This week’s parsha, Naso, has an interesting juxtaposition between the Nazir, someone who takes on a temporary period of abstinence to elevate themselves spiritually, and the priestly blessings.
An interesting note about the Nazir is that unlike the metzora (leper), when he completes his period of abstinence he brings a sin offering, he comes without an escort.
The Sforno explains that after completing a challenge of self-sacrifice and discipline, who could really accompany him? In that moment, who is greater than he is?
At the same time, the sages debate why the Nazir needs to bring a sin offering in the first place.
Judaism has a complicated relationship with abstinence and separation.
We are not meant to live as deprived minimalist monks disconnected from the physical world.
Judaism encourages us to appreciate beauty, celebrate, eat good food, enjoy Shabbat, build beautiful homes, and engage with the world Hashem created, all in moderation.
The question is not whether we should have things, or even nice things, we should.
The question is whether our things, habits, commitments, and choices are helping us serve Hashem and the people around us, or burying us under more than we can realistically manage.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the parsha discussing a dedicated period of sanctification falls during Sefirat HaOmer.
A structured period of intentional growth leading up to receiving the Torah.
Funny enough, here at Balagan Be Gone we sort of do the reverse.
Before Pesach we do the 36 day decluttering challenge, Painless Pesach, which is also a temporary structured sprint meant to prepare us for something meaningful.
Many people use the time between Pesach and Shavuot as recovery time from all the hard work to get to Pesach.
I get that.
You’re tired and life has been a challenge.
For me too.
I came back from helping my dad and immediately got hit with a nasty cold, (maybe the flu?) and between the jet lag and feeling sick, getting back to my routine, running my business, and yom tov, I definitely felt run down this week.
What struck me though was that I didn’t feel like my life was collapsing around me while I was struggling physically.
Everything I have worked to put into place in my life is serving me now.
The systems, routines, and support.
The fact that I no longer expect myself to do everything alone.
Good systems are meant to support us.
They make it easier for us to function when life gets hard, and they make it easier for us to grow when we want to level up spiritually, emotionally, or practically.
You can already see this idea at the beginning of Bamidbar and again in Naso.
Hashem literally gives Bnei Yisrael structure.
Telling them their specific jobs, where to stand, how to move, and how everything should be set.
Hashem is the ultimate organizer
People tell me all the time that they don’t have time to fix the systems.
I promise you though, if you don’t spend time building systems while life is relatively calm, eventually things break down at the worst possible moment.
When you are already overwhelmed and life feels heavy, and frequently before a holiday!
That’s why organization matters so much.
Not because every drawer needs to look perfect or because minimalism is holier.
The goal is not deprivation.
The goal is creating a life that supports you instead of constantly exhausting you.
A temporary sprint can change your direction, but it isn’t meant to be forever.
Maybe that’s part of why the Nazir brings a sin offering afterward.
The Nazir period gives a person strength, discipline, self control, and intentionality, but it does not fully build a sustainable life on its own.
Temporary deprivation may help someone refocus spiritually or break a habit, but eventually the goal is to create systems that allow us to appreciate the beauty of the world, engage with it properly, and still live intentionally.
Maybe that is also why the Nazir is next to the priestly blessings, because being a Nazir is a temporary spiritual sprint and The Kohanim represent the long-term structure of bringing holiness into regular daily life.
Still, sustainable systems are what carry the growth afterward.
So as we approach the apex of Shavuot and Matan Torah, the question is not what are you trying to improve, the question should be:
What are you building now that will allow for continued growth and support in the future?
After Yom Tov, come join me in Tidy Together and let’s improve your system.
The package prices are increasing soon, so now is the time to lock in the current rates.
Don’t miss out on this last chance to save before prices go up.
These are not subscriptions.
They are discounted packages of Tidy Together sessions, so you are not locking yourself into a an ongoing commitment.
A temporary commitment with the goal of creating lasting change, kind of like the Nazir.