SPIRITUALITY IN ACTION

There is a story about how the holy Maggid of Mezritch, Rav Dov Ber, had little interest in going to meet the great Baal Shem Tov, Rav Israel ben Eliezer. The Maggid had studied harder than nearly anyone in history, so he believed he knew everything there was to know. He saw no need to make the journey but at his wife’s insistence he eventually agreed. 

After a few days of being with the Baal Shem Tov, the Maggid felt like he’d learned nothing new. In fact, it seemed that the Baal Shem Tov didn’t want to discuss spiritual matters at all with him! Finally, as the Maggid was about to return home, the Baal Shem Tov asked him to explain about the holy angel, Arizal. The Maggid was taken by surprise, but being as knowledgeable as he was, he was able to explain all about the angel in great depth. 

As soon as the Maggid had finished, the holy Baal Shem Tov agreed and gave the same explanation, but every time he spoke the name, Arizal, the angel itself appeared! Any angel he mentioned, for that matter, materialized before them as the words came out of the Baal Shem Tov’s mouth. 

The Baal Shem Tov and the Maggid had the same information, but what made them different is that the Baal Shem Tov had put all he’d learned into action and therefore he owned it in his heart. The Maggid understood in that moment what the Baal Shem Tov already knew: That information is useless until it is put to use. 

We sometimes imagine spiritual people to be those who spend their lives in solitude on a mountain, deep in study and meditation—but this isn’t really true. One must come down from the mountain and put the wisdom to practical everyday use with people, to work towards improving him- or herself and his or her environment. That’s the spiritual path. 

If we want to put an end to chaos in our lives, and the world, we need to be as concerned with doing our spiritual work as we are with our studies. Information won’t change the world but putting spirituality into action can.

It’s time to start turning words into wisdom by applying all we learn to our lives this week. 

The great sages gave us the information, but it’s up to each of us to manifest it in the world. 

All the best,

Yehuda

72 Name of the Week

Hei Bet Mem

THOUGHT INTO ACTION

I am going to follow through on my plans, my ideas and spiritual work.

As I concentrate on my goal, I imagine following through with it. I stick to my intentions, revealing more Light as I get closer to their actualization.

Certainty is absolute