Published May 2019
WHY THE INTERRUPTIONS?
A disciple once asked the Baal Shem Tov: “Why is it that even one who clings to God and knows he is close to Him sometimes experiences a sense of interruption and remoteness?” The Baal Shem explained: “When a father sets out to teach his little son to walk, he stands in front of him and holds his two hands on either side of the child so that he cannot fall, and the boy goes toward his father between his father’s hands. But the moment he is close, his father moves away a little and holds his hands farther apart; the father does this over and over so that the child may learn to walk.” It is important to understand that our relationship with God is a continually growing one. Although we never fully comprehend the purposes of existence, we approach such understanding through experi-ence in thinking, feeling, living and groping our way toward God. The significance of this analogy is that God encourages us to walk and that the world welcomes us with open arms. To grow in knowledge and understanding of life is the most rewarding of all experiences, for we never outgrow the need to grow.
Rabbi Alvin Kass
Chief Chaplain of the NYPD