What's Your Paradise?

“The mind is its own place and, in itself, can make a heaven of hell or a hell of heaven." - John Milton

Paradise Found or Lost in Translation?

I was driving on a typical sunny day in South Florida when my attention was suddenly drawn to a vibrant billboard that stood out against the clear blue sky. Its bold letters proudly declared, "Paradise—10 minutes away." Great news! Someone should inform John Milton that paradise is not, in fact, lost but surprisingly accessible from this local exit, for underneath the caption promising Paradise were directions to a nearby casino. 

The billboard certainly got my attention and even made me laugh, but I imagine that advertisers wanted more than that—they hoped I would turn off the highway and follow the signs to the best place to transfer money from my pocket into theirs. Who is the target for this billboard anyway? Who is so confused as to mistake a casino for paradise?

The Wisdom of Hillel

I thought about the profound words of Hillel, the wise sage of old, who once imparted, "The whole of Torah is not to do to others what is hateful to you; the rest is commentary - go and learn." This timeless teaching resonated with me as I pondered the essence of heaven and hell in our lives. Heaven transcends mere physical locations; it is a state of being rooted in compassion, generosity, and righteousness.

Conversely, hell manifests in the form of greed, apathy, and a lack of moral integrity. The story of the Israelites in the desert yearning for the familiarity of Egypt serves as a poignant reminder of how easily we can mistake hell for heaven if we fail to discern between the two. That is why they needed to remain in the desert for decades—they needed time to embrace a new mental paradigm and society based on holiness, Godliness, and focus on others.

Navigating Life's Temptations with Wisdom and Purpose

Our journey through life is a continuous quest for discernment, a battle against the seductive allure of superficial pleasures that distract us from the path to true fulfillment. The clamor of billboards, the frenzy of Wall Street, and the constant buzz of social media all conspire to lead us astray, obscuring the fundamental truths of heaven and hell that reside within our hearts.

Guided by the eternal wisdom of the Torah, we are called to choose life over death, blessings over curses. This choice, however, is only sometimes straightforward; it demands that we actively seek knowledge and understanding, embracing the teachings that illuminate the way to genuine fulfillment.

A Time for Transformation and Growth

In the Three Weeks leading up to Tisha B’Av, we mourn the destruction of both Temples and all that meant—truly, Paradise lost. What better time to reflect on our choices and actions, ensuring they align with a value and belief system shaped not by Wall Street but by the Western Wall? Like the Jews in the desert, we must undergo a transformational journey of growth and discovery, shedding the trappings of hellish temptations in pursuit of true heavenly fulfillment.

Embracing the Call to “Go and Learn”

So, the next time you may be tempted by the allure of paradise a stone's throw away, take a moment to pause and reflect. Is it truly heaven that beckons, or is it a deceptive facade masking the perils of hell? Embrace the call to "go and learn," delving deeper into the profound truths that unveil the essence of paradise.

Paradise and hell are intertwined with our choices and actions in life. Ultimately, the decision between the two rests in our hands, requiring our unwavering commitment to lead a life of purpose and significance. May we navigate this journey with vigilance, guided by the light of wisdom and the pursuit of true fulfillment.

Internalize and Actualize

-       Reflect on a time when you were tempted by something that seemed like paradise but turned out to be a deceptive facade. What did you learn from that experience?

-       How can you embrace the call to "go and learn" in your own life? What knowledge and understanding do you need to seek in order to make more informed and fulfilling decisions?

-       Think about a current struggle or temptation in your life. How can you apply the wisdom of the Torah to navigate through it and make a choice that aligns with your values and beliefs?