Day 40: מַעֲמִידוֹ עַל הַשָּׁלוֹם / Drawing another to peace
Yesterday I argued that everyone has their own truth, and the teacher must shepherd the student on that unique path. Today our focus shifts to peace, begging the same question as yesterday: Are we all chasing some higher Peace, or do we each have our own path of peace? I would argue the latter, and I would call it peace of mind.
After the tremendous work we've put in towards learning and growth, we are cautioned against conceit, but not against feeling whole and fulfilled.
Our great sage Hillel counsels, "Be of the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace, loving mankind and drawing them close to the Torah (Pirkei Avot 1:12). His threefold challenge intertwines peace and Torah, as peace is both the the gift and the goal of the pursuit of Torah.
When we extol our beloved Tree of Life and say "And all her paths are peace״ (Proverbs 3:17), we again entwine Torah and peace, and acknowledge her myriad of paths. Each of us, with our same Torah, walks our own path of peace, and together we are Shalom.
Reflection:
How do we reconcile the value of peace with the constant drive forward?
Is peace only a state of mind? How does it manifest in our world?
Lived practice:
Check in with someone else and ask them what kinds of goals they've aspired towards in the last few weeks and months. Feel their sense of peace, and praise them for it.
