Thinking Torah Blog

This week, we open a new book of the Torah, D’varim, also known as Deuteronomy. Here begins a retelling of the story of the Israelites since their departure from Egypt, as they now stand poised to enter the Promised Land. It feels like such a deeply human moment in the narrative.

When we are on the cusp of a new chapter in life, about to celebrate an accomplishment or step into an uncharted future, we often pause to look back on the journey that brought us here. We know instinctively that life is not only about reaching the destination. The path itself matters. The steps we take shape us, leave their mark on us, and continue to guide who we are becoming.

True growth often happens in reflection. It is in looking back that we begin to see the long arc of our lives, to glimpse the forest through the trees. When I was earning my MA in Jewish Education, my teacher, Dr. Michael Zeldin, would often remind us, “The lesson isn’t over until you’ve reflected on how it went.” He was speaking about teaching, but in truth, he was speaking about life.

Part of reaching our own Promised Land is learning to pause, to reflect, to see ourselves fully human —flaws and all —and to find contentment nonetheless.