Advice from an Ant
The Midrash (Parshat Shoftim 5:2) quotes a pasuk from Mishlei (6:6-8), “Go to the ant, you lazy one, observe its ways and become wise…. It prepares its sustenance in the summer and gathers its food in the autumn.” What is it that Shlomo Hamelech wanted us to learn from the ant?
The Midrash answers: This ant’s “house” has three tiers, one on top of another. Ants do not store their food in the top tier, because it might become spoiled by rainwater that may seep in; nor do they place it in the bottom tier, since it could then be ruined by mud. Rather, they store their food in the middle tier, as this is the most secure place for it.
What are we meant to learn from this allegory of the three-story house, in which the ultimate protection is only in the middle tier?
A Limited Time to Accomplish
In his commentary on this pasuk, the Maharal points out how imperative it is for us to learn to be zealous in carrying out our deeds. The ant’s time to gather food is quite limited, and yet it gathers its food zealously. Similarly, we are given a limited time to accomplish in this world. More specifically, the Maharal says, we must do teshuvah, return to Hashem and His ways, while we are alive and are still able to do so.
We may add that we should take an example from the nemalah, the ant, especially during the month of Elul, when we are given an even greater opportunity to amend our ways and come near to Hashem. Surely we will commit to improving our actions during this tekufah (season). Yet we may ask the age-old question: How do we make this teshuvah one that will last? What is it that can bring continuity to our return to a close relationship with Hashem?
A Private Room on the Middle Floor
To answer this, we turn once again to the ant, who finds a safe haven for its food in the tier that is hidden between the others. This might be a key to our success as well. When we decide to develop new and better habits, we might tend to think that this is expressed through externals. We might feel that the path to teshuvah must be immediately noticeable to the outside world. But this is very far from the truth. When it comes to teshuvah, Hashem looks for sincerity rather than focusing on outward actions that others can see.
We can learn from the nemalah the lesson of the three-story building: One who wishes to advertise his actions to the world will place a sign at the top of this building. Conversely, if someone wishes to be noticed by those who are nearby, he will place a sign in the window of the lowest, street-level floor. But the one who wants the most privacy – whose desire is to accomplish on his own – will choose a room on the middle floor.
Teshuvah: An Everlasting Relationship
Our goal through teshuvah and ma’asim tovim, good deeds, is to bring about an everlasting close relationship between ourselves and Hashem. Our hope is that over the course of time we will make this bond stronger and stronger. If we don’t want this closeness to spoil, it will surely require a strong element of sincerity on our part, which will be best accomplished through a teshuvah that is accompanied by modesty.
Taken with permission from the book, “To Return and Rekindle – Achieving Spiritual Growth from Elul through Sukkos”, written by Usher Smith, Published by Bikush publications. Available from the distributor, Feldheim, at www.Feldheim.com.
