s like moving into a new house and being told to take a vacation before unpacking your boxes.

The wisdom lies in the ordering itself. By mentioning rest first, the Torah teaches us to approach every action with G-d consciousness. Think about how we typically approach our daily tasks: we often get so caught up in the doing that we forget about the deeper purpose behind our actions. It’s like spending hours scrolling through work emails without remembering that each interaction is an opportunity to bring G-dliness into the world.

This ancient text offers us timeless guidance: begin with awareness of G-d’s presence, and let it permeate everything else. Sure, we need to work, eat, and take care of business – that’s part of our physical existence. But when we approach these activities with awareness of G-d, they become vessels for holiness. Each mundane act transforms into an opportunity for sacred connection.

Think of it like setting your intention before starting your day. When you begin by remembering that G-d’s presence fills every moment, everything takes on new meaning. Your morning coffee becomes a moment to recognize G-d’s goodness. Your commute becomes time for spiritual reflection. Even those routine tasks at work can become holy when we see them as ways to serve G-d’s purpose in the world.

This approach – infusing every moment with G-d consciousness – creates a life where nothing is truly mundane. It’s not about finding time for spirituality between our everyday tasks; it’s about discovering G-d’s presence within everything we do. When we live this way, even the most ordinary moments shine with divine purpose.

Now that’s what it means to truly live!

I wish you a good week, and Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Yonatan Hambourger

y@tasteoftorah.org