Parashat Vayeilech: The Power of Alacrity (Zerizut)

Torah: Deut 31:1-30

Haftarah: Is 55:6-8

Brit Hadashah: Rom 10:14-18

Main Points

Joshua replaces Moses and leads Israel.

The Law of God is to be read to the people.

The Song of Moses.

We are in the High Holy days and are preparing for Yom Kippur. I was recently reading an article where the writer used an old Yiddish term, "ah gut kvitel", which means a good note or little note. More loosely translated, it can mean have a good one! It is used around the time of the High Holy days to in reference to our names being written in the Book of Life. Our lives and faith that we display and live out here in our lifetime, will be reviewed again in the Great White Throne Judgement, when the sheep are separated from the goats and we hear our master say, "Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter into your master's joy." (TLV, Matt 25:21)

Alacrity is the Key to Walking in Promise

In Parashat Vayeilech, Joshua was preparing to succeed Moses and they were on the cusp of marching into the land that God had decreed to them. They were admonished repeatedly to be courageous, strong, and obedient. One thing they definitely needed was a sense of alacrity.

Joy and zeal are connected in our walk with God (John 15:10-1). Galatians 5:22 lists joy as being a fruit of the Spirit. Many scriptures in the Brit Chadashah connect joy to receiving or carrying out God’s word (Matt 2;10, Luke 8:13, John 3:29). In Jewish thought alacrity (zerizut) is a joy, zeal, or enthusiasm we have, specifically for God’s will and purpose (Ps 119:60). It is characterized by a sense of motivation and immediacy to do good whenever the opportunity comes (Eph 5:15-17) and see it to completion. We need a faith that carries through.

So pay close attention to how you walk- not as unwise people but as wise. Make the most of your time because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish, but understand what the LORD’s will is. (TLV)

Guarding Our Character

Guarding our character is imperative. If we want to be spiritually minded and empowered to pursue God, we need to be invested in the kingdom and his word. His word and Spirit strengthen us and transform us. When he wrote his word in our hearts and made us new creatures we became more sensitive to his leading and our passions were directed to reflect his person.

Watch where you put your treasure (Matt 6:19-21). Where we strengthen ourselves and place our focus will determine what is empowered. Learn to cherish God and his kingdom.

Watch over your convictions. We need to be single-minded and careful so that we do not allow the temptations of the enemy to constantly derail us. If we harbor sin and selfishness we can end up fellowshipping with the wrong things and withholding the good we can do (Matt 6:22-23).

Ultimately we have to make a choice to be wholehearted. We cannot simply be lukewarm and straddle the fence. We need to choose who we will serve. We can serve self and sin or God (Matt 6:24). Alacrity is easier for those whose minds are stayed upon God and are singular in their focus.

Conditioning Ourselves

Many people dream of being used by God. They want to have a passion, zeal, and opportunity to do things in the kingdom. The greatest service we can do is not necessarily in deliverance ministry, though it is important when it is needed. It is the everyday task of helping others. As we show love and actuate our faith, hope comes, the love of God can break the yoke, and people are set free. In this way, deliverance, renewal, and discipleship happen at the same time.

The sages speak of a man conditioning himself to sense the quickening of the Spirit so that he can sense the inner fire and act on it. In doing so one becomes attentive, alert, and the inclination to action without delay gets stronger. The more we listen and obey God’s voice, the easier it gets to recognize it, seize upon it, and do it. (Ps 119:32)

We can condition ourselves with confession (Ps 71:15-24). Words are covenantal. When we take our spiritual desire for renewal and transformation and begin to invest mental time thinking about it, considering it, studying it, and praying over how it should be done to glorify God

We can condition ourselves by knowing that our obedience is linked to knowing God and ultimately, our love for him being perfected (1 John 2:3-6). When we love God more, we rid ourselves of selfishness.

We can condition ourselves by being mindful of the scriptures our actions are fulfilling. Know the word. Recognize and acknowledge your own obedience. It will do wonders for your faith. When the enemy tries to spread his lies in your mind, you will have a good counter. Jewish thought is focused on the centrality of the commandments in daily life. It does not have to be viewed in a legalistic sense, but in the sense that our obedience to them helps us draw close to God and perpetuate our faith. Knowing that our actions are not just good, but that they further God's kingdom gives us some spiritual chutzpah (nerve, audacity).

