What makes a life meaningful?

A meaningful life is about using your unique strengths to help build something greater than yourself. Different strengths and responsibilities can all contribute to one shared purpose. Two emotional skills sit underneath this: awareness, which means noticing the strengths you actually have, and responsibility, which means using them for your part of the shared work.

Why was the tomb of Moses kept hidden?

The tomb of Moses remained concealed so that it would not become a shrine of pilgrimage for those who deify national heroes. Moses was unique in the miracles that came about through him, like the Manna that lasted 40 years. The emotional skill here is healthy perspective: honoring a great person without turning him into something to worship.

Why did the levites become the teachers and judges of all Israel?

The levites proved their loyalty to G-d and did not show favoritism, even to their closest relatives, so they deserved to teach and judge all Israel, not only their own tribe (Ohr Chaim). In emotional skills terms, that is boundaries: staying fair even when the people involved are the ones closest to you.

Why is Moses called a servant after he died?

In life Moses was called man of G-d, but in death he is called a servant for the first time (R' Bachya). This alludes to a new and higher status, because a servant is permitted, as it were, to enter the inner chamber of the King. The emotional skill is healthy self-worth: seeing service as a high status.

What Makes Life Meaningful? Strengths for a Shared Purpose

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A meaningful life is about using your unique strengths to help build something greater than yourself, different strengths and responsibilities can contribute to one shared purpose.

Ideas and insights from Parshas Vezos Habracha, the final portion of the Torah:

What made Moses unique among the prophets?

The tomb of Moses remained concealed, so that his tomb might not become a shrine of pilgrimage for those who deify national heroes.

Although many prophets performed miracles. Moses was unique in the sheer might and awesomeness of the miracles that came about through him, such as the unprecedented revelation at Sinai, and in the miraculous duration of his miracles. The Manna and water in the Wilderness, for example, lasted for 40 years, as did the very survival of a huge nation in un-liveable surroundings for all that time (Ramban).

What does Vezos Habracha teach about wealth, loyalty and service?

"It is not enough that one’s possessions were honestly earned; one should not display everything one has."

Because the levites had proven their loyalty to G-d and did not show favoritism even to their closest relatives, they deserved to be the teachers and judges of all Israel, not merely their own tribe (Ohr Chaim).

Since Kohanim and levites were charged with service of the nation, it was important that they have enough prosperity to be able to devote most of their time to their sacred work (sforno). Experience shows that great spiritual figures are often more influential when they have the means to be financially independent.

How do different tribes and roles serve one shared purpose?

Among the descendants of Isaachar were two hundred heads of of Sanhedrins, whose halachic rulings were accepted by the entire nation (Midrash, Rashi).

People will come from afar to trade with Zebulun. The tribes merchants will persuade them to go to Jerusalem and see how Jews serve G-d. The visitors will be so impressed by the pious behavior of Israel that many will convert and bring offerings to G-d (Sifre; rashi).

From the day Jerusalem was chosen as the site of the temple, the Divine Presence rested there and hovers over him [tribe of Benjamin] all day long, forever, for G-d will never rest His Shechinah [presence] anywhere else (rashi).

When the supporters of Torah depart this world, they will rejoice, for they will not only be rewarded for their charity, but they will gain the privilege of knowing and understanding all the Torah learning that they made possible (R’ Aharon Kotler).

What does a higher status mean for Israel and for Moses?

"Israel’s lofty status does not permit it to indulge in excesses that are regarded as “acceptable” by other nations."

When Moses was alive he was called man of G-d, but in death he is called a servant for the first time, to allude to a new and higher status , for a servant is permitted, as it were to enter the inner chamber of the King (R’ Bachya).

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“The Torah is the heritage not merely of those born of Jewish parents, but it is shared by every soul that joins the Jewish nation and accepts the Torah. - Ramban”

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