“I Will Do, and I Will Hear”: The Power of Commitment
We often hear about the modern struggle with commitment. “I really like her, but…”, “It seems like a good opportunity, but…” We hesitate on the precipice of a decision, held back by an unseen force. We analyze, we dissect, searching for the source of our inability to take that final step.
But what if we considered a counterintuitive approach? One that challenges the very notion of hesitation?
Over three millennia ago, an extraordinary event unfolded at Mount Sinai – the giving of the Torah. When God presented the Israelites with His blueprint for life, a Divine contract, they responded with words that reverberate through time: “Na’aseh V’Nishma – We will do, and we will hear.”
This audacious declaration seems reckless at first. Imagine agreeing to a contract without reading the terms! Yet, within this seeming impulsivity lies a profound lesson about the power of trust and its role in genuine commitment.
The Israelites’ response wasn’t born from blind faith. It was the culmination of generations spent building a relationship with the Divine. They were descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, individuals who walked intimately with God, experiencing His unwavering faithfulness. They themselves had witnessed miracles and liberation from slavery, tangible proof of God’s presence in their lives.
Their “yes” wasn’t a leap into the unknown but a confident step forward with a trusted companion.
This ancient story teaches us that true commitment isn’t merely a calculated decision based on pros and cons. It’s a heart-felt surrender to a cause, an ideal, a love that transcends the sum of its parts.
Imagine finding a soulmate. You are drawn not just to their qualities, but to who they are at their core – a person dedicated to something larger than themselves, their ego subservient to a higher purpose. It’s in that selflessness that trust takes root, allowing commitment to blossom.
The same principle applies to our relationship with the Divine.
Many harbor pain and resentment towards God, feeling abandoned in their suffering. Reframing our understanding of the Divine is essential. Let go of the image of a punitive, judgmental being. Instead, envision a force that resides within and beyond, the essence of creation, propelling us toward our highest potential.
Visualize a love so profound, a connection so deep, that surrender becomes not a loss of self, but a homecoming.
This isn’t to say we abandon reason. Discernment is critical. Yet, we must recognize that the mind can only take us so far. At some point, we must take a leap of faith, trusting that the journey will illuminate the path.
So, if you struggle with commitment, search not for reasons to hesitate, but for the source of your distrust. Seek connections that nourish your soul, relationships built on shared values and aspirations.
True commitment arises from a place of deep inner knowing. It’s the exhilarating freedom of surrendering to a love, a purpose, a force that allows you to spread your wings and soar.
This, my friends, is the power of “Na’aseh V’Nishma” – a commitment born not from obligation, but from the unwavering trust that allows us to embrace life’s journey with courage, clarity, and an open heart.
Watch Rabbi Jacobson delve deeper into this topic in his captivating talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0-5ebnF6hU.