What Hinders Us

Laziness (atzlut) hinders alacrity and is characterized by a lack of motivation and self-discipline. Scripture links laziness to wickedness (1 Tim 5:8, 2 Thess 3:6-10). The lazy person defends his space and is often critical of others (Prob 26:16).

Alacrity is also hindered by doubt, fear (shame, loss, or being wrong), self-centeredness, and distraction. Lack of self-esteem can also hinder alacrity. We may not feel that our efforts will amount to anything or feel that we are not capable. We can be overly sensitive to criticism. When these things happen our ability to pursue God’s word and purpose is lessened.

The opposite of alacrity is procrastination. This person is different from a lazy person in that he/she is usually good-intentioned and wants to do things, but fails due to not being disciplined or setting priorities. How many times have we missed out on being a blessing because we did not act on our opportunity in the moment or were too preoccupied to notice others?  The sages state that we are not judged on the basis of good intentions, but only when we complete a mitzvah. Faith and works are connected (2 Cor 5:10, Rev 20:12,1 Pet 1:17). Though evil desires can be judged, good intentions do not bear much fruit until acted upon.

Our yetzer hara (evil inclination) will give us a zeal and joy to pursue self, and if not corralled, can lead us into temptation and ultimately sin. Temptation can be a compulsion to sin that needs to be directly confronted in our minds and hearts. If we allow it to have control, it will lead us far outside of the word of God and his purpose will be far from us. We are commanded to flee sin (2 Tim 2:22), pursue justice (Deut 16:20), and run to God.

I run the course of Your Mitzvot, for you open wide my heart. (Ps 119:32, TLV)

In Ex 24:3, 7 the people stated “na’aseh v’nishma“–“We will do and we will hear..” We don’t always have to understand why God commanded or led us to do things. Some of the things that God tells us to do may not make sense to us but it does to the one who needs help. Sometimes God leads us into things for devotional reasons because it pleases him. Sometimes God leads us to help us avoid sin. The "why" may not be clear to us in the moment. The children of Israel committed to the Torah before they knew what was in it. In fact, they committed to action first and hearing or understanding second. Sometimes we can understand why God spoke some things to us, but many times only God knows the context, our needs, and what has to be accomplished to plant a seed of faith.

Zeal Ornaments Other Traits

Before a football game, our marching band would line up in the band hall to march to the field. The band director would give his war speech and point to a phrase painted on the wall over our exit. It read, “If not here, where? If not me, who? If not now, when?” I did not know that this was a play on Rabbi Hillel’s statement from the Pirkei Avot (1:14). “If I am not for myself, who is for me? When I am for myself, what am I? If not now, when?” The phrase serves the purpose of helping us understand the moment we are in and how vital it is to bring the best version of ourselves to deal with it. As we do we build a spiritual legacy of faith. Our zeal to be obedient is a part of our testimony (Col 3:23, Luke 16:10).

Rabbi Phineas ben Yair commented on our zeal and noted that it was a vital part of how our spiritual lives were built. He observes that zeal was a basic building block to our growth and stated, “promptitude brings to cleanliness, cleanliness brings to purity, purity brings to holiness, holiness brings to meekness, meekness brings to fear of sin, fear of sin brings to piety, piety brings to the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit to the Resurrection of the Dead.” (JT, Shekalim 3:3). The Apostle Peter (Kefa) mirrored this exact type of statement when he wrote that we should give all diligence to add to our faith.

Now for this very reason, making every effort, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge self control; and to self control, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly love, and to brotherly love, love. For if these qualities are in you and increasing, they keep you from becoming idle and unfruitful…for in this way entry into the eternal kingdom of our LORD and savior, Messiah Yeshua, will be richly provided for you. 2 Pet 1:5-11 (TLV)

The sages state in Pesachim 4a that our zeal should always propel us to fulfill God’s word. In The Ways of the Tzaddikim”, the writer stated that zeal was the ornament to all other traits and it also helped to perfect them.

