The Torah’s ways are peaceful because everyone gets exactly what he needs
We also see this with the Torah’s instructions to Shevet Kehas as to exactly who should carry the aron. Everyone wanted the privilege. This could have led to pushing and shoving, which would have been completely disrespectful toward the holiness of the aron (Rav Aharon Kotler, Mishnas Rebbe Aharon).
When things start unraveling in my life, that’s when I suddenly feel a tremendous need to be organized. During the two weeks before Pesach, for example, I’m always hit by an urge to run and color-coordinate the sock drawers or alphabetize my recipes.
One of my favorite poems is Rudyard Kipling’s “If.” “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs…” It’s hard to hold onto sanity amid insane pressure, but keeping order helps me to keep holding down the fort. And so I’ve spent the last few weeks pairing single socks and filing five years’ worth of bank statements.
Shlomo Hamelech says of the Torah (Mishlei 3:17): “Her ways are pleasant and her paths are peace.” The Torah’s ways are peaceful because everyone gets exactly what he needs and each person has a unique purpose in life. Conversely, conflict stems when one tries to encroach upon the territory of his friend.
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