Walk the Walk
We are familiar with the command to love God. We recite these words every time we gather for services. The Shema states: “You shall love Adonai your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.”
The Torah also commands us to hold fast to God. (Deuteronomy 11) The mystics spin mountains of interpretation about this concept of devekut—literally clinging to God. They believe that we should grow so close to God that we become one with God. We should lose ourselves in the Almighty.
Look at the words of the popular prayer, Lecha Dodi, composed by the kabbalist Shlomo Halevi Alkebetz in sixteenth century Safed: “Enter in peace, O crown of your husband; enter in gladness, enter in joy. Come to the people that keeps its faith. Enter, O bride! Enter, O bride! (Bo-i challah! Bo-i challah!)”. Shabbat is the bride and Israel is her husband.
The imagery is clear. Our love for Shabbat is consummated as the sun sets on Friday evening. There is a mystical union. We cling to God.
And while I understand this concept and appreciate the tradition, I pause before this mysticism. Lose the self? Cling to God? It appears too ethereal and not of this world. It seems, and you will forgive me, too clingy. The Baal Shem Tov, the founder of the Hasidic movement, rescues the mysticism of his Kabbalistic forebears. He brings their mysticism down to earth and suggests a teaching that resonates.
The Baal Shem Tov asks: “Is it possible to cling to God? Is God not a consuming fire? As Torah writes elsewhere, ‘For the Lord your God, is a consuming fire.’” He answers his own question. “Rather, adhere to God’s attributes. Just as God is compassionate, so too, you should be compassionate etc.”
He notes that getting too close to God is dangerous. In fact, history is filled with examples of mystics whose zeal consume not only themselves but their followers. (Sabbatai Zvi!) Instead, the Baal Shem Tov teaches us to cling to God’s example. God visits Abraham when he is recovering from illness. Visit the sick. God buries Moses. Attend funerals. Make sure couples dance at their weddings.
When we dance, when we mourn, when we offer comfort, we cling to God’s attributes. Our actions become Godly. Our behavior can become Godly.
Imitate God. Follow God’s example.
The Torah makes this point clear. It urges us to walk in God’s ways. Spend time here, not up there. Devote yourselves to this earth and this moment.
Walk the walk.