The Jewish traveler was aghast. He had come to visit Rabbi Dovber, who would eventually be known throughout the world as a premier spiritual master (Rabbi Dovber of Mezeritch, 18th century leader of the Chassidic movement), and was dismayed by the poor living conditions.
The holy Rabbi was sitting on a board (no chairs in sight), and teaching young children Torah. The scene seemed so out of kilter; rich spirituality framed by such raw poverty. The man, an innkeeper by trade, couldn’t imagine living under such conditions.
Unable to contain himself, he asked the Rabbi how he could live without the basic amenities of a normal house. Why his home was so bare?
Answering his question with a question, the Rabbi queried “well, where is your furniture?”
Perplexed, the man replied “Rabbi, I’m obviously in the midst of a journey, and I don’t take my furniture with me when I travel. At home I’m set up fine. That‘s where I'm really invested and that's where it matters.”
Rabbi Dovber replied “I, too, am in the midst of a journey. G-d set my soul to this world for a purpose, just as he sent yours. I'm travelling through life and will eventually move on to a higher plane.
The material is all part of life's impermanence, and I treat it as such. I don't care that much about furniture when I'm 'travelling'.
My ‘home’, my soul condition, is much better cared for. That‘s where it matters.”
We’re all on the road of life. We’re each put here for a purpose, and what matters most is the objective. The rest is the trimmings; the mint on the pillow is nice, but it’s not a priority.
The purposeful things are we [should] really live; that’s where we want to make sure all the details are addressed. At home, even small details matter; after all, it’s your home.
A daily question to ponder is: Where do I really live? Which areas of life genuinely matter? Which areas of life are just parts of the journey, a means to a greater end?
How much attention do we pay to each?
Putting all our attention into fleeting pleasures is kind of like carrying your sofa with you as you travel. It’s misplaced priorities.
Travel light. Live well.
ב"ה