Day 19: מִעוּט תַּעֲנוּג / Minimizing [physical] pleasure
Once more, we encounter an apparent endorsement of a sobering asceticism aimed at giving undivided attention to Torah study. Pirkei Avot bluntly suggests, "Such is the way [of life] of Torah: you should eat bread with salt, and you should drink rationed water; you should sleep on the ground, your life will be one of privation, and in Torah you shall labor" (Pirkei Avot 6:4). Can this cold monasticism really be the Jewish ideal? If we look past the hyperbole, we indeed discover some wise counsel.
Physical pleasure is fleeting, whereas pleasure derived from growth and learning is enduring and life-giving. We have already affirmed the value of joy, so today we are urged to seek out and relish the pleasure that endures, and not submit to the temptations of ephemeral delight. This higher type of pleasure requires focus, patience, and effort. I don't advise eliminating physical pleasure from your life, but we must be cautious to not confuse that pleasure with the true joy that awaits us.
Reflection:
Do you think that al physical pleasure is just distraction, or do you think it can and should play an important role in our lives?
What if the true joy above doesn't seem to ever come?
Lived practice:
Pleasure is all around us, and it is not reasonable or productive to simulate total withdrawal. Besides, self-care is crucial, especially at times like these. However, some fleeting pleasures actually pull us further from joy instead of bringing us closer to it. Push yourself to think of even one such example, and try replacing it with a project aimed at deeper satisfaction. Maybe it's replacing Buzzfeed with a new book, or the snack drawer with a new recipe.
