At Thanksgiving, controversy exploded at the Covid-19 friendly outdoor celebration. Shots were fired across the plates with carved turkey and bowls overflowing with homemade cranberry sauce. The debate, however, was not as sweet as pumpkin pie. The topic was the choice, not about sides or condiments, but rather the decision between pursuing happiness or peacefulness. What is better? Surprisingly, it got as testy as a Festivus celebration. Serenity now Mr. Constanza?
Being on the back side of life, I have dedicated myself towards living out a peaceful life. How can one pursue happiness when the world is exponentially generating unhappiness? Further, happiness is often both elusive and short-lived; it can be like a gut busting eye watering laugh; quite rare and momentary. Finally, happiness comes with a companion- sadness. Being at peace, on the other hand, was an opportunity to enjoy a prolonged positive experience.
In the Hebrew Bible, peacefulness was something that eluded the Prophet Elijah. His Mt. Sinai moment was one in which God may have told him to take it easy. Elijah’s zealousness, however, made it impossible to absorb that notion.
The Book of Isaiah Ten Commandments’ moment pays homage to Elijah’s Mt. Sinai moment. Isaiah eloquently captures what was lost upon the Tishbite Prophet. Isaiah declares: “For this said my Lord Hashem/Elohim, the Holy One of Israel: ‘in stillness and peacefulness will you be saved, in quiet and in confidence will be your might.'” Isaiah 30:15.
Was “Thou Shalt Chill” an addition to the Decalogue? While certainly not, it is, however, worthy of consideration as it was the essense of one of the most intimate conversations that anyone has ever had with the Lord.
Presently, we constantly confront the agents of chaos; work, school, personal interactions all have their moments. Likewise, our emotions are stoked by media and social media. Finally, we worry about national and international affairs.
We, as Humans, were not designed to constantly howl at the moon. We struggle everyday to make it to another day. This struggle can be eased with some mindfulness: quiet to think, quiet to organize, quiet to commit. With calm, much can be accomplished. Chill matters.
In sum, Mt. Sinai, as a symbol, is multi-faceted. Three themes emanate from these peak encounters. With the Burning Bush, we have Moses commissioned to enter the realm of chaos, zealousness and uncertainty of executing the exodus. With the Ten Commandments, we have pyrotechnics, emotions, drama and chaos. There is impatience and uncertainty that led to a Golden Calf moment. With Elijah, we have a moment of enlightenment brilliantly re-stated by Isaiah. We are directed to embrace a state of peace.
Be well!!
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The Ten Commandments Project 