Rabbi's Musings

In the Oscar-winning (and excellent) movie The Hurt Locker, the main character is a hero who defuses bombs, but he is not a healthy person. His obsession with danger threatens not only him but also his team. He is driven to danger. The profundity of this choice of work, if it is for him a choice, is made clear at the end of the film. Home from Iraq, the soldier is playing with his little baby boy. Clearly, there is a connection between the two. He adores the kid. But then, in a monologue addressed to the baby, he admits that, although children are passionate about many things, the older we get there are fewer things that absorb us. This is what he actually says:

"Yeah, you love playing with that and playing with all your stuffed animals. You love your mommy, your daddy. You love your pajamas. You love everything, don’t you? Yeah. But you know what, buddy? As you get older somehow the things you love might not seem so special anymore, you know. Like your jack in the box. May you realize it’s just a piece of tin and a stuffed animal. The older you get the fewer things you really love. By the time you get to my age, maybe it’s only one or two things. [The soldier looks sad.] With me, I think it’s one. [The choppers are heard, and the next thing you know, he is back in Iraq, starting another tour defusing bombs.]"

For the soldier, that one thing, the only thing that keeps him alive, is putting himself in extreme danger. 

I am moved by this character, even though I have nothing in common with him, because I respect that he has a purpose, and he is willing to follow it, no matter what. His passion is extreme and not healthy, but inspiring still. Most of us could use a little more focus in our lives, even if (and I hope it will) that focus leads us closer to family, not away from it.
And now the days of focus have arrived, and I ponder if we are ready for them. Are we ready to take a close, honest look at our lives? Are we ready to truthfully acknowledge what moves us? What makes us get up in the morning? And are these the things we should be doing?

During our next few days together, I invite you to consider the direction of your life and to ponder how that direction may have taken you away from where you would like to go. Spend some time away from distractions. Turn off the smart phone, take a walk without any distractions, and reflect on the meaning of life. And when the final shofar sounds, you will be ready.

May the year 5785 bring many blessings to you and your loved ones.