The verse in this week’s Torah reading (13:5) instructs us to follow God’s lead. What does it mean to follow God’s lead? The Sifri says that this refers to following the cloud. When the Jews were traveling in the desert, there was a cloud which they had to follow. Wherever the cloud led them, they had to go. The Ramban writes that this commandment applies to us as well, to follow God’s guidance.
Following God’s Lead
But how does this apply to us? We don’t have a cloud guiding us. What does the verse mean to tell us? The Ramban explains that it means we should follow the signs with which God leads us according to His plan. Rabbi Yerucham Levovitz explains (Da’as Chochmo Umussar, Vol. 2 Ma’amar 32) that every person has his personal cloud which he must follow. No, it’s not in the form of something white and puffy heading to a certain location. But every person can see in his life that God is leading him in certain directions. Many times, a person is not keen with the direction God is leading him in life and he fights against it. A person wants to feel that he is in control of his life and that he can decide how to lead his own life. The Torah is hereby instructing us to humble ourselves and submit our own agendas to God’s plan, and follow the path upon which God guides us.
A Message From Heaven
Rabbi Yerucham Levovitz related that he would avoid traveling on Fridays, as a precaution to avoid the possibility of getting delayed on the road in a manner which may compromise the observance of Sabbath. One time, he had a pressing need to travel, so he made an exception to his policy. He started his journey early Friday morning, to ensure he would arrive at his destination well before Sabbath. As it turned out, the entire way was full of trouble. First, one of the axles of the carriage broke. Next, the wheel itself broke. More and more problems came up along the ride, and the time got later and later. In the end, they barely made it to their destination right before Sabbath. Rabbi Levovitz realized that Heaven was not pleased with his decision to make this exception to his practice by embarking on this journey on Friday. He took the message being sent by Heaven to heart, and he resolved to never again travel on Friday.
On the other hand, Rabbi Levovitz related that he once needed to travel from Lithuania to Poland via Germany. He arrived at a town called Unsterberg, and was headed to a city called Danzig. Out of the blue, a Jew approached him and asked him if he was headed to Danzig. Rabbi Levovitz was surprised at the man’s inquiry, and answered that he indeed was headed there. Rabbi Levovitz never met this person before and had no idea why this man guessed that he needed to go to Danzig. The person took care of storing Rabbi Levovitz’s luggage, and the following day he traveled with him to Danzig. The man took care of all of Rabbi Levovitz’s needs, and helped him cross the border into Poland. When they arrived in Danzig, the man showed Rabbi Levovitz a good place to stay, and got someone to help him out with his needs. He saw clearly how God was leading him along on his journey.
Look Out for the Signs
It is not always easy to figure out exactly which direction God wants us to take. But this does not absolve us from doing our part. We must look out for signs, and contemplate what makes sense from an objective standpoint to advance our accomplishments in life in following God’s desire, according to the Torah. At times, we must seek rabbinical council to show us which path God wants us to take in life.
Not Just Preferred, But a Commandment
Sometimes circumstances make it obvious as to what God wants from us and where He wants us to be. Our job is to follow His plan with loyalty, and not interject with our own preferences, opinions and desires. The question we need to ask ourselves throughout life is not, “Where do I feel like being?” and, “What do I feel like doing?” A person must keep his mind open and ask Himself, “Where is God leading me, and what does God want me to do?” This is not merely a matter of a preferred approach to life, but an actual commandment. Everyone has their own cloud leading them in life. Our job is to humble ourselves and follow our cloud in life, wherever God may lead us.
By Rabbi Yitzchok Aryeh Strimber torah4every1@gmail.com
