One question that I get asked more often than others is about restrictions: Why so many? There’s restrictions on what we can eat and when we can eat it; there’s restrictions on what we look at and what we touch; and then there’s Shabbat - in some people’s perception the entire day is about restrictions. What’s with all the limitations? What happened to a bit of freedom? It’s easy to wonder, when Hashem told the forefathers that they’re descendants were to be the Chosen People, did they get to read the fine print? Did they know that being the Chosen People came with a long list of confining stipulations?? It sounds like a difficult question to answer. Thr reality is that the opposite is true: it’s difficult to rationalize a life that is not guided with specific constraints. To achieve success in any area of life requires devotion, dedication and yes, lots of discipline (i.e. restrictions). Take Shabbat, sounds like a long list of restrictions? Yes, but that allows us to create rejuvenating and sacred space in our life that is not distracted and diluted by the noise of the rest of the world. Kosher is limiting? We can’t eat at so many restaurants? True. And this helps us remain focused on the actual purpose of eating food, to fuel our doing good. Much more elevated and free than the Epicurean model where we are essentially led by our food and jot our mind. The examples abound but the point is the same; In reality, the restrictions themselves are the most freeing aspects of our lives. There’s a great parable of a young bird that was frustrated by the large and heavy growths that weighed it down. Until it discovered that they were wings that enabled it to fly. I encourage you to explore and discover how all the restrictions in the Torah are actually the most freeing guidelines. Come fly with us! Isn't it time you learned to fly too? One more thing: The mechitza, the partition between genders in the synagogue, is a pet peeve of so many yet it too is a reflection of the above theme. The restriction of the partition creates the space for each of us to freely and deeply connect with G-d, sans the distraction.
ב"ה