 | If only we more reliably remembered. If only we could keep in mind, and in heart, what's really important when life distracts or challenges us. If only we had some reliable way to rivet our attention, and our memory, when we've forgotten and life leads us astray from our highest values and best selves. If only we could remember in real time that we forget, so that when we forget, we might reach for reminders. Turns out that Judaism has some tools for us. |
By Rabbi David Evan Markus
Parashat Shlakh 5785 (2025)
During these weeks of my mom's illness and slow recovery, at times I've become forgetful. I've lost track of days, appointments and tasks. I've searched in frustration for the car keys in my pocket and the eyeglasses on my head.
Psychologists call it cognitive overload: the mind can hold only so much at one time. Spiritualists call it something else, but the "cure" is much the same.
This week's Torah portion explains why our spiritual ancestors took 40 years to reach the Land of Promise after Egyptian bondage. Actually, they needed less than two, but most were too afraid to enter. They saw only challenge, not opportunity. No amount of divine miracles or encouragement could reach them, so God redirected them into to desert to wander until a new generation could come of age and try again.
God then told Israelites to tie blue-fringed threads to their clothes, so that (Num. 15:39-41):
Parashat Shlakh 5785 (2025)
During these weeks of my mom's illness and slow recovery, at times I've become forgetful. I've lost track of days, appointments and tasks. I've searched in frustration for the car keys in my pocket and the eyeglasses on my head.
Psychologists call it cognitive overload: the mind can hold only so much at one time. Spiritualists call it something else, but the "cure" is much the same.
This week's Torah portion explains why our spiritual ancestors took 40 years to reach the Land of Promise after Egyptian bondage. Actually, they needed less than two, but most were too afraid to enter. They saw only challenge, not opportunity. No amount of divine miracles or encouragement could reach them, so God redirected them into to desert to wander until a new generation could come of age and try again.
God then told Israelites to tie blue-fringed threads to their clothes, so that (Num. 15:39-41):
| וּרְאִיתֶ֣ם אֹת֗וֹ וּזְכַרְתֶּם֙ אֶת־כָּל־מִצְוֹת יהו׳׳ה וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑ם וְלֹֽא־תָת֜וּרוּ אַחֲרֵ֤י לְבַבְכֶם֙ וְאַחֲרֵ֣י עֵֽינֵיכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁר־אַתֶּ֥ם זֹנִ֖ים אַחֲרֵיהֶֽם׃ לְמַ֣עַן תִּזְכְּר֔וּ וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֶת־כָּל־מִצְוֹתָ֑י וִהְיִיתֶ֥ם קְדֹשִׁ֖ים לֵאלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם׃ אֲנִ֞י יהו׳׳ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר הוֹצֵ֤אתִי אֶתְכֶם֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם לִהְי֥וֹת לָכֶ֖ם לֵאלֹהִ֑ים אֲנִ֖י יהו׳׳ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ | You will look at it and remember all the mitzvot of YHVH and do them, and not turn away after [the cravings of] your heart and after eyes that you would prostitute yourselves after them – for the sake of remembering and doing all My mitzvot and being holy to your God. I am YHVH your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God. I am YHVH your God. |
Thus was born the tallit (Jewish prayer shawl) as a tzitzit delivery device. The tzitzit are Torah's ancient technology to remind us, to interrupt our fear and negativity.
Nowadays we add the words in red to the Shema and V'ahavta in Jewish liturgy, as if to say, "We're bound to forget, so we'll need reminders." Indeed we do.
Nowadays we add the words in red to the Shema and V'ahavta in Jewish liturgy, as if to say, "We're bound to forget, so we'll need reminders." Indeed we do.
Few non-Orthodox folks wear tzitzit (though some do), so what are today's reminders? A mezuzah contains the Shema and V'ahavta, but it "works" only if we look at it and connect with what it represents. Our red wristbands from last year's High Holy Days tell each of us to "Love with all your heart... with all your soul... with all you are," but they too can "work" only if we look and connect with those words. Even a string tied around our finger might do the trick – if we look and pay attention.
We humans need reminders. Cognitive overload, instinctive fear, world weariness, negativity, avarice, impatience, narcissism, blind spots and human foibles ordinary and profound all have ways of distracting us. Distraction and spiritual amnesia are the ways of the world.
If only we could keep in mind, and in heart, what's really important when life distracts or challenges us.
If only we had some reliable way to rivet our attention, and our memory, when we've forgotten and life leads us astray from our highest values and best selves.
If only we could remember in real time that we forget, so that when we forget, we might reach for reminders.
Whether tzitzit or mezuzot or wrist bands or strings around the finger, anything we make or affix or wear can be just enough to shift our focus – and maybe, just maybe, wander in the desert a bit less.
We humans need reminders. Cognitive overload, instinctive fear, world weariness, negativity, avarice, impatience, narcissism, blind spots and human foibles ordinary and profound all have ways of distracting us. Distraction and spiritual amnesia are the ways of the world.
If only we could keep in mind, and in heart, what's really important when life distracts or challenges us.
If only we had some reliable way to rivet our attention, and our memory, when we've forgotten and life leads us astray from our highest values and best selves.
If only we could remember in real time that we forget, so that when we forget, we might reach for reminders.
Whether tzitzit or mezuzot or wrist bands or strings around the finger, anything we make or affix or wear can be just enough to shift our focus – and maybe, just maybe, wander in the desert a bit less.
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