Alacrity Comes With Many Things

Comes with inconvenience: Abraham tended to his guests while he was still wounded from being circumcised (Gen 18:1-15).  The Apostle Paul instructed Timothy that he should be instant in season (when it is convenient) and out of season (inconvenient, 2 Tim 4:2). The same applies to us. Responding well to inconvenience is one way of sowing faith over selfishness and self-centeredness. God calls us to pray when we are sleepy and fast when we are hungry. Our best God-ordained moment can happen when we are too busy and he calls us to give many times in the face of our own needs. All of this happens to cultivate trust and faith. Alacrity is the key middot.

Comes with prayer: Abraham interceded before God at the decree of Sodom’s destruction. Being prayerful helps us to be mindful to act in concert with God (Gen 18:16-33)

Comes with sacrifice: Abraham had to strengthen himself when God told him to sacrifice Issac. He had to let go of all he had known and understood (Gen 22:1-19).

Comes with some risk: Faith and obedience do not always work out how we think (Ps 37:4-6, Rom 8:28). God confounds the wisdom of the world and puts us in a place to trust him above all else. (Prov 3:5-6, Is 55:8-9, Rom 11:33)

Comes with challenges to overcome (Josh 1:9): We can have zeal and we can pursue the will of God, but that does not mean that we will be devoid of challenges. Challenges serve to increase our faith. We tend to blame the enemy for trying to hinder us, but many times we need to thank God for challenging us. When we act with zeal and take God at his word some things are expected. One of them is challenges, but God provided for that too.

Comes with an acceptance of God's sovereignty: We need an understanding that God has a purpose and we are in his service (Jer 29:11).

Where We Run Into Problems

Some people have too much alacrity. They self-actualize and insert themselves in too much. They can be guilty of trampling people, taking too much space, and generally depriving others of decision-making and involvement. These are people who tend to be overly domineering or sometimes just overly sanguine. Avanah (humility) is the remedy.

When we begin acting with zeal we may find ourselves in positions where the spiritual spotlight is on us. This can be good or bad. For some, the spotlight feeds their egos and they lose a sense of humility and submission to God. When we act with zeal and God is using us we can never forget that we are servants and stewards of all that God sends. We need a yiddishe kopf (Yiddish) a smart Jewish head to think in terms of our congregation and the greater good of tikkun olam. When our skills and talents are submitted to God’s use and purified from selfishness, many of our abilities operate on a different level. Even a craftsman can use his/her skills as a devotion to God. We also need a nefish yehudi, a Jewish soul so that our entire being can yearn to connect with God, unhampered by our carnality or the pull of popularity.

Increasing Alacrity

*We can increase our sense of alacrity by finding meaning in what we do. Many times we just need to get connected, find our place, and take ownership of where God has called us to be.

*We can increase our sense of alacrity by learning and skill development. When we can contribute to more things we tend to speak up more and act more.

*We can increase our sense of alacrity by understanding how what we do is connected to the greater effort. When we see the big picture, we tend to have a better sense of accomplishment and purpose and are more prone to act.

*Be action-oriented. Prioritize spiritual things and keep a personal balance so that neither is neglected. Get involved in the work of the congregation. If we do not have the means to invest, we will not have a means to practice. Getting in the place where we have the opportunity to exercise alacrity can propel us quickly.

*Start small. Be aware of the small interactions that can be used to uplift and encourage others. Don't be afraid to be involved in the lives of people. Remember that small stuff matters. Several small micro experiences can add up. Give compliments and encouragement. Be aware of the still small voice that sounds off inside of us. Recognize the power of the present and make the most of it.

*Make the decision. God can use normal things to accomplish his will. All he needs is our obedience. When we decide to be alert and respond to the moving of the Spirit, God can lead us in extraordinary ways. We can find many opportunities to carry out our faith and develop spiritually.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rav Calev

Yom Kippur begins the evening of Oct 1 and ends the evening of Oct 2.

Sukkot begins the evening of Oct 6 and ends the evening of Oct 13.

Hebrew words to know:

Ah Gut Kvitel- (Yid) A good or little note implying that a favorable judgement be inserted in the book of life or could be said while waiting for a verdict from a court. A Yiddish greeting sometimes said in the High Hoy Days.