Day 24: קַבָּלַת הַיִּסּוּרִין / Acceptance of suffering
Have you ever heard the expression "I love you so much it hurts!"? The implication is twofold: It means both feeling totally consumed by passion, and it means a willingness to do anything for the other.
Our Mishnah does not explicitly mention 'vulnerability,' but today is a day that hints at that experience. The work of acquiring Torah, the project of learning and growth that we are undertaking, is truly a labor of love. For those most invested, it become an all-consuming commitment. Like any commitment, we open ourselves to the whims of powers beyond our control. "Am I good enough?" "Is this working?" "What's the point of any of this?" We love the work, but it can indeed hurt.
Our challenge is to stay motivated because of and in spite of these setbacks. Suffering is both something to overcome, and something to use to our advantage. Sometimes, the ability to accept and overcome suffering testifies to our commitment to learning and growth, affirming that no distraction can derail our efforts. On another level, suffering can actually help fuel our learning and growth, because we become wiser through the experience of encountering and working through those challenges.
Reflection:
Must all growth come from suffering?
According to your theology, what is the purposes of suffering?
Lived practice:
I don't recommend doing this regularly, but for today, relish in the experience of suffering and frustration that comes. Appreciate the ways that it makes you human.
