Weekly Inspiration

We live in a world that rushes from moment to moment, holiday to deadline, without pause. The practice of an Eiruv Tavshilin calls us to stop, prepare, and mark the space between what was and what’s coming.

In a world overflowing with voices and opinions, Parshat Balak reminds us that speech, especially when wielded by leaders, prophets, or influencers, holds immense power.

Judaism doesn’t shy away from discomfort. In fact, it ritualizes it. Whether sitting shiva, tearing kriyah, or offering blessings that acknowledge pain, Jewish tradition invites us not to bypass grief, but to dwell in it, to name it, and ultimately to sanctify it.

Korach teaches us how quickly a holy community can fracture when ego eclipses empathy. Our charge, then, is to be peace-seekers—to rise from prayer with the intention to build bridges where others dig trenches.

This week, the Torah invites us to ask: What anchors us to our truth? What helps us stay grounded when we feel uncertain or overwhelmed? The mitzvah of tzitzit—whether worn physically or remembered spiritually—calls us to remain loyal to our convictions and to God’s vision for justice, courage, and faith.

We can cultivate the practice of offering a blessing — whether through formal words like Tefilat Haderech or simply a moment of gratitude or intention. Our lives are full of movement, but Beha’alotcha reminds us that we are never just traveling — we are journeying with blessing. May we go forward like the Ark, carrying the presence of holiness with us, and may all our paths be made safe and meaningful.