Curtains. Game over. We've all been there. But what if that "something" wasn't just a project or a hobby, but your entire life? Your very gilgul, your incarnation?
That's the kind of moment we find ourselves in as we delve into Da'at Tevunot, a fascinating exploration of Jewish thought. In this particular passage, we encounter the Soul itself speaking—and what it has to say is The Soul declares, "I now understand that which is adequate for me now in the matter of this incarnation and the reward of the future."
Pause for a moment. Let that sink in. The Soul, after presumably a whole lifetime of experience, of learning, of growth, feels it finally gets it. It understands what was necessary for this particular journey, this particular lifetime. It understands, too, the reward that awaits.
It’s like finally understanding the lesson of a tough class, right before the bell rings. A wave of clarity washes over you. But then…what?
And that's exactly what the Soul addresses next. "Now we need to complete the matters that we started."
Doesn't that just resonate? There's a sense of unfinished business, of loose ends that need tying up. This isn't about regretting the past, but about recognizing that there are still things to be done. Even with the wisdom gained, even with an understanding of the bigger picture, there's still a sense of responsibility, a drive to complete what was begun.
This passage is so short, but it hints at something so much larger: the ongoing nature of the soul's journey. It suggests that even after death, after we’ve (hopefully!) earned our reward, there's still work to be done, a continuation of the process of Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">tikkun olam, repairing the world.
It makes you wonder, doesn't it? What unfinished business do we carry with us? What tasks are we meant to complete, not just in this lifetime, but perhaps beyond? And how can we gain the kind of understanding that allows us to truly say, "I get it," and then, more importantly, "Let's get to work."