To Walk in God’s Ways

The Torah teaches us something fascinating at the end of this week’s portion of Ekev about what it means, “to walk in God’s Ways.” (Devarim 11:22)

Rabbi Shimon Raphael Hirsch quotes an ancient commentary and says that “to walk in God’s Ways,” is, “to try and copy God’s Ways of dealing with the world, to be like God in pity and in love and patience, benevolence and dependable, gentle and forgiving and make ourselves worthy of bearing God’s Name.”

God’s Ways are truly how we are to implement the Torah in our lives, our communities and families.

If we are teaching and acting in a manner that is with love and patience, gentle and forgiving  — than we are walking in God’s Ways.

If we are teaching and acting with compassion — then we are walking in God’s Ways.

If we are elevating everyone around us, and inspiring them to seek and nurture the good in others — then we are walking in God’s Ways.

The Torah does not want us to elevate our lives to serve God on the backs of those we consider “sinners” — that is not walking in God's Ways.

Our lives are elevated by showing love, patience and compassion, being dependable, gentle and forgiving — that is walking in God's Ways.

Shabbat Shalom.