Parsha

Rashi explains that one must not transgress the words of Hashem willfully. Instead, one must be prepared to surrender his life to sanctify the Name of Hashem. When a person is willing to die “al Kiddush Hashem,” they have reached the level of Mesirus Nefesh (self-sacrifice) at its highest point.

Interestingly, the laws of Mesirus Nefesh apply specifically to Jews. For example, if a non-Jew is forced to choose between idol worship or death, he may bow to the idol to save his life. The same applies to the other six Mitzvos of Bnai Noach. What is the intrinsic difference that creates this obligation for the Jew?

Living a Life of Service

Since Hashem "owns" us, we are obligated to serve Him in every facet of our lives. This means being mindful of how we eat, dress, and speak. We must be willing to look beyond excessive comforts and be ready to live a life of “pas v’melach tochal” (eating bread and salt) if that is what service requires.

Elevating the Mundane

Through Mesirus Nefesh, we have the unique ability to elevate the physical world into the spiritual (ruchnias).

• The Distinction: A non-Jew seeking spirituality often has to leave the physical behind. For instance, if a non-Jew brings a Korban Todah (thanksgiving sacrifice), he is forbidden to eat it.
• The Jewish Path: A Jew may eat from the Korban Todah because he is capable of eating “le’shaim shamayim” (for the sake of Heaven). In doing so, he transforms the act of eating into a spiritual event.

The pursuit of spirituality is measured by our intentions and our willingness to sacrifice. The result of this work is that the world around us is transformed from the mundane into the profound.

Please accept my invitation to join us in Japan. Rooms are going fast!