AS JEWS BEGAN reading the book of Exodus last week, we started the story of the Hebrews’ suffering under the Egyptian pharaoh and eventual escape from slavery. One of the moments in the narrative that has always been a high point is when Moses, while tending his flocks, sees a burning bush that is not being consumed.
We know that story so well, it’s easy to keep on reading, not really understanding what it teaches us about how we see the world around us. Moses saw what others would have missed by just passing by.
What do we not see when we go about our lives always looking beyond the immediate moment? What do we not see when we interact with others in a cursory manner? What are we missing when we only look at things or people superficially?
Moses had an ayin tov, a “good eye.” By stopping and looking carefully at the burning bush, he recognized he was seeing a remarkable sight as the bush stayed intact even though it was engulfed in flames. And indeed he was rewarded by a miraculous event as God spoke to him from the bush saying “Moshe, Moshe” And Moses said, “Hineni, Here I am.” God then said, “Do not come any closer. Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground” (Exodus 3:5).
Because of his ayin tov, Moses was able to hear God speak to him and realize he was on sacred ground. Imagine what he would have missed if he had just walked by.
As we begin a new year, we again resolve to turn our lives around, making resolutions that are almost the same year after year — lose weight, get more exercise, reduce our eating and drinking, less scrolling and more reading, more meditation and prayer.
One of the resolutions that could make a powerful change in our lives and that of others would be to develop an ayin tov, to “see” more and look for the good everywhere and in everyone, and thus be grateful for all we have.
Neuroscience has shown that we can rewire our brain to be happier by training it to focus on the positive rather than ruminating on the negative events in our lives.
What a powerful New Year’s resolution it would be if we resolved to consistently practice gratitude by developing an ayin tov. Not only would our lives change, but we would bring good to those around us if we learned to see beyond the surface and recognize that everyone is created b’tzelem elohim, in God’s image.
If we could incorporate “seeing deeply” in every moment, a natural result would be that it would be easier to practice gratitude.
Eckhart Tolle said, “It is through gratitude for the present moment that the spiritual dimension of life opens up.”
American author Melody Beattie says, “Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
Also, gratitude and seeing the good in others helps us recognize that not everyone is as lucky as we are, and we are therefore nudged to reach out to help them. That empathy would encourage us to dedicate ourselves to do what we can to ease the burdens of others. In that way, our resolutions would have a positive effect not just in our lives, but in uplifting others.
Make one of your resolutions this year to be develop an ayin tov and not only you, but all those with whom you interact, will grow and thrive. I wish you all a shanah tovah, a happy new year.
Kein yehi ratzon … may it be God’s will. Shalom.
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Issues of Faith is a rotating column by religious leaders on the North Olympic Peninsula. Suzanne DeBey is a lay leader of the Port Angeles Jewish community. Her email is debeyfam@olympus.net.
