And while definitive answers might elude us, Jewish tradition offers tantalizing hints and comforting assurances.
Our exploration begins in Sifrei Devarim, a collection of legal and ethical teachings that delve into the book of Deuteronomy. Here, we find echoes of blessings past, promises of a future abundant with divine favor. The text draws a parallel to Jacob, our father, blessing his children. "And G-d will be with you," Jacob tells them, "and He will return you to the land of your fathers" (Genesis 48:21). A promise of enduring connection, a return to roots, to belonging.
And what of the land itself? The text evokes the blessing of Isaac: "And may G-d give you of the dew of the heavens" (Genesis 27:28), a land of "corn and wine," blessed with abundance and sustenance. The imagery expands, drawing upon Isaiah 45:8: "Let the heavens pour from above and the heights drip righteousness," a vision of divine grace raining down upon the world.
Then comes the powerful declaration: "Happy are you, O Israel!" This isn't just a statement; it's a divine call and response. Israel proclaims, "Who is like You among the mighty, O L-rd" (Exodus 15:11), and the Ruach HaKodesh, the Holy Spirit, answers, "Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you?" It’s a beautiful moment of recognition, a reciprocal acknowledgement of God's unique power and Israel's special place in the divine tapestry.
But what, specifically, makes us so happy? Imagine all of Israel gathered around Moses, their teacher, their leader, their guide. They ask him a question that burns in their hearts: "Moses, our teacher, tell us what good the Holy One Blessed be He has in store for us in the world to come." It’s the ultimate question, isn’t it? What awaits us?
And Moses, in his wisdom and humility, responds, "I don't know what to tell you — Happy are you in what is readied for you!" It's not a dismissal, but an invitation to trust, to have faith in the boundless goodness that awaits.
The Sifrei Devarim offers a beautiful analogy: Imagine a man hiring a pedagogue, a teacher, for his son. He shows him around his vast estate, saying, "All of these trees are yours! All of these grapevines are yours! All of these olive trees are yours!" He showers the pedagogue with the promise of abundance. But eventually, words fail him. He gestures to the unseen future and says, "I don't know what more to tell you — Happy are you in what is in store for you!"
It’s the same message Moses conveys to Israel. He can't fully articulate the wonders that await, but he assures them that they are blessed beyond measure. He echoes the sentiment of Psalms 31:20: "How vast is Your good that You have stored away for those who fear You."
So, what does it all mean? Perhaps the true blessing isn't knowing the specifics of what awaits us, but trusting in the boundless love and goodness of the Divine. It's about recognizing the inherent worth and potential within each of us, and embracing the mystery of the future with joy and anticipation. Maybe the greatest happiness lies not in knowing, but in believing. What do you think?