Be Present

A recent study conducted by Microsoft found that since the onset of the mobile revolution, around the year 2000, the average attention span of individuals has dropped from approximately 12 seconds to just eight seconds.

Throughout the day, we are exposed to an overload of information, whether it's news or work-related information. The constant pings of notifications distract us from whatever we’re doing, decreasing our focus.

Of course, technology has given us tremendous opportunities to connect, work, learn, enhance our quality of life and positively impact the world around us.

At the same time, technology has also given us the ability to multitask. While it may appear to be an ideal way to accomplish more within a shorter time frame, in reality, it often results in reduced productivity, decreased focus and creativity, and heightened levels of stress.

The solution to combating the negative effects of multitasking lies in being fully present and living in the moment. When we devote our complete focus and attention while spending quality time with our family, friends, and colleagues, or when we strive towards a specific goal, we cultivate genuine relationships, enhance our productivity, and derive deeper satisfaction and joy from our experiences.

Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson (1880 Lubavitch, Russia- 1950 Brooklyn, NY) famously taught: "We cannot make our days longer, nor can we add additional hours to our nights. But we can maximize our usage of time by regarding each segment of time as a world of its own. When we devote a portion of time — whether it is an hour, a day or a minute — to a certain task, we should be totally invested in what we are doing, as if there exists nothing else in the world."

A fundamental teaching in Kabbalah and Chassidut pertains to the ability for humans to exercise the mastery of mind over heart, i.e. intellect over emotions. In Chassidic terminology, one who is fully present and invested in what they are doing is called a “Penimi”, loosely translated as “inner wholesomeness”. It is the opposite of superficiality and equivocation. A Penimi doesn't merely think a thought, experience a feeling, do an action — he or she lives them.

When a Penimi devotes a portion of time to a certain task or discussion, they are totally invested in what they are doing and fully engaged in the conversation, as if there exists nothing else in the world.

The capacity and drive to attain full presence stem from a profound understanding and recognition of the significance and objectives of our lives. In Judaism, it is taught that the world does not consist of arbitrary subatomic particles wandering purposelessly on Earth. Instead, every element of the universe is fashioned with a distinct plan and intention, resulting in a harmoniously balanced ecosystem.

From a Jewish perspective, there is no such thing as a coincidence. We are each given the unique abilities, talents, connections, and resources to fulfill our mission in life. Every opportunity or challenge we encounter is ordained by G-d. The term for it in Hebrew is called Hashgacha Pratit (i.e. Divine providence).

The Baal Shem Tov (1698-1760 Mezhibush, Ukraine) introduced a revolutionary approach to the idea of Divine providence by teaching that every particular occurrence which relates to people, animals, plants, and even mineral matter has inherent significance and a connection to the intent of the creation as a whole.

The story is recounted of a time when the Baal Shem Tov, accompanied by his disciples, was walking on a hot summer day. The students, wondering about the ramifications of this philosophy, challenged him. In response, the Baal Shem Tov instructed his disciples to follow him. They proceeded to walk through a field, where they witnessed a leaf descending from a nearby tree. Carried by the wind, the leaf gracefully moved until it finally settled on the ground. It continued to shift slightly, tumbling a few times, until it ultimately came to rest in a specific spot.

Approaching the leaf, the Baal Shem Tov bent down and lifted it up. To the amazement of his disciples, he revealed a hidden worm sheltered beneath the leaf, shielded from the scorching heat of the sun. He explained that this exemplified the greatness of the Creator, whose providence extends even to the trajectory of a falling leaf.

If such meticulous care is bestowed upon a single leaf, then all the more so does this apply to human beings. This philosophy enables us to recognize the profound significance of every moment in our lives. Even seemingly trivial tasks or conversations may present us with the opportunity to exert a transformative influence on the world around us.

In this week’s Torah portion, Bahalotecha, we learn about the early travels of the Jewish people in the desert and concerning the cloud of glory that led them during the day and indicated to them when it was time to rest.

As the verse states: “Sometimes, the cloud remained for several days above the Mishkan (Tabernacle); at the Lord's bidding they encamped and at the Lord's bidding they traveled. Whether it was for two days, a month or a year, that the cloud lingered to hover over the Mishkan, the children of Israel would encamp and not travel, and when it departed, they traveled (-Numbers 9:20, 22).”

The Torah goes on to relate that the Jewish people would erect or disassemble the Tabernacle each time they traveled and encamped, regardless of the length of time of their stay.

This teaches us an important lesson: We naturally tend to give significance only to the periods of our lives that occur in relatively permanent geographic and emotional settings. But when we find ourselves in temporary situations, we often write them off as unimportant and fail to utilize them fully. The lesson from the Jewish people in the desert is twofold: first, the journeys we go through in life—both geographical and emotional—are dictated by G-d. Of course, we can and should make our plans based on our own perception of our lives' goals. But at the same time, we must realize that G-d sees the big picture and knows when it is in our best interest to stay or move on to the next station in life—and He arranges things accordingly. Second, we should treat the smallest situation with the same care as the greatest one. Since G-d is beyond time and place, when we connect with Him, with His essence, even for one moment, that moment lasts for all of time.

When faced with a seemingly endless amount of tasks and distractions every day, it may seem overwhelming to fully remain present and appreciate each moment. However, we can make an effort to spend a few minutes each day immersed in Torah study, prayer and meditation while turning off our mobile devices. Let us spend quality time each week with our family and friends while reconnecting with our Jewish identity during Shabbat dinner in a technological-free environment.

Those precious moments and experiences will enable us to remain in control of our devices and properly harness the power of technology instead of allowing them to consume our lives. Remaining fully present gives us the ability and inspiration to appreciate the impact of each Mitzvah we do, every person we encounter, and each moment of our day.

As Maimonides states, “A person should always look at himself as equally balanced between merit and sin and the world as equally balanced between merit and sin... If he performs one mitzvah, he tips his balance and that of the entire world to the side of merit and brings deliverance and salvation to himself and others”. All it takes is one Mitzvah to tip the scale and bring Moshiach and redemption to the world. Let us do our part to make it happen today!