Organized Chaos
In the hours before opening, a restaurant is a scene of controlled chaos. Staff arrive early, each with a specific role. Managers oversee, checking cleanliness and alignment, holding briefings on reservations and special requests. There's a palpable urgency as everyone works against the clock. In the kitchen, chefs and cooks set up their stations while the head chef directs, ensuring everything is prepared perfectly. As opening approaches, the chaos subsides. Final touches are made, lights are dimmed, and soft background music starts. The doors open, and the restaurant transforms. Guests are greeted warmly and led to tables, where the atmosphere is now serene and relaxing, transitioning smoothly from behind-the-scenes chaos to effortless service.
The delivery room buzzes with anticipation and urgency. Monitors beep steadily, tracking vital signs and the baby's heartbeat. Doctors, nurses, and staff move quickly and efficiently. The obstetrician stands ready, while a nurse prepares equipment. The team offers guidance, and the partner provides support, eyes filled with anxiety and awe. The room's energy is palpable, blending urgency and anticipation. Everyone is aware of the moment's significance—the imminent arrival of new life. The atmosphere is charged, each second bringing the culmination closer. Suddenly, the newborn's first cry fills the air, bringing relief, joy, and awe The organized chaos and the mother's pain gives way to profound joy and celebration as a new life enters the world- Mazal tov!
These paradoxical scenes are what we call organized chaos. Knowing that there is a purpose to challenging or even painful experiences gives us the strength and the courage to get past moments of uncertainty and build a brighter future. We just need to stop for a few moments to reflect and appreciate the bigger picture.
The Torah describes the universe as a place of chaos before G-d created the world. But then G-d created all the wonderful things of this world and placed people on planet Earth to partner with Him and create organization and meaning out of chaos and ultimately usher in an era of peace and prosperity for all nations on Earth with the coming of Moshiach. But just like all areas of life, the time immediately preceding reaching your goal may be uncertain and chaotic. But in truth, the last-minute urgency and disarray is a necessary step before the onset of a new era.
In this week's Torah portion, Balak, we recount the episode of the Jewish people preparing to enter the land of Israel after forty years of traveling in the desert. Despite the Jewish peoples' attempt to pass through the neighboring countries peacefully, the surrounding nations initiate an attack against them. After realizing that the Jews were quickly becoming victorious over the neighboring nations, the Moabite King Balak hires an idolatrous prophet Bilaam to curse the Jewish people. While Bilaam was only too happy to concede, G-d instructed him to bless the Jewish people instead. Ultimately, Bilaam shared some of the greatest blessings and prophecies concerning the future of the world and the purpose of creation—the future Redemption.
As Maimonides explains in his Mishneh Torah: “In the future, the Messianic king will arise and renew the Davidic dynasty, restoring it to its initial sovereignty. He will build the Temple and gather the dispersed of Israel... Reference to Moshiach is also made in the portion of Bilaam…”
Contrary to the popular misconception that the end of days will consist of apocalyptic events, Judaism teaches that the era of the Messianic redemption will usher in a time of peace and prosperity for all nations on Earth. The world will be without sickness, violence, poverty, or death. The Jewish people will return to Israel and rebuild the Third Temple in Jerusalem. All nations on Earth will recognize G-d and serve Him as one.
Two of the most fundamental tenets of the Jewish faith—as listed by Maimonides among the Thirteen Principles of the Jewish Faith—are the belief in the ultimate redemption and the belief that the dead will be resurrected at that time. Why is the coming of Moshiach so central to the Jewish belief system?
Because the Torah teaches us that there is purpose to our world. And the Messianic Era is the actualization of that idea. While Jewish belief also speaks of the soul's reward in the hereafter, earned through its toil in the course of life's journey, it sees the refinement of the physical and the infusion of holiness and purpose into the mundane as the paramount objective. It is the sanctification of the human body and the world at large that constitutes the very purpose of its creation. From the dawn of time, G‑d envisioned for Himself a "dwelling place" right here on Planet Earth. And He put us here to fashion this home. To transform darkness into light.
During the 1890s, physics and medicine underwent radical changes that reshaped our understanding of the world. The discoveries of X-rays, radioactivity, subatomic particles, relativity, and quantum theory brought about a revolution in how scientists viewed matter and energy. Additionally, physicians identified the first virus, and laboratory-based science transformed the practice of medicine.
The industrial revolution, information age, and technological advancements including artificial intelligence have provided us with tremendous opportunities for economic prosperity, access to quality education, and the ability to connect with our Jewish heritage and community while developing a deeper appreciation for the Torah's timeless teachings and relevant lessons. Jewish individuals can now proudly and openly display and practice their Judaism while enjoying high levels of success and respect in almost all levels of government and the corporate world.
While we encounter the current chaotic and challenging environment we now find ourselves, we must keep in mind that there is a Divine purpose at play. We have all the tools necessary to usher in an era of peace and prosperity; we just need to set the table and create the appropriate atmosphere to prepare for Moshiach's arrival.
Maimonides teaches that 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! Let us do one more Mitzvah in merit of the return of our hostages and usher in a time of peace and prosperity in Israel and around the world!
