Subject: In Memory of Baruch Yitzchak ben Yirmiyahu
From: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com>
Date: 8/11/2017, 4:12 AM
To: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com>
BCC: menachem@alonsystems.com
The Mishna in Avos (5;20) says that the second trait in serving G-d is to be as light as an eagle.
The commentators explain this in two senses:
1) An eagle elevates himself and flies over all other birds and the earth beneath. In the same way a person needs to elevate and remove themselves (according to their level) from the physicality in pursuit of spirituality. In truth the physicality is only supposed to be an aide for us to serve G-d and pursue spirituality but the problem we face is that the focus changes and we make the physicality the point and spirituality just because something to help us in our physical life.
By realizing the truth a person can at least attempt to change course and remove themselves from the physicality. Not everything needs to be pursued in the physical realm, we don't need to eat everything we see or indulge in all of our physical desires. Next time we eat that piece of cake for desert we should ask ourselves do we need another piece or is it just pure physical indulgence.
2) The eagle also has super vision and focus on attaining its goal (prey). In this sense, we should be like an eagle as well and keep our focus on our goal and always in site, never steering to the right or left. Having this focus prevents a person from sinning as their goal of spiritual perfection is always clear in their vision.