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Walking With God

by Yehudis Golshevsky
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A Sacred Time – Tammuz #3

According to the Sefer Yetzirah, the action associated with the month of Tammuz is walking. Tammuz is the month when the spies began their forty-day sojourn of the land of Israel. Reb Nosson, z”l, explains that sending spies to reconnoiter the land was inherently wrong; Israel is above nature. There was no reason to investigate the land to see if conquering it was technically possible. Instead, we should have worked on trusting G-d. Why should we have doubted G-d’s word about our future?

And the same is true today. One who wants to move to Israel should not set out with the belief that this is a natural land. Rebbe Nachman, z”l, explains that Israel is a land of miracles. One who wants to use his “walk” to travel there should work on faith.

We all want to “walk with G-d,” yet we feel deep down that this is largely impossible. How can I stay in contact with my spiritual self when I’m beset constantly by so many inner and outer barriers that undermine a higher consciousness?

The answer is longing. Rebbe Nachman explains that while I might be limited in the realm of action, my capacity to yearn is usually easily directed. Feeling desire for spirituality generates an ability to slowly open my eyes to the spiritual.

In Hebrew, the land of Israel is called Eretz Yisrael. The word eretz has a similar root to ratzon, longing. Continuous yearning will help us reach the promised land of our souls. If we are patient we will certainly attain what we seek.

Master of the World, please help me focus my will on the land of our ancestors. Let me hold strong until I reach this great goal!

